Xperia 1 Xda Direct

However, a quick scan of the "Xperia 1 VI XDA" forums tells a different story. The community is still alive, but the focus has shifted:

In the crowded arena of smartphones, Sony’s Xperia line has always occupied a peculiar niche. It is a device line often praised for its industrial design, professional-grade displays, and commitment to the 21:9 aspect ratio, yet frequently criticized for high price points and conservative camera software. xperia 1 xda

The Xperia 1 launched with Android 9 Pie and eventually received updates to Android 10 and 11. However, official support has an expiration date. Through the work of developers on XDA, the Xperia 1 received ports of newer Android versions long after Sony stopped pushing updates. Projects based on LineageOS and AOSP (Android Open Source Project) allowed users to strip away the Sony bloatware and experience the hardware running pure, unadulterated Android. However, a quick scan of the "Xperia 1

Sony’s stock ROM, Xperia Home, is minimalist to a fault. It lacks the customization of One UI or the AI gimmicks of Pixel. Many users turn to XDA not because the phone is broken, but because it is too bare . They want double-tap to sleep, advanced notification LEDs, or to remap the dedicated shutter button. XDA is the library of mods that turn the Xperia 1 from a "professional tool" into a "personal phone." The Xperia 1 launched with Android 9 Pie

You find it under $180, keep it on stock (locked bootloader), and use it as a dedicated video playback + emulation device. Otherwise: Get a used OnePlus 7T Pro or Pixel 4 XL – both have far better development support.