Sony’s Shohachi Ike and Eri Kitazawa told ITmedia Mobile that the Xperia 1 VIII is enjoying strong sales. Despite rising prices—over JPY 200,000 in Japan and €1,500 / £1,400 in Europe—sales remain high and customer satisfaction is strong, with European sales growing significantly via direct-to-consumer channels.

The camera redesign was driven by customer feedback for better telephoto quality. Sony replaced the 12MP variable zoom with a 48MP 70mm fixed lens for 140mm lossless zoom, avoiding a thicker phone. Sony also noted that the microSD slot and 3.5mm headphone jack are “integral” to Xperia’s identity, ranking high in purchase surveys.

However, Sony confirmed it will not add a new mid-range lineup like the Xperia 5 series. The company believes focusing on the flagship 1 series and the budget 10 series is the most efficient way to meet market demands.