Sony has found the root cause of the Xperia 1 VII shutdowns (Image source: Sony)
Sony Xperia 1 VII sales were halted a few days ago after an increasing number of users reported crashes and shutdowns. Sony has now identified the cause of this issue, which appears to be a hardware defect. This means that affected devices have to be replaced.
Sony has officially suspended sales of the Xperia 1 VII in early July, as the company suspected that a defect causes the increasing number of reported shutdowns and crashes. Sony Germany now confirms that the cause of these problems has been identified. The defect was traced back to a faulty circuit board, which can lead to power supply issues.
Sony states that it has changed the manufacturing process for this particular circuit board in order to ensure the problem does not affect new Xperia 1 VII units. According to Sony, this flaw only affects a “small number” of Xperia 1 VII devices, but Sony has not provided further details or an exact number of affected units. However, the company has been able to identify which smartphones are impacted. Starting July 21, 2025, Sony is offering a replacement program for affected smartphones.
How to check if your Xperia 1 VII is affected
Users can check if their Xperia 1 VII is affected by looking up their IMEI number, which is advisable even if the phone has not shown any issues thus far. The IMEI number can be found by dialing *#06# in the phone app. Alternatively, the 15-digit number is also printed on the SIM tray and the retail packaging.
Shoppers from the UK can enter their number on this website in order to determine if the device is affected. If that’s the case, it can be replaced at an authorized service center. Owners who purchased the smartphone from the Sony Online Store can also contact the manufacturer via a dedicated contact page and arrange the replacement.
Since 2009 I have written for different publications with a focus on consumer electronics. I joined the Notebookcheck news team in 2018 and have combined my many years of experience with laptops and smartphones with my lifelong passion for technology to create informative content for our readers about new developments in this sphere. In addition, my design background as an art director at an ad agency has allowed me to have deeper insights into the peculiarities of this industry.
Translator: Enrico Frahn – Managing Editor Accessory Reviews, Tech Writer – 4917 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2021
My fascination for technology goes back a long way to the Pentium II era. Modding, overclocking and treasuring computer hardware has since become an integral part of my life. As a student, I further developed a keen interest in mobile technologies that can make the stressful college life so much easier. After I fell in love with the creation of digital content while working in a marketing position, I now scour the web to bring you the most exciting topics in the world of tech. Outside the office, I’m particularly passionate about motorsports and mountain biking.