Sony stops selling last Ultra HD Blu-ray player in Japan

Sony has stopped restocking its final Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, in Japan, signaling its possible exit from the market it helped create. The device, which was the company's only remaining Ultra HD Blu-ray player available in Japan, will no longer be available for purchase from the official Japanese store.

Device lacks a successor

No replacement for the UBP-X700/K has been announced, and the model was largely based on an older platform introduced in 2018. It supports 4K Blu-ray discs, HDR10, and Dolby Vision but lacks some streaming features. Sony is ending a product line that had not seen significant technological updates in nearly eight years.

Broader industry trend

This move is part of a larger trend, as Sony had previously announced the end of its Blu-ray recorders in February 2026. In Japan, the PlayStation 5 is now the only device still sold that can read UHD Blu-ray discs, assuming the console has an optical drive. However, it does not support Dolby Vision for films on disc.

Sony’s exit is limited to Japan for now

For now, the shutdown of the UBP-X700/K is officially limited to Japan, with Sony not specifying the reasons for the decision or announcing a timeline for withdrawing the product from European and American markets. The company has not provided details about its future plans for the Ultra HD Blu-ray format outside Japan.

Fewer major manufacturers remain

Sony’s exit adds to a long list of companies leaving the Ultra HD Blu-ray market, including Samsung, Oppo, LG, and Pioneer. Only Panasonic remains among the major electronics brands still producing UHD Blu-ray players. Several smaller manufacturers, such as Thomson, Krovatar, GIEC, and the Australian Laser, are trying to fill the gap with new players that offer different features and price points.

French consumers still have options

For French consumers, the UBP-X700/K is still listed on Sony France’s website at an indicative price of 349 euros, although it is currently marked as out of stock. Panasonic continues to offer several alternatives, including the DP-UB450, DP-UB820, and DP-UB9000. The question remains how long major brands will continue producing these devices, as the focus shifts from the survival of the 4K Blu-ray format itself to the devices that can read it.