Sony has officially teased the launch of its next flagship smartphone, widely expected to be the Xperia 1 VIII, with an event scheduled for May 13, 2026. The announcement, shared via a “Next ONE is coming” teaser on YouTube and social channels, confirms the device’s place in Sony’s premium Xperia 1 lineup.
Key Specifications and Features
Recent leaks, including an early Amazon listing, have detailed the expected hardware for the upcoming flagship:
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Display: A 6.5-inch Full-HD+ OLED screen featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and Sony’s signature tall aspect ratio.
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Processor: The device is rumored to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM.
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Camera System: A triple rear camera setup is anticipated, potentially featuring a 48MP main sensor alongside ultra-wide and telephoto lenses. Reports suggest Sony may move to a larger 48MP telephoto sensor, replacing the previous variable optical zoom for better low-light performance.
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Battery & Connectivity: Expect a 5,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging. Notably, Sony appears to be retaining the 3.5mm headphone jack and adding support for Wi-Fi 7.
Design, Pricing, and Availability
The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to come in several colors, including Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, and Garnet Red.
Pricing leaked from European listings suggests a premium tag of approximately €1,868.99 (around ₹2,08,000), which may include a bundle with Sony’s WH-1000XM6 noise-canceling headphones. While the official launch is May 13, retail availability is tipped for late June 2026.
