There are lots of things you can buy for $2,500. You can snag a really nice laptop or a Samsung Galaxy Galaxy Z Flip, with enough left over to pick up a Galaxy S21. Or you can buy the Sony Xperia Pro, a phone with a very specific audience: pro photographers and videographers.
First released overseas in 2020, the Xperia Pro is now available stateside. It’s essentially the same phone as the Xperia 1II, with a few changes for the pros. The big differences are an HDMI-In port, wired USB connectivity for high-speed file transfer, and 5G connectivity.
As the first phone with an HDMI-In port, the Xperia Pro allows photographers to use the phone as a 4K monitor and a mobile datalink for streaming. The HDMI offers a 5G datalink to any HDMI-input-equipped camera for real-time broadcasting or sharing on third-party live streaming apps. The 6.5-inch OLED display can also serve as an external monitor via preinstalled software, allowing photogs to lock screen functions, adjust brightness, and use zoom features.
The USB port supports high-speed video and still transfers to FTP servers for a handful of Sony’s cameras. Sony Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III owners can transfer video and stills via FTP, while Alpha 9 and Alpha 9 II users can transfer stills via FTP.
In addition to the HDMI-In port, this is also Sony’s first phone to support 5G in the US. The phone’s unique 360-degree antenna design offers better connectivity no matter how the phone is mounted or held. In order to house the antenna array, the chassis was redesigned as well. A Network Visualizer app that provides signal direction, communication method, and speed is also baked in to help camera operators find the best spot for live transmission.
Although the Xperia Pro is unlocked, it only supports LTE and sub-6GHz 5G on AT&T and T-Mobile. If you need ultrafast millimeter-wave speeds, Verizon is your only option.
The Xperia Pro sells for $2,499.99, and is available through Sony Authorized Retailers now. Mounts, HDMI cables, and other equipment cost extra.
