We subjected the Sony Xperia 1 IV to our rigorous SBMARK Display test suite to measure its performance Cons six criteria. In this roundup of test results, we’ll analyze how it performed in a variety of tests and several common use cases.

Overview

Main specifications of the display:

  • 6.5-inch OLED (~85% screen-to-body ratio)
  • Dimensions: 165.0 x 71.0 x 8.2 mm (6.50 x 2.80 x 0.32 inch)
  • Resolution: 1644 x 3840 pixels (~643 ppi density)
  • Aspect Ratio: 21:9
  • Refresh rate: 120Hz

Pros

  • The device is smooth in every use case
  • No dropped frames when watching videos and playing games
  • Colors are accurate indoors and in low light, but only display sRGB colors

Versus

  • A strong green tint is visible when looking at the device at an angle
  • Brightness is too low in sunlight and low light conditions
  • Lack of brightness and dark tones in HDR10 videos

The Sony Xperia 1 IV offers good display performance overall, with accurate colors both indoors and in low-light conditions. Its excellent motion control means there are no frame drops to compromise the user experience when watching videos or playing video games, and it’s very refreshingly smooth in any use case. However, its brightness is too low in sunlight and low light conditions; and while the device has good color fidelity when viewed on axis, a strong green cast appears when viewing content at an angle.

Trial summary

Learn about SBMARK display tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone and other display reviews, SBMARK engineers perform a series of objective and perceptual tests under real-life and controlled laboratory conditions. Please note that we evaluate display attributes using only the device’s built-in display hardware and its still images (gallery) and video apps with default settings. (For in-depth information on how we rate smartphones and other displays, check out our articles, “How SBMARK Tests Display Quality” and “A Closer Look at SBMARK Display Tests.”

The following section compiles the key elements of our extensive testing and analysis performed in the SBMARK laboratories. Detailed performance evaluations in the form of reports are available upon request. Do not hesitate to contact us.

How the display readability score is composed

Readability evaluates the ease and comfort with which users can read the still content (photos and web) on the display under various real-life conditions. SBMARK uses its Display Bench to recreate ambient light conditions ranging from total darkness to bright sunlight. In addition to laboratory tests, perceptual analysis is also performed in real-life environments.

Readability in an indoor environment (1000 lux).

From left to right: Sony Xperia 1 IV, Sony Xperia 1 III, Realme GT 2 Pro, Xiaomi 12T Pro

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Readability in a sunlight environment (>90 0000 lux).

From left to right: Sony Xperia 1 IV, Sony Xperia 1 III, Realme GT 2 Pro, Xiaomi 12T Pro

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Measurement of luminance uniformity

This graph shows display smoothness with a 20% gray pattern. The more visible the green color, the smoother the display.

How the Display Color score is composed

The color attribute evaluates the device’s ability to faithfully reproduce colors. Measurements taken include fidelity, white point color, and gamut coverage. We perform color assessments for different lighting conditions to see how well the device can handle color in its surroundings. Colors are measured using a spectrophotometer in a controlled lighting environment. The perceptual analysis of the color rendering compares with the reference model displayed on a calibrated professional monitor.

White point with illuminant D65 at 1000 lux

Color fidelity measurements

Sony Xperia 1 IV, color fidelity at 1000 lux in the sRGB color space

Sony Xperia 1 IV, color fidelity at 1000 lux in Display-P3 color space

Each arrow represents the color difference between a target color pattern (arrow base) and its actual measurement (arrow tip). The longer the arrow, the more visible the color difference. If the arrow stays inside the circle, the color difference will only be visible to trained eyes.

Color behavior on the corner

This graph shows the color shift when the screen is tilted. Each point represents a measurement at a particular angle. The dots within the inner circle show no color change in the corner; those between the inner and outer circle have shifts that only trained experts will see; but those which fall outside the outer circle are evident.

How the soundtrack of the Display Video is composed

Our video attribute evaluates each device’s Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR10) video handling in indoor and low-light conditions. We measure the tone mapping, color gamut, brightness and contrast of the display. We perform perceptual analysis Cons our professional reference monitor (Sony BVM-HX310) to ensure rendering respects artistic intent.

Video rendering in a low light environment (0 lux).

Clockwise from top left: Sony Xperia 1 IV, Sony Xperia 1 III, Realme GT 2 Pro, Xiaomi 12T Pro

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Gamut coverage for video content

Primary colors are measured in both HDR10 and SDR. The extracted color gamut shows the extent of color area that the device can render. To meet artistic intent, the measured gamut should match the primary color space of each video.

How the Display Motion score is composed

The motion attribute evaluates the handling of dynamic content. Frame drops, motion blur, and playback artifacts are examined using games and videos.

The video frame drops

These long exposure photos feature the number of frame irregularities in a 30 second video. Good performance shows a regular pattern (a flat gray image or a pull-down pattern).

How the Display Touch score is composed

To evaluate touch, SBMARK uses a haptic robot and a high-speed camera to play and record a series of scenarios for fluency, accuracy, and response time evaluation.

This response time test accurately evaluates the time between a single tap of the robot on the screen and the displayed action. This test is applied to activities that require high responsiveness, such as gaming.

How the display artifact score is composed

Evaluating artifacts means checking performance, image rendering, and motion artifacts that can impact the end-user experience. SBMARK accurately measures device reflectance and flicker, and evaluates the impact of residual aliasing when playing video games, among other characteristics.

Aliasing (foreground)

Sony Xperia 1 IV

(Photos for illustration purposes only)

Sony Xperia 1 IV – Crop1

Sony Xperia 1 IV – Crop 2

Sony Xperia 1 IV – Crop3

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Philip Owell

Professional blogger, here to bring you new and interesting content every time you visit our blog.