Sony has officially confirmed a launch event set for May 13, with the spotlight expected to land on the upcoming Sony Xperia 1 VIII. A newly released teaser not only locks in the date but also reveals a refreshed rear camera layout, signaling a notable design shift for the long-running Xperia 1 series.
For years, Sony has stuck to a familiar vertical camera arrangement. This time, however, the teaser aligns with earlier leaks pointing to a more modern, square-shaped camera module. It’s a visual change that suggests Sony is willing to evolve its design language without straying too far from what its core audience values.
Despite the redesign, the Xperia 1 VIII is still expected to lean heavily into creator-focused features. Sony appears to be maintaining its emphasis on manual camera controls and pro-grade tools rather than chasing broader smartphone trends.
On the hardware front, leaks suggest the device will feature a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ HDR support. Powering the phone is expected to be the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, paired with 12GB of RAM. Color options are also rumored to expand this year, including Graphite Black, Iolite Silver, Garnet Red, and Native Gold.
Cameras remain the central focus of the Xperia lineup, and this generation may introduce a shift in approach. Sony is reportedly moving away from the variable continuous zoom system seen on its predecessor, opting instead for a fixed 3x optical zoom periscope camera. This unit is said to use a larger 48MP 1/1.56-inch sensor, a significant jump from the 12MP sensor found on the Xperia 1 VII. While this change may reduce zoom flexibility, the larger sensor could deliver better detail, improved low-light performance, and more consistent results across commonly used zoom ranges.
The rest of the rear setup is expected to include two additional 48MP sensors for the main and ultra-wide cameras. On the front, a 12MP selfie camera is likely to return.
Battery capacity is rumored to be around 5,000mAh, with IP68 water resistance also expected to carry over. Early Amazon listings, since removed, hinted at European pricing exceeding €1,800, alongside a possible release window in June.
While full details will be confirmed at launch, the teaser makes one thing clear: Sony is refreshing the Xperia formula visually, while staying rooted in its camera-first philosophy.