An initial analysis of Sony’s upcoming flagship phone shows that it may be getting a more powerful zoom lens, thanks to some leaked renderers published by OnLeaks. The protrusion of the Xperia 1 III’s rear camera looks similar to its predecessor at first glance. But if you look closely at the bottom camera, it features a square box consistent with periscope designs. Previous Xperia phones offered standard telephoto lenses with 2x or 3x optical zoom; a periscope design would allow 5x or more optical range without sacrificing image quality.
OnLeaks also reports that the Xperia 1 III will include 5G, practically a requirement for any flagship phone in 2021. Unlike the Xperia 1 II, it seems likely that Sony will offer 5G support for 1 III devices sold in the US, given that the creator -focused Xperia Pro will offer.
Overall, it looks like the Xperia 1 III will follow Sony’s minimalist approach. The 6.5 inch screen bezels are very thin and Sony is maintaining the high 21: 9 aspect ratio. The 1 III should also keep the 3.5 mm headphone jack – a rarity among the flagships – well as a microSDXC card slot.
Despite being a major manufacturer of imaging hardware, Sony phones have lagged behind other flagships in the camera department with better software. When we looked at the Xperia 1 II, we saw an opportunity for Sony to lean towards the dedicated camera experience that the phone can offer, rather than trying to catch up on computer photography. Strengthening your hardware offerings with good quality zoom is a solid step in that direction.