New Xperia leak suggests Sony hasn't given up — will this time be different?

Remember Xperia smartphones? They do still exist, and the latest leak suggests Sony hasn't given up yet. The model number of the next Xperia 1 IX flagship has popped up in an online regulatory database.

Xperia 1 Mark IX shows up online

IMEI model numbers, corresponding with the Xperia 1 IX. | Image by IMEI

Japanese site s-max has unearthed a filing in the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) database on August 4, showing a new smartphone. The mysterious device bears the model numbers XQ-HH44," "XQ-HH54," and "XQ-HH74."

This model naming scheme falls in line with other Xperia 1-series flagships from the past — the Xperia 1 VIII starts with "XQ-GExx," and the Xperia 1 VII starts with "XQ-FSxx." This strongly suggests that the Xperia 1 IX is coming. Our Japanese colleagues at s-max also point out that the "H" following "XQ-" indicates a 2027 model.

Sony to launch the Xperia 1 IX next year

The Xperia 1 VIII launched back in May, so we can expect similar timeline for the Xperia 1 IX. | Image by PhoneArena

The latest Sony flagship — the Xperia 1 VIII — launched back in May, so we should expect a similar timeline for the debut of the successor — the 1 Mark IX.

Digging deeper down in these model numbers, it appears that the XQ-HH44 is a manufacturer version for the Japanese open market (a so-called "SIM-free model"), the XQ-HH54 is for Europe and other regions, and the XQ-HH74 is for China, with the "4" at the end indicating eSIM support for all three variants.

But there's another interesting feature buried in these numbers.

Should Sony continue making smartphones?

The Xperia 1 IX will have satellite connectivity

Satellite connectivity coming to the Xperia? | Image by PhoneArena

One of the reasons we think these IMEI numbers refer to the Xperia 1 IX and not the budget Xperia 10 IX is the fact that the XQ-HH44 is compatible with NGSO, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) that complies with 3GPP for satellite communications.

It's safe to say that Sony won't slap a satellite connectivity feature on a budget phone. That said, the feature is available only on the model number for Japan, and it's unclear whether the global version will get this feature as well.

But there's a more pressing question ahead.

Should Sony continue making smartphones?

My first Android phone, what a beauty! | Image by PhoneArena

I was (and still am to some extent) a Xperia fan since my first Android phone — the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray, back in 2011. It's still in my drawer in perfect working condition.

But even a die-hard Xperia fan such as myself have to admit that Sony has lost its way when it comes to smartphones.

For the longest time the Japanese company refused to hop on the modern smartphone train, dishing out 21:9 rectangular phones with 4K displays. These phones were too different from the status quo, and not many people dared to buy them.

Then the company made a sharp turn, ditched the 4K display, simplified the pro-grade creator apps, and last year, finally changed the design.

Despite these changes, Xperia phones still fail to address several key issues. First, the software feels as it was made in the 2010s. Then there are the hardware issues. I had them on almost every flagship Xperia device, and that's not a good sign on a $1000+ smartphone.

Speaking of the price, even before the recent price hikes due to the chip crisis, Xperia phones have always been too expensive for their own good. Most of the Xperia 1 models start at $1,399, with the Xperia 1 IV launching at the whopping $1,599. That's too much even for the most dedicated Xperia fans out there.

Back to the question. Should Sony keep it up? Strangely, I think yes. Sony should try and stay in the smartphone business. The company has a long list of patents and innovations, and some could potentially inspire other smartphone manufacturers. What do you think about this? Should Sony call it quits?