Sony Xperia 1 VIII unveiled with new 48 MP telephoto sensor and Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is here, featuring a new 1/1.56-inch sensor in its telephoto camera. This chip is four times larger than the sensor in its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VII, and also offers four times the resolution. The new model also boasts a redesigned camera module, is equipped with the latest Qualcomm chipset, and retains typical Xperia features such as expandable storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a two-stage shutter button.
Sony has fundamentally changed course with its camera setup. The Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 1 V, and Xperia 1 IV featured stepless optical zoom like a compact camera. Even the Mark 3 model could switch between two focal lengths.
The new telephoto camera of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII has a focal length of 70 mm (2.9x magnification compared to the 24 mm main lens). For higher zoom levels, the higher-resolution 48 MP sensor is used. This module has an aperture of f/2.8 and should deliver better results in low light. In contrast, the camera of the Xperia 1 VII offered a wider aperture of f/2.3 at 3.5x zoom, which decreased to f/3.5 at the maximum 7.1x zoom.
Sony Xperia 1 VIII with three 48 MP cameras
The other camera modules of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII are the same as before – a 48 MP main camera (1/1.35 inch, 24 mm f/1.9 lens with OIS) and a 48 MP ultra-wide-angle camera (1/1.56 inch, 16 mm f/2.0 lens) as well as a 12 MP selfie camera (1/2.9-inch sensor, 24 mm f/2.0 lens).
Sony states that RAW multi-image processing is used in all its cameras, which both expands the dynamic range and reduces noise in low light. This also avoids problems such as overexposed highlights and crushed shadows.
Besides the telephoto lens, the most important new feature of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, an upgrade over last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. This promises 20% higher CPU performance, a 23% faster GPU, and up to 20% lower power consumption.
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII comes in a base configuration with 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage, with various options offering up to 16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of storage. We should also mention the microSD card slot again – a rarity these days, even in mid-range devices, let alone flagship models.
The Snapdragon chip’s AI accelerator is used in the AI camera assistant. This feature analyzes the scene (subject, weather conditions, etc.) and provides recommendations for optimal settings, such as color tones, lens effects, and so on. With a tap, you can accept the AI recommendation or experiment with the settings yourself to achieve better results.
Sony Sound with 3.5 mm headphone jack
Sony’s Walkman DNA is evident in the 3.5mm headphone jack – you get lossless, latency-free audio transmission and don’t even have to worry about charging headphone batteries. Additionally, there are symmetrical left and right speakers for stereo sound without headphones. Sony has optimized the speakers to produce deeper bass and clearer treble than before, as well as creating a wider soundstage.
Some things remain unchanged, including the 6.5-inch LTPO display with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and the 5,000mAh battery. The screen is flat and has no notches (the camera is located in the top bezel), which many users will appreciate, but the 1080p+ resolution is rather low – Sony smartphones were once known for their 4K displays.
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII’s battery still supports 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. Neither its capacity nor its charging speed were good by 2025 standards; they seem even more outdated today.
Sony has developed four color options for the Xperia VIII, inspired by natural materials: Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, and Native Gold. The company also offers an official protective case with an integrated stand (which works in both portrait and landscape orientations) made from a translucent, non-yellowing material.
Sony Xperia 1 VIII prices
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is available for pre-order starting today – directly from Sony or from selected online retailers. The base model with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is available from €1,500 / £1,400 and comes with a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones during the pre-order period. The 1TB model in Native Gold is available exclusively from Sony and costs €2,000 / £1,850. Shipping begins in June.
