Sony ends shipments of last standalone 4K UHD Blu-ray player in Japan

Sony has reportedly ceased shipments of its final standalone Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the UBP-X700/K, in the Japanese market. According to reports from the Japanese retailer and blog Kunkoku, shipments ended on October 22, 2026. While the device remains listed as out of stock on Sony’s official Japanese online store with no plans for replenishment, the company has not yet issued a formal global announcement regarding its exit from the dedicated UHD player category.

This move signals a significant shift toward digital media and away from physical formats. In Japan, the PlayStation 5—specifically models equipped with a disc drive—will now serve as the sole remaining Sony hardware capable of playing 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. However, enthusiasts note a technical limitation: unlike the dedicated UBP-X700/K, the PS5 does not support Dolby Vision for movie playback.

The discontinuation follows a broader trend of Sony reducing its presence in physical media. The company previously ended production of Blu-ray recorders and has announced plans to cease the production of PlayStation game discs by January 2028. While standard Blu-ray and DVD players remain in the catalog, the high-end 4K UHD segment appears to be transitioning into a niche market for collectors.