I owned this phone for almost three years now. This phone is good as a back up camera for casual travels if you don't want to bring heavy equipment. I like the camera control UI. However, I will not buy another Sony phone. Here are some things that turn me off: You only get two years of software update for an $1,800 phone. I'm stuck on Android 13. The fingerprint function starts to fail. It randomly fails to read fingers. Restart will fix it, but the problem will keep coming back every day. After many calls, Sony support asked me to send it back for repair. It's going to be expensive, so I'll live with it. This phone does not have much computational image processing. If you want to do night photography, you need a tripod. I'd rather use a full frame camera if I carry a tripod. The one-inch sensor advertised did not impress me. I don't really see the advantage compared to the other phones which usually get much better image quality under harsh lightings, due to their better computational processing.
Sure, the trick is in not using noise reduction and cleaning the sound manually. It takes a very long time, but it would sound much better. Noise reduction tends to muffle the sound and makes it a bit unnatural.
Nice review. I wanted to buy it. But Sony narrowed their market in my country now and I think its hardware should be updated. It is almost 3 years old now. In my opinion, one these two should be: Either release a new model (Pro II) or not change the model but release sub-models ie: change nothing; design, camera all be same. But update chipset, memory and of course Android version. Even if it would have updated Android version, I will still think "Would its chipset be enough?"
Correction: S22 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen1! Apologies.
The reason Sony isn’t doing well is their update policy. Imagine buying a 1800USD phone in 2021-22 and not even getting Android 15 in 2024.
Agree. And ditching charger + cable is another bad taste
Mother of all smartphones camera
I owned this phone for almost three years now. This phone is good as a back up camera for casual travels if you don't want to bring heavy equipment. I like the camera control UI. However, I will not buy another Sony phone. Here are some things that turn me off:
You only get two years of software update for an $1,800 phone. I'm stuck on Android 13.
The fingerprint function starts to fail. It randomly fails to read fingers. Restart will fix it, but the problem will keep coming back every day. After many calls, Sony support asked me to send it back for repair. It's going to be expensive, so I'll live with it.
This phone does not have much computational image processing. If you want to do night photography, you need a tripod. I'd rather use a full frame camera if I carry a tripod. The one-inch sensor advertised did not impress me. I don't really see the advantage compared to the other phones which usually get much better image quality under harsh lightings, due to their better computational processing.
That's some serious feedback!
I think the software issue only got worse with Google and Samsung announcing 7 years of software update.
Do you mind sharing your settings on Audacity in a RUclips Video? Your sounding really bright and crisp!
Sure, the trick is in not using noise reduction and cleaning the sound manually. It takes a very long time, but it would sound much better. Noise reduction tends to muffle the sound and makes it a bit unnatural.
Tomorrow I'm buying it in 250usd,, any heating or battery issues you encountered???
Nope, 4k recording for prolonged periods and no issues.
Can I spend whole day using it without camera usage ? I mean battery is good in term of normal usage ,12-15 hours on one charge?
10 to 12 hours of screen on time.
@@RandomTeq ok thanks ,great review.
I appreciate you 😀
It is good to start photography with pro i
It uses the same UI as Sony cameras, so that will help you navigate the settings. Learning camera settings is what makes a good photography.
Nice review.
I wanted to buy it. But Sony narrowed their market in my country now and I think its hardware should be updated. It is almost 3 years old now.
In my opinion, one these two should be: Either release a new model (Pro II) or not change the model but release sub-models ie: change nothing; design, camera all be same. But update chipset, memory and of course Android version.
Even if it would have updated Android version, I will still think "Would its chipset be enough?"