Sony’s Xperia phones have always been a bit different, and honestly, that’s why some people still love them. While most flagship phones are busy removing ports, simplifying camera apps, and pushing AI features everywhere, Sony is still building the Xperia line like a proper multimedia machine.
The new Sony Xperia 1 VIII continues that tradition. You still get proper enthusiast-friendly stuff like Hi-Res audio support, expandable microSD storage, strong video playback features, a 3.5mm headphone jack, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, IP65/68 protection, and a cleaner software approach without too much AI noise. For users who still keep huge music, anime, movie, or camera file libraries locally, this kind of setup is rare now.
For Malaysian and SEA users, that matters. Not everyone wants to rely fully on cloud storage, especially when mobile data, travel, and storage management can still be annoying. A phone that lets you dump files onto microSD, plug in proper wired headphones, and watch content properly is very much still relevant.
But here’s the problem: Xperia still seems stuck fighting old battles while the creator phone war has moved on.
The Xperia 1 VIII reportedly keeps a 5,000mAh battery, which is fine for normal daily use. Scroll TikTok, reply WhatsApp, watch YouTube, maybe game a bit — sure, it should survive. But Sony markets Xperia as a creator-focused flagship, and once you start recording long videos, shooting content, editing clips, or using the camera heavily at events, that battery can drain fast.
That’s especially awkward when other brands are now pushing massive silicon-carbon batteries beyond 7,000mAh. For SEA creators covering conventions, esports events, car meets, or travel content, battery life is not just a spec sheet flex. It decides whether you need to carry a power bank everywhere.
Charging is another sore point. Sony is still sticking with 30W wired charging, while also highlighting long-term battery health of up to four years. Battery longevity is good, no doubt. But last year’s Xperia model reportedly needed around 83 minutes for a full charge, and in 2026, that feels slow for a premium creator phone. If you’re rushing between shoots at KLCC, Pavilion, or an esports venue, a quick top-up matters.
Camera upgrades are a mixed bag too. The ultrawide, main, and selfie cameras are largely similar to the previous generation. They should be capable, but previous Xperia models had weaknesses like inconsistent HDR, soft zoom shots, and weaker selfie performance in low light. That’s not ideal when rivals are improving fast with larger sensors and smarter computational photography.
The good news is the telephoto camera sounds like a real upgrade. Sony has moved away from the older variable zoom approach and is using a much larger 50MP 1/1.56-inch telephoto sensor instead of the previous tiny 12MP 1/3.5-inch sensor. That should help with cleaner images, better low-light shots, improved dynamic range, and less noise. Sony also says RAW multi-frame processing and improved software bokeh are part of the package.
So yes, the Xperia 1 VIII is not lazy. There are meaningful refinements here.
The bigger issue is workflow. Modern creators don’t just need great manual controls. They need a phone that makes shooting, editing, sharing, backing up, and posting feel effortless. That’s why many creators still stick to iPhones even when Android hardware looks crazier on paper. Apple nails consistency, app optimisation, file sharing, and ecosystem flow.
Sony still feels like it is designing for camera nerds first, not everyday creators who need speed. YouTube and RTMP streaming support helps, and Sony’s camera apps are improving, but Xperia still doesn’t feel as frictionless as the best creator ecosystems.
Then there’s the price. At £1,399 / €1,499, we’re talking roughly RM7,600 to RM8,200 before local taxes, import costs, or retailer markup. That is ultra-premium territory. At that level, Malaysian buyers will compare it against Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo flagships — many of which offer bigger batteries, faster charging, or more aggressive computational camera systems.
The Xperia 1 VIII still has soul, and that’s rare in 2026. But unless you already love Sony’s way of doing things, it may be hard to justify over more practical flagship options.
Source: Android Authority