Sony has officially launched its latest flagship camera phone, the Xperia 1 VIII, now available for pre-order in the EU. Priced at €1,499, the phone comes with several hardware upgrades and design refinements. As a bonus, Sony is including its premium WH-1000XM6 headphones (worth $458) for free with pre-orders.
Update: Full Specs Revealed (May 13, 2026, 02:02 PM CET)
Sony has confirmed the Xperia 1 VIII’s key specifications:
- Display: 6.5-inch OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 1080×2340 resolution.
- Cameras: Triple 48MP sensors on the rear (16mm, 24mm, and 70mm focal lengths) and a 12MP front-facing camera.
- Battery: 5,000mAh capacity with USB PD support.
For a detailed spec sheet, visit Sony’s official website.
Key Features and Improvements
The Xperia 1 VIII builds on its predecessor with notable upgrades:
- Camera Enhancements:
- The rear camera setup includes three 48MP sensors with focal lengths of 16mm, 24mm, and 70mm.
- Sony highlights a new 1/1.56-inch telephoto sensor, which is four times larger than the one in the Xperia 1 VII.
- All rear cameras use RAW multi-frame processing for better dynamic range and reduced noise in low-light conditions.
- A new AI-powered assistant, Xperia Intelligence, suggests bokeh settings, lens options, and effects based on the scene.
- Design Updates:
- The phone features a new “ORE” design inspired by the natural textures of raw gemstones, offering a unique tactile feel.
- It retains the dedicated camera shutter button from previous models.
- Performance and Storage:
- Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset.
- Available with up to 1TB of storage.
- Audio Features:
- Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Offers “Walkman-derived” wired audio tuning for enhanced sound quality.
- Battery Life:
- While specific battery details are limited, Sony claims the phone can last up to two days on a single charge.
Pricing and Availability
- 256GB Model: €1,499
- 1TB Model: €1,999
- Pre-orders include a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.
The Xperia 1 VIII combines cutting-edge camera technology, premium design, and high-end performance, making it a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market.
