A leak of the Xperia I VIII design suggests that Sony remains stuck in the past.

      Mobaziro / X

      Over the years, smartphone manufacturers have gradually honed their skills. By 2026, devices feel more refined, smarter, and visually appealing than ever before. However, a recent examination of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII indicates that Sony might be clinging too closely to its history, and not in a favorable manner. Here’s why I believe that.

      This doesn’t resemble the Sony we recall

      There was a time when Sony truly distinguished itself. Its design language exuded a sense of confidence that felt unique. Yet, looking at the Xperia 1 VIII now, that clarity seems to have diminished. The back panel, at least in this image, is where things begin to falter for me. The design appears confusing. Sony's hallmark vertically aligned camera arrangement has always been integral to its identity, and diverging from that diminishes the sense of familiarity long-time users associate with the brand. As a result, the design comes across as oddly generic, as if it could belong to any other smartphone.

      The camera island appears bulky and somewhat outdated, reminiscent of the OnePlus 10 Pro from 2022, which itself has since evolved. This makes it feel especially off. It seems like a revisitation of an idea that the rest of the industry has already moved past.

      What strikes me even more is how out of touch this is with the current trends in smartphone design. Most brands are embracing cleaner, more minimalistic aesthetics that feel modern and refined. Bulky camera islands are now typically reserved for niche or limited-edition models, not mainstream flagship devices.

      All of this leads me to feel that Sony isn’t firmly carving its own path but is instead drawing from trends that have already peaked. For a brand that once boasted a strong design identity, this change feels somewhat disheartening.

      A change without clear direction

      Honestly, I have always held Sony to a slightly elevated standard. It was a brand expected to present clear and confident design choices. That’s why this situation is particularly disappointing now. It’s not merely about one device; it conveys a broader sense that the brand has lost its way.

      At first glance, the Xperia 1 VIII certainly attempts to differentiate itself, but that distinction feels somewhat shallow. It seems more like a change without a definitive goal, which is where it starts to falter. In today's flagship market, merely appearing different is insufficient. A design must convey intent, demonstrate progress, and be in line with industry trends. This one doesn’t quite manage to achieve that. Standing out is easy; making a significant impact is what truly matters.

      Shimul is a contributor at Digital Trends, with over five years of experience in the tech field.

      Amazon Kindle Scribe Colorsoft review: The luxurious journey to digital note-taking

      It aims to become your essential digital journal, but it may also test your loyalty to Kindle.

      Quick Take

      The Kindle Scribe Colorsoft represents a new class of e-readers from Amazon. Besides serving as a reading companion, it also intends to function as a reliable note-taking device. It excels at performing as a digital diary. The color display effectively mimics the feel of writing on paper, without the input lag typically experienced on standard tablets.

      Apple’s foldable maintains Camera Control, but one-handed photography on a large foldable seems challenging

      Apple underwent significant engineering efforts to make this happen, but is it worth it?

      Apple's inaugural foldable iPhone has been the focus of numerous leaks, and the latest comes from Weibo leaker Instant Digital. As reported by Notebookcheck, this leak suggests that the iPhone Fold will feature the Camera Control button, even though it will be thinner than the iPhone Air when opened.

      This is no small achievement. Incorporating the Camera Control button into such a slim device likely necessitated substantial engineering on Apple's part. However, it seems Apple deemed it worthwhile.

      Your iPhone is becoming smarter: Here’s what Apple Intelligence can offer in iOS 27

      Apple has been consistently enhancing Apple Intelligence since its inception, and iOS 27 may represent the most ambitious update to date. Backend code discovered by developer Nicolás Alvarez, later validated by MacRumors, suggests at least four new AI-powered features coming to system applications. While this isn’t official yet, the evidence is quite compelling.

      Visual intelligence is becoming more advanced.