Sony unveils Xperia 10 VIII with minimal upgrades but a much higher price tag
Sony has launched the Xperia 10 VIII, a midrange smartphone nearly identical to last year's model but priced significantly higher. The device will go on sale in September.
Sony has officially introduced the Xperia 10 VIII, a midrange Android smartphone succeeding last year's Xperia 10 VII. Despite being marketed as a new generation, its specifications remain largely unchanged from its predecessor.
The new phone keeps the same 6.1-inch OLED display with a 2340 x 1080 resolution, though it can now reach 50 percent higher brightness than before. The processor also stays the same, a Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, paired with 8GB of RAM and a 5,000mAh battery. The base storage option remains 128GB.
The camera system is also unchanged, featuring a 50-megapixel main sensor with an f/1.9 aperture alongside a 13-megapixel ultrawide lens, while the front camera stays at 8 megapixels.
The main changes Sony is offering for a considerably higher price include speakers that are 15 percent louder and quicker access to digital payment tools via a double tap of the power button. The phone also gets a refreshed design with a translucent rear panel and comes in three color options: Frozen White, Frosted Grey and Misty Lilac.
Pricing, however, brings a surprise for consumers — in the UK, the Xperia 10 VIII costs £549 (around $750), which is £150 (about $205) more than its predecessor cost last year. The price hike is likely linked to ongoing memory chip market pressures. The phone is set to become available in September.
