Gemini · Google · Android · The Verge
Only Google’s Pixel 10 Pro charges so slowly
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This is definitely Sony’s best phone camera yet.
Key facts
- Sony’s ambitious pricing hasn’t changed either: The Xperia 1 VIII isn’t launching in the US, but in the UK and Europe, it starts from £1,399 / €1,499 (about $1,850), rising to £1,849 / €1,999
- The Xperia 1 VIII’s internals are unremarkable, with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset you’ll find on most comparable handsets
- Sony long ago gave up on using its unique 21:9, 4K displays on the Xperia lineup
- What is remarkable is that Sony has managed to make the 8 Elite Gen 5 perform poorly
Summary
A new look and an upgraded telephoto aren’t enough to make this a mainstream contender. The Xperia 1 VIII marks an attempt at a step change for Sony’s flagship phone line. It’s not all different. For Sony diehards, this delivers the flagship essentials, including a capable camera, and looks good doing it. Sony’s Xperia 1 phones have looked almost identical to one another since 2020.