What’s new: Sony has launched the Xperia 1 VIII featuring a new design and a 48MP telephoto camera with a larger sensor. It retains the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery, priced at €1,500/£1,400 for the base model. Xiaomi is set to introduce the 17 Max with a 6.9-inch flat display, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, an 8,000mAh battery with 100W charging, and a triple-camera setup including a 200MP main sensor. Samsung is rolling out One UI 8.5 to various Galaxy devices and has announced the One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series.
Who’s affected
Smartphone enthusiasts interested in high-end devices, particularly those looking for the latest from Sony and Xiaomi, as well as Galaxy users awaiting software updates.
What to do
- Consider the Xperia 1 VIII if you’re looking for advanced camera capabilities and premium specs.
- Keep an eye out for the Xiaomi 17 Max launch if you prefer high battery capacity and fast charging.
- Galaxy users can apply for the One UI 9 beta through the Samsung Members app to experience new features early.
