Why the Sony Xperia 1 VIII Beats the Xperia 1 VII and Other Sony Phones

Sony has unveiled its flagship model, the Xperia 1 VIII, which arrives to replace its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VII, after a year. At first glance, the newcomer mainly differs in the design of its rear panel, featuring a square camera module instead of the previous “traffic light” layout. However, there are actually more differences than meet the eye.

A Quick Comparison: Xperia 1 VII vs. Xperia 1 VIII

Before diving into the specific differences of the new flagship Xperia 1 VIII, here is a quick comparison chart of the newcomer and its predecessor:

Visually, the device compares to the previous generation as follows:

Xperia 1 VIII (top) and Xperia 1 VII

A Massive Telephoto Lens Instead of a Tiny One

The main and ultrawide cameras on the Xperia 1 VIII didn’t see major changes, but Sony significantly improved the telephoto camera, which is essential for zooming and high-quality portrait photography.

Sony has always paid a lot of attention to the telephoto lens: in previous Xperia flagships, it was unique, featuring variable focal lengths. But this uniqueness came at the cost of quality: the sensor was tiny, the maximum aperture dropped to a modest f/3.5, and the autofocus system left much to be desired.

The Xperia 1 VIII camera system with focal lengths indicated. The periscope telephoto is the bottom lens next to the Sony logo.

The new telephoto lens in the Xperia 1 VIII:

• Features a 48MP resolution instead of 12MP.
• The sensor size is four times larger! It is now a 1/1.56″ format sensor instead of 1/3.5″.
• The issues with decreasing aperture and autofocus have been resolved. It now boasts an f/2.8 aperture and dual-pixel PDAF.

The main downside: the optical zoom is noticeably weaker, dropping from 7.1x to 2.9x. However, this is largely compensated by cropping, which is now possible thanks to the four times higher sensor resolution.

Size comparison of the telephoto lenses on the Xperia 1 VII (left) and Xperia 1 VIII

By utilizing cropping, the new model can provide so-called lossless zoom at an equivalent focal length (EFL) of 140mm (~5.8x), whereas its predecessor offered 170mm (~7.1x). This might seem like a clear downgrade, but the progress in aperture must be taken into account. The f/2.8 aperture lets in 56% more light than f/3.5. As a result, there’s a slight step back in zoom reach, but the image quality will be much better, especially in low-light conditions.

Bottom line: the new telephoto camera on the Xperia 1 VIII represents a massive leap in portrait photography and a calculated compromise between reduced zoom reach and improved image quality of magnified subjects. It’s worth noting that while some Chinese brands offer telephoto sensors this large, the best iPhone Pro, Galaxy S, and Pixel models still don’t have anything even close in size.

A Display with Over 1,500 Nits of Brightness

Let’s clarify right away that we are talking about true full-screen brightness, not the vastly inflated peak brightness numbers that some manufacturers love to advertise.

Sony hasn’t officially stated this, but according to tests by GSMArena, the full-screen brightness of the Xperia 1 VIII has slightly improved. While last year’s Xperia 1 VII scored 1,475 nits in their test, the newcomer breaks the psychological barrier of 1,500 nits. Specifically, the Xperia 1 VIII outputs 1,510 nits in normal mode and 1,548 nits in gallery mode.

The Xperia 1 VIII display still features prominent bezels to avoid notches and to house advanced speakers and sensors

In other words, using the smartphone outdoors on a sunny day will be a bit more comfortable. The panel itself remains the same: an LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Noticeably Improved Battery Life

The same 5,000 mAh battery capacity, which has been used for several years in a row, might disappoint those hoping for a boost in battery life. Given the impressive progress of Chinese brands using silicon-carbon batteries, consumers expect Apple, Samsung, Google, and Sony to move forward as well. However, these four are currently taking the path of optimization.

And Sony’s results are quite good. In GSMArena’s comprehensive battery tests, the Xperia 1 VIII achieved a score of 17 hours and 47 minutes. For comparison, last year’s model lasted 15 hours and 32 minutes in the same test, which includes calls, video playback, web browsing, and gaming.

Battery life comparison between the Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VIII, and other flagship smartphones. Source: GSMArena

The device also managed to make its way to the European Union laboratory for testing. They test all smartphones before they go on sale in the EU. While their testing methodology is entirely different, the overall trend is visible here too.

While last year’s Xperia 1 VII lasted 43 hours and 30 minutes in their tests, the new Xperia 1 VIII held out for 51 hours and 7 minutes. This proves that thanks to hardware and software optimizations, Sony has learned how to squeeze more juice out of the same battery, making the new model last 14–17% longer.

A Better Processor, But With a Catch

A flagship smartphone deserves a flagship processor. Sony has updated the “heart” of the Xperia 1 VIII to the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This chip will essentially remain the most powerful mobile processor for the better part of the year.

However, the catch is that to preserve great battery life, Sony seems to have dialed back its performance, yet noticeable thermal throttling still remains. The latter is something all modern smartphones suffer from to varying degrees: under prolonged, heavy loads, the device quickly drops its peak performance (which it shows off in short benchmarks) to avoid overheating.

Performance comparison between the Xperia 1 VII, Xperia 1 VIII, and several competitors. Source: GSMArena

According to AnTuTu 10 benchmarks, the picture looks like this:

• Xperia 1 VII – Snapdragon 8 Elite – 2.06 million points
• Xperia 1 VIII – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – 2.31 million points
• Galaxy S26 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – 2.63 million points
• Vivo X300 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – 2.72 million points
• Xiaomi 17 Ultra – Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 – 2.77 million points

In other words, the new Xperia has indeed become more powerful, but other smartphones with the exact same chip post noticeably better results.

On the other hand, 2.31 million points is still a tremendous amount of power, completely out of reach for mid-range processors, as well as Huawei’s Kirin and Google’s Tensor chips.

A Terabyte of Storage and 16GB of RAM

The Xperia 1 VIII finally offers a 1TB storage option. The base model still starts at 256GB, but now, in addition to the 512GB tier, there’s a 1TB variant available.

Considering the device is highly focused on photo and video recording, this is undoubtedly great news. Previously, Sony got around this by offering a microSD card slot. While the slot is still present in the current version, having a terabyte of built-in storage is certainly welcome.

The Xperia 1 VIII in Native Gold

It also seems Sony wants to make the 16GB RAM version more widely available. While last year’s Xperia 1 VII was sold globally with 12GB of RAM and the 16GB variant was limited to a few select countries, the 16GB model should now be accessible in most regions.

On the company’s UK website, 16GB of RAM is currently offered exclusively with the 1TB storage and Gold color option. However, this limitation might only apply to the UK or could be temporary.

Improved Audio

Xperia remains just about the only smartphone lineup on the market that uses top and bottom bezels instead of display cutouts. While this approach might deter some buyers, it has its distinct advantages. One of them is housing two proper, powerful stereo speakers that are front-facing, pointing directly at the user.

Stereo speakers on the Xperia 1 VIII

This signature feature is preserved in the new Xperia 1 VIII, and according to GSMArena reviewers, the sound has gotten slightly better. Specifically, it is “a bit louder, richer, and more balanced.” The final audio score awarded by the reviewers is “Very Good,” an upgrade from the “Good” rating the Xperia 1 VII received a year ago.

A More Durable Build

Sony hasn’t heavily marketed this, but it seems that alongside the visual redesign, the smartphone now features a slightly more durable build. Notably, the European Union laboratory awarded the Xperia 1 VIII their highest durability rating of “A,” whereas the previous model held a “B” rating.

This is rather curious, considering the device uses the same protective glass as before. The new Xperia is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and first-generation Gorilla Glass Victus on the back. Nevertheless, something about the other chassis materials must have been improved.

The Xperia 1 VIII in hand. Photo: GSMArena

A Few Words About the Design

Design isn’t a spec that can be strictly measured, and “beauty” is largely subjective.

However, in the first reviews of the Xperia 1 VIII, critics noted a couple of positive aspects about the rear panel’s redesign. Both are related to the panel’s new, unusual texture. According to reviewers, it is now almost entirely slip-resistant and doesn’t attract fingerprints. Additionally, the tactile feel itself is quite unique.

Key elements across various edges of the smartphone

As for the visual aesthetics, when we first saw the Xperia 1 VIII’s design in insider leaks, we were rather disappointed. It looked chaotic, overly flashy, and like a departure from Sony’s traditional minimalist design language. However, in real-life photos, the smartphone actually looks very good.

The signature “premium feel” has remained and even been enhanced, while the new camera module adds a subtle touch of novelty.

Finally, let’s talk colors. Last year’s Xperia 1 VII was available in black, purple, and a swamp-green shade. The Xperia 1 VIII expands the selection to four colors instead of three. They are:

• Graphite Black
• Iolite Silver
• Garnet Red
• Native Gold

And we have to admit, they all look very sophisticated and appealing.

The Xperia 1 VIII in all available colors

How Does the Xperia 1 VIII Compare to Other Sony and Competitor Smartphones?

Here are a few very brief comparisons of the Xperia 1 VIII against other smartphones.

Differences Between the Xperia 1 VIII and 2023-2024 Sony Flagships

If we compare the Xperia 1 VIII not to its immediate predecessor, but to older Sony flagships like the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 1 V, the newcomer dramatically outperforms them in auxiliary cameras, display brightness, battery life, and overall performance.

Battery life is the least obvious improvement since the capacity technically stays at 5,000 mAh, but the progress is real and noticeable. The new model leaps particularly far ahead when compared to the Xperia 1 V. According to GSMArena, that 2023 device offered around 900 nits of brightness and about 12 hours of battery life. The new Xperia 1 VIII boasts 1,500 nits and over 17 hours.

As for the auxiliary cameras, the biggest leaps have happened specifically over the last two years. In the Xperia 1 VII, Sony replaced the tiny ultrawide sensor with a massive one. This year, they pulled the same move with the telephoto lens. As a result, Sony has become incredibly strong exactly where global competitors like Apple, Google, and Samsung are currently the weakest.

A trio of Xperia 1 VIII models side by side

The Difference Between the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VII

Besides their flagships, Sony’s arsenal only includes one other smartphone lineup—the Xperia 10. How much better are the flagships? In our opinion, the difference in specs is as radical as the difference in price.

The current Xperia 10 VII features a smaller display, a battery life of about 13 hours (GSMArena tests), a relatively basic processor, a much more modest main camera sensor, a heavily downgraded ultrawide lens, and completely lacks Zeiss optics and a telephoto camera. The screen peaks at around 1,060 nits, there is no 4K@60 FPS video recording, and the USB port is slow.

Furthermore, the Xperia 10 VII lacks wireless charging, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, an advanced haptic motor, a color temperature sensor, large storage configurations, and other flagship-exclusive features. In short, it’s an okay choice for those who want a Sony device without paying top dollar, but its spec sheet isn’t exactly impressive.

Sony’s Strengths and Weaknesses Compared to Apple and Samsung Flagships

The primary strengths of the Xperia 1 VIII are its cameras, especially the auxiliary ones. It has become one of the extremely rare smartphones on the market where all rear cameras are backed by genuinely large sensors. A main camera with a 1/1.35″ sensor is simply good, but having both a telephoto and an ultrawide camera packed with 1/1.56″ sensors is truly outstanding.

The red Xperia 1 VIII from all angles

To reiterate, while some Chinese brands offer this, Apple, Samsung, and Google are currently far behind these numbers. A telephoto lens is vital for high-quality portraits and zoom. An ultrawide is for landscapes, interiors, panoramas, and group photos.

Sony’s position is further strengthened by its partnership with the German brand Zeiss. Zeiss helps improve the optics for Sony’s camera lenses and calibrates the software processing algorithms. Sony’s flagships are also notable for their dedicated physical shutter button. The iPhone has one too now, but Sony’s is arguably better since it’s mechanical and features a two-stage press.

Other distinct features of the Xperia 1 VIII, consistent with previous Sony flagships, include the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microSD card slot.

Connecting headphones via a dedicated 3.5mm jack instead of a USB port

The device also boasts a notch-less display, powerful front-facing stereo speakers, a specialized haptic motor, and a suite of advanced technologies meant to enhance audio and display quality.

However, the Xperia 1 VIII also has its fair share of weaknesses. First and foremost, it’s the price and the thick top and bottom bezels. As mentioned, those bezels serve a purpose, but to the average buyer, they look quite archaic. Additionally, not everyone will love the side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of an under-display one.

Unlike its impressive auxiliary cameras, the smartphone’s main camera sensor is actually slightly smaller than the ones found in the iPhone Pro and Galaxy S Ultra. And while Sony’s photo quality is generally high, it’s not always class-leading and can sometimes be inconsistent.

The flagship chip is noticeably throttled in terms of performance, there is no ultra-fast charging, and various reviewers have pointed out a lack of advanced software features. Finally, the screen is smaller than its competitors both in diagonal size and resolution.

The Xperia 1 VIII display utilizes Sony technologies and algorithms tested on their TVs and professional equipment

Verdict, Pros, and Cons

The Xperia 1 VIII, much like Sony’s previous flagship models, is a very expensive and somewhat controversial device. It packs plenty of good, but also some bad. We wouldn’t recommend this smartphone to absolutely everyone. At a price point around €1,500, users rightfully expect a device with zero compromises.

On the flip side, Sony seems to have “found itself,” or rather, found the weakest link of most of its competitors—heavily downgraded secondary cameras. As a result, in 2025, Xperia flagships got a massive ultrawide sensor, and in 2026, an equally large telephoto lens.

The company continues to set its main camera apart thanks to its collaboration with Zeiss and technologies trickled down from its professional standalone cameras.

Sony never misses a chance to remind users of the distant relation between its mobile cameras and its professional photography gear

However, this might not be enough anymore, and for future generations, Sony really needs to upgrade its primary sensor. Even concerning the auxiliary cameras, despite the impressive progress from the Japanese tech giant, some Chinese brands like Vivo and Oppo have achieved even more powerful configurations.

In conclusion, here are the key pros and cons of the Xperia 1 VIII: