Sony Xperia 1 VIII's FCC certification hints at retained 3.5mm audio jack

Sony's next flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 VIII, has surfaced in FCC certification documents, offering our first official confirmation of several key features for the upcoming device. The listing, which carries the model number PY7-30515Z, reveals that Sony is maintaining one of its most beloved features: the 3.5mm headphone jack.

This is particularly noteworthy in 2026, as most smartphone manufacturers have abandoned the traditional audio port in favor of wireless solutions or USB-C audio. Sony has been one of the few holdouts, and the FCC filing confirms the Xperia 1 VIII will continue this tradition.

The certification also confirms wireless charging support, another feature that has become standard on flagship devices. This marks a continuation of Sony's gradual adoption of features that were once absent from its Xperia lineup.

On the connectivity front, the Xperia 1 VIII will support Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), matching its predecessor's capabilities. The device will also maintain the same 5G band support as the Xperia 1 VII, including N5, N41, N66, and N77 bands, ensuring broad network compatibility.

While the FCC listing doesn't include images of the device, recent CAD renders have provided a glimpse of what to expect. These renders show a redesigned camera island, suggesting Sony is updating the Xperia's aesthetic while maintaining its distinctive design language.

According to rumors, the camera system is getting a significant upgrade. The Xperia 1 VIII is expected to feature three 48MP sensors, with a larger main shooter and a new telephoto sensor in the 1/3" to 1/2" size range. The ultrawide camera will reportedly remain the same as on the Xperia 1 VII.

Powering the device will likely be Qualcomm's top-tier Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, ensuring flagship-level performance for the device.

The early appearance of the FCC listing is interesting, as it comes significantly earlier than the certification for its predecessor did last year. This could suggest Sony is planning an earlier launch for the Xperia 1 VIII, though official timing remains unknown.

The retention of the 3.5mm headphone jack is likely to be welcomed by many users who prefer wired audio solutions, whether for better audio quality, reduced latency, or simply not having to worry about battery life on wireless headphones. In a market where this feature is increasingly rare, Sony's decision to keep it could be a selling point for the Xperia 1 VIII.

As we await more official details, the FCC certification provides concrete confirmation of several features while raising anticipation for what Sony has planned for its next flagship Xperia device.