Sony has launched the Xperia 1 VIII in Malaysia, with the new model introducing a new telephoto camera plus new AI camera capabilities, alongside updated audio and a redesigned exterior. New look aside, it’s mostly a small update over the Xperia 1 VII launched last year.
Sony Xperia 1 VIII Specs & Features
The Xperia 1 VIII features a triple 48MP rear camera setup with 16mm, 24mm and 70mm focal lengths; in particular, the telephoto sensor is the only one among them to feature updates this time. The new 48MP 1/1.56-inch image sensor is approximately four times larger than the sensor used in the Xperia 1 VII (12MP 1/3.5-inch) with the same 1.0μm pixel size, which should mean greatly improved low-light performance and noise reduction with pixel binning taken into account.
Do note that it’s not just the sensor that’s changed on the telephoto side of things – unlike the previous model that offers continuous zoom from 3.5x all the way up to 7.1x, the new periscope telephoto lens limits the optical zoom limit to 2.9x, though the bigger sensor should be capable of providing another 2x digital zoom (effectively forming 5.8x zoom) for similar quality images.
Sony also pivots to AI for its new camera feature: AI Camera Assistant. The feature uses scene recognition based on the subject and environmental conditions to suggest color tones, lens options and bokeh effects; Sony notes that the recommendations are based on Creative Look imaging profiles derived from its Alpha cameras. Meanwhile, RAW multi-frame processing is applied across all three lenses to expand dynamic range and reduce image noise in low-light conditions.
Continuing to buck the mainstream trend, Sony has retained the dedicated physical camera shutter button, a lack of punch hole for camera, microSD card slot, and the 3.5mm headphone jack, which carries some of the audio know-how from Sony’s Walkman department. While we’re on the subject of audio, Xperia 1 VIII is equipped with newly developed full-stage stereo speakers using identical left and right speaker units, now providing deeper bass, extended high frequencies and a wider stereo soundstage.
The smartphone is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset with 12GB RAM and 256GB of storage, while the 5,000mAh battery – unchanged from Xperia 1 VII – deliver up to two days of battery life under typical usage conditions and maintain battery health for up to four years. Charging capabilities are the same as before, supporting 30W wired and 15W wireless charging. It comes loaded with Android 16, with 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security updates promised.
Chassis-wise, the smartphone introduces Sony’s new ORE (as in “ore”) design language, which uses natural-texture finishes inspired by raw gemstones. There are 4 color options, comprising Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red and Native Gold. The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is now available for order in Malaysia with a suggested retail price of RM6,499.
Pokdepinion: In a world where smartphone brands try to look different (and fail at it), glad to have Sony still understanding how a feature-packed smartphone should be.
