Gadgets review

Sony Xperia 1 VIII: Essential Tips, Hidden Features, and First Impressions

Getting Started with the Display

The display on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is arguably the most critical component for any user looking to leverage this device as a creative tool. Out of the box, the phone defaults to a "Recommended" image quality setting that works well for general consumption. However, if you want to access the full depth of Sony’s color science, there are specific settings you need to adjust immediately. Navigate to Settings, then select Display. At the very top, tap on Image Quality and Settings. By default, this is set to automatic modes that switch profiles based on content type. To ensure consistent color accuracy across all applications, you should toggle on Creator Mode. This locks the display into a profile calibrated by Sony’s professional team, closely matching their Emmy Award-winning BVM reference monitors used in film and television production. While not every piece of media is graded for such precision, having this baseline ensures that what you see is as accurate as possible. While in this same menu, scroll down to enable Real-time HDR Drive. This feature assesses video content on the fly and enhances the display’s HDR output dynamically. It is a subtle but effective upgrade for watching high-dynamic-range videos without needing external calibration tools.

Unlocking Hidden Camera Features

One of the most significant changes in this generation involves the telephoto macro capability. On the surface, it may appear that Sony has removed the dedicated Tele Macro mode found in previous iterations. However, the hardware remains; you just need to manually unlock the controls. Go to Settings, tap on Menu, and enable Manual Focus Controls. Once activated, this unlocks telephoto macro functionality across all three cameras—the wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses. To use it, open your camera app in video or photo mode, tap the area where it says "Focus Auto" to switch to manual focus, and then use the slider that appears. You will notice yellow focus peaking highlights appear on subjects in sharp focus, allowing for precise manual adjustments. It is highly recommended to use the telephoto lens rather than the ultrawide for macro work. The sensor behind the telephoto camera has grown significantly in this generation, providing better detail retention and depth of field control compared to previous models or standard smartphone ultrawides.

Customizing SideSense

SideSense is a staple of the Xperia experience, but its default configuration might not suit everyone’s workflow. The side bar can be customized extensively through Settings > Side Sense. Here, you can map three distinct gestures: swipe inward, flick up, and flick down. By tapping the settings cog within the SideSense panel or navigating to it in Settings, you can change these inputs from their default dashboard functions to app launchers. For instance, setting "Flick Down" to open Chrome allows for instant access to your browser regardless of which app is currently active. You can also pin specific apps to the top of the launcher menu and create app pairs within the multi-window interface for faster multitasking. For users with Sony audio gear, such as the WF-1000X earbuds or WH-1000XM headphones, enable Add Controls in the SideSense customization menu. This places quick access to battery levels and equalizer settings directly on the side bar. Additionally, you can adjust the physical dimensions of the SideSense bar—its length, transparency, and position—to prevent accidental activation while holding the phone.

Audio Enhancements and Recording

Sony’s expertise in audio processing is evident in several hidden settings within the Xperia 1 VIII. In Settings > Sound and Vibration, look for Playback Quality. Switching this from "Recommended" to "Enhanced Sound Quality" activates Sony’s D-Net Ultimate AI algorithm, which upscales lower-resolution audio files in real-time. You can also manually configure separate processing profiles for music apps versus video applications. For Dolby Atmos users, tapping the Dolby Sound option reveals hidden profiles: Movie, Music, and Voice. While "Dynamic" lets the phone decide based on content, locking it to "Movie" mode often provides a more consistent cinematic experience. Alternatively, Sony offers its own 360 Audio Upmixing software under the Cinema menu, which is particularly effective for film consumption given Sony’s background in movie production. When recording video, two settings are crucial for quality improvement. First, go back to Sound and Vibration and enable Recording Quality. This uses AI to suppress wind noise during outdoor recordings—a feature that is off by default but essential for vloggers or field reporters. Second, within the Camera app’s video settings menu, change the dynamic range from "Standard" to "Wide." This allows you to capture better highlight and shadow detail without entering Pro Video mode. For professional editing workflows, ensure the HDR SDR format is set to HDR BT2020 for maximum color gamut retention.

Audio Control Shortcut

A lesser-known feature exists for controlling noise cancellation modes while wearing Sony headphones. When adjusting volume with your earbuds connected, tap the three dots at the bottom of the screen to reveal quick buttons for switching between Noise Cancelling profiles and toggling Spatial Audio (fixed or head-tracking) without opening the companion app. Live captions are also accessible here via a dedicated button.

Game Enhancer and Performance

For gamers, the Game Enhancer tool offers more than just performance modes. Launching a game brings up a floating circle interface where you can select between Battery, Balanced, and Performance modes. Note that in strict Performance mode, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is disabled to maximize stability. To use VRR with high-performance settings, tap Custom at the top of the menu and manually enable it while keeping other performance parameters active. If you are playing for extended sessions plugged into a power source, look for the HS Power Pass Through option in the custom menu when a cable is attached. This allows the phone to run directly from the charger without charging the battery, reducing heat buildup and preserving long-term battery health. Additionally, enabling "Release RAM" in this same custom section can help maintain smoother performance during intensive gaming sessions.

Essential Day-One Setup

There are several system-level changes that improve daily usability on Android but require manual activation on Sony devices. First, change the Double Press Power Button gesture in Settings > System > Gestures. It defaults to launching the camera, which is redundant given the dedicated shutter key. Changing this to launch Google Wallet provides quick access to payment methods and transit cards, mirroring a convenient iOS feature. Second, enable Smart Call Handling. This unlocks intuitive gestures: bringing the phone to your ear answers an incoming call, placing it face down mutes the ringtone, and shaking the phone rejects the call entirely. For media management, Sony has moved away from its proprietary gallery app in favor of Google Photos for cloud backup and editing tools. However, accessing local files can be cumbersome if you have multiple devices syncing to one account. To streamline this, modify your Quick Settings panel by adding a shortcut to Files by Google. This provides direct access to the phone’s internal storage without navigating through the gallery app’s complex filters. If you plan to use an SD card for expanding storage up to 2TB, ensure it is rated V30 or higher to handle 4K HDR video write speeds. After inserting the card, go to Camera Settings > Menu and change Data Storage to "SD Card." Without this step, the phone will continue saving media internally even if a card is present. Finally, activate the Always-On Display by navigating to Settings > Wallpaper & Style > Lock Screen Settings. Under "When to Show," select "Always show time and info" to keep your display active at all times rather than just when tapped or lifted.

Creative Tools and AI Assistant

The Xperia 1 VIII introduces the AI Camera Assistant, which displays pop-up windows with suggested color profiles before you take a shot. While some suggestions may be generic, users can fine-tune these by tapping the settings icon within the suggestion window to adjust sliders manually. Once satisfied, hit "Register" to save this as a custom profile for future use under the filter menu. Additionally, the physical camera shutter button has been repurposed for utility. In Settings > System > Gestures, you can enable "Take a Screenshot" on the shutter key. A quick tap will capture a screenshot without opening the camera app, while holding it launches the camera as usual. This dual-functionality adds significant speed to daily navigation. For content creators using Sony’s Rion Pocket Pro Plus accessory, the Xperia 1 VIII serves as an ideal companion. The exclusive video creator app allows you to import clips directly from the Rion device. You can use "Auto Edit" for quick social media cuts with background music or switch to "Custom Edit" for manual timeline adjustments, speed changes, and color grading.

Latest Related News

Sony’s Alpha DNA Delivers Strong Video Performance

Recent analysis from Notebookcheck highlights the Xperia 1 VIII's video capabilities as a standout feature in the smartphone industry. By leveraging Sony’s extensive experience with its Alpha camera line, the device produces high-quality footage that competes favorably against other flagship phones. This suggests that for users prioritizing mobile videography over still photography specs, this model offers distinct advantages rooted in professional-grade color science and sensor tuning.

Camera Comparison with Oppo Find X9 Ultra Reveals Mixed Results

In a direct comparison between the Xperia 1 VIII and the Oppo Find X9 Ultra, Notebookcheck noted that while the Sony device excels in video, one of its camera sensors may not be fully competitive. This indicates that potential buyers should weigh their specific needs; if still photography versatility across all lenses is the priority, competitors might offer more balanced performance, whereas the Xperia remains a strong choice for video-centric workflows.

Final Thoughts

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is a device that rewards those willing to dig beneath the surface. Its default settings are functional, but true power lies in the hidden menus for display calibration, manual focus controls, and audio processing. By customizing SideSense, enabling AI noise reduction, and utilizing the expanded HDR capabilities, users can transform this smartphone into a formidable creative tool. While some camera sensors may lag behind specific competitors in raw still photography versatility, its video performance and unique ecosystem integrations make it a compelling choice for creators who value color accuracy and professional workflows.