Sony Reportedly Ends Standalone 4K Blu-ray Player Shipments in Japan, Leaving PS5 as Its Last UHD Option

Abu Taher Tamim
By Abu Taher Tamim
3 Min Read
Image Credit: Playstation

Sony is reportedly winding down its standalone 4K Blu-ray player lineup in Japan. Japanese Sony retailer and blog Kunkoku reports that shipments of the UBP-X700/K ended on October 22, 2026, with sales continuing until remaining stock runs out.

Especially for gamers who also collect movies, the move puts more attention on the PS5 as Sonyโ€™s remaining UHD Blu-ray playback option in Japan. However, the report covers the Japanese market and does not establish a worldwide exit.

In brief:

  • Sony has reportedly ended shipments of its UBP-X700/K UHD Blu-ray player in Japan.
  • Remaining inventory can still be sold, and no successor has been announced.
  • A disc-equipped PS5 remains Sonyโ€™s UHD Blu-ray option in the country.
  • Sonyโ€™s standard BDP-S1700/K Blu-ray player remains on sale, so the company is still offering dedicated players for regular Blu-ray discs.

Sonyโ€™s UBP-X700/K Reaches the End of Its Run

According to Kunkoku, the UBP-X700/K launched on May 17, 2025, giving it roughly 17 months on the Japanese market before shipments ended.

The player supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Its departure leaves a gap for buyers who want a dedicated Sony device for their 4K movie collection.

Buyers should also separate the shipment cutoff from retail availability. October 22 marks the reported end of shipments, while individual retailers may continue selling units they already have.

PS5 Still Supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Movies

Sony argues digital games ownership
Image Credit: Sony

PlayStationโ€™s official support documentation lists Ultra HD Blu-ray, standard Blu-ray, and DVD among the PS5โ€™s supported disc formats. Owners with a disc drive can use their console to watch physical movies alongside playing games.

And that makes a disc-equipped PS5 useful for anyone whose entertainment setup already revolves around the console. Anyone buying specifically for movies should check the hardware configuration, since physical playback requires a drive.

Future of Physical Media

Losing another dedicated player is frustrating for collectors who want more choice in how they watch their films. UHD Blu-ray continues to offer practical advantages, including high video bitrates and playback that avoids streaming congestion.

There is room to criticize Sony for reducing those hardware options. However, describing this as a confirmed โ€œpredatoryโ€ attempt to end physical media goes beyond the available evidence. The report establishes a product withdrawal in Japan, without proving that motive or confirming a global shutdown.

By Abu Taher Tamim Staff Writer
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Abu Taher Tamim is a Staff Writer at GameRiv. He started playing video games when one of his uncles brought him a PS1, after it was launched. Since that day until now, he still play video games. As he loves video games so much, he became a gaming content writer.