Sony has officially launched the Xperia 1 VIII in Malaysia, bringing its latest flagship smartphone to the local market with a renewed focus on photography, audio and AI-powered imaging. The device retains many of the signature Xperia features that long-time fans appreciate, while introducing upgraded camera hardware and the latest Snapdragon flagship chipset.

The Xperia 1 VIII features a 6.5-inch Full HD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Sony also continues to offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot alongside the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack, making it one of the few flagship smartphones to retain both features. The phone is powered by a 5,000mAh battery that Sony claims can deliver up to two days of usage.

Photography remains the biggest highlight of the Xperia 1 VIII. The phone is equipped with a triple 48MP rear camera system headlined by Sony’s AI Camera Assistant and a new telephoto camera featuring a much larger 1/1.56-inch sensor, nearly four times larger than its predecessor. The upgraded telephoto camera supports optical zoom while improving image quality in low-light conditions, complemented by Xperia Intelligence that provides AI-assisted shooting suggestions and creative scene optimisation.

Sony also continues to leverage its Alpha camera, BRAVIA and WALKMAN expertise throughout the device. The Xperia 1 VIII offers enhanced Full-stage stereo speakers, support for wired and wireless Hi-Res Audio, Dolby Atmos, LDAC, as well as Sony’s DSEE Ultimate audio enhancement technology for an improved multimedia experience.

The handset runs Android 16 out of the box, with Sony promising four generations of Android OS upgrades and six years of security updates. It also carries an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, making it suitable for everyday use in various environments.

In Malaysia, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is priced at RM6,499 for the 12GB + 256GB variant. It is available in Graphite Black, Garnet Red and Iolite Silver through Sony Malaysia and selected authorised retailers. Customers preordering the phone till 31st August 2026 will be eligible to receive a WF-1000XM6 earbuds and Style Cover with Stand worth RM1784 while stocks lasts.