Official-looking Xperia 1 VIII images show new design, colors; launch date, price increase tipped - Notebookcheck

Fresh marketing images and listings suggested a May 20 launch, a possible price increase, and the removal of continuous optical zoom; new coverage reinforces those design details by showing a refreshed square camera module. Sony also announced new gaming hardware — a FlexStrike fight stick and a 27-inch gaming monitor — slated for August, plus Pulse Elevate speakers later this year. Together, the phone leaks and peripheral announcements show a broader hardware push that may influence buyer perception of Sony's pricing and product strategy. The report that the Xperia likely won't come to the US remains a notable factor for international reception.