Sony has officially announced a launch event scheduled for May 13, and it’s almost certain that the company will unveil the Xperia 1 VIII during this occasion. The teaser released by Sony showcases the rear camera layout, which aligns with previous leaks indicating a significant redesign compared to earlier Xperia models.
For many years, Sony has maintained a consistent vertical camera layout on the Xperia 1 series. However, this time, the company seems to be shifting towards a more modern square-shaped camera module. Despite this change, Sony appears to be keeping the features that have made Xperia phones popular among users.
The Xperia 1 VIII is still expected to focus on manual camera controls and hardware tailored for creators rather than following mainstream trends. According to leaks, the device will likely feature a 6.5-inch 120Hz OLED panel with FHD+ HDR support, paired with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and 12GB of RAM. In terms of color options, there are reports suggesting the inclusion of Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, and Native Gold variants.
Cameras remain the main point of discussion
Sony is reportedly taking a different approach with the telephoto system on this generation. Instead of continuing with the variable continuous zoom setup seen on the Xperia 1 VII, the new model is expected to feature a fixed 3x optical zoom periscope camera equipped with a 48MP 1/1.56-inch sensor. This is a departure from the smaller 12MP sensor found in the predecessor. While this may seem like a reduction in flexibility, the larger sensor could offer better detail, improved low-light performance, and more consistent image quality in the zoom ranges that users typically use the most.
The rest of the rear camera setup is rumored to include two additional 48MP sensors for the main and ultra-wide cameras. For selfies, a 12MP front-facing sensor is expected, similar to last year’s model. Battery capacity is also speculated to be around 5,000mAh, with IP68 water resistance likely returning as well.
Some early Amazon listings, which were later removed, suggested European pricing above €1,800 and a potential release window in June. However, the primary focus at this stage is the design update itself. Sony seems to be updating the Xperia look to match modern standards.
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