The Sony Xperia 1 IX could receive its most significant camera improvement in four years, according to reports circulating about Sony’s next flagship. The upcoming handset is said to feature a new, larger main camera sensor, though its precise specifications have not yet been confirmed.
The Xperia 1 VIII was viewed as a success this year, yet it fell short against rivals such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Its successor may look to challenge the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Galaxy S27 Ultra, with the camera upgrade potentially giving it a stronger footing.
A first sensor change since 2023
If accurate, this would mark the first sensor upgrade for the Xperia 1 line since the Xperia 1 V arrived in 2023. Since then, Sony has continued to use the same Exmor T IMX 888 sensor, a 1/1.35-inch component that was the first dual-layer multi-stacked CMOS image sensor.
The square camera bump introduced on this year’s model is expected to remain, but the protrusion is likely to grow. It is not yet clear whether it will only become taller or whether it will also occupy a larger portion of the phone’s rear panel.
Possible sensor candidates
With the Xperia 1 IX anticipated to launch in the spring of 2027, many details remain uncertain, including which sensor Sony will ultimately select. The company is likely to choose one of its own components.
One possibility is the LYTIA 901, a large 1/1.12-inch sensor with 200MP resolution that already powers flagships such as the Oppo Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra. Alternatively, Sony could opt for the LYTIA 910, a 50MP sensor and the firm’s first LOFIC unit, measuring 1/1.28 inches. Although smaller and lower in resolution, it offers a much wider dynamic range and improved low-light performance.
Dynamic range was among the criticisms levelled at the Xperia 1 VIII, whose main camera struggled even in daylight shots, while low-light images produced a more natural look. A new sensor could directly address those concerns.
Sony has kept much of its flagship hardware largely unchanged across several generations, and the reported sensor change would represent a notable departure from that approach.
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Image: phonearena.com
