Sony Reports Strong Sales of Xperia 1 VIII, Emphasizes Importance of microSD Slot and 3.5mm Jack
In a recent interview with ITmedia Mobile, Sony’s Shohachi Ike and Eri Kitazawa shared positive updates regarding the Xperia 1 VIII's market performance. Contrary to speculation about Sony's retreat from the smartphone market, the Xperia 1 VIII is witnessing impressive sales figures, and the company is attentive to the preferences of its users.
The Sony Xperia 1 VIII is priced higher than its predecessor, exceeding the JPY 200,000 threshold in Japan. However, prices in Europe have remained consistent, with the base model (12GB RAM and 256GB storage) available for €1,500 or £1,400, matching the starting price of the Mark 7, which was already considered steep.
Shohachi Ike and Eri Kitazawa
“Despite rising prices, sales have remained strong and customer satisfaction is very high,” the Sony representatives remarked (translated). This trend isn't limited to Japan, as sales in Europe have “grown significantly” due to Sony enhancing its direct-to-consumer sales strategies.
The interview delved into camera enhancements as well, where the design was significantly influenced by user feedback. The camera island was reconstructed to fit a larger telephoto image sensor, and the previous variable zoom mechanism has been replaced by a fixed 70mm lens. Despite this change, the new 48MP sensor allows for impressive 140mm lossless zoom capabilities, nearing the performance of the Mark 7 camera at its long end.
Sony Xperia 1 VIII
Understanding customer preferences is key for Sony, which conducts regular surveys to gauge consumer satisfaction. The demand for improved telephoto image quality played a significant role in the design of the Mark 8 camera.
In terms of highly sought-after features, one Sony representative stated, “In our survey of reasons for purchase, microSD compatibility was ranked highly.” Another added, “I believe the presence of the microSD slot and headphone jack is now an integral part of Xperia's identity.”
On a topic of curiosity among Sony's fanbase, inquiries regarding the Xperia 5 series were met with a challenging response.
“We conduct very frequent surveys on general market trends, customer payment patterns, and primary uses, acknowledging the demand and market size for mid-range phones (around JPY 100,000),” the representatives explained. “However, we believe that focusing on two main pillars for Xperia – the flagship 1 series, which best embodies the essence of Xperia, and the 10 series, offering a cost-effective way to experience Sony's features – is the most efficient approach to meet market demands. We have not yet decided to introduce a new mid-range lineup.”
Sony Xperia 1 VIII
For more insights on the Xperia 1 VIII and its new camera setup, you can check out our written and video reviews. Follow the Source link for the full interview.
Source | Via
Pricing Details for Sony Xperia 1 VIII
| 256GB 12GB RAM | € 1,499.00 |
£ 1,399.00 |
| Show all prices |
