Whatever happened to Sony Xperia phones?

Once a dominant player in the US mobile market, Sony's Xperia line has faded into obscurity. Once upon a time, Sony boasted a full range of phones, from the early Xperia Z1, capable of charging via a magnetic dock, to the high-end flagship Xperia 1 V. The latter became the last Sony phone officially sold in the US in 2023, with successors following suit in 2024.

Despite the Xperia brand's continued existence, Americans face a cumbersome process to purchase and utilize these devices. Sony's focus on photography led to advanced manual controls, a physical shutter button, and compatibility with Alpha cameras, appealing to photography enthusiasts but less so to consumers seeking a straightforward phone purchase.

In Japan, Sony still commands significant market share, but in the US, Apple's iPhones have taken over half of the market as of the end of 2022. Sony sold 39.1 million smartphones in the fiscal year ending March 2015, but by the fiscal year 2020, that number had dropped to just 2.9 million. In 2023, Sony released the unlocked Xperia 1 V in the US for around $1,400, rather than through the three major carriers.

However, by Q2 2026, Apple and Samsung accounted for 84% of US smartphone shipments, leaving Sony with a negligible presence. Sony unveiled the Xperia 1 VIII in May 2026 and the Xperia 10 VIII in August, both priced at £1,399 and £549 respectively. Despite retaining the Xperia brand, Sony does not plan to release these models in the US.

Imported versions have reported issues with network compatibility, with some owners experiencing limited or no 5G service. Sony maintains that the Xperia line will receive up to four Android updates and six years of security updates, but the cost of purchasing a flagship with potentially limited carrier support is significant.