Sony has officially announced that it will skip the Xperia 5 series this year, disappointing many who have been eagerly awaiting the new device. The company has revealed that the Xperia 5 VI will be shelved in 2024, and sales of the current Xperia 5 V model will continue.
Why Did Sony Make This Decision?
Sony traditionally releases two flagship phone models each year: one from the Xperia 1 series and one from the more compact Xperia 5 series. After unveiling the Xperia 1 VI in May, the company expected all eyes to be on the Xperia 5 VI at IFA 2023. However, recent news from Sony has dashed those expectations.
At a press conference in Japan, Sony’s Mobile Marketing Unit General Manager Masao Mizuno and General Manager Shinji Yuhara announced that the Xperia 5 VI will not be released this year.
The officials explained that they are satisfied with the sales performance of the Xperia 5 V and noted that former Xperia 5 users have transitioned to the Xperia 1 VI. Sony is even continuing to sell the Xperia 5 IV model, which was released two years ago, in Japan.
Another reason for skipping the Xperia 5 series this year could be changes in screen technology. Sony used a 4K 21:9 display in the Xperia 1 V, but the Xperia 1 VI has transitioned to an FHD+ 19.5:9 screen format. The 4K display was a key feature that distinguished the Xperia 1 series from the Xperia 5 series. This may imply that significant design and feature changes would be necessary for the Xperia 5 VI.
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