Sony prepares two new phones, the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII appear in the global IMEI database

Sony Xperia 1 VIII is expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset (photo: x @techfryerr)

JAKARTA - Sony is suspected of preparing two new smartphones from the Xperia line. This was revealed after the names of Sony Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII appeared in the GSMA global IMEI database, which is usually a strong sign that device development has entered an advanced stage.

The appearance of the two models at once shows that Sony has not given up on the smartphone business, even though 2025 is said to be a difficult period for the Sony Mobile division. This IMEI registration also gives an initial overview of the distribution plans and target markets for the new phones.

IMEI data shows two different model codes. The Xperia 1 VIII as a flagship model uses the code prefix "XQ-GE", while the Xperia 10 VIII which targets the middle segment comes with the prefix "XQ-GH". These codes indicate that Sony is preparing a launch in Japan, Europe, and a number of other Asian markets.

Additional details from the IMEI code suffix reveal Sony's distribution strategy. Models with the suffix "44" are usually intended for the Japanese market as SIM-free variants. The suffix "54" indicates the version for the European market, while the code "74" generally covers Asian regions outside of Japan.

However, as in previous years, there was no indication of a launch for North America. The absence of a special code for the region reinforces the suspicion that Sony will not officially release the latest Xperia flagship in the United States. Since 2023, Sony has not launched an Xperia flagship phone in the US market, so consumers there will likely have to rely on the import channel.

Although Sony has not officially revealed the specifications, the industry standard for 2026 provides a fairly clear picture of what will be offered. The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which puts it on par with other flagship phones such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and OnePlus 15.

Meanwhile, the Xperia 10 VIII is projected to remain focused on the mid-segment by relying on the Snapdragon 6 series processor. This chipset is known to focus more on power efficiency and battery life than raw performance, making it suitable for users who want a stable phone for daily use.

Until now, Sony has not given an official statement regarding the two devices. However, the transition from internal development codes to official IMEI registration often indicates that the launch schedule is getting closer.