Most major phone makers, including Apple, Google and Samsung, have phased out the 3.5mm headphone jack in favor of USB-C for wired audio, charging and data transfer. Apple made the switch starting with the iPhone 7 in 2016, followed by Google in 2017 and Samsung in 2019, with Apple finally adopting USB-C for the iPhone 15 due to EU regulation. Sony remains an exception, still including a 3.5mm jack on its upcoming Xperia 1 VIII.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-14
Sony has begun pushing Android 17 to the Xperia 1 VIII, with the update also arriving for the Xperia 1 VII and Xperia 1 VI. The release adds a Desktop mode for connecting phones to external displays like a PC, along with new wallpaper and icon customization, a redesigned Quick settings panel, and upgraded screen recording that captures full-screen or single-app video with audio. The Xperia 1 VIII also gains the ability to save and name up to three custom looks in its AI Camera Assistant.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-07
Sony has released the Xperia 10 VIII, a midrange Android phone that keeps most hardware from last year's Xperia 10 VII, including its 6.1-inch OLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, 8GB RAM, 5,000mAh battery and dual-camera setup. The main changes are a brighter screen, louder speakers, a translucent back panel and a quick-payment shortcut, yet UK pricing jumps to £549, about £150 more than the previous model. The phone launches in September in three colors, though it remains unavailable in the US.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-25
Sony has officially unveiled the Xperia 10 VIII, a phone that shares almost all its hardware with the Xperia 10 VII, including the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and the same dual-camera setup. The main changes are a 50% brighter OLED display, 30% louder speakers, and new color options, while microSD expansion up to 2TB remains a standout feature. The device is priced at €599 (about $698) and is set to launch in mid-to-late this year.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-25
A leaked image obtained by Android Headlines gives an early look at Sony's upcoming Xperia 10 VIII, showing a design nearly identical to its predecessor with a flat back, horizontal dual-camera bar, and side-mounted power/fingerprint button. Early reports suggest the phone will retain the same Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip and 8GB of RAM as the Xperia 10 VII, with the device set to be officially unveiled on August 25.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-24