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Sony has unveiled the Xperia 1 VIII. While it keeps the familiar Xperia formula intact, the headline changes land in its design, camera system, and AI-driven shooting tools.
The biggest visual shift is the new “ore texture” stone-inspired finish. This gives the phone a rough, mineral-like feel across the back glass and camera bump. Sony is offering it in Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, and Native Gold. A more unified design language also defines the newly squared-off camera housing. Victus 2 glass with a frosted finish protects both the front and back. In addition, the phone retains IP68 water and dust resistance.
Camera hardware still leans heavily on Sony’s familiar setup, but with some notable tweaks. The system includes a 48MP main sensor (1/1.28-inch Exmor T) and a 48MP ultrawide (1/1.56-inch Exmor RS). It also features a redesigned telephoto unit that is now around four times larger at 1/1.56-inch 48MP f/2.8. This offers 70mm and 140mm focal lengths with digital zoom, but unlike previous models, the telephoto is no longer variable.
The more interesting upgrade is software-based. Sony’s new AI Camera Assistant actively suggests edits as you shoot. From softer portrait bokeh and stylised colour grading to sunset boosts, retro looks, and framing crops. It works both before and after capture. There are live preview adjustments and one-tap or manual fine-tuning options, and the system can also suggest lenses and shooting angles. In this way, it acts like a built-in creative guide.
Elsewhere, Sony is pushing image quality improvements through RAW multi-frame processing. This improves HDR, noise reduction, and overall tonal range across all lenses. Macro photography now works across all lenses too, but there is a longer minimum focusing distance of 15cm. Auto Framing also returns, and the company now extends it to the telephoto lens. It also supports simultaneous 16:9 and 9:16 recording, up to 5.8x framing.
Audio sees a modest but noticeable upgrade, with 12% louder output and deeper bass. The system also offers improved stability when paired with Sony’s WF-1000XM6 earbuds, even in crowded environments.
Under the hood, the Xperia 1 VIII runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with up to 16GB RAM. It offers 1TB storage (exclusive to Sony Store in Gold). The phone packs a 5000mAh battery, rated for up to two days of use, and supports 30W charging. Furthermore, Sony promises four OS upgrades and six years of security updates. This is alongside a microSD slot (up to 2TB), 3.5mm headphone jack, and a vapour chamber cooling system.
The display remains unchanged, a 6.5-inch FHD+ 120Hz LTPO OLED panel. This feels like one of the few holdovers in an otherwise refreshed package.
At £1,399, Sony positions the Xperia 1 VIII clearly at creators who want full control over shooting. However, it’s also pricing itself firmly in ultra-premium territory.
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