Sony has launched the Xperia 10 VIII, an update to its midrange Android handset that offers only minor changes over last year's Xperia 10 VII while costing considerably more. The move highlights how component costs, particularly the ongoing memory chip shortage sometimes dubbed the "RAMpocalypse", are pushing up prices even on modest phone refreshes with few tangible improvements for buyers.

The new phone keeps the same 6.1-inch 2340 x 1080 OLED display, Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 5,000mAh battery and 128GB base storage as its predecessor, with the screen simply able to get 50% brighter. The camera setup is unchanged, still featuring a 50MP main sensor, 13MP ultrawide and 8MP front camera, while the main new additions are 15% louder speakers and quick-access digital payments via a double tap of the power button. It comes in Frozen White, Frosted Grey and Misty Lilac finishes and will cost £549 in the UK, £150 more than last year's model, when it goes on sale in September; Sony no longer sells Xperia phones in the US.