Predictably high Sony Xperia 1 VI price incoming according to new rumor

A somewhat sketchy, but still believable, rumor about the Sony Xperia 1 VI has been shared that concentrates on the potential price tag for the device. According to the source, it appears the price for the Xperia 1 VI in Taiwan may “drop by several percentage points” (machine translation). However, before Xperia fans in markets like the US, UK, and Europe start whooping with joy at the potential of a new Xperia 1 actually arriving cheaper than its predecessors, there is a figure in Taiwanese dollars offered, and it’s not low.

The supposed snippet of code, which is now a broken image in the rumor source, contained the figure of 39,990 TWD (~$1,227). Presuming this is the price tag for the Sony Xperia 1 VI in Taiwan, then this could signify either a price rise or decrease depending on what source you believe. However, it has been reported that the Sony Xperia 1 V (available on Amazon) was released for 41,990 TWD, so a price of 39,990 TWD for the 2024 Xperia 1 would represent a price drop of -4.76%.

If you ignore the multiple variables here: the rumor could be fake, the fact that the TWD has fallen against the USD in the last 12 months, etc. and just hope for the best, even a 4.76% reduction for a phone that on the surface doesn’t look to be too much of a huge redesign still leaves pause for thought before making a purchase. The Sony Xperia 1 V was $1,399/£1,299 at launch, so an Xperia 1 VI price tag of $1,330/£1,235 is hardly going to encourage new buyers, and the chances are the 2024 flagship will at least match the predecessor’s launch price if not exceed it.