{"id":2002965,"date":"2026-06-21T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-21T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2002965"},"modified":"2026-06-21T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-21T08:00:00","slug":"sonys-xperia-1-viii-is-still-a-phone-for-the-fans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2002965","title":{"rendered":"Sony\u2019s Xperia 1 VIII is still a phone for the fans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><main id=\"content\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<article>\n<div class=\"duet--article--lede duet--page-layout--feature-article _1se63890\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--feature-lede _1m5y14k0\">\n<div class=\"_1m5y14k1\">\n<div class=\"_1m5y14k6\">\n<div class=\"_1xtd7xb5 _1xtd7xb4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qiz7\">\n<div class=\"_1m5y14k2 _1044qiz3\">\n<div class=\"_1m5y14k3\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e0 _5s9d1e2\">\n<div class=\"_5s9d1e3\"><span class=\"_29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"_1phh1th0\">\n<li>\n<div 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id=\"follow-category-breadcrumb-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwOA==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q815 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ka _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Mobile<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjEwOA==-breadcrumb\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Mobile<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/mobile\">See All <!-- -->Mobile<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class>\n<h1 class=\"cbn62f2 cbn62f0 cbn62f7 _19wv7tcb _19wv7tc9\">Sony\u2019s Xperia 1 VIII is still a phone for the fans<\/h1>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup cbn62fi cbn62fg _19wv7tcb _19wv7tc1\">\ufeffA new look and an upgraded telephoto aren\u2019t enough to make this a mainstream contender.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo22 _29pwo20 _29pwo221\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo29 _29pwo2h\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-byline _19wv7tcb _1p3b6390\"><span class><span>by<\/span> <!-- --> <span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-author_byline_lead-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6394 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89ka _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Dominic Preston<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1-author_byline_lead\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dominic Preston\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/DOM_BLURPLE-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Dominic Preston<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/dominic-preston\">See All by <!-- -->Dominic Preston<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw6 g4xafw1 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _19wv7tcb\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-21T11:00:00+00:00\">Jun 21, 2026, 11:00 AM UTC<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"_29pwo2m _29pwo2w\">\n<div class=\"_29pwo2x _29pwo215\"><span class=\"_29pwo216 _29pwo217\"><\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--share-buttons _1e9wo7z0\">\n<li>\n<div class=\"_1e9wo7zo\"><button aria-label=\"Copy link\" class=\"_1e9wo7z3 _1e9wo7z1\"><title>Link<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-label=\"Share article\" class=\"_1e9wo7z3 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_1l4uy9l2\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizn _1044qizx\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"sony-xperia-1-viii-6\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1044qizm _1044qizw\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"sony-xperia-1-viii-6\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.659090909091%2C0%2C66.681818181818%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1m5y14k8\">\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>The 1 VIII doesn\u2019t look much like any Xperia that\u2019s come before.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body-container j2p4kx0 _1044qiz3 _1044qiz17\">\n<div class=\"j2p4kx1\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--entry-body mebm7x0\">\n<div class=\"duet--ledes--standard-lede-bottom\">\n<div class=\"h9mca15\">\n<div class=\"waimqt2 waimqt0\">\n<div class=\"_4aoxp30 _4aoxp31\">\n<div class=\"_4aoxp33\"><a class=\"_4aoxp36\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/dominic-preston\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dominic Preston\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"36\" height=\"36\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"_4aoxp34\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/DOM_BLURPLE-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=96\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"_4aoxp35\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span id=\"follow-author-standard_article_details-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1\" class=\"t0jcdf0 gnx4pm0 _1p3b6392 _1p3b6393 t0jcdf1\"><span class=\"t0jcdf2\"><span class=\"_1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><\/span><span>Dominic Preston<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1-standard_article_details\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dominic Preston\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/DOM_BLURPLE-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Dominic Preston<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/authors\/dominic-preston\">See All by <!-- -->Dominic Preston<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p> <span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _4aoxp37\">is a news editor with over a decade\u2019s experience in journalism. He previously worked at <em>Android Police<\/em> and <em>Tech Advisor<\/em>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"zephr-anchor\" class=\"_1044qiz13\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b2 _18mzr4b0 _18mzr4b7 _18mzr4b5 _19wv7tc1 _18mzr4bb\">The Xperia 1 VIII marks an attempt at a step change for Sony\u2019s flagship phone line. Not only has it had an aesthetic overhaul, but Sony has also revamped the camera system, dropping the continuous optical zoom telephoto that\u2019s defined the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/23065641\/sony-xperia-1-iv-announcement-hands-on-price-specs-zoom-screen\">last four generations of Xperia phone<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">It\u2019s not all different. Sony staples like a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot remain, and a few specific design touches, like a thick front bezel that fits stereo speakers, have stayed intact. Sony\u2019s ambitious pricing hasn\u2019t changed either: The Xperia 1 VIII isn\u2019t launching in the US, but in the UK and Europe, it starts from \u00a31,399 \/ \u20ac1,499 (about $1,850), rising to \u00a31,849 \/ \u20ac1,999 ($2,450) if you want 1TB of storage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">For Sony diehards, this delivers the flagship essentials, including a capable camera, and looks good doing it. For everyone else, you can find better Android phones at this price, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/886131\/xiaomi-leica-leitzphone-17-ultra-review\">Xiaomi\u2019s 17 Ultra<\/a> or the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/926067\/vivos-x300-ultra-has-the-best-cameras-in-any-phone\">Vivo X300 Ultra<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"gc3ws21\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--scorecard gc3ws25 gc3ws24\" data-product-filter id=\"product-card-dmcyOnByb2R1Y3Q6OTUyMjQ2\">\n<div class=\"gc3ws2k\"><a class=\"gc3ws2g gc3ws2c\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sony.co.uk\/smartphones\/products\/xperia-1m8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII sitting on a windowsill in front of flowers, showing the home screen\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.659090909091%2C0%2C66.681818181818%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><a class=\"gc3ws2j gc3ws2d\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sony.co.uk\/smartphones\/products\/xperia-1m8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII sitting on a windowsill in front of flowers, showing the home screen\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"xhcq400\">\n<p class=\"xhcq401\">6<\/p>\n<p class=\"xhcq402\">Verge Score<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gc3ws29\">\n<div class=\"gc3ws2a gc3ws2b\">\n<h3 class=\"gc3ws2l\"><a class=\"gc3ws2y\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sony.co.uk\/smartphones\/products\/xperia-1m8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Sony Xperia 1 VIII<\/a><\/h3>\n<div class=\"gc3ws2q\"><span class=\"gc3ws2t\">$<!-- -->1850<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gc3ws2r\"><span class=\"gc3ws2s\">$<!-- -->1850<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"xhcq405 _19wv7tc1\">\n<div class=\"xhcq406\">\n<h4 class=\"xhcq408\">The Good<\/h4>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup xhcq409\">\n<ul>\n<li>Stark, striking design<\/li>\n<li>Headphone jack and microSD card slot<\/li>\n<li>Capable cameras<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"xhcq407\">\n<h4 class=\"xhcq408\">The Bad<\/h4>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup xhcq409\">\n<ul>\n<li>Middling battery life<\/li>\n<li>Uneven performance<\/li>\n<li>Only four years of Android updates<\/li>\n<li>Dreadful AI Camera Assistant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"gc3ws2w\"><a class=\"gc3ws2x\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sony.co.uk\/smartphones\/products\/xperia-1m8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">$1850 at Sony UK<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"xhcq403\"><a class=\"xhcq404\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/pages\/how-we-rate\">How we rate and review products<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Sony\u2019s Xperia 1 phones have looked almost identical to one another <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2020\/5\/24\/21268097\/sonys-xperia-1-ii-ships-july-24th-1199-us-united-states\">since 2020<\/a>. It was a pretty handsome design, to be fair, but probably overdue sprucing up. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/927928\/sony-xperia-viii-release-date-price-specs\">1 VIII<\/a> does just that, moving to a blocky new camera island and an unusual textured finish that make the phone feel very different to every previous Xperia.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">I\u2019m a big fan of the design, which has a stark, brutalist quality. The slightly grippy texture \u2014 a bit like an incredibly fine nail file \u2014 was designed to vary subtly between the back and frame, which helps prevent the phone from feeling like a monotone slab. The texture helps sell the phone\u2019s high price even better than ultrasmooth glass might (not that this <em>isn\u2019t<\/em> glass, with Gorilla Glass Victus on the rear and Victus 2 on the front).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac3 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div id=\":R6ebcprar96:\" class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-four-up _1044qizj\">\n<div class=\"_1pegheu6\">\n<div class=\"_1pegheu7\">\n<div class>\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0 _1044qizx\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0.011361054305837,100,99.977277891388\" data-pswp-height=\"1466.6666666666667\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII sitting on a brick ledge in front of flowers, showing the rear\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>I love the stark, straight edges of the design.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1pegheu9\">\n<div class>\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0 _1044qizx\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0.011361054305837,100,99.977277891388\" data-pswp-height=\"1466.6666666666667\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII in front of flowers, showing the textured frame and buttons\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>Sony hasn\u2019t yet told me what this odd cutout above the volume button is for.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1pegheu6\">\n<div class=\"_1pegheu8 _1pegheu7\">\n<div class>\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0 _1044qizx\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0.011361054305837,100,99.977277891388\" data-pswp-height=\"1466.6666666666667\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII in front of dirt, showing the headphone jack slot\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>A headphone jack!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1pegheua _1pegheu9\">\n<div class>\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0 _1044qizx\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-9.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0.011361054305837,100,99.977277891388\" data-pswp-height=\"1466.6666666666667\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII in front of flowers, showing the top bezel and selfie camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-9.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>I hope you like big bezels.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">I love the details, like how the camera island\u2019s edges drop off steeply on three sides, while on the last it angles down to meet the frame. Sony\u2019s usual knurled two-stage camera shutter button returns, adding another textural element and improved camera controls. Unfortunately, so does the recessed power button and fingerprint sensor, which is less reliable than modern under-display options. It fails about a third of the time I try it. I\u2019m also confused by the odd rectangular patch above the volume button, which has an especially rough texture and looks like it should do something, but doesn\u2019t. Is it some sort of antenna cutout? I\u2019ve asked Sony.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Sony long ago gave up on using its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/2019\/5\/16\/18627909\/sony-xperia-1-release-date-news-features-4k-oled-hdr-21-9-screen-aspect-ratio\">unique 21:9, 4K displays<\/a> on the Xperia lineup. The 1 VIII uses a less impressive 1080p display in a standard smartphone aspect ratio. The resolution is low for this grade of phone, but otherwise I can\u2019t complain about the panel, which is a 6.5-inch, 120Hz OLED with decent brightness. I do still miss the taller screens Sony phones used to offer, though. Unlike most rivals, the display is also entirely uninterrupted by a camera cutout, notch, or Dynamic Island. The tradeoff is the rather thick bezel above and below the screen, which houses the camera and a pair of stereo speakers (good for phone speakers, but still phone speakers).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.499659\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjk1MjI1Nw==\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-10.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1467\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII in front of a house, showing the homescreen and an app icon folder\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-10.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>The Xperia 1 VIII runs mostly stock Android, but has its quirks \u2014 the most annoying is an insistence on overriding my homescreen to create folders I didn\u2019t ask for.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The Xperia 1 VIII\u2019s internals are unremarkable, with the same <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/784997\/qualcomm-snapdragon-8-elite-gen-5\">Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5<\/a> chipset you\u2019ll find on most comparable handsets. It\u2019s paired with either 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage \u2014 available in black, red, or silver versions of the phone \u2014 or 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. That model is only available in gold, meaning that anyone tempted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/policy\/949093\/trump-mobile-t1-phone-one-year-anniversary\">Trump phone<\/a>\u2019s lustrous finish and built-in headphone jack can enjoy the same luxuries here for quadruple the price.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">What <em>is<\/em> remarkable is that Sony has managed to make the 8 Elite Gen 5 perform quite poorly. While the phone runs smoothly the majority of the time, I\u2019ve run into repeated stuttering and slowdowns, especially in the camera or while switching between apps. It gets hot, too. Using the phone to record the audio of a recent press event, with real-time AI transcription running, it became worryingly warm after just 30 minutes or so, and as the hourlong call ended, it was hot to the touch.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">I don\u2019t love the battery either. Sony claims you\u2019ll get two days of life out of the 5,000mAh cell, but I don\u2019t see how. I\u2019m a light-to-moderate user most of the time, and I\u2019ve dipped into single-digit territory by bedtime more than once. This will last the day unless you push it hard, but expect to charge every 24 hours. That might take some time too, given the 30W max speed, substantially slower than most rivals. Only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/reviews\/766613\/google-pixel-10-pro-review-ai-magic-cue-camera-pro-res-zoom\">Google\u2019s Pixel 10 Pro<\/a> charges quite so slowly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.499659\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjk1MjI1Mg==\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1467\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII sitting on a windowsill in front of flowers, showing the rear camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>Zeiss still contributes to the camera lenses. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac2 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-pullquote c39lj10\">\n<div class=\"c39lj11\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup c39lj12 _19wv7tc9\">This is definitely Sony\u2019s best phone camera yet<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">I have better news on the camera front. After years of carving its own path, Sony has taken the \u201cif you can\u2019t beat \u2018em, join \u2018em\u201d approach to its Chinese flagship rivals, abandoning its clever continuous zoom lens and instead packing the 1 VIII with the biggest telephoto sensor it could fit. That Sony dropped continuous zoom in the same year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/850599\/xiaomi-17-ultra-leica-edition-zoom-ring\">Xiaomi finally copied it<\/a> and did it better feels like a cruel twist of fate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Still, what the 2.9x (70mm-equivalent) telephoto lens here loses in versatility by giving up continuous zoom it more than makes up for in quality. That\u2019s driven mostly by the move to a large 48-megapixel, 1\/1.56-inch-type sensor \u2014 the same size as the ultrawide\u2019s and almost as big as the 1\/1.35-inch-type main camera sensor. Those other cameras, along with the 12-megapixel selfie shooter, are unchanged from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/news\/665068\/sony-xperia-1-vii-alpha-bravia-walkman-release-date-price-specs\">last year<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div>\n<section aria-label=\"carousel\" class=\"duet--article--gallery _1044qizj xnv72h0\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizx xnv72h1\" id=\":R74bcprar96:\">\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample9.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of a church taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h5 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample9.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample10.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of flowers in pots taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample10.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of an empty restaurant taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of food taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of pink flowers on a windowsill taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII ultrawide camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of pink flowers on a windowsill taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of pink flowers on a windowsill taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of an odd metal structure taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII ultrawide camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample6.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of an odd metal structure taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample7.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample8.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of an odd metal structure taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample8.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample13.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of a hedge in front of houses taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII ultrawide camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample13.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample12.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of a hedge in front of houses taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample12.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample14.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of a hedge in front of houses taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample14.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_232822521.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of dried flowers in low light taken on Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_232822521.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_232829434.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of dried flowers in low light taken on Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_232829434.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233704125.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of apartment building at night taken on Sony Xperia 1 VIII ultrawide camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233704125.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233709170.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of apartment building at night taken on Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233709170.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233713697.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of apartment building at night taken on Sony Xperia 1 VIII telephoto camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/20260620_233713697.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Selfie taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-camera-sample11.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p><button class=\"xnv72hh xnv72hf\"><title>Previous<\/title><\/button><button class=\"xnv72hh xnv72hg xnv72hf\"><title>Next<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h8\">\n<ul class=\"xnv72h9\">\n<li style=\"width:5.2631578947368425%\" class=\"xnv72hb xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:5.2631578947368425%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:5.2631578947368425%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:5.2631578947368425%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:5.2631578947368425%\" class=\"xnv72hc 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class=\"xnv72hd\" style=\"height:30px\"><strong class=\"xnv72he\">1<!-- -->\/<!-- -->19<\/strong><span class=\"duet--media--caption inline xnv72hk _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>The Xperia 1 VIII\u2019s main camera is unchanged from last year.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The telephoto and the ultrawide are the two standouts, both using relatively large sensors compared to the competition. I\u2019m a fan of Sony\u2019s daytime processing, which leans toward higher contrast and slightly more muted colors than some other phones, and nighttime shots come out sharp and well-exposed too, though still struggle with bright streetlights. This is definitely Sony\u2019s best phone camera yet and holds its own against the competition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizj\">\n<div class>\n<div style=\"background-image:none\" class=\"duet--media--content-warning _1k8kvzd0\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--image-gallery-image _1pegheu0\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.499659\" id=\"dmcyOmltYWdlOjk1MjI1NQ==\"><a class=\"_1pegheu1\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-8.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100\" data-pswp-height=\"1467\" data-pswp-width=\"2200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII in front of flowers, showing the AI Camera Assistant\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-8.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--media--caption _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>The AI Camera Assistant pop-up is distracting and annoying.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">That is, except for the egregious new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/932133\/sony-xperia-1-xiii-ai-camera-assistant\">AI Camera Assistant<\/a>. More often than not, when you\u2019re trying to take a shot with the rear camera (not selfies \u2014 don\u2019t ask me why), a pop-up appears with four AI-suggested edits to your photos, before you even take them. The overwhelming majority of these are simply overaggressive filters, either ramping up contrast or dialling back saturation, often to comically bad effect. Occasionally one will include algorithmically generated bokeh, and Sony <em>claims<\/em> it can also suggest lens swaps for better framing, but this has yet to happen to me. Every single suggestion has been markedly worse than the default camera settings, and the pop-up alone is a distracting annoyance that seems to make the camera app sluggish. Fortunately, you can turn it off, and if I wasn\u2019t reviewing the phone, I would have done so immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div style=\"position:relative\">\n<div>\n<section aria-label=\"carousel\" class=\"duet--article--gallery _1044qizj xnv72h0\">\n<div class=\"_1044qizx xnv72h1\" id=\":R7cbcprar96:\">\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Photo of pink flowers on a windowsill taken on the Sony Xperia 1 VIII main camera\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h5 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"AI Camera Assistant version of a Sony Xperia 1 VIII photo\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples3.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"AI Camera Assistant version of a Sony Xperia 1 VIII photo\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"AI Camera Assistant version of a Sony Xperia 1 VIII photo\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples4.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h3\"><a class=\"xnv72h2\" href=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all\" data-pswp-height=\"3000\" data-pswp-width=\"4000\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"AI Camera Assistant version of a Sony Xperia 1 VIII photo\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"xnv72h7 xnv72h6 xnv72h4 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/sony-xperia-1-viii-ai-camera-assistant-samples5.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2400\"><\/a><\/div>\n<p><button class=\"xnv72hh xnv72hf\"><title>Previous<\/title><\/button><button class=\"xnv72hh xnv72hg xnv72hf\"><title>Next<\/title><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72h8\">\n<ul class=\"xnv72h9\">\n<li style=\"width:20%\" class=\"xnv72hb xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:20%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:20%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:20%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\">\n<li style=\"width:20%\" class=\"xnv72hc xnv72ha\"><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"xnv72hd\" style=\"height:30px\"><strong class=\"xnv72he\">1<!-- -->\/<!-- -->5<\/strong><span class=\"duet--media--caption inline xnv72hk _77sxmb0\"><figcaption class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _19wv7tc2 _77sxmba\"><em>Here\u2019s a photo I took on the Xperia 1 VIII\u2019s main camera.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">The AI camera suggestions feel emblematic of Sony\u2019s Xperia line, which always delivers an impressive amount on paper and then contrives to trip itself up. The headphone jack, expandable storage, and stereo speakers are great. The new design language is striking and unique. The camera is the best it\u2019s ever been. Sony\u2019s relatively simple, streamlined take on Android 16 has its appeal too, but a meager promise of four OS updates and six years of security support gives me pause. It has its irritating quirks too: it keeps insisting on creating home screen folders, adding Facebook to my Instagram icon to make a Meta folder, and throwing a whole host of Google apps on top of Google Maps. Throw in the middling battery, performance problems, and high price, and the 1 VIII is hard to recommend to the average flagship buyer.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _18mzr4ba _19wv7tc1\">All of which leaves Sony back where it started. It redesigned the Xperia, rethought its camera, and simplified its software, but this is still what it always was: a phone for the fanboys. The rest of us can do better.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\"><em>Photography by Dominic Preston \/ The Verge<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--article--block-placement _1xorkac1 _1xorkac0 duet--article--article-body-component\">\n<div class=\"duet--article--highlight _1044qizj _1upt4f20\">\n<div class=\"_1upt4f21\"><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"agree-to-continue-sony-xperia-1-viii\" class=\"_1gfm6td1 _1gfm6td0 _1upt4f23 duet--article--standard-heading _19wv7tc1\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Agree to Continue: Sony Xperia 1 VIII<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f24\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\"><em>Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it \u2014 contracts that no one actually reads. It\u2019s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit \u201cagree\u201d to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don\u2019t read and definitely can\u2019t negotiate.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f24\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">To use the Xperia 1 VIII, you must agree to:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f26\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\"><a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20191021235929\/https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms?hl=en-US\">Google Terms of Service<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\"><a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20191021235929\/https:\/\/play.google.com\/about\/play-terms\/index.html\">Google Play Terms of Service<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Google Privacy Policy (included in <a href=\"http:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20191021235929\/https:\/\/policies.google.com\/terms?hl=en-US\">ToS<\/a>)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Install apps and updates: \u201cYou agree this device may also automatically download and install updates and apps from Google, your operator, and your device\u2019s manufacturer, possibly using cellular data.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony warranty and usage guidelines<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony end user licence agreement<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f24\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">There\u2019s also a variety of optional agreements, including:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f26\">\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1044qizi irzhn80 _19wv7tc1\">\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Provide anonymous location data for Google\u2019s services<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">\u201cAllow apps and services to scan for Wi-Fi networks and nearby devices at any time, even when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is off.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Google phone number verification<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Send usage and diagnostic data to Google<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Let contacts nearby find and share with you<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Google Gemini Apps Privacy Notice if you opt in to using Gemini Assistant<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony data collection to develop and improve products and services<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony data use for tailored marketing<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony data use for tailored support<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"irzhn81\"><span class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup\">Sony data use for tailored marketing via the support app<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f24\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1\">Honor includes several more optional agreements during setup tied to specific features. Other Google features, like Google Wallet, may require additional agreements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1upt4f24\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1044qizi _18mzr4b1 _18mzr4b0 _19wv7tc1 _1upt4f27\">Final tally: six mandatory agreements and more than 12 optional agreements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tly2fw0\"><span class=\"tly2fw2\"><strong>Follow topics and authors<\/strong> from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"tly2fw3\">\n<li id=\"follow-author-article_footer-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1\"><span aria-expanded=\"false\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Dominic Preston<\/span><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmF1dGhvclByb2ZpbGU6MTI1-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1bw37384\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dominic Preston\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1bw37385 i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/01\/DOM_BLURPLE-1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5 _1bw37380\">Dominic Preston<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1bw37381\">\n<div class=\"_1bw37382\">News Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button 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homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/mobile\">See All <!-- -->Mobile<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjYyMA==\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Phone Reviews<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjYyMA==-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Phone Reviews<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily 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will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/reviews\">See All <!-- -->Reviews<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5Ojkw\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Sony<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5Ojkw-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Sony<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.<\/p>\n<p><button class=\"duet--cta--button _11kb06m1 _11kb06m0 fv263x2 _11kb06mg\"><span><title>Follow<\/title><\/span><span>Follow<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"fv263x4\"><a class=\"fv263x5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/sony\">See All <!-- -->Sony<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div id=\"follow-category-article_footer-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjU4\"><button aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-haspopup=\"true\"><span class=\"gnx4pm0 _1uf8q814 _19wv7tc5 _1618ekm0\"><span class=\"_1ajq89kf _1ajq89k1 _1ajq89k0\"><\/span><span class=\"_1618ekm9\">Tech<\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<aside id=\"popover-dmcyOmNhdGVnb3J5OjU4-article_footer\" style=\"position:absolute;left:0;top:0\" class=\"_1wu3rm0 _1se63890\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm1\"><button class=\"_1wu3rm3\"><title>Close<\/title><\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1wu3rm5\">Tech<\/div>\n<p class=\"fv263x1\">Posts from this topic will be added 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has the right take on tech<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/ai-artificial-intelligence\/953183\/the-atlantic-searchable-database-music-ai-training-data\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">The Atlantic created a searchable database of the music used to train AI<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"_1qu42rq7 _1qu42rq6 _1044qiz11\"><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"_1qu42rq4 _1qu42rq3\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/953066\/nothing-cmf-phone-delayed-ram-prices\">\n<div class=\"_1qu42rqa _1qu42rq9\">Nothing cancels this year\u2019s CMF phone due to RAM prices<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"noh1q12 noh1q18\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"o1ls92a o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div class=\"o1ls90 o1ls92b\" data-concert=\"medium_rectangle_gamestop_desktop\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"o1ls926 o1ls90 o1ls92i\">\n<div 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radio to your hi-fi<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card up4voo0 _7uluu53\">\n<div class=\"up4voo7 up4voop up4vooa _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"T1 Phone PR firm is \u2018not assisting Trump Mobile any further\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/trump-mobile-t1-phone-redesign-website-2026.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"up4voo6\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/952274\/t1-phone-pr-firm-not-assisting-trump-mobile-any-further\">T1 Phone PR firm is \u2018not assisting Trump Mobile any further\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_1hofmaw2\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Toy Story has the right take on tech\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Installer-133.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.628959276018%2C0%2C66.742081447964%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Toy Story has the right take on tech\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Installer-133.png?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.056497175141246%2C100%2C99.887005649718&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/952547\/toy-story-5-tech-android-17-snap-specs-installer\">Toy Story has the right take on tech<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>David Pierce<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T12:00:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SwitchBot\u2019s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/IMG_1636.jpeg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=12.5%2C0%2C75%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"SwitchBot\u2019s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/IMG_1636.jpeg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C5.5555555555556%2C100%2C88.888888888889&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/952855\/switchbot-standing-circulator-fan-review\">SwitchBot\u2019s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Thomas Ricker<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T07:00:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nothing cancels this year\u2019s CMF phone due to RAM prices\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/nothing-cmf-phone-2-pro-01.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.659090909091%2C0%2C66.681818181818%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Nothing cancels this year\u2019s CMF phone due to RAM prices\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/04\/nothing-cmf-phone-2-pro-01.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0.011361054305837%2C100%2C99.977277891388&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/953066\/nothing-cmf-phone-delayed-ram-prices\">Nothing cancels this year\u2019s CMF phone due to RAM prices<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Stevie Bonifield<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T21:28:39+00:00\">Jun 19<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hue\u2019s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/philips-hue-wandschalter-modul.webp?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=21.875%2C0%2C56.25%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Hue\u2019s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/philips-hue-wandschalter-modul.webp?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=7.8125%2C0%2C84.375%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/952953\/phillips-hue-wired-wall-module-play-lamp-candle-bulb\">Hue\u2019s wired wall modules bring non-smart lights into its ecosystem<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Jennifer Pattison Tuohy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T17:24:45+00:00\">Jun 19<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The NTS Radio Player brings the best of internet radio to your hi-fi\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Atonemo_NTS_radioplayer_Product-41.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The NTS Radio Player brings the best of internet radio to your hi-fi\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/06\/Atonemo_NTS_radioplayer_Product-41.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/entertainment\/952910\/nts-radio-player-atonemo-music-streaming\">The NTS Radio Player brings the best of internet radio to your hi-fi<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Terrence O&#8217;Brien<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T14:53:53+00:00\">Jun 19<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj1 _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqj7 _1ismqj6 _1ismqjc _1ismqjh _1cnxcye3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"T1 Phone PR firm is \u2018not assisting Trump Mobile any further\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjf i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/trump-mobile-t1-phone-redesign-website-2026.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=16.666666666667%2C0%2C66.666666666667%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"T1 Phone PR firm is \u2018not assisting Trump Mobile any further\u2019\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" loading=\"lazy\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"_1ismqjg i7ks070\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;filter: url(%23b);)\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.theverge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/04\/trump-mobile-t1-phone-redesign-website-2026.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&amp;w=2400\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd3 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/952274\/t1-phone-pr-firm-not-assisting-trump-mobile-any-further\">T1 Phone PR firm is \u2018not assisting Trump Mobile any further\u2019<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jelpepd jelpep0\"><span><span class=\"_1g89o322 _19wv7tc5\"><span><span>Dominic Preston<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw2 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5 _1044qizs\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-19T13:00:00+00:00\">Jun 19<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--ad--native-ad-linkset _14xz0mv4 _14xz0mv5 _14xz0mva hidden\" data-native-ad-id=\"container\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"visually-hidden\">\n<div class=\"dynamic-native-ad-native_ad_linkset_link\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/\" aria-label=\"Advertisement\"><\/p>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"_14xz0mv7\"><span data-native-ad-id=\"preamble\" class=\"_14xz0mv8 _14xz0mv9\">Advertiser Content From<\/span><\/p>\n<div><img data-native-ad-id=\"logo\" src alt=\"Sponsor Logo\" class=\"_14xz0mvg\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"_14xz0mvj\" data-native-ad-id=\"title\">This is the title for the native ad<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"e3czlx6\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--header-pattern _75r1tr2\">\n<div class=\"_75r1tr3\">\n<div class=\"duet--layout--page-header bpecqn0\">\n<div class=\"bpecqnj bpecqnf\">\n<h2 class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup bpecqno bpecqnm _19wv7tc2\">Top Stories<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sticky-nav-trigger\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"_75r1tr4\">\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjj _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T15:20:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/report\/953116\/experimental-musician-youtuber-hainbach-interview\">Musician and YouTuber Hainbach on \u2018Breath of the Wild\u2019 and Swiss Army Knives<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T14:00:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/games\/949875\/moves-of-the-diamond-hand-rpg-dice-jazz-noir\">Moves of the Diamond Hand is an unfinished, irresistibly weird dice-based RPG<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T12:00:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/952547\/toy-story-5-tech-android-17-snap-specs-installer\">Toy Story has the right take on tech<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-20T07:00:00+00:00\">Jun 20<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/tech\/952855\/switchbot-standing-circulator-fan-review\">SwitchBot\u2019s Standing Circulator Fan is worth fighting for<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"duet--content-cards--content-card _1ismqj0 _7uluu53 _1ismqjk _1ismqjl _1ismqj5\">\n<div class=\"_1ismqji\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div class>\n<div class=\"jelpep4 jelpep0\"><span class=\"duet--article--timestamp g4xafw8 g4xafw0 _19wv7tc5\"><time datetime=\"2026-06-14T16:00:00+00:00\">Jun 14<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"_19wv7tc9 _1d4s5vd7 _1d4s5vd0\"><a class=\"_7uluu50 _7uluu54 _7uluu55\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theverge.com\/gadgets\/948871\/world-cup-streaming-free-trial-deal-sale\">How to watch most of the World Cup matches with free trials<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/main><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tech Close Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All Tech Gadgets Close Gadgets Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. FollowFollow See All Gadgets Mobile Close Mobile Posts from this topic will be [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,250],"class_list":["post-2002965","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-theverge-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2002965","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2002965"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2002965\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2002965"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2002965"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2002965"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}