Long Silent, Former Mobile King Rises to Prepare New Breakthrough

Sony is preparing to return to the global smartphone market. The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to be introduced with several key updates. The latest Xperia is scheduled to be announced on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, at 11:00 Japan time (approximately 09:00 WIB).

While specific details regarding the new handset remain limited, reports suggest the device will undergo a major redesign and receive camera enhancements, according to Phone Arena. Previous reports indicate that the Xperia 1 VIII will feature a 6.5-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The rear camera setup will consist of three lenses: a 16mm ultra-wide lens, a 14mm main lens, and a new 70mm telephoto lens.

Sony is retaining the 3.5mm headphone jack in the device, which is being referred to as the ‘Xperia AI’. Furthermore, the smartphone is claimed to boast a battery life of up to two days.

In terms of pricing, the latest Xperia is expected to be more expensive than its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VII, which launched last year at 1,499 euros (approximately Rp 30.8 million). GSM Arena reports that the price for the Xperia 1 VIII is listed on Amazon Germany and the UK, with a retail price of 1,868.99 euros (Rp 38.4 million) in Germany and £1,728 (Rp 40.8 million) in the United Kingdom.

Sony’s re-entry into the market will undoubtedly be challenging given the intense competition within the smartphone industry, where competitors continue to innovate while maintaining low price points. The future trajectory for Sony remains uncertain; however, research conducted by Phone Arena suggests that nearly 75% of readers believe lower pricing could drive higher sales volumes. Additionally, market positioning may prove difficult to shift, as nearly 12% of respondents indicated they view Sony’s mobile era as part of the past.