Sony Unveils Xperia 1 VIII With 3.5mm Jack, as US Release Remains Unclear

7 articles · Updated · Android Police · May 23

Sony’s Xperia 1 VIII shifts the flagship line toward mainstream buyers with a Google-style Camera Assistant, eSIM across all models, and upgraded RAM and storage options.
That push comes after years of pro-focused Xperia phones priced around $2,000, with Sony also dropping its moving telephoto lens to simplify the experience for less technical users.
The new model still keeps rare hardware features rivals have largely abandoned, including a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot, even as Sony removes the old 21:9 aspect ratio and 4K display.
US availability remains uncertain: the Xperia 1 VIII would be Sony’s third straight flagship to skip the market, reflecting the brand’s weak mass-market presence and a tougher environment for phone makers.

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