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Sony Confirms Development of Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII for 2026 Release

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Sony Reaffirms Commitment to Mobile Division

Sony Group Corp. is proceeding with its Xperia smartphone lineup for 2026. The company confirmed its commitment to the mobile division earlier in 2026 amid previous market speculation.

Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII Development Confirmed

Leaks and database filings confirm the development of the flagship Xperia 1 VIII and the mid-range Xperia 10 VIII. GSMA IMEI database entries, reported in February 2026 by S-Max and other tech outlets, list multiple model variants for both devices.

The Xperia 1 VIII uses prefixes like XQ-GE, and the Xperia 10 VIII uses XQ-GH codes. Corresponding PM codes suggest broad regional support.

Corporate Statements and Market Strategy

Lin Tao, Sony's corporate executive officer and CFO, stated during a February 2026 earnings call that there would be "no change in status" for Xperia phones. This followed a challenging 2025 for the division, which included disappointing sales and availability issues for the Xperia 1 VII.

Sony appears committed to a niche strategy targeting creators, audiophiles, and cinephiles.

Expected Release and Specifications

Official release timing remains unconfirmed, but industry patterns suggest a spring unveiling, potentially in May or June 2026.

Xperia 1 VIII (Flagship)

  • Display: Expected to retain a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with HDR support and 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Processor: Anticipated to feature Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset or a similar next-generation flagship processor.
  • Camera: Upgrades could include enhanced Exmor T sensors across a triple array, building on the Xperia 1 VII's 48MP main, ultrawide, and periscope telephoto setup.
  • Additional Features: Expected to include a 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD expandable storage (up to 2TB), IP68 dust/water resistance, front-firing stereo speakers, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
  • Battery: Approximately 5,000mAh with 30W wired charging and wireless options.
  • Operating System: Likely to ship with Android 16 or the latest available version.

Xperia 10 VIII (Mid-range)

  • Processor: Expected to utilize a Snapdragon 6-series processor.
  • Display: A 6.1-inch OLED screen, potentially with a 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Camera: A triple camera system designed for everyday photography.
  • Key Attributes: Focus on compact design, long battery life, a headphone jack, and expandable storage.

Availability and Pricing

Both phones appear headed for