Sony Xperia 1 VIII

Overview

So I’m still left in two minds about Xperia. It’s not a relic, and there’s still something genuinely appealing about Sony refusing to fully follow the crowd. I’m glad Xperia still exists, and it’s great to see Sony at least trying something with a new look. But I’m also not sure the Xperia 1 VIII does enough to attract new fans beyond the existing diehards. I hope I’m wrong.

– As reviewed by AndroidAuthority

TechSpot Metascore

Based on 5 expert reviews

Excellent:

1
Good:

1
Average:

2
Bad:

1

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Last revision on July 1, 2026

Reviewers Liked

Gorgeous minimalist design
Still has 3.5mm port and microSD card slot
Lightweight, AI-free software (for the most part)
Realistic camera results in terms of texture and detail
Fan favourite features haven't gone anywhere
Very good video recording options

Reviewers Didn't Like

Expensive for what it offers
Battery life and charging speeds far from the class best
Camera software bugs make it unresponsive at times
Not particularly fast charging speeds
Heavy CPU throttling under load
'Basic' IP68 rating - other Androids get IP69

Competitors and Related Products

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Expert reviews and ratings

A new look and an upgraded telephoto aren’t enough to make the Sony Xperia 1 VIII a mainstream contender.

By The Verge on June 30, 2026

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is a fascinating but deeply flawed flagship, pairing gorgeous colour science, creator-friendly controls and practical perks like a headphone jack and microSD with an unfinished-feeling design and janky camera app. When rivals like the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra deliver better cameras, software, battery life and displays for only a little more, this latest Xperia becomes a hard sell for anyone but die-hard Sony purists.

By TrustedReview on June 29, 2026

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is, once again, a Sony phone through and through. It has a personality, it has a loyal target audience, and it has a number of features that are practically extinct elsewhere - a headphone jack, microSD expansion, a toolless SIM tray, a clean Android build, front-facing stereo speakers, USB video output, a dedicated two-stage shutter key and a display that's uninterrupted by a punch hole.

By GSMArena on May 13, 2026

The Xperia 1 VIII is a genuinely good phone, but it's a hard sell. You're getting great cameras, incredible speakers, and a handful of features no other flagship bothers with anymore — and that counts for something. But at this price, the slow charging, bare-bones software, and shorter update window are real sticking points that are tough to ignore.

By PhoneArena on May 13, 2026

Sharper looks, a much stronger zoom camera and some novice-friendly photography features widen Sony’s flagship remit, but the Xperia 1 VIII hasn’t stepped up in every aspect.

By Stuff on May 13, 2026

By AndroidAuthority on May 13, 2026

Sony Xperia 1 VIII

Overview

Pros/Cons

Reviews

Similar To

Price: $1,430

TechSpot Metascore

Reviewers Liked

Reviewers Didn't Like

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Expert reviews and ratings