Sony's Last 4K Blu-ray Player Vanishes From Japanese Shelves
The company's final standalone model in Japan has been marked unavailable, with retailers told to expect no further stock, fueling speculation that Sony may be exiting the 4K disc player business entirely.
Indications that Sony is stepping back from manufacturing standalone 4K Blu-ray players are mounting. According to reporting by Forbes, the UBP-X700K, Sony's sole remaining model available in Japan, disappeared from inventory on October 22. Retailers in the region received word that they should not anticipate receiving additional supplies of the device. The same player is also currently shown as unavailable on Sony's U.S. website.
Unclear whether Sony is fully exiting the market
Whether Sony intends to completely cease production of 4K Blu-ray players remains uncertain. The company has not made any formal announcement regarding a global exit from the category. When Forbes posed the question directly to Sony, the company's UK division offered a measured response: "This information has not been publicly announced by Sony. We are aware of the recent media reports, but prefer to refrain from commenting on speculation." This carefully worded statement leaves open the possibility that the situation may change or that more information could be forthcoming.