Unintended product leaks by manufacturers are normally minor slip-ups which might be solely noticed by likelihood, comparable to a untimely retailer itemizing that’s rapidly taken down. However Sony has leaked its upcoming flagship Xperia 1 V telephone in fashion – by posting a large billboard that includes the system on the facet of a constructing.

The billboard (see above) was noticed in Hong Kong earlier than being taken down, however not earlier than pictures appeared on Reddit (opens in new tab)  and Twitter, and so they present a handset that’s just about similar to what we’ve seen in leaks.

あーこれはガチなやつだったか。 香港に現れたXperia 1Vの広告 撤去される参考:撤去前 pic.twitter.com/2gPrfIvFDJMay 2, 2023

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Primarily based on the photographs, Sony Xperia I V – which is ready to be formally revealed on Might 11 – will look quite a bit just like the Xperia 1 IV. The flat sides stay, surrounding a slender, slim physique, attribute of earlier entries within the sequence. You’ll additionally spot a digicam lens format that continues to be uniquely Sony. The brand new telephone’s digicam array seems somewhat larger than the earlier era, with Sony’s advert proclaiming that the telephone can have a “next-gen” digicam system.

 A story of two promos

If I had a nickel for each Android telephone launching on Might 11 with an official render making the rounds on the primary day of Might, I’d have two nickels (opens in new tab), because the saying goes. The Xperia 1 V joins the Google Pixel 7a being teased by an official supply solely days forward of launch, even when one was unintentional.

Although we’ve seen fewer leaks across the Xperia 1 V than we now have for the 7a, we nonetheless have a transparent thought of what to anticipate from each telephones. The Xperia 1 IV is rumored to be coming with a Snapdragon eight Gen 2 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 6.5-inch flat show, and a 5,000mAh capability battery. The Pixel 7a, in the meantime, is predicted to have a Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 6.1-inch show, and a 4,400mAh battery.

Although these are very totally different smartphones in lots of respects, each the Xperia and Pixel strains place a premium on the digicam expertise (although you possibly can argue all the very best Android telephones do).

The Pixel sequence has usually outperformed the Sony Xperias in evaluations and comparability assessments, with our Xperia 1 IV evaluation noting that the telephone is for individuals who would fairly edit their pictures themselves than those that need a usable picture straight out of the field.

May this be the 12 months that Sony makes up floor within the images division? We’ll have a greater thought quickly, however for a telephone that’s rumored to value upwards of $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,800, we’d hope so.