Xperia 1 VII Setbacks: When you’re investing in a premium smartphone that costs over $1,400, the last thing you expect is for your device to suddenly shut down and refuse to turn back on. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to some Xperia 1 VII owners, forcing Sony to take the unusual step of suspending sales worldwide while investigating what went wrong.
If you’ve been considering the Xperia 1 VII as your next phone upgrade, this situation offers important insights into what you should know before making your purchase decision. Let’s break down what happened, how Sony responded, and what this means for potential buyers.
The Problem That Stopped Sales in Their Tracks
In early July 2025, Sony made headlines for all the wrong reasons when it suspended global sales of its flagship Xperia 1 VII smartphone. The issue wasn’t minor – users across Japan, Europe, Taiwan, and Hong Kong began reporting serious power-related problems that made their expensive phones nearly unusable.
The symptoms were particularly troubling. Phones would suddenly shut down during normal use, restart unexpectedly, or in the worst cases, completely refuse to power on. Imagine reaching for your phone to make an important call, only to find it completely unresponsive despite being fully charged the night before.
What started as isolated reports in Japan quickly spread to other markets, prompting Sony to expand its investigation beyond its home country. The company initially hoped the issue might be limited to specific Japanese models, possibly related to the country’s unique Osaifu-Keitai mobile payment system, but that theory didn’t hold up as similar reports emerged worldwide.
Sony’s Investigation Reveals Manufacturing Flaw
After weeks of investigation, Sony finally identified the culprit: a defective circuit board caused by problems in the manufacturing process. The company confirmed that the manufacturing process caused a failure of the circuit board in a small number of Xperia 1 VII smartphones, which could potentially result in power issues.
This wasn’t a software glitch that could be fixed with an update – it was a hardware problem requiring physical replacement of affected devices. Sony acknowledged that while only a “small number” of devices were impacted, the company had successfully identified every affected smartphone through their IMEI numbers.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for Sony. The Xperia 1 VII had launched in May 2025 with high expectations, featuring cutting-edge specifications including a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display, and professional-grade camera capabilities. What was supposed to be Sony’s most refined premium phone quickly became a cautionary tale about quality control in manufacturing.
How to Check if Your Phone is Affected
If you already own an Xperia 1 VII, Sony has made it relatively straightforward to check whether your device is part of the problematic batch. Starting July 21, 2025, Sony is offering a replacement program for affected smartphones. Users can check if their Xperia 1 VII is affected by looking up their IMEI number.
Finding your IMEI number is simple – just dial *#06# in your phone app, and the 15-digit number will appear on your screen. You can also find it printed on your SIM tray or on the original packaging. Sony has set up an online IMEI checker where you can enter this number to determine if your device needs replacement.
For UK customers, there’s a dedicated website where you can verify your phone’s status. If your device is affected, you have two options: contact Sony directly if you purchased from their online store, or visit an authorized service center for a free replacement.
What This Means for Your Purchase Decision
The Xperia 1 VII situation raises several important considerations if you’re thinking about buying this phone or any Sony smartphone in the future.
First, let’s acknowledge Sony’s response. The company acted relatively quickly once the scope of the problem became clear. They suspended sales, investigated thoroughly, identified the root cause, and implemented a free replacement program. Sony also changed their manufacturing process to prevent similar issues in future production runs.
However, the incident also highlights some concerning trends. This isn’t Sony’s first rodeo with hardware issues in their premium phones. The company has faced criticism in the past for various quality control problems, and some longtime fans are expressing frustration about spending premium prices only to encounter these setbacks.
The pricing context makes this particularly stinging. At €1,499 in Europe and £1,399 in the UK, the Xperia 1 VII commands premium pricing that puts it above many competitors. When you’re paying flagship prices, you naturally expect flagship reliability from day one.
The Broader Impact on Sony’s Mobile Future
This defect controversy comes at a challenging time for Sony’s mobile division. The company has been struggling to maintain relevance in the smartphone market, with limited availability in key markets like the United States and declining sales in many regions where they do operate.
For some longtime Xperia fans, it’s starting to feel like a symbolic moment — a breaking point that reflects the brand’s deeper struggles in the mobile space. One user captured the sentiment perfectly, noting that this feels like “the final chapter of the golden age” for Sony smartphones.
The company’s response to this crisis could determine whether Sony maintains its niche but dedicated fanbase or sees further erosion of consumer confidence. While the technical fix appears straightforward, rebuilding trust after a major hardware defect is much more challenging.
What You Should Consider
If you’re still considering the Xperia 1 VII despite these issues, here are the key factors to weigh:
The positives: Sony has identified and fixed the manufacturing problem, so newer units should be unaffected. The company offers a free replacement program for any affected devices. The phone’s core specifications and unique features like the headphone jack and professional camera controls remain compelling for certain users.
The concerns: This incident raises questions about Sony’s quality control processes. The company’s limited market presence means fewer service options in many regions. Sony only promises four years of major Android updates and six years of security patches, which lags behind competitors offering seven years of support.
The recommendation: If you’re drawn to Sony’s unique approach to smartphone design and are willing to accept some risk for features you can’t find elsewhere, the current Xperia 1 VII units should be safe to purchase. However, if reliability is your top priority, you might want to consider alternatives from manufacturers with stronger track records in quality control.
The Xperia 1 VII defect situation serves as a valuable reminder that even premium smartphones can have serious flaws. While Sony’s response has been generally appropriate, the incident underscores the importance of researching not just specifications, but also the manufacturer’s history of quality control and customer support when making your smartphone investment.