Sony · Reviewed by Prasadtechintelugu · Published 2026-07-25
Based on a review by Prasadtechintelugu (accessed 2026-07-25).
Based on this review alone: skip it — extremely high price of approximately 1,80,000 inr, unless excellent 6.5-inch fhd+ ltpo oled 120hz display with natural colors and bravia tv-like experience is your only priority.
The reviewer concluded that only the display and sound experience of the Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8 were good. They found other aspects, particularly the UI and battery life, to be significantly behind competitors like Apple, Samsung, and Google, especially considering its high price. The phone is not available in India, and the reviewer does not expect Sony to re-enter the Indian mobile market.
This review provides an unboxing and initial impressions of the Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8. It covers the phone's design, display, audio quality, camera features, specifications, and overall user experience. The reviewer also discusses Sony's historical presence in the Indian mobile market.
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is a significant disappointment in today's flagship market despite its premium price point. While its OLED display and front-firing stereo speakers offer an excellent multimedia experience with natural colors and rich audio, the dated software UI lacks modern features and feels overly basic. The phone's 5000mAh battery delivers underwhelming endurance, and the 30W charging is slow compared to competitors. If you prioritize an unparalleled audio-visual experience and natural camera output in a smartphone and don't mind a very high price for a phone not officially available in India, this device might appeal. However, if you expect competitive battery life, fast charging, and a modern, feature-rich Android experience, look at other flagships.
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The Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8 is priced at approximately 1,80,000 Indian rupees when converted from its global market price, which the reviewer states is 'very high'.
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The phone features a 6.5" FHD+ LTPO OLED 120Hz display, a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 12GB RAM, 256GB UFS 4.1 storage, triple 48MP Sony cameras (main and periscopic telephoto with OIS), a 12MP front camera, a 5000mAh battery with 30W wired and wireless charging, and an IP68 rating.
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The unboxing experience is described as 'terrible' and 'average,' resembling a testing phone package. The box only contains the phone and documents, lacking a cable, charger, or even a SIM eject pin.
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The SIM tray can be removed without an ejector pin, and the phone supports a microSD card, a feature highlighted as rare in current flagship phones. It supports a single nano SIM and eSIM.
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The phone has front and back Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Victus 2 front, Victus back) with a rough, sandstone-like finish on the rear glass. It features an aluminum frame, a boxy design, and weighs 'just 200gms' for its 5000mAh battery.
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The camera system is a Zeiss collaboration with T* coating badging. It includes a dedicated physical two-stage shutter button for focusing and capturing photos, similar to point-and-shoot cameras.
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The phone features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which the reviewer notes 'many will not accept at that price' given current in-display trends.
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The display has an 'old school' design with small black bars at the top and bottom, which house the front-firing stereo speakers. This design ensures an uninterrupted multimedia experience.
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The audio quality is rated 'very good,' supporting Dolby Atmos, LDAC, and LHDC. The 3.5mm headphone jack is highlighted for providing a 'very good experience,' aligning with the Walkman theme.
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The OLED display panel offers 'very neat colors' that appear natural and not boosted. The reviewer states it provides a 'very good movie watching experience,' comparable to Sony Bravia TVs.
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Still photos taken with the camera are described as 'very natural' with good details and no boosting. The AI Camera Assistant detects scenes and offers adjustment options, but the reviewer prefers the natural output.
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The rear camera records 4K 120fps video (sample shown) and is considered 'good.' The 12MP front camera records 4K 60fps video (sample shown) but is deemed 'not as good as the back camera.'
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Despite a 5000mAh battery, the battery life is reported as 'not lasting very long.' The phone only supports 30W wired fast charging.
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The user interface is heavily criticized as 'very boring' and 'terrible,' described as 'old school Android' with a notable lack of modern features.
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The reviewer explicitly states that the Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8 is not available for purchase in India, was brought from 'outside,' and he does not expect Sony to re-enter the Indian mobile market.
The phone is priced at approximately 1,80,000 INR, which the reviewer considers very high. While the display and audio experience are excellent, many other aspects like the UI, battery life, and charging speed are deemed subpar and far behind competitors like Apple, Samsung, and Google. The reviewer concludes it doesn't offer good value for its price.
The phone features a 6.5" FHD+ LTPO OLED 120Hz display that delivers 'very neat colors' which appear natural and not boosted, comparable to Sony Bravia TVs. This results in a 'very good movie watching experience,' further improved by the front-firing stereo speakers that prevent audio obstruction.
The audio is rated 'very good,' supporting Dolby Atmos, LDAC, and LHDC. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rarity in modern flagships, is a significant plus, delivering a 'very good experience' for music listeners, aligning with Sony's Walkman heritage.
Still photos from the camera system are 'very natural' with good details and no boosting. The camera benefits from Zeiss collaboration and a dedicated physical two-stage shutter button. The rear camera records 'good' 4K 120fps video, but the 12MP front camera's 4K 60fps video quality is not as strong as the back camera.
The Xperia 1 Mark 8 boasts a premium, boxy design with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus (Victus 2 front, Victus back) and an aluminum frame. The back glass has a distinct rough, sandstone-like finish. While these aspects contribute to a premium feel, the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and visible display bezels are noted as dated for a high-end device.
Despite having a 5000mAh battery, the reviewer found that the battery 'is not lasting very long.' Additionally, the phone only supports 30W wired fast charging, which is considered slow and not competitive with other flagships.
The reviewer explicitly states that the Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8 has not launched in India and is not available for purchase there, being a unit brought from 'outside.' He also believes that Sony will not make a comeback to the Indian mobile market.
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The Sony Xperia 1 Mark 8 is introduced as a global release, not available in India, and comes with a premium price tag of approximately 1,80,000 INR. The reviewer highlights its unique features like a 3.5mm headphone jack, a physical two-stage camera shutter button, and microSD card support, echoing Sony's Walkman, Alpha camera, and Bravia TV legacy. While praising the OLED display and audio quality, the reviewer criticizes the disappointing unboxing experience, old-school UI, subpar battery life, and 30W charging speed. The overall impression is that the phone lags behind current flagship competitors in many areas despite some strong multimedia aspects.
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