Sony's Camera-First Flagship Gets a Major Update
Sony has officially unveiled the Xperia 1 VIII, its latest flagship smartphone, featuring significant camera upgrades and the latest Snapdragon chip.
Camera: The Big Story
The most notable change is the redesigned camera system. Gone is the vertical camera strip — replaced by a square module called "ORE," inspired by natural ore textures. The new triple 48MP setup includes:
- Main: 48MP (1/1.35", 24mm f/1.9, OIS)
- Ultrawide: 48MP (1/1.56", 16mm f/2.0)
- Telephoto: 48MP (1/1.56", 70mm f/2.8) — 4x larger sensor than the previous generation
All three rear cameras now support RAW multi-frame processing for better dynamic range and low-light performance. An AI Camera Assistant analyzes scenes and recommends settings.
Performance & Features
- Chip: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- RAM/Storage: 12GB+256GB base, up to 16GB+1TB
- Display: 6.5" LTPO OLED, no notch/punch-hole (front camera in the bezel)
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 30W wired + 15W wireless charging
- Audio: 3.5mm headphone jack, Walkman-tuned stereo speakers
- Durability: IP65/IP68, physical shutter button
- Updates: 4 Android version upgrades + 6 years of security patches
Pricing & Availability
Starting at £1,399 / €1,499 (12GB+256GB), pre-orders include a free Sony WH-1000XM6 headset. Available in Obsidian, Silver Stone, Pomegranate Red, and Natural Gold (exclusive).
