Notebookcheck reviews the Sony Xperia 1 VIII. Sony pushes S-Cinetone and real-time AI tracking inherited from its Alpha reflex range. Is the differentiation worth its price compared to the rest of the high-end market?

Sony Xperia 1 VIII: Alpha DNA at the service of mobile video

Notebookcheck publishes its in-depth review of the Sony Xperia 1 VIII. Sony's promise is clear: to push its high-end smartphone as a video tool inherited from the Alpha reflex range, with S-Cinetone (cinema profile) and real-time AI tracking. It remains to be seen whether the differentiation justifies the premium positioning against the rest of the high-end 2026.

Design

Sony keeps its DNA: rare 21:9 format, flat edges, dedicated photo shutter button for two screens. Little bling, a sober look that ages well. Notebookcheck praises a very well-crafted chassis, with atypical but assumed ergonomic choices.

Handling

The physical shutter and the Photo Pro / Video Pro application (interfaces inherited from the Alpha reflex) remain Sony's strong points. For a user coming from a standard smartphone, the learning curve is real; for a photographer used to Alpha, it's a direct shortcut - the nomenclature (ISO, shutter, WB) is identical.

Video Performance

The heart of the test: S-Cinetone (cinema profile inherited from Sony's FX cameras), real-time AI subject tracking, 4K encoding. On this ground, Notebookcheck confirms that the Xperia remains one of the most complete smartphones for semi-pro video. The open question: do the sensors (size and dynamic range of the first module) hold up against competing flagships that are better equipped with very large sensors? The full test should provide quantified elements.

Autonomy & Versatility

Historically, the Xperia 1 suffers from a discreet autonomy compromise compared to Chinese flagships that carry larger batteries. Notebookcheck's detailed test remains the reference for exact figures.

Verdict

The Xperia 1 VIII is aimed at a niche audience: video creators, photographers already equipped with Sony, demanding about ergonomics. This is not the smartphone that will reach the general public - but in its lane, it remains formidable. Against competitors who bet on the raw sensor, Sony plays the card of Alpha software integration.

Summary