Sony Xperia 8 III Lite: A Budget-Friendly Android Smartphone with a Twist

The Sony Xperia 8 III Lite is a budget-friendly Android smartphone that aims to offer a unique blend of features, performance, and affordability. As part of the Xperia 8 series, this device promises to deliver a compelling package for users who want a reliable phone without breaking the bank.

Design and Display

The Xperia 8 III Lite boasts a sleek and compact design, measuring in at 154 x 69 x 9.4mm and weighing just 185 grams. The device features a durable polycarbonate back with a frosted finish, giving it a premium look that’s resistant to fingerprints and scratches.

The display is one of the standout features of the Xperia 8 III Lite. It boasts a 6-inch Full HD+ OLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels, resulting in crisp and vibrant visuals. The screen also supports HDR10 and has a high contrast ratio, making it perfect for watching movies or gaming.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xperia 8 III Lite is powered by a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. While it may not be the most powerful device on the market, it’s more than capable of handling everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and streaming.

The phone also features a dedicated microSD card slot for expandable storage, allowing users to add up to 1TB of additional storage if needed.

Camera

One of the most interesting aspects of the Xperia 8 III Lite is its camera setup. The device boasts a triple-camera system featuring a primary 12-megapixel sensor with an f/1.7 aperture, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens with a 114-degree field of view, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode capabilities.

In our testing, the camera performed admirably, capturing sharp and detailed images in good lighting conditions. However, low-light performance was somewhat lacking, which may be a concern for users who frequently take photos in dimly lit environments.

Battery Life

The Xperia 8 III Lite packs a respectable 4000mAh battery that promises up to two days of moderate usage on a single charge. In our testing, we achieved around 1.5 days of heavy use, which is still quite impressive for a device at this price point.

Software and Features

The Xperia 8 III Lite runs on Android 11 out of the box, with Sony’s proprietary interface providing a unique set of features like a customizable lock screen, gesture navigation, and a dedicated camera app with advanced modes like slow-motion video recording and more.

Other notable features include IP67 water and dust resistance, dual-SIM support, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, and Bluetooth 5.1 for seamless pairing with compatible devices.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia 8 III Lite is an intriguing budget-friendly smartphone that checks most of the right boxes. Its compact design, impressive display, and capable camera make it a compelling option for users who want a reliable device without breaking the bank.

While it may not be the most powerful phone on the market, the Xperia 8 III Lite’s mid-range processor and 4GB of RAM provide more than enough oomph for everyday tasks. With its competitive pricing starting at $349 (base model), this phone is definitely worth considering for those in search of a feature-packed Android device without the hefty price tag.

Technical Specifications:

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 128GB internal storage, expandable up to 1TB via microSD card slot
  • Display: 6-inch Full HD+ OLED panel with HDR10 support and 1080 x 2520 pixels resolution
  • Battery Life: Up to two days moderate usage on a single charge (4000mAh)
  • Camera: Triple-camera system featuring 12-megapixel primary sensor, 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and 2-megapixel depth sensor
  • Operating System: Android 11 with Sony’s proprietary interface