Sony Xperia 1 VIII Malaysia release - Snapdragon 8 Elite, 50MP 1/1.56" Exmor RS telephoto sensor, 3.5mm audio jack and more for RM6,499

Sony Malaysia has quietly launched its flagship Sony Xperia 1 VIII for RM6,499. Featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, upgraded 50MP telephoto sensor with a 1/1.56-inch optical size, and an AI Camera Assistant, it’s probably the only flagship that still has a 3.5mm audio jack. Early bird buyers in Malaysia can also secure free gifts worth up to RM1,784, including Sony WF-1000XM6 wireless earbuds and a Style Cover with Stand. 

A bit of Alpha, BRAVIA, and WALKMAN DNA in one device

The Sony Xperia 1 VIII debuts a brand-new ORE tactile back design inspired by raw gemstones, paired with an IP65 and IP68 water and dust resistance rating for extreme durability. Entertainment is handled by a 6.5-inch FHD+ HDR LTPO OLED display featuring a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, powered by BRAVIA processing algorithms and protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. 

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset works alongside a 5000 mAh battery that Sony claims can last up to 2 days on a single charge. It also offers a 4-year battery lifespan, complete with USB PD fast charging and Qi wireless charging with Battery Share. 

For cameras, there’s a 52MP (48MP effective) Exmor T primary sensor, a 50MP ultrawide camera, a front 12MP selfie camera, and a revamped 50MP Exmor RS telephoto lens featuring a sensor nearly four times larger than before (1/1.56-inch), complemented by an AI Camera Assistant for guided creative looks. 

In terms of audio, it offers full-stage stereo speakers, a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, WALKMAN audio tuning, Hi-Res Audio, LDAC, 360 Reality Audio, Dolby Atmos, and DSEE Ultimate.

Tech Specs and Features

Here are the Sony Xperia 1 VIII notable tech specs and features:

  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset (Adreno 840 GPU)
  • RAM and Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB UFS internal storage (expandable up to 2TB via microSDXC card)
  • Display: 6.5-inch FHD+ HDR LTPO OLED display (1080 x 2340 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, Sunlight View, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2)
  • Rear Cameras: 52MP (48MP effective) Exmor T for mobile primary sensor (f/1.9 aperture, 24mm focal length, 1/1.35-inch sensor size, OIS) + 50MP (48MP effective / 12MP photo output) Exmor RS for mobile telephoto sensor (f/2.8 aperture, 70mm focal length, 1/1.56-inch sensor size, OIS) + 50MP (48MP effective / 12MP photo output) Exmor RS for mobile ultrawide sensor (f/2.0 aperture, 16mm focal length)
  • Front Camera: 12MP Exmor RS selfie camera (f/2.0 aperture, 24mm focal length)
  • Features: 3.5mm headphone jack, full-stage stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Hi-Res Audio Wireless (LDAC), 360 Reality Audio, Dolby Atmos, DSEE Ultimate, IP65 and IP68 water and dust resistance, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front) and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (rear)
  • Supports: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, USB Type-C 3.2 with DisplayPort output
  • OS: Android 16
  • Battery: 5000 mAh battery (USB PD fast charging, Qi wireless charging, Battery Share)

Clearly, the Sony Xperia 1 VIII is not for the normal user. At RM6,499, it is obviously meant for the Sony mobilegrapher or Sony fan in Malaysia who has the money to pay for it. Are you one of them? Or are you saving up for something else? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and stay tuned to TechNave.com for more trending tech news and updates.