Xperia 1 VIII and 10 VIII Spotted in IMEI Database as Sony Reassures No Changes to Xperia Line
There may have been some concern among Xperia supporters after Sony transferred control of its prestigious Bravia TV brand to TCL. However during a recent earnings call Lin Tao, Sony’s Corporate Executive Officer and CFO, reassured fans that the Xperia series will remain unaffected, emphasizing that there will be “no change in status.”
In addition, the Japanese tech site S-Max conducted some research and uncovered the model numbers for Sony’s upcoming Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII smartphones listed in the GSMA IMEI database.
These upcoming models follow the same sequential naming pattern as their predecessors. For instance, the Xperia 1 VII and Xperia 10 VII were previously labeled PM-150X-BV and PM-151X-BV respectively where the “X” serves as a placeholder for digits representing different regional versions of the phones.
This suggests that the PM-152X-BV and PM-153X-BV are likely the Mark VIII successors in Sony’s Xperia lineup. The flagship Xperia model comes with multiple other identifiers such as XQ-GE44, XQ-GE54 and XQ-GE74. Similarly the Xperia 10 series mid range device is listed under XQ-GH44, XQ-GH54 and XQ-GH74.
Yes, the model names remain as cryptic as ever but the most important point is that these identifiers exist and will serve as replacements for the Xperia 1 VII which originally launched in June of last year and the Xperia 10 VII which arrived in September. Unfortunately, this will mark the third consecutive generation without a new Xperia 5 model with the last one being the Mark V released back in September 2023.
Beyond this, the GSMA IMEI database doesn’t provide much additional information. Both devices are listed with a single slot and two IMEI numbers indicating that each will feature a single nano SIM slot along with eSIM support.
There isn’t any further information regarding the specifications of the phones or the exact date when they might be unveiled. However this is Sony we’re talking about the company tends to release new devices on its own schedule often launching them whenever it feels right without following a fixed timeline.
