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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, reaffirming its commitment to the mobile division earlier in 2026 amid previous market speculation.

Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII Development Confirmed

Development of both the flagship Xperia 1 VIII and the mid-range Xperia 10 VIII has been confirmed. Leaks and database filings, reported in February 2026 by S-Max and other tech outlets, show entries in the GSMA IMEI database. These listings include multiple model variants for both devices.

The Xperia 1 VIII uses prefixes such as XQ-GE, while the Xperia 10 VIII is identified by XQ-GH codes. Corresponding PM codes further suggest broad regional support for the upcoming models.

Corporate Statements and Market Strategy

During a February 2026 earnings call, Lin Tao, Sony's corporate executive officer and CFO, explicitly stated there would be "no change in status" for Xperia phones. This declaration follows a particularly challenging 2025 for the division, marked by disappointing sales and availability issues for the Xperia 1 VII.

Sony appears steadfast in its strategy, committed to a niche market targeting creators, audiophiles, and cinephiles.

Expected Release and Specifications

While official release timing remains unconfirmed, 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 a 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