Sony's AI Camera Assistant Falls Short of Expectations

When Sony announced the Xperia 1 VIII last month, it promoted the phone by sharing some of the worst photos taken on a Sony camera in years. These weren't just any photos, though: they were taken with Sony's new AI Camera Assistant. After a week with the Xperia 1 VIII, I'm here to tell you that the AI assistant is exactly as bad as Sony made it look.

After Sony first showed me the AI Camera Assistant during a press briefing for the Xperia 1 VIII, I said it looked "like an improved version of Google's Camera Coach." It's pretty clear I got that wrong. Camera Coach, found on the latest Pixel phones, is a dedicated camera mode that talks you through the process. The AI Camera Assistant's sample photos shared by Sony were laughable, and my experience with the feature on the Xperia 1 VIII only reinforced that initial impression.

The feature's performance and output have significant room for improvement, especially when compared to established players like Google's Camera Coach. Why this matters: The underwhelming performance of Sony's AI Camera Assistant has broader implications for the company and the smartphone industry. For developers, this serves as a reminder that AI-powered camera features require significant refinement to meet consumer expectations.

Businesses investing in AI-driven smartphone features must prioritize quality and user experience to remain competitive. For consumers, this highlights the importance of critically evaluating smartphone camera capabilities, rather than relying solely on marketing claims. Open questions remain about Sony's strategy for improving the AI Camera Assistant and how it will compete with established players in the market.