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Exclusive Look: Sony Xperia 1 VIII Unveiled in Full Design Leak

Published

5 months ago

April 27, 2026

BTI Team

Summary generated by Smart Answers AI

In summary:

Tech Advisor has revealed leaked CAD renders of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII, showcasing a significant design overhaul with a new square camera module featuring three lenses arranged in an ‘r’ shape.

Sony has retained distinctive features like the side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a dedicated physical camera button that many of its smartphone competitors have abandoned.

The device maintains its 6.5-inch display but has become wider and thicker compared to the Xperia 1 VII, indicating potential internal upgrades and improvements in the camera department.

2026 is shaping up to be a significant year for smartphones, with both positive and negative developments. Amidst this, Sony’s upcoming flagship has been leaked, revealing some major changes.

While most major flagship releases for the year have already taken place, barring the Pixel 11 and iPhone 18 ranges, Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII is still on the horizon and has recently been leaked, providing a glimpse of its complete design.

With reports of OnePlus potentially ceasing operations in certain markets, questions may arise about Sony’s future given its small market share and the challenges in the mobile industry. However, the Xperia 1 VIII seems poised for an imminent launch with a significant overhaul.

The leaked design showcases a new square camera module on the rear, a departure from previous models. The vertical camera arrangement seen in Samsung Galaxy phones has been replaced with a fresh design featuring a sloped side.

OnLeaks / MyMobiles

The rear of the phone now houses three cameras arranged in an ‘r’ shape around the square module, alongside the flash and sensors. This unique design sets it apart from competitors, despite the unused space in the bottom corner.

Based on CAD-based renders from OnLeaks shared on MyMobiles, the display size will remain at 6.5 inches with similar bezels, but there will be changes in overall dimensions compared to the Xperia 1 VII.

The 2026 model is slightly wider and notably thicker at 8.58mm versus 8.2mm. The camera bump is also reported to be larger at 2.79mm compared to around 1.1mm on the previous model.

These changes could indicate upgrades in specifications such as cameras, battery capacity, and cooling mechanisms.

Luke Baker

It’s important to note that the leaked color is a neutral shade as CAD information typically does not specify color options. However, the overall design of the phone, including the continued presence of a dedicated physical camera button (as opposed to touch-sensitive buttons on competitors like the Oppo Find X9 Ultra), is visible.

It is likely that the sidemounted fingerprint scanner remains integrated within the power button.

There is much more to discover about the Sony Xperia 1 VIII, including detailed specifications and pricing information. However, given Sony’s announcement of its predecessor in May last year, we may not have to wait long for further details.