Latest news with #Xperia
Phone Arena
20-07-2025
- Phone Arena
The Xperia 1 VII backlash feels like a cautionary tale about the end of Sony's golden era
Sony's decline feels like the final chapter of the golden age On paper, the company's response has been relatively swift and transparent. But for some users, this latest incident has reopened old wounds. The Xperia brand has long attracted a loyal — if niche — fanbase, especially among those who value features like a 3.5 mm headphone jack, expandable storage, and Sony's unique design philosophy. However, that loyalty has been tested over the years by limited availability, high pricing, sluggish software updates, and past hardware with another flagship suffering from early reliability problems, many are asking whether Sony can still compete in the premium smartphone market. "I've stuck with Sony through thick and thin," wrote one Redditor. "But I can't justify another thousand-dollar gamble." Others echoed similar feelings, noting that while the replacement program is appreciated, it doesn't undo the damage done to consumer Xperia 1 VII costs €1,499 in Europe and £1,399 in the UK — pricing that places it above Samsung's Galaxy S25 Ultra and Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max in many regions. That alone raises expectations for polish and reliability. Add to that the fact that Sony only offers four years of Android version updates and six years of security patches, and the value proposition starts to look less competitive compared to brands like Google or Samsung, which now promise seven years of full software timing also couldn't be worse. As we reported earlier, Sony had positioned the Xperia 1 VII as a turning point — the company's most accessible yet professional flagship, aimed at bridging its Alpha camera system and its mobile division. But what was supposed to mark a fresh start has instead sparked fears of a deeper worth noting that not all Xperia 1 VII units are affected. Sony has been clear that only specific batches have the faulty component, and the replacement program is free for those with qualifying IMEIs. But in the eyes of some fans, this is just another misstep in a long pattern of missed opportunities. A brand that once set trends in mobile photography now risks becoming a cautionary tale about legacy and those who grew up with Sony's Walkmans, Cyber-shot phones, and Bravia TVs, Xperia's continued struggles feel personal. This isn't just about one defective handset. It's about watching a brand they once admired lose ground — and dare I say it— perhaps "lose its way" in a fiercely competitive market.
Phone Arena
16-07-2025
- Phone Arena
Sony acknowledges Xperia 1 VII power issues, makes important announcement
Sony Xperia 1 VII made its debut on the market last month, but the flagship is no longer available for purchase since the beginning of July, at least not through official channels. The Japanese company announced in early July that it is launching an investigation into what appeared to be major power issues that led to unexpected power-offs, restarts, and inability to power on. The number of units affected by these power issues is unknown, but Sony announced today that its investigation concluded that the manufacturing process may cause a failure of the circuit board in a ' small number of Xperia 1 VII smartphones .' More importantly, Sony successfully identified every affected smartphone and announced plans to launch a free replacement program, which allows customers to replace their faulty Xperia 1 VII units with new ones, free of charge. Sony fans who own an Xperia 1 VII that is affected by these power issues will be able to enroll in the replacement program starting from July 21, 2025. Even if you know your phone is affected by the issues, your Xperia 1 VII's IMEI number must be on Sony's list of affected units. Identify your phone's IMEI number. Go to Settings Tap System / About phone. In the About phone menu, tap Status / IMEI information. The IMEI number is listed among the phone's information. If you can't power on your Xperia 1 VII, you can find the IMEI number printed on the top row of the phone's SIM tray and on the side of the sleeve that wraps around the packaging box. Verify your IMEI number in Sony's IMEI checker to see if it's affected. If your phone is affected, you have two options:Until the replacement program kicks off, Sony recommends all customers with faulty Xperia 1 VII units to back up any important April 1, 2019, Sony no longer has a dedicated mobile division. The Japanese company decided to integrate its mobile business into a newly created division called Electronics Products and Solution. After losing a billion dollars over several quarters between 2018 and 2019, Sony was forced to shrink the mobile division and transfer the smartphone producing plant to is important to mention because the Xperia 1 VII is probably Sony's first flagship smartphone to be manufactured with the help of a third-party company. Sony did use third-party manufacturers to produce its smartphones, but only for mid-range devices. Sony Xperia 1 VII | Image credit: PhoneArena That said, it seems that Sony has done everything it can to limit the amount of resources it pours into its mobile division. Despite managing to make their first profit from Xperia sales in a very long time five years ago, Sony still struggles to become relevant in most of the markets that rumors that Sony plans to exit multiple European markets, the Japanese company actually had a pretty good 2024 fiscal year. Sony revealed that its mobile business's revenue was slightly up in Q3 2024 compared to the previous year. This is especially important because Sony only launched two phones in 2024: Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI. Personally, I don't think Sony will completely exit the smartphone market. The Xperia 1 VII power issues will negatively affect the company's revenue, but if only a small number of units are to be replaced as Sony suggests in its recent statement, it's unlikely to lead to such dramatic measures. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Iconic Sony pulls plug on smartphones in Europe? Xperia 1 VII vanishes from stores in major shift
Sony may be stepping away from the European smartphone market. Its latest flagship, the Xperia 1 VII, has gone missing from several local and partner stores across the continent, including Finland, raising concerns that the brand is abandoning retail channels in favor of online-only sales. Is Sony exiting the smartphone market in Europe? With stores in Germany and the United Kingdom among the few that still sell the model, signs point to a larger downsizing of Sony's smartphone operations, according to a story from the Finnish publication Suomimobiili. The Xperia 1 VII and other Sony phones are not yet available on the websites of Sony Finland and its partners, and they are not anticipated to be available for some time. ALSO READ: Foldable iPhone in 2026? Apple's game-changer may launch at $1,800 with limited stock Sony stated that it will not be selling the Xperia 1 VII in Finland and that it is concentrating on "online shopping channels to provide customers with a smoother shopping experience." Live Events According to Sony, its flagship can be purchased in a few European countries through Amazon and its own online store, as quoted in a report by GSMArena. What does this mean for current Xperia users? Sony's complete response to SuonmiMobiili is as follows, "The Xperia 1 VII is not available for purchase directly through Sony in Finland. However, we are constantly assessing market profitability and customer demand. We are currently focusing on online shopping channels to provide our customers with a smoother purchasing process. Currently, the Xperia 1 VII can be purchased directly from Sony's official online store and through Amazon in selected European markets. Sony remains committed to fulfilling all maintenance and upgrade obligations for existing customers as usual." Why has the Xperia 1 VII vanished from European stores? The situation in other European markets is comparable. The Xperia 1 VII is not available in the majority of European countries on Sony's online store; however, the UK and Germany are the two main exceptions. It looks like Sony is actually scaling back its smartphone business in Europe. The future of Xperia phones is not looking good, especially in light of the recent problems Sony has been experiencing with its Xperia 1 VII in its home market of Japan. FAQs Can I still purchase the Xperia 1 VII in Europe? In most countries, the answer is no. Sony has removed the model from its stores, but it is still available online in select countries such as Germany and the United Kingdom. Is Sony discontinuing its phone business in Europe? Not officially, but the move away from retail indicates a significant downsizing, with online sales now the primary focus.
Scottish Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Fears ‘powerhouse' phone brand to VANISH as all models suddenly out of stock in UK after 33 years
Bosses have reportedly said they are withdrawing from one country - and the rest of Europe could follow next BAD SIGNAL Fears 'powerhouse' phone brand to VANISH as all models suddenly out of stock in UK after 33 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR mobile brand has quietly made all its devices out of stock prompting fears the firm could withdraw from the phone business after 35 years. Many big names that were popular in the early 2000s have been decimated by the popularity of iPhone and Samsung, as well as cheaper rivals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Forgotten mobile brands have lagged behind iPhone and Android Credit: Getty 3 Fears Sony could follow LG and pull out entirely Credit: AFP And Sony Mobile could be the next to bow out. The company made waves with Sony Ericsson handsets which helped make it a "powerhouse" in the mobile scene. Sony has continued to make Xperia smartphones, which have even won awards as recent as last year. But its market share is reported to be less than one per cent in multiple regions across the world. All the company's current smartphones are marketed as "out of stock" on Sony's website, fuelling speculation of a mobile exit. A Finnish news website reported that the company is leaving Finland and claims it plans to withdraw from Europe too. Experts told The Sun that the writing has been on the wall for some time. "It seems that the company is retrenching from some markets given the ongoing challenges in the handset business and changing market dynamics," said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst from PP Foresight. "Once a powerhouse, it was one of the few companies to boast a strong a presence in consumer electronics glass-to-glass from content creation with professional cameras through to smartphones and TVs. "Ultimately with lacklustre sales, stepping back makes sense given the competitive nature of the industry. Android users warned as major brand shuts down phone business "However, the company under Sony still seems to remain committed to smartphones under its premium brand which resonates in other markets. "Moving forward it will still be faced with tough decisions on whether pulling the plug should be made as it currently pivots towards a leaner and more agile business model. "There's also pride at stake for a company that is rich in consumer electronics." LG withdrew from the smartphone industry in 2021 and only recently put out its final software update to existing handset owners. The Sun has approached Sony for comment. END OF AN ERA? By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's not looking good for Sony Mobile. If all the signs do point toward a withdrawal from the UK and beyond, this will be the end of some 33 years in the mobile business. The Japanese tech giant's first commercially available mobile phone, nicked named the "Mars Bar", was released way back in 1992. Most people will think of Sony Ericsson as the firm's mobile heyday, with some featuring branding from its iconic Walkman too. At its peak, Sony Ericsson is reported to have had a 9 per cent market share globally. Most people had forgotten that Sony even made mobiles, so it would be no surprise if the company gave up now. Of course, Sony has other more successful electronic ventures to focus on instead, such as headphones, cameras, TV and of course PlayStation. MOST POPULAR MOBILE BRANDS Samsung holds the crown for top mobile manufacturer based on shipments. The company sold an estimated 60.6million units in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from IDC. That's a 20.1 per cent share, meaning one in five smartphones are made by Samsung. Apple follows very closely behind in second, with a 19.5 per cent share. See the full list below: Samsung - 20.1 per cent Apple - 19.5 per cent Xiaomi - 13.9 per cent OPPO - 7.8 per cent Vivo - 7.5 per cent Others - 31.2 per cent
The Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Fears ‘powerhouse' phone brand to VANISH as all models suddenly out of stock in UK after 33 years
A MAJOR mobile brand has quietly made all its devices out of stock prompting fears the firm could withdraw from the phone business after 35 years. Many big names that were popular in the early 2000s have been decimated by the popularity of iPhone and Samsung, as well as cheaper rivals. And Sony Mobile could be the next to bow out. The company made waves with Sony Ericsson handsets which helped make it a "powerhouse" in the mobile scene. Sony has continued to make Xperia smartphones, which have even won awards as recent as last year. But its market share is reported to be less than one per cent in multiple regions across the world. All the company's current smartphones are marketed as "out of stock" on Sony's website, fuelling speculation of a mobile exit. A Finnish news website reported that the company is leaving Finland and claims it plans to withdraw from Europe too. Experts told The Sun that the writing has been on the wall for some time. "It seems that the company is retrenching from some markets given the ongoing challenges in the handset business and changing market dynamics," said Paolo Pescatore, an analyst from PP Foresight. "Once a powerhouse, it was one of the few companies to boast a strong a presence in consumer electronics glass-to-glass from content creation with professional cameras through to smartphones and TVs. "Ultimately with lacklustre sales, stepping back makes sense given the competitive nature of the industry. Android users warned as major brand shuts down phone business "However, the company under Sony still seems to remain committed to smartphones under its premium brand which resonates in other markets. "Moving forward it will still be faced with tough decisions on whether pulling the plug should be made as it currently pivots towards a leaner and more agile business model. "There's also pride at stake for a company that is rich in consumer electronics." LG withdrew from the smartphone industry in 2021 and only recently put out its final software update to existing handset owners. The Sun has approached Sony for comment. END OF AN ERA? By Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's not looking good for Sony Mobile. If all the signs do point toward a withdrawal from the UK and beyond, this will be the end of some 33 years in the mobile business. The Japanese tech giant's first commercially available mobile phone, nicked named the "Mars Bar", was released way back in 1992. Most people will think of Sony Ericsson as the firm's mobile heyday, with some featuring branding from its iconic Walkman too. At its peak, Sony Ericsson is reported to have had a 9 per cent market share globally. Most people had forgotten that Sony even made mobiles, so it would be no surprise if the company gave up now. Of course, Sony has other more successful electronic ventures to focus on instead, such as headphones, cameras, TV and of course PlayStation. MOST POPULAR MOBILE BRANDS Samsung holds the crown for top mobile manufacturer based on shipments. The company sold an estimated 60.6million units in the first quarter of 2025, according to data from IDC. That's a 20.1 per cent share, meaning one in five smartphones are made by Samsung. Apple follows very closely behind in second, with a 19.5 per cent share. See the full list below: Samsung - 20.1 per cent Apple - 19.5 per cent Xiaomi - 13.9 per cent OPPO - 7.8 per cent Vivo - 7.5 per cent Others - 31.2 per cent
