Sony has officially launched the Xperia 10 VIII, a new mid-range smartphone that is an update to the Xperia 10 series but does not make any special changes at the hardware level. In fact, the device retains much of the equipment from the previous Xperia 10 VII, from the processor to the camera to the RAM, memory, and battery.
These innovations focus first on the everyday experience: Sony introduced a 50% brighter display, new more powerful stereo speakers, and some additional software features. The problem is the price: Xperia 10 VIII launches in Europe priced at 599 euroswhile it costs £549 in the UK. It is expected to be launched in September.
Almost everything is the same as the previous model
The Xperia 10 VIII retains the 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display at 120 Hz, but Sony has worked on the brightness, according to the company About 50% higher than the previous generation. The system also automatically adjusts colors based on ambient brightness, aiming to improve outdoor readability.
Underneath, we still find Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3, paired with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal memory. The space can be further expanded via microSD. The photography department also remains largely unchanged, with a 50 MP main camera and a 13 MP ultra-wide angle.
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The battery has Capacity 5,000mAh Sony claims battery life of up to two days. The company is also promising up to four Android updates and six years of security updates, which is a particularly long-term support for this series of smartphones. Other hardware changes issues front stereo speakers. Sony claims overall volume has been increased by about 15% and bass has been enhanced by more than 30% compared to the previous model.
Software innovations include the Rewards and Payments menu, which can be accessed with just two presses of the power button. It allows you to quickly access apps for payments and loyalty programs. The phone also integrates a dedicated physical button for the camera, a 3.5mm jack and IP68 certification. The design maintains the typical design of the series, with a compact body measuring 153 x 72 x 8.3 mm and a weight of 168 grams. Color options are available in Frozen White, Frosted Gray and Misty Lilac.
So the real changes compared to the Xperia 10 VII are Price. The new model is priced at 599 euros, which is significantly higher than the starting price of the previous model. However, despite the additions, there’s no new processor, no more RAM, no more storage, and no real changes to the camera. The most important interventions involve display, audio and some software functions. So for those who already own the previous-generation model, it’s hard to think of the Xperia 10 VIII as a true generational leap.
This situation is even more unique given the increasing cost of components, especially memory, which is driving up the prices of many electronic devices. Sony seems to have chosen to keep the hardware platform almost unchanged, rather than meddling with certain aspects of the user experience.