On May 13, Sony officially released its new flagship smartphone Xperia 1 VIII, which upgrades the larger periscope telephoto sensor and the fifth-generation Snapdragon 8 Elite platform compared to the previous generation.
The most significant upgrade of the new phone lies in the camera module. Its rear triple cameras are: a 48MP main camera (1/1.35-inch sensor, 24mm f/1.9, OIS), a 48MP ultra-wide-angle (1/1.56-inch, 16mm f/2.0), and a 48MP telephoto camera. The telephoto has a fixed 70mm equivalent focal length (approximately 2.9x), using a 1/1.56-inch sensor (f/2.8). Sony says its size is about four times larger than the telephoto sensor on the Xperia 1 VII, and the resolution is also quadrupled. Sony stated that with the high-resolution sensor, it can achieve higher zoom magnification by cropping from the 70mm base. Additionally, the design of the camera DECO has changed from the previous vertical layout to a square raised module, with three lenses, a flash, and the Sony logo arranged in a square layout. This design is called ORE by Sony, inspired by natural ore texture. Both the back cover and the camera island have subtle texture treatment.
In terms of imaging, Sony has introduced RAW multi-frame composite processing support for all rear cameras, aiming to improve dynamic range and reduce noise in low-light scenes, while avoiding highlight overexposure and loss of shadow detail. Additionally, the new device features an "AI Camera Assistant" function (based on Xperia Intelligence) that analyzes shooting scenes (including subjects, weather conditions, etc.) and recommends adjustments to settings such as color, lens effects, and aperture. Users can apply the recommendations with one tap or manually fine-tune them.
In terms of performance, the Xperia 1 VIII is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, with a base configuration of 12GB RAM + 256GB ROM. There is also a 16GB + 1TB version available (exclusive to Sony's online store in Natural Gold color). The device retains a microSD card slot for storage expansion. Its battery capacity is 5000mAh, supporting 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. Sony claims a single charge can last approximately two days of use.
The new Xperia 1 still features a 6.5-inch LTPO OLED panel without a punch-hole, supporting a 1-120Hz variable refresh rate, with a resolution of 1080p+ and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The front camera (12MP, f/2.0) is located within the top bezel.
Other aspects: The Xperia 1 VIII retains a 3.5mm headphone jack and features professional tuning derived from the Walkman. It is equipped with optimized symmetrical dual stereo speakers, delivering deeper bass, more soaring highs, and a broader soundstage. Dimensions are approximately 74 x 162 x 8.3mm, weighing 200g.
The product is available in four color options: Obsidian Black, Silver Green, Garnet Red, and Natural Gold, which is exclusively sold on the Sony online store. In terms of pricing, pre-orders are now open in the Hong Kong market: the 12GB + 256GB model is priced at HKD 12,099, the 12GB + 512GB model at HKD 12,899, and the 16GB + 1TB model at HKD 15,899. Source
On May 13, Sony officially unveiled the next-generation R-series image quality flagship camera, the α7R VI, with a suggested retail price of RMB 31,799. Pre-orders start today. The camera features Sony's first full-frame fully stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and is equipped with the new-generation BIONZ XR2 image processor.
For the sensor, the α7R VI features approximately 66.8 million effective pixels, with readout speed about 5.6 times faster than the α7R V. It supports 16-stop dynamic range, expandable to 270-megapixel RAW, an ISO range of 100-32000 (expandable to 50-102400), and EV-11 low-light autofocus. The BIONZ XR2 processor incorporates an AI processing unit, marking the first time the R series includes Real-time Recognition AF+, which supports human pose estimation and 7 types of subject recognition, along with AI-based auto white balance.
In terms of high-speed performance, the α7R VI supports 30 fps blackout-free high-speed continuous shooting, up to 1 second of RAW pre-capture, and up to 60 AF/AE calculations per second. The body features 8.5-stop five-axis image stabilization. Video specifications include 4K and 8K full-format oversampling, 4K 60p/120p without crop, 4K 120p oversampling in S35 mode, and a new dual-gain function. Coupled with an efficient heat dissipation system, it enables continuous 8K recording for up to 2 hours. New additions include 32-bit float audio recording, custom LUT import, and a tally light.
The control section adds a backlit button, the viewfinder and 4-axis flip screen cover the DCI P3 color gamut, and the LCD viewfinder shooting battery life is approximately 710 shots. The body is equipped with dual USB Type-C ports and supports up to 27W PD fast charging. The new generation power system uses the NP-SA100 high-capacity battery with a capacity of 2680mAh, about 17% higher than the previous generation, and adds battery health detection. Also launched are the BC-SAD1 dual-slot charger, VG-C6 vertical grip, and DC-C2 power adapter with 100W output. Source
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