Sony Japan has announced the Xperia 8 Lite (J3273), which is basically a SIM-free version of the Xperia 8 model that launched last year. This move follows a number of other handsets that have gone SIM-free in Japan recently, including the Xperia 1 II, Xperia 1 and Xperia 5.

Sony has updated a few handsets recently including the Xperia 1 II (Mark 2) flagship which sees its build number move from 58.0.A.3.88 to version 58.0.A.3.132, and incudes the August 2020 Android security patches.

Sony Japan has announced that it will release a SIM-free version of the Xperia 1 II, which will come with a boost in specs versus the international model. Up until now, the Xperia 1 II was available only through two carriers in Japan (NTT docomo and au by KDDI). The new variant with model number XQ-AT42 is expected to arrive on 30 October 2020 at a cost of 124,000 yen (£892, €987, $1168).

Sony has picked up an EISA 2020-21 Multimedia Smartphone award for the Xperia 1 II (Mark 2), a well-deserved win given the phones' all round performance. The handset boasts a number of features that helped it to win including its 4K OLED display, Dolby Atmos sound, support for PlayStation DUALSHOCK4 controllers, and of course the return of the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Sony has released an exciting new firmware update for Xperia 1 II (Mk2) owners, adding RAW support across all three of its rear camera lenses when using the Photo Pro app. Build version 58.0.A.3.88 is currently rolling out to select regions for the single SIM variant (XQ-AT51) including Russia, US and carriers including O2 UK and Orange in Europe. There is no update for the dual SIM variant (XQ-AT52) at the time of writing, though this should follow shortly.

Sony has been rolling out a number of firmware updates over the last week, which has moved the Android security patches to July 2020 for various handsets. The Xperia smartphones that have been updated with the July 2020 patches include the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 with build number 55.1.A.9.52. The Xperia XZ2 and XZ3 family have seen its build number move to version 52.1.A.3.49.

The Sony Xperia 1 II (Mark 2) received its first update last week, but Sony has followed that up with another update just a week later. Sony has moved the build version from 58.0.A.3.31 to version number 58.0.A.3.39. Sony doesn't include a changelog so it's tricky to work out what's changed, we guess it must be small performance enhancements and bug fixes. If you've downloaded the update, let us know if you've noticed any tangible changes.

Sony's Album app for its Xperia smartphones has consistently been one of the best apps from its home stable of apps. Over some time we have seen Sony retire a number of its own apps, and its Album app could soon follow.

The Xperia 1 II (Mark 2) has now been out for a few days, so it's a perfect time to ask new owners what their impression of Sony's flagship has been so far. For those lucky owners, please let us know how you are finding the device so far in the comments below. What do you like, and what has you frustrated? If you have previously used a Sony Xperia device, how does the Xperia 1 II compare? Or, if you're new to Xperia, is it living up to expectations?

Sony is rolling the first firmware update for the Xperia 1 II, its newest flagship device. The update moves the build number to 58.0.A.3.31 and the latest June 2020 Android security patches. This update hit dual SIM devices (XQ-AT52) around a week ago, but is only rolling out to single SIM devices (XQ-AT51) today.

Sony started to roll June 2020 Android security patches for a variety of recent devices earlier today. Last year's flagship devices, the Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 are seeing firmware update 55.1.A.9.21 release across a couple of regions so far (Russia, SEA), but availability should widen in the coming days.

Today is the eve of the launch of the Xperia 1 II flagship in Europe – the phone was due to be available from 18 June i.e. tomorrow. Therefore it is disappointing for us to hear from numerous irate Sony eStore customers across Europe who have been receiving emails saying that their orders will be delayed to 31 July 2020.

The colour purple has been a fan-favourite in Xperia smartphones ever since the Xperia Z, but it was an often used colour in Sony Ericsson phones of the past too. We saw a very vibrant purple used in last year's Xperia 1, and Sony has re-thought the colour for its re-introduction in the Xperia 1 II.

US pre-orders for the Sony Xperia 1 II (Mark 2) flagship already opened up a while ago. The handset is available to pre-order at $1,199 across various retailers including B&H Photo and Video, Best Buy, Focus and Adorama. Sony is bundling the WF-1000XM3 Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds with Xperia 1 II US pre-orders.