Sony appears to be stepping away from the 4K UHD Blu-ray player market, reportedly discontinuing its final model, the UBP-X700/K. This move aligns with a larger strategy by the company to reduce its investment in hardware and physical media, a trend that has concerned enthusiasts of physical collections.
The sales for the UBP-X700/K are said to have officially ended in Japan on October 22, according to claims from Japanese blog Kunkoku and reported by FlatpanelsHD. This leaves the PlayStation 5 as Sony's only remaining UHD playback device in Japan. Panasonic is now noted as the last major electronics manufacturer still producing UHD players, while Sony continues to offer a single DVD player and a single Blu-ray player model.
Sony Japan's website lists the UBP-X700/K as "Out of stock" with a notice that "This item will not be restocked," seemingly corroborating the discontinuation. While an official global announcement has not been made, historical patterns suggest that product decisions in Japan often precede broader international rollouts. This suggests Sony will likely cease production of dedicated UHD players for consumers worldwide.
This development is part of Sony's ongoing divestment from traditional electronics manufacturing. Earlier this year, the company sold significant portions of its TV and hardware production facilities to TCL, which also gained a controlling stake in Sony's Bravia TV business. Furthermore, Sony previously announced plans to end PlayStation disc production by 2028. These actions collectively indicate a significant push towards an all-digital future, impacting the landscape for consumers who prefer physical media for both movies and games.