Random Xperia Ace IV render resurrects hopes for an affordable compact smartphone from Sony

Talk about a Sony Xperia Ace IV compact smartphone has died down since a flurry of rumors in late 2022 and early 2023 suggested such a phone was being prepped for the global market. It’s not clear whether the phone even existed at that point, although a purported render of what could be the Xperia Ace IV has now turned up on X. However, there is a very telling detail about the image that could secure its status as likely fake.

Despite commenters on the social media platform talking about the Sony Xperia Ace IV as an upcoming device, it appears there have been more substantial rumors that Sony is being very cautious with its smartphone releases considering the cutthroat nature of the market. There is undoubtedly a market for an affordable compact Xperia smartphone in global terms, but it is likely a very small one. Currently, Sony classes its Xperia 5 V as a "compact" phone (available on Amazon), but it is far from cheap. The render (posted below) reveals just how basic the Xperia Ace IV could be, should this turn out to be a genuine leak.

The white phone features the “Sony” and “Xperia” names and is gifted a single camera lens above a pill-shaped flash. But the so-called Xperia Ace IV here appears to sport a 21:9 ratio, with its tall and narrow design seemingly conflicting with current rumors about Sony’s plans in this area. For instance, the 2024 Xperia 1 VI is reportedly going to feature a 19.5:1 aspect ratio while the Ace III has a ratio of 18.7:9. It would be odd for Sony to drop 21:9 for the flagship Xperia 1 model and then select it for the usually compact Ace series.