Sony has confirmed that its flagship smartphone, the Xperia 1 VII, will be returning to retail stores worldwide on August 25, 2025, after a recall earlier this summer due to critical launch issues.
In July, multiple users reported random shutdowns, unexpected reboots, and difficulties powering on the device. The company quickly acted, pulling the phone off shelves to investigate and prevent further customer frustration. At the time, Sony also announced a replacement program for affected devices, offering exchanges to owners who experienced the defects.
Sony Identifies and Fixes the Issues
In its latest post, Sony explained that the trouble stemmed from “unexpected power-offs, restarts, or difficulties powering on.” Engineers have since isolated and resolved the underlying issues, ensuring the production batches being shipped back to stores function without the same instability.
The company stressed that affected customers can still get a replacement unit. Owners of the Xperia 1 VII can visit Sony’s official website, check their device’s IMEI number, and confirm if they are eligible for an exchange. Sony has published detailed instructions on locating an IMEI for users who may not know how to check.
Sales Resume August 25, 2025
While fixed units will not appear in stores immediately, the relaunch date has been set for August 25. Until then, users can confirm whether they are affected and start the replacement process if necessary.
The recall, though disruptive, demonstrates Sony’s willingness to take accountability for early hardware issues—an important factor for customers considering buying a premium flagship device.
Sony Xperia 1 VII Specs
The Xperia 1 VII was first announced on May 13, 2025, as the direct successor to the Xperia 1 VI. Positioned as Sony’s top-tier flagship, the device comes equipped with:
- Display: 6.5-inch Full HD+ OLED HDR panel
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite
- Memory: 12GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB or 512GB options
- Battery: 5,000mAh with 30W wired charging + Qi wireless charging
- Cameras:
- 48 MP main sensor
- 48 MP ultrawide sensor
- 12 MP telephoto periscope sensor
- Software: Android 15 at launch
With this spec sheet, Xperia 1 VII positions itself as a performance-focused powerhouse for photography, gaming, and multimedia.
Sony Xperia 1 VII’s rocky start highlighted the risks of rushing cutting-edge devices to market, but the quick recall and fixes should reassure future buyers. With sales resuming August 25, customers can look forward to the flagship returning stronger and more reliable.
For existing owners, Sony’s replacement program ensures anyone impacted by the power issues will receive proper support. As one of the boldest Android flagships of 2025, the Xperia 1 VII now has a chance to prove itself without lingering doubts about stability.