It looks like Sony has solved its 4K recording heat issues

A recent 4K recording test conducted on a range of Sony Xperia phones suggests that the company might have cracked its ultra high definition recording problems.

The test, created by the Phone Battles YouTube channel, pitted eight Sony Xperia phones against each other in a bid to see for how long they could last when recording in 4K definition.

Earlier Sony devices, such as the Xperia Z3v, Z3+ and Z5, drop out at within the first 11 minutes or so, while the latest devices last for upwards of an hour. The Xperia XZ Premium, meanwhile, released just last month, looks like it could go on recording indefinitely: check it out in the video below.

As you can see, there’s a clear trend towards the more recent Sony devices delivering better and better 4K recording performance. Though most people would probably get by just fine with recordings under ten minutes, it’s nice to learn that Xperia fans who want to record longer events like a conference or concert in 4K may have an opportunity to do so on new and upcoming Sony handsets.

But the video also re-opens old discussions around 4K recording. Sony has spent at least three years to get to the point where you can record 4K indefinitely on a smartphone but, was it worth it? Only two of the phones in the test can play the videos at the recorded resolution (the XZ Premium and Z5 Premium); on the others, you’d have to transfer the file elsewhere. Even then, chances are you don’t have a 4K TV or monitor to watch it on.

So, what’s the point of recording at that definition on none 4K phones? Is it so that sometime in the future, when you invest in a 4K display, you could watch it at the higher resolution, maybe?

Thankfully, this isn’t a question that needs to be asked with Sony’s latest high-end offering; if you’re looking for a handset that can satisfy all of your 4K needs, the Xperia XZ Premium is the most capable smartphone currently available.

You can check out our full Sony Xperia XZ Premium review from last week to find out all our thoughts on the new device, and let us know your thoughts on Sony’s 4K progress in the comments below.