Real-world Sony Xperia 1 IV image confirms Google Assistant button removal and hints at silver color option

Sony has just announced an event for May 11 that appears likely to be the unveiling of the next Xperia 1 flagship phone, with a promo video stating “are you ready for the next ONE” implying this to be the case. There is even a very quick glimpse at the upcoming phone in the teaser, showing that the design of the potential Sony Xperia 1 IV has followed on very closely from the Xperia 1 III, although there has been some argument that the top bezel has got significantly larger.

A well-known Xperia leaker, ZACKBUKS, has now posted an image that appears to be possibly the first real-world photo of the Xperia 1 for 2022, albeit encased in a black protective cover. But even with so little on show, there are still two takeaways to be had from this live photo (see below): Firstly, that the Google Assistant button has gone as had already been rumored, and secondly, that the Xperia 1 IV/V will unsurprisingly come in more color options than just black.

The Xperia 1 III gave buyers in certain markets the color choices of frosted black, frosted gray, and frosted purple. While it could be expected that the 2022 Xperia 1 will arrive in at least black and gray, the supposed live shot shows the power button/fingerprint sensor and camera button in more of a silver color. As pointed out by Smartphone Digest, the Xperia XZ2 Premium was offered in a Chrome Silver color that looks similar to what is on show here.

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