Sony's upcoming flagship smartphone has been spotted in the wild, giving tech enthusiasts an early look at what the Japanese electronics giant has in store for its premium handset lineup. Following the typical annual release cycle, Sony appears to be preparing the successor to last year's Xperia 1 VI, with certification images now revealing key design elements and color options.
Design Continues Sony's Signature Aesthetic
The Sony Xperia 1 VII has appeared in certification images from Taiwan's NCC regulatory body, showing a design that closely follows its predecessor's aesthetic philosophy. The images confirm what earlier CAD-based renders suggested - Sony is sticking with its established design language rather than pursuing a radical overhaul. The phone maintains the company's distinctive rectangular form factor with flat sides and a minimalist approach. However, eagle-eyed observers will notice a slightly chunkier camera bump housing the triple-lens array on the rear panel, representing one of the few visible changes from the previous generation.
Three Color Options Including the Return of Purple
According to the certification images, Sony plans to offer the Xperia 1 VII in at least three colorways. Buyers can expect the standard black option, a navy green variant (though this may be a translation issue from the original documentation), and notably, a purple finish. The purple option marks a return to the color palette not seen since the Xperia 1 IV, giving consumers who prefer more vibrant device colors something to look forward to after its absence in the Xperia 1 VI lineup.
Camera System Specifications Revealed
Early rumors suggested all three rear cameras would feature Sony's advanced Exmor T sensors, but the certification details indicate this may not be the case. Instead, the Xperia 1 VII appears to maintain similar camera specifications to its predecessor, with a 52MP main camera (48MP effective) likely using the Exmor T sensor, accompanied by 12MP ultrawide and 12MP telephoto lenses. This suggests Sony may be focusing on software improvements and image processing rather than hardware upgrades for this generation's photography capabilities.
Dimensional Changes and Physical Features
The certification documents reveal the Xperia 1 VII will measure approximately 165mm in height and 74mm in width, making it slightly taller than the Xperia 1 VI's 162mm x 74mm dimensions. This slight increase in height while maintaining the same width could indicate Sony has made adjustments to the screen-to-body ratio, potentially reducing bezel size. Importantly for audio enthusiasts, Sony continues to include the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack, though the microphone has been repositioned closer to this port compared to previous models.
Sony Xperia 1 VII Specifications (Based on Certification)
- Dimensions: ~165mm x 74mm (slightly taller than Xperia 1 VI)
- Colors: Black, Navy Green, Purple
- Camera System:
- 52MP main camera (48MP effective) with Exmor T sensor
- 12MP ultrawide
- 12MP telephoto
- Features: 3.5mm headphone jack retained
- Model Number: XQ-FSxx (SIM-free likely XQ-FS44)
- Expected Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Expected Launch: Around May 2025
Expected Performance and Launch Timeline
While the certification doesn't confirm internal specifications, industry analysts expect the Xperia 1 VII to feature Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. This would represent a significant performance boost over the previous generation, keeping Sony competitive in the premium smartphone segment. With the Xperia 1 VI having launched in May 2024, the Xperia 1 VII is likely to be officially unveiled soon, with some sources pointing to a possible May 15th announcement date.
Limited Global Availability Possible
The model number scheme revealed in the certification (XQ-FSxx, with the SIM-free version likely designated XQ-FS44) suggests Sony might be planning fewer regional variants than with previous generations. This could indicate a more focused release strategy, potentially limiting availability to select markets where Sony's mobile division has maintained stronger presence. This approach would align with Sony's recent strategy of targeting specific consumer segments rather than competing broadly across all markets.