Abstract created by Good Solutions AI
In abstract:
- Tech Advisor experiences that Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII encompasses a main design overhaul with a sq. digicam module, new ORE texture, and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip beginning at £1,399.
- The flagship introduces enhanced digicam know-how together with a 48Mp telephoto sensor, AI assistant, and multi-frame RAW processing to compete with rivals like Vivo and Oppo.
- Sony retains distinctive options like headphone jack and microSD slot however gives solely 4 years of OS updates in comparison with rivals’ longer assist intervals.
Sony’s flagship Xperia 1 telephones have earned a loyal fanbase of tech lovers. They’re the one flagship units nonetheless sporting microSD card slots, headphone jacks, and front-facing audio system – so it’s simple to see the attraction.
Lately, although, the Xperia 1-series recognition has begun to wane. Sony’s cameras are falling behind the competitors like Vivo and Oppo, and mixed with a considerably dated look and sky-high value tags, it appeared as if the model was struggling to maintain up. Now, Sony has lifted the lid on its 2026 flagship effort, the Xperia 1 VIII, and it’s seeking to shake issues up a bit.
A recent lick of paint
For starters, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is the most important design change we’ve seen from the model shortly. The traffic-light type digicam association, just like Samsung Galaxy handsets, has been modified to a square-shaped module in direction of the left facet of the cellphone with an angled facet sloping down the body.
There’s additionally a brand new texture, impressed by tough stone, that Sony is looking ‘ORE’. For higher or worse, it stands out from anything in the marketplace that’s for certain, and it reportedly makes the cellphone grippy, which is essential should you plan to make use of it with no case.
Sony
The color choices have been livened up a bit, too. There’s the traditional Graphite Black model, however it’s joined by the marginally flashier Iolite Silver, Garnet Pink, and Native Gold choices. All have the standard built-in shutter button, in fact.
Sony has a translucent design case which encompasses a built-in stand. It helps the cellphone in each panorama and portrait orientations, “offering comfy provision for video viewing”.
Digicam ups and downs
As with every Sony flagship, the cameras are a foremost focus. The largest change this 12 months is that Sony has ditched the 85-170mm optical zoom, in favour of a 70mm-equivalent prime with a a lot, a lot bigger sensor.
The brand new telephoto has a 48Mp 1/1.58-inch sensor, moderately than a tiny 1/3.5-inch 12Mp unit. This implies it’ll be manner higher in low-light circumstances and will create a extra spectacular pure bokeh than its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VII.
It’s not all excellent news, although. This new telephoto can’t match the tremendous macro capabilities of the Xperia 1 VII. The minimal focus distance is a (nonetheless respectable) 15cm, moderately than an astonishing 4cm. On the plus facet, you don’t want to enter the devoted macro mode to make use of this functionality; it’ll simply work, with full autofocus. So, in some respects, it might be seen as an improve.
Elsewhere, the cellphone has 16mm and 24mm equal ultrawide and foremost cameras with Sony claiming all three rear cameras can “ship low-light efficiency akin to that of a full-frame sensor by way of noise discount and dynamic vary,permitting for clear imaging even in darkish environments.”
Sony
Sony has additionally been exhausting at work optimising its digicam software program. It now combines a number of frames at a RAW sensor stage, which ought to present higher dynamic vary and noise discount efficiency, in addition to making portrait mode cutouts extra convincing.
Apparently, Sony positioned a variety of emphasis on its new AI digicam assistant. It’s considerably of a departure, because the Xperia 1 units are inclined to focus extra on lovers than informal customers, however Sony hopes this new function will assist bridge the hole.
Basically, when taking a photograph, the AI digicam assistant will analyse the scene and recommend issues like switching lens, making use of a filter, or enabling portrait mode. The concept is that photographic noobs will be prompted into taking extra aesthetically pleasing pictures. In fact, if you recognize what you’re doing, you’ll be able to flip the function off completely.
The way it will compete with the most effective digicam telephones, we’ll have to attend and see once we get a assessment pattern.
Extra specs, launch date & value
The cellphone additionally will get the cursory improve to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, and comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage as commonplace, which remains to be expandable with a microSD card. If you’d like 1TB of storage, that is restricted to the Native Gold colourway.
Fortunately, the headphone socket and front-facing audio system are nonetheless current right here, too.
Sony
What’s much less thrilling is the battery tech. You continue to solely get a 5000mAh cell, though Sony claims it’ll final an hour longer than final 12 months’s mannequin throughout video playback. It nonetheless solely expenses at a measly 30W, too.
One other draw back is that Sony remains to be solely providing 4 years of OS updates (together with six years of safety), which is a good distance behind rivals akin to Samsung and Google.
One other factor that hasn’t modified a lot is the pricing. The cellphone will begin at £1,399 within the UK and €1,499 in Europe for the 256GB mannequin, roughly matching the Xperia 1 VII and costlier than the likes of the Xiaomi 17 Extremely.
These wanting the 1TB Native Gold mannequin might be £1,849 or €1,999, which might be unique to the official Sony retailer. You’ll be able to pre-order the cellphone from as we speak forward of its June launch date and pre-orders will get a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
It’s actually not a discount, however Sony continues to supply options that different manufacturers lack. Whether or not or not these digicam upgrades can justify the value stays to be seen so keep tuned for our full assessment.