The 2026 flagship model Xperia 1 VIII has debuted from Sony.
Sales started in Hong Kong on Thursday, May 21, 2026, and the release date in Japan is set for Thursday, June 11, 2026.
The Xperia 1 VIII not only changes the body design that has continued for seven generations, but also features enhanced camera performance.
Note that the photos show the Hong Kong model, but the Japan model is almost identical except for the inclusion of FeliCa.
Xperia 1 VIII with a Significantly Changed Appearance
The Xperia 1 VIII significantly re-evaluates the overall shape of the back and the configuration around the camera.
Previously, the design featured lenses arranged in a single vertical line to make the camera section less noticeable, but this product layouts the triple camera in an L-shape within a nearly square pedestal.
The design has shifted to draw the gaze firmly toward the upper back.
This layout change is not just a visual refresh, but was also a necessity to house the telephoto sensor, which has significantly increased in size compared to the previous generation.
With the camera unit itself gaining thickness and area, it feels as though its nature as a photographic device has also been emphasized.
Furthermore, the surfaces of the back and the frame feature a new texture reminiscent of a rough gemstone.
This is a finish with fine irregularities called ORE TEXTURE, characterized by a matte feel as if carved out of a rock surface, and a sense of depth that changes expression depending on how the light hits it.
While possessing practicality that makes fingerprints less noticeable and prevents slipping, colors such as Graphite Black and Garnet Red have also been kept to calm, dark-toned centered colors.
It has taken on an atmosphere that, even more than before, can be called a professional tool.
Display Easy to See Even Outdoors
The display size is identical to the previous model, employing a 6.5-inch OLED panel with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9 and a variable refresh rate supporting up to 120Hz.
The peak brightness increased to 1.5 times higher, improving visibility outdoors as well.
The front + back dual ambient light sensors and the automatic brightness control derived from BRAVIA continue to be featured, finely optimizing brightness and contrast in response to changes in ambient light.
Placing the front camera outside the display to enable full-screen viewing also carries over the characteristics of the Xperia series.
Equipped with Three 48-Megapixel Cameras
The cameras consist of a 48-megapixel wide-angle, a 48-megapixel ultra-wide-angle, and the telephoto camera, which was 12 megapixels in the previous model, has also been raised to 48 megapixels, making it possible to shoot high-quality photos no matter which one you use.
Note that the front camera is equipped with 12 megapixels.
In addition to volume and power, a shutter button is also featured on the side of the body.
Successive models have improved the ease of pressing the button year by year, and in the Xperia 1 VIII, button wobbling is reduced compared to the previous model, allowing you to launch the camera with an even softer press and release the shutter as is.
The usability of this shutter button is important when using it as a camera phone, and this is where you can feel the distinct commitment unique to Sony, which also develops the Alpha series cameras.
Music Playback Functionality Inherited from Walkman
The 3.5mm headphone jack at the top of the body is also a characteristic of the Xperia series.
While many other companies' high-end models have eliminated the jack, Sony has consistently continued to feature it.
Being able to freely choose high-performance wired headphones is a privilege unique to Xperia.
Furthermore, Sony's proprietary high-audio-quality technologies such as 360 Reality Audio, DSEE Ultimate, and 360 Upmix, along with the UI and information display on the Music app side, have been finely brushed up, including format displays for high-resolution audio sources and enhanced recommended settings.
It means the world view of the Walkman music player is packed into a smartphone.
Body Finish That Accents Usability
The new body has a high anti-slip effect, leaving no sense of anxiety even when using it without a case.
However, since the roughness is somewhat strong compared to other smartphones, it might also be good to operate it with the case that will be introduced later.
The body with a matte feel also has a high sense of luxury, and it can be said to be a finish appropriate for a smartphone exceeding 200,000 yen.
Camera with Enhanced Telephoto Performance
The telephoto camera of the previous model adopted a characteristic mechanism of a variable type between 85mm and 170mm at 12 megapixels.
While it could cover two focal lengths with a single camera, the f-number was slightly dark at f/3.5 on the maximum telephoto side.
In the Xperia 1 VIII, while it is a single camera of 70mm, the pixel count has risen to 48 megapixels, and it further adopts an f/2.8 lens.
Therefore, it enables more beautiful shooting even at digital 5.8x (approximately 140mm) in the standard UI of the camera app.
When you point the camera, the newly featured AI Camera Assistant reads the situation on the device side, such as the subject, brightness, and weather, and collectively proposes the suitable coloring, strength of bokeh, lens selection, and more for that scene.
There is no need to track down detailed parameters yourself; you can easily capture professional-style shots just by choosing from multiple images.
Not only the performance of the camera, but the way of using it itself has been greatly enhanced.
Note that video supports 4K 120fps.
Sharp pictures can be saved even when cropping still images from videos.
Enjoy Telephoto Shooting on a Daily Basis
I actually took shots with the Xperia 1 VIII.
While other companies' smartphone cameras have quite strong AI corrections, the Xperia 1 VIII finishes the coloring of the actual scenery almost faithfully.
It feels like it finishes into an image caught with a mirrorless camera rather than shot with a smartphone.
I shot a long distance at 5.8x (140mm).
It expresses the fine details of the ferry floating on the sea surface reasonably well.
It is felt that shooting at this magnification can be fully used on a regular basis.
Usability That Generates a Camera Feel
Macro shooting was manual focus in the previous model as well, but the Xperia 1 VIII can shoot with 140mm autofocus.
Since the minimum shooting distance is also 15cm, you can shoot by getting quite close.
Bokeh shooting also has a natural finish in how the background fades out.
At any rate, I felt that when using the Xperia 1 VIII, you can enjoy photo and video shooting with a sensation as if using a camera instead of a smartphone.
The Case Is Also Refreshed, a Reborn Xperia Series
The case has become transparent material, and this too has a significantly changed impression from conventional products.
Note that the price starts from 235,400 yen for the Japanese SIM-free model, and from 12,099 Hong Kong dollars in Hong Kong.
The Xperia 1 VIII, which combines a sharp telephoto camera and a user-friendly AI assistant with sound inherited from Walkman, can be said to be finished into the flagship smartphone that Sony fans have been waiting for, which is "fun to shoot, listen to, and touch."
▼Photo & Written by Yasuhiro Yamane
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