Sony Xperia 1 VIII vs. Xperia 1 VII: What’s new?

Sony just announced its latest Android flagship, the Xperia 1 VIII, but how does it compare to last year?

We’ve compared the specs of the new Xperia 1 VIII to the VII and highlighted the key differences and updates between the two. Read on to see what’s really new with the Sony Xperia 1 VIII compared to the Xperia 1 VII and decide whether it’s worth an update or not.

Instead, for more options, check out our guides to the best Android phones, best smartphones, and best camera phones.

Specifications Comparison Table

Price and Availability

At the time of writing, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is available for pre-order and will launch in mid-June. The handset’s starting RRP is £1,399/€1,499 for the 256GB version, rising to a stunning £1,849/€1,999 for the 1TB Native Gold version.

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII Features a New AI Camera Assistant

Sony has introduced the new AI Camera Assistant in the Xperia 1 VIII, which is intended to “make taking photos even more pleasant”. Using Xperia Intelligence, Sony’s AI technology, AI Camera Assistant automatically detects a scene on the camera and suggests different options for your image. This is done by assessing the actual subject, weather, and lighting conditions to provide suggestions for color tones, lens flares, and bokeh expressions.

The Xperia 1 VII also uses AI in its camera setup with AI Camerawork, ensuring your subject always remains in focus. This includes pose estimation, which predicts human movement, while subject position lock maintains a subject’s position in the frame.

The Xperia 1 VIII’s Telephoto Sensor is Around Four Times Larger Than the VII’s Own

Speaking of photography, one of the reasons to choose a Sony Xperia is undoubtedly the camera setup. In fact, its predecessor, the Sony Xperia 1 VI, has a place in our guide to the best camera phones.

One of the biggest improvements to the Xperia 1 VIII is the telephoto camera, which now features a sensor four times larger than the VII’s at 1/1.56-inch. According to Sony, this should deliver clear and detailed images “even in low light conditions”.

Sony also explains that all lenses feature RAW multi-image processing, which extends the dynamic range (HDR) and performs noise reduction even in low light conditions.

The Xperia 1 VIII’s Speakers Promise Better Sound Quality Overall

Both the VIII and VII are equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack – which is a rarity on modern smartphones. The jack supports high-quality audio with wired headphones and is said to offer “exceptional sound quality inherited from Walkman.”

However, the VIII also benefits from newly developed speaker units for further advances in stereo performance. The speakers are designed to produce deeper bass and extended high frequencies and also produce a wider and deeper soundstage.

According to Sony, voices and instruments are reproduced with greater clarity and richness for a more immersive and engaging audio experience. We’ll have to wait until we check the handset to see how well the speakers really work.

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite

Unsurprisingly for a 2026 Android flagship, the Xperia 1 VIII runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip. We’ve found that the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, found in many of the best Android phones, offers both brilliant everyday performance and excels at handling more demanding tasks like gaming or even video editing. In comparison, the Xperia 1 VII runs last year’s Qualcomm flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Elite.

Sony promises that the Xperia 1 VIII will see a 20% improvement in processing speed and performance. Still, the Snapdragon 8 Elite remains a solid chip that works well in the Xperia 1 VII, and you’re unlikely to notice much of a difference in everyday use.

Nevertheless, both handsets promise decent efficiency with a battery life of two days.

The Xperia 1 VIII Houses its Cameras in a Revamped Square Bump

If you turn the Xperia 1 VIII and VII over, you’ll notice how different the backs are. While the VII is somewhat reminiscent of the Samsung Galaxy S26, albeit with its three rear cameras in a raised bump, the VIII’s trio is housed in a square bump instead.

Otherwise, both handsets come with the dedicated camera shutter button that mirrors dedicated cameras and improves recording.

Sony Xperia 1 VIIISony Xperia 1 VII

Early Judgment

With a flagship processor, a larger telephoto lens and new design, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is a promising overall improvement over its predecessor. However, with a hefty starting price of £1399/€1499, it’s one of the more expensive options currently available on the market.

With that in mind, if you still own the Xperia 1 VII, there’s little reason to upgrade. Although its design isn’t quite as elegant as its successor’s, the VII still benefits from a decent chip and also promises two days of battery life. And now that it’s done, the year-old Xperia 1 VII is likely to see a significant price drop in the coming weeks – making it a more attractive and affordable option.

For more detailed comparisons and insights, check out the full review Here.

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