The next Xperia generation could noticeably change Sony’s camera strategy: The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to feature a 200-megapixel camera in a Sony flagship for the first time, although not with the new Lytia 901 sensor that has recently attracted a lot of attention. Instead, leaks point to a different 200 MP sensor from the Exmor T series, which should significantly enhance the telephoto module in particular. These are still rumors, but the source has often been correct in previous Xperia leaks, which is why a major camera upgrade is currently considered very likely.
- 200 MP camera planned, but different sensor than Lytia 901
- Exmor T sensor to replace the previous 12 MP telephoto sensor
- Lytia 901 will probably be reserved for Oppo and Vivo models
- High-end chipset at the level of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13 expected
200-megapixel camera, but without Lytia 901
The trigger for the current rumours is a leaker who has specialized in Xperia models for years and is now holding out the prospect of a 200-megapixel upgrade for the Xperia 1 VIII. This would be the first time Sony has entered the 200 MP class in its own flagship series, after competitors such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo have already been using corresponding sensors for some time. What is exciting here is not so much the pure resolution, but the orientation within the camera system: the new 200 MP sensor is to be used as a telephoto camera and replace the previous 12 MP telephoto sensor of the Xperia 1 VII.
Exclusive: Xperia 1 VIII
NO LYT901, but Yes 200mp Exmor T series, Dual Layer Sensor#Xperia1VIII– Nodar Sikharulidze (@NodSikharulidze) November 27, 2025
Surprisingly, contrary to many expectations, Sony will not be using the recently introduced Lytia 901 in the Xperia 1 VIII, although this sensor with a size of 1/1.12 inches, 200 megapixels and a dynamic range of more than 100 dB is currently considered one of the most exciting camera modules in the smartphone segment. The Lytia 901 is rather intended for other flagships such as the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and the Vivo X300 Ultra, where it will serve as a large main camera with strong HDR and low-light capabilities. For the Xperia 1 VIII, a 200 MP sensor from the Exmor T series is being discussed instead, i.e. from the dual-layer architecture that Sony already uses in current high-end cameras to improve noise and dynamic range.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Standard. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
Exmor-T telephoto camera and need to upgrade the main camera
The rumoured 200 MP Exmor T sensor is intended to fundamentally modernize the telephoto module of the Xperia 1 VIII by replacing the previous 12 megapixels with a high-resolution dual-layer setup. In combination with pixel binning and in-sensor zoom, this would enable more flexible focal length ranges and potentially lower-loss digital zoom, similar to what is envisaged for the Lytia 901 with integrated binning steps from 200 to 50 and 12.5 megapixels. Although the exact specification of the Exmor T sensor is not yet known, the focus is likely to be on better detail reproduction in zoom shots and more stable image quality in difficult lighting situations.
At the same time, the report indicates that not only the telephoto module but also the main camera module is in need of an upgrade. The current Xperia 1 has been using a 48-megapixel 1/1.35-inch sensor since model year 2023, which offers solid performance but is in danger of falling behind the latest 1-inch-like sensors from the competition. There are no concrete indications of a new main sensor for the Xperia 1 VIII yet, but given the focus on 200 MP technology and dual-layer architectures, a modernization of the entire camera chain seems plausible.
Chipset, market position and reliability of the leaks
Aside from the camera, it appears that the Xperia 1 VIII will once again feature a high-end SoC, which is also expected in the successors to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and OnePlus 13. For the 2025/2026 period, this means that a current top-of-the-range Qualcomm chip is practically a given, offering sufficient performance reserves for computationally intensive image processing, 8K or high-resolution 4K video recording and AI-supported image functions. Sony would thus remain true to its tradition of positioning the Xperia 1 as a fully-fledged premium device with a focus on camera, display and content creation.
The information comes from leaker Nodar Sikharulidze, who has often been right in the past with Xperia-specific predictions, but whose track record is not flawless. Accordingly, the new details are considered plausible, but should be viewed with a certain degree of caution until Sony itself or other independent sources confirm the specifications. The fact that Sony is apparently initially placing the Lytia 901 exclusively with partners such as Oppo and Vivo also fits in with the company’s previous sensor strategy and lends additional credibility to the scenario.
Estimate, price and availability
All in all, the current leaks paint a plausible picture of an Xperia 1 VIII that could make a big leap forward, especially in the telephoto module, and exert fresh pressure on the flagship camera market with a new 200-megapixel Exmor T sensor. Since the advertised Lytia 901 is expected in parallel in devices from Oppo and Vivo and Sony is gradually developing its own camera platforms based on experience, the separation between the partner sensor and the Xperia setup seems strategically logical.
There is currently no concrete information on price and launch date, but given the positioning of the predecessors, a premium price level and a global market launch in the high-end segment can be assumed. Until an official announcement is made by Sony, the camera upgrade remains a rumor, but the combination of sources, timing and technological context makes the scenario seem quite realistic.
