Sony has introduced the Xperia 10 VIII, a mid-range smartphone that prioritises everyday usability, display enhancements and a refreshed aesthetic over a complete hardware overhaul. The device arrives in Europe and the UK this September, priced at €599 and £549 respectively.
Moving away from the opaque finishes of its predecessor, the new handset features a translucent layered rear panel available in Frozen White, Frosted Grey and Misty Lilac. The front houses a 6.1-inch Full HD+ OLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Sony reports the 120Hz panel is 50% brighter than the previous generation and includes automatic colour adjustment to combat glare in bright environments.
Audio upgrades include louder front-facing stereo speakers with stronger low frequencies, while traditional features like a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD storage expansion remain. The 168-gram phone offers IP65/68 water and dust resistance, 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4 and NFC.
Software tweaks and enhanced battery lifespan
The smartphone ships with Android 16 and introduces a Point & Pay shortcut. Double-clicking the power button launches a dedicated menu that stores up to 24 payment and loyalty applications across three tabs, bypassing the main app drawer. Sony also promises extended software support, guaranteeing four operating system upgrades and six years of security patches.
Powering the device is a 5,000mAh battery capable of 30W charging. While the capacity remains unchanged, Sony claims improved longevity ensures the cell will retain 80% of its original capacity after four years of daily charging. Under company testing, a single charge provides up to two days of use.
Internally, the Xperia 10 VIII relies on familiar specifications. It retains the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage found in last year’s model. The rear camera array features a 50-megapixel main sensor with optical and electronic stabilisation alongside a 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens, now supported by updated processing for cleaner low-light images. An 8-megapixel sensor handles front-facing shots.
