13 May 2026Tech & AI
Sony finally redesigns flagship Xperia after five years of stagnation
Leaked renders show Sony abandoning the vertical camera strip it's used since 2020 for a square camera island on the upcoming Xperia 1 VIII. The triple 48MP Zeiss setup positions telephoto, wide, and ultrawide cameras in an OnePlus-inspired layout, breaking years of design conservatism. The move signals desperation: Sony commands less than 1% of global smartphone share despite premium pricing above £1,000. The redesign accommodates larger camera sensors for better low-light performance, but leaked images show awkwardly thick bezels and questionable camera placement. With 5G, headphone jack, and 120Hz display, Sony is throwing everything at a market that has largely moved on. The Xperia series needs more than new camera housing to reverse years of declining relevance.
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