Sony has discontinued its last remaining standalone Ultra HD Blu-ray player in Japan, the UBP-X700/K, signaling a possible exit from the dedicated 4K Blu-ray player market.
According to Japanese technology blog and Sony retailer Kunkoku, sales of the device officially ended in Japan on October 22, 2026. Sony’s Japanese online store also lists the player as out of stock and confirms that it will not be restocked.
However, Sony has not issued a global discontinuation announcement, and no replacement model has been announced.
Sony Ends UHD Blu-ray Player Sales
Sony introduced the UBP-X700/K in May 2025. It became the company’s last remaining standalone UHD Blu-ray player in Japan after Sony discontinued the UBP-X800M2 more than a year earlier.
With the latest discontinuation, the PlayStation 5 is now Sony’s only remaining device capable of playing UHD Blu-ray discs in Japan.
However, the PS5 is primarily a gaming console and does not support Dolby Vision playback.
Sony has also announced plans to stop producing PlayStation game discs, raising questions about whether its next-generation console will include an optical disc drive.
Sony Moves Away From Physical Media
Sony has gradually reduced its physical media hardware business. Earlier in 2026, the company announced that it would stop selling Blu-ray recorders in Japan.
It had also previously withdrawn from the standalone CD and Super Audio CD (SACD) player markets.
However, Sony will continue selling a standard Blu-ray player and a DVD player in Japan, neither of which supports 4K UHD Blu-ray playback.
Global Availability Remains Unclear
Sony has not confirmed whether it will discontinue the UBP-X700/K in the United States, Europe, or other international markets.
The player remains available in some regions, although the company’s decision in Japan has raised questions about its future.
If Sony exits the standalone UHD Blu-ray player market globally, Panasonic would remain one of the few major electronics manufacturers offering such devices.
Meanwhile, several smaller manufacturers, including Chinese brands, have introduced new UHD Blu-ray players.
Sony played a major role in developing Blu-ray technology, making its decision to discontinue its final standalone 4K player in Japan a significant development for the physical media market.
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