The Xperia 1 VII Should be the Last Phone Sony Makes
Sony’s smartphone division has been a curious failure for such a huge tech company. Despite being in the game since 2008, Sony has never managed to become one of the leading brands in the smartphone market, especially in the West. With competitors like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Realme, Motorola, Huawei, and Google all ahead in terms of global market share, it’s clear that Sony’s presence in the smartphone industry is minimal.
The latest flagship offering from Sony for 2025 is the Xperia 1 VII, which boasts several upgrades compared to its predecessor, the Xperia 1 VI. However, even with new AI camera features, there’s not much to get excited about with this new release. Given Sony’s tiny share of the smartphone market, it may be time for the company to consider discontinuing its smartphone division. Here are four key reasons why this may be the best move for Sony.
Firstly, the Xperia 1 VII lacks a unique selling point (USP). While Sony was once known for offering a tall 4K screen, the shift to a more common Full HD+ panel with the Xperia 1 VI and now the Xperia 1 VII means that there is nothing particularly distinctive about the device. With features like a 6.5-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, premium design, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a 5000mAh battery, the Xperia 1 VII offers standard flagship specs that are no longer exclusive to Sony.
One standout feature of the Xperia 1 VII is the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack, making it unique in a market where many manufacturers have phased out this port. However, the headphone jack alone is unlikely to be a compelling reason for consumers to choose the Xperia 1 VII over its competitors.
In terms of camera performance, Sony’s expertise in the camera industry has not translated seamlessly to its smartphones. While the hardware is solid, the software processing has been lacking, resulting in inconsistent photo quality. The Xperia 1 VII may not be able to compete with top camera phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, and iPhone 16 Pro Max in terms of photography capabilities.
Another area where Sony falls short is in software support. While the Android skin on Sony phones is light and user-friendly, the company’s commitment to software updates is underwhelming. The Xperia 1 VII is only set to receive three major OS updates and four years of security patches, which pales in comparison to the seven years of support offered by competitors like Samsung and Google.
With a price tag of €1,499, the Xperia 1 VII is on the higher end of the pricing spectrum for smartphones. Considering the device’s drawbacks in terms of camera performance, software support, and lack of a standout feature, the high price may be a deterrent for potential buyers.
In conclusion, while Sony excels in other product categories like TVs, cameras, audio equipment, and gaming consoles, it may be time for the company to consider exiting the smartphone market. By focusing its efforts on areas where it has proven success, Sony can streamline its business and allocate resources more effectively. While the Xperia 1 VII may not be the breakthrough device Sony was hoping for, the company’s legacy in other industries remains strong.
