Sony’s upcoming flagship might finally be getting a redesign, but not everyone is impressed. Leaked renders of the Xperia 1 VIII, shared by Weibo user Super_Freak_, suggest a noticeable shift in design, especially around the camera.

The biggest change is a move away from Sony’s signature vertical camera strip to a square-shaped camera island, housing three sensors. There’s also a new centered punch-hole selfie camera, replacing Sony’s long-standing bezel-based front camera approach. On paper, these are big changes. But in reality… It’s not quite hitting the mark.

Why does it feel a bit… meh?

Let’s be honest, it doesn’t really feel like Sony anymore. For a brand that once stood out with its clean, minimal “OmniBalance” design language, this new look feels oddly familiar, and not in a good way. The square camera island, in particular, bears a striking resemblance to devices like the OnePlus 10T, making the Xperia 1 VIII look less like a bold redesign and more like Sony borrowing from the crowd.

And that’s the bigger issue here. Instead of setting trends as it used to, Sony seems to be following them. A punch-hole camera, a chunky square module; it all feels very “been there, done that.” For a company known for doing things differently, this redesign just doesn’t feel… very Sony.

Is this even real?

That’s the other big question. The renders originated from Weibo and have been backed by sources with a decent track record, but even then, there’s skepticism. Some of the design choices feel so unusual that they’ve raised doubts about whether this is the final product or just an early prototype. That said, there are hints that Sony could be working with a larger camera sensor, which might explain the need for a redesigned module.

Even if the design changes, the bigger issue remains the same: identity. Sony has always carved out a niche with features like a headphone jack, microSD support, and pro-grade camera tools. But in a market where competitors are pushing bold designs and aggressive innovation, Xperia devices often feel like they’re playing it safe. At the end of the day, the Xperia 1 VIII might look different, but it doesn’t yet feel exciting. And in today’s flagship market, just being different isn’t enough; it has to feel like a step forward too.