Looks like the gold 16/1024 1 VIII won't be back in stock anytime soon. Sony now even changed the item description...
https://www.sony.co.uk/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8?sku=xqge54n4kitn.gc
SUPPLIED ACCESSORIES
Carrying case, 1000X THE COLLEXION headphones, headphone cable (approx. 1.2 m).
Ambient Sound Mode
Yes
Quick Attention
Yes
Bluetooth® version
BLUETOOTH Specification Version6.0
Effective Range
Approx. 10 m
FREQUENCY RANGE
2.4 GHz band (2.400 0 GHz - 2.483 5 GHz)
Profile
A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP, TMAP, PBP
Supported Audio Format(s)
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
Supported Content Protection
SCMS-T
Battery Charge Method
USB
BATTERY LIFE (CONTINUOUS COMMUNICATION TIME)
Max. 16 hours(NC ON), Max. 20 hours(NC OFF)
General Features (Active Headphones)
Max. 24 hours(NC ON), Max. 32 hours(NC OFF)
Lithium Battery
Yes
Weights (Approx.)
Approx. 320 g
Frequency Response
4 Hz - 40,000 Hz (IEC)(when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on)
Driver Unit
30 mm
Impedance (Ohm)
48 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on)
Plug
Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug
Headphone Type
Closed
Ambient Sound Mode
Yes
Sensitivity (dB/mW)
103 dB/mW (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on)
Cable Length (m)
approx. 1.2 m
Cable Type
Single-sided (detachable)
Frequency Response (Bluetooth® Communication)
20 Hz-20,000 Hz(44.1 kHz sampling) 20 Hz-40,000 Hz(LDAC 96 kHz sampling 990 kbps)
https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/headband/p/wh1000xx-w
The 1 VIII help guide is now available online.
https://helpguide.sony.net/mobile/xperia-1m8/v1/en/index.html
A few findings:
A) As already pointed out by others, XQ-GE74 now also supports eSIMs (up to two). The following configurations are possible (XQ-GE74 & XQ-GE54) for dual SIM: one SIM plus one eSIM plus microSD or two eSIMs plus microSD
B) HD recording has been dropped from both the standard & Pro video modes. The VIII now only supports FHD and 4K - I doubt anyone will miss 720p in general but something like 720p/240fps would have been nice.
C) The "Product showcase" feature has been removed
D) "Telephoto Macro" mode is no longer a separate feature/mode
E) The "Live streaming" mode has been dropped
All in all, aside from the dropped features/modes (anyone used them apart from the old manual macro mode?), there seem to be only few differences in software/functions between VII and VIII. There's the new "AI suggestions" feature with the possibility of manual (permanent) adjustments that is presented in various videos on YT, we have RAW multi frame processing and the macro mode is now integrated into the existing camera modes and no longer requires manual focus. As usual, there will probably also be general camera improvements "under the hood" that won't be backported to the previous devices.
Another finding that might be interesting, especially for Europeans: On previous iterations of the 1, the Asian version (XQ-**72) lacked band(s), so depending on your location/carrier, mobile data reception can be worse than with a XQ-**54 device. That was always a bit of a drawback when thinking about importing a smartphone that might either be cheaper or come in a colour/RAM/SSD configuration not offered in Europe. For the first time, the TW & HK Sony sites (should be XQ-GE74) report the exact same bands as the European version (XQ-GE54) of the VIII. Not sure whether this is an error that will be corrected or actually true.
TW (XQ-GE74) https://www.sony.com.tw/en/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8/spec
HK (XQ-GE74) https://www.sony.com.hk/en/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8/spec
UK (XQ-GE54) https://www.sony.co.uk/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8/spec?sku=xqge54b.gc
JP (XQ-GE44) https://www.sony.jp/xperia/spec/simfree.html#xperia1m8 (lacks many bands, would not recommend it)
EDIT: Wondamobile now offers the 1 VIII GE74 and also lists the same bands the GE54 supports. Price is 1500€/£1300 for 12/256 without the XM6 preorder gift - so imports currently don't make much sense except if you absolutely want the 12/512 version (which is 1600€/£1390) or can't wait until June.
https://wondamobile.com/products/sony-xperia-1-viii-5g-xq-ge74-dual-sim
>We’ll be live-streaming the Xperia 1 VIII, announced on May 13, 2026, directly from the event venue. The developers themselves will provide a detailed, hands-on explanation of the key improvements in design, camera, audio, and performance, complete with live demonstrations. Be among the first to experience the Xperia 1 VIII’s meticulously crafted user experience. Be sure to tune in live for “Developer Talk × Hands-On Demo.”
(machine-translated)
The upcoming Japanese Xperia 1 launch event will be live-streamed on YouTube this year.
His videos (I know they're paid) are easily the best at every launch and the ones I'm always waiting for...
>Xperia 1 VIII will be available to pre-order from 13th May direct from Sony and select online retailers (depending on the country) for approximately 1499EUR / £1399 for the 256 version, during the pre-order period purchases of Xperia 1 VIII will include Sony’s high-end headphones WH-1000XM6. The 1TB Native Gold version is available exclusively from Sony online in select countries for 1999EUR / £1849.
The bundle is already listed at Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-Xperia-VIII-telephoto-Graphite-Noir/dp/B0GXZNFM1L
EDIT: Now also listed at Sony's own online store. Also the cover is 50% off. You have to order from 13.05.2026 to 31.05.2026
https://www.sony.co.uk/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8?sku=xqge54b.gc
Now that sales in Europe are limited to Amazon and Sony D2C, purchasing during the pre-order period and selling the headphones will be the best opportunity to buy the 1 VIII if you don't want to rely on imports. There will very likely be discounts around Black Friday, but by then it will already be almost 6 months out and you don't save as much compared to the bundle minus the headphones receipts.
Specification
Size
Approx. 74mm x 162mm x 8.3mm
Weight
About 200g
Display
About 6.5 inches
OLED
Full HD+
Refresh rate 1～120Hz variable
HDR compatible
Battery capacity
5000mAh
Security and OS Update
Up to four OS upgrades*A six-year security update.*
*Up to four times from the time of release to the latest OS will be applied. The number of applications depends on the timing of purchase.
Battery performance
Careful charging
Wireless Charging
RAM and ROM
12GB/256GB
12GB/512GB*
16GB/512GB*
16GB/1TB*
* SIM-free model only
External Memory
microSDXC (up to 2TB)
CPU
Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile The platform
Primary camera.
16mm (ultra-wide angle)
Effective pixel count: 48M pixels
(Recorded pixel count is about 12 million pixels) / F value 2.0
24mm (wide angle)
Effective pixel count: 48M pixels
(Approximately 12M pixels of recorded pixels)*/F value 1.9
*48MP high-pixel shooting mode, recording pixel count is about 48M pixels
48mm (wide angle)*
Number of effective pixels Approx. 12M pixels
(Recorded pixel count about 12 million pixels) / F value 1.9
*Equivalent to 2x optical from 24mm
70mm (telephoto)
Effective pixel count: 48M pixels
(Recorded pixel count about 12 million pixels) / F value 2.8
140mm (telephoto)*
Number of effective pixels Approx. 12M pixels
(Recorded pixel count about 12 million pixels) / F value 2.8
*Equivalent to twice the optical from 70mmZeiss T*Coating (all lenses supported)
Front camera
Effective pixel count Approx. 12 million pixels / F value 2.0
Sensors
Ultra-wide angle
1/1.56 Type Sensor
Exmor RSTM for mobile
Wide-angle
1/1.35 Type Sensor
Two-Layer Transistor Pixel Laminated CMOS Image Sensor
Exmor TTM for mobile
Telephoto
1/1.56 Type Sensor
Exmor RSTM for mobile
Audio Jack
3.5mm audio jack
Speaker
Full enclosure structure
Wi-Fi®
IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be
Bluetooth®
Ver.6.0
Le Audio
AuracastTM
External Devices
USB Type-CTM
Price
The base 12/256GB model starts at €1,500 / £1,400 and, during the pre-order period, will come with a free pair of Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. The 1TB Native Gold model is exclusively available from Sony itself and will set you back €2,000 / £1,850. Shipping will begin in June.
https://www.sony.jp/xperia/products/xperia1m8/spec.html
https://www.sony.co.uk/smartphones/products/xperia-1m8/spec?sku=xqge54b.gc
https://www.androidheadlines.com/2026/05/sony-the-collexion-headphones.html
What we already know:
Features:
Prices:
(machine-translated)
Original source (billbil-kun):
Along with the results of the last fiscal year, Sony just announced the intention to form a joint venture between SSS and TSMC "for the development and manufacturing of next-generation image sensors."
The wording sounds like it will be a joint venture for future products at one place only and the current Sony Semiconductor Solutions company will remain fully owned by Sony.
>Under the proposed partnership, Sony and TSMC intend to establish a joint venture (“JV”), with Sony being the majority and controlling shareholder, to set up development and production lines in Sony’s newly constructed fab in Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture. Through the JV, both companies expect to leverage Sony's expertise in sensor design alongside TSMC’s strengths in process technology and manufacturing excellence as part of a broader collaboration aimed at enhancing image sensor performance. With the MOU signed, Sony and TSMC are discussing potential investments by the JV. These investments, along with new capital investment by Sony in its existing plant in Nagasaki, are being considered on the premise that they would be implemented in phases based on market demand, and that they would receive support from the Japanese government.
I just found the Sony XQ-GE54.
Nothing wild, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, as announced by Qualcomm last year.
12GB RAM (chip crisis)
Best single score is 3426, best multi score is 9400
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/17883133
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/17881720
I just found the Sony XQ-GE54.
Nothing wild, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, as announced by Qualcomm last year.
12GB RAM (chip crisis)
Best single score is 3426, best multi score is 9400
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/17883133
https://browser.geekbench.com/v6/cpu/17881720
Features:
Prices:
(machine-translated)
Original source (billbil-kun):
https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-glow-lights-3661797/
Hey @Sony. If Google adds the code to AOSP or the Play Services, couldn't you simply... Please?
HAC-1000XM6C/B & HAC-1000XM6C/H (black & grey). Available for preorder and out mid May. Looks nice in general but the case is already too bulky. Not sure I'd want to make it even fatter.
https://electronics.sony.com/audio/headphones/truly-wireless-earbuds/p/hac1000xm6c-
https://store.vaio.com/shop/pages/sx14r2.aspx
As seen on the refreshed SX12 & SX14 models, the base TDP is down - from 28W to 15 & 25W - very good. For those who want a silent laptop, the Core Ultra 5 is probably the better option - which also makes much more sense in an ultraportable machine. The updated SX14-R is the first VAIO that features a NPU. Weight in the lightest configuration is 958g (from 999g), no exact information on battery capacities, so they might have saved there even though the runtimes are longer.
