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Sony said on September 10, 2024, that it had no plan to release an Xperia 5 V successor during that year. The Xperia 5 VI therefore did not launch in 2024, and Sony kept selling the Xperia 5 V. The announcement did not say the Xperia 5 line was permanently canceled or promise a later launch.
What Sony announced about the Xperia 5 VI
Sony’s September 2024 lineup included the Xperia 1 VI, Xperia 5 V and Xperia 10 VI. The company said it would continue offering the Xperia 5 V rather than release a successor during that period. Sony described this as its lineup plan for the year, including beyond Japan; it was not an announcement that the Xperia 5 line had ended worldwide. Sony’s explanation of the lineup decision and coverage of its September 10, 2024 statement make that distinction clear.
Was the Xperia 5 VI canceled or delayed?
“Skipped in 2024” is the most precise description. Sony confirmed that no successor was planned for that period, but did not confirm permanent cancellation, give a future launch date, or commit to an Xperia 5 VI in 2025 or 2026. Calling it delayed suggests Sony had a later release plan; the cited statement did not establish one.
Why Sony said it would skip a successor
Sony pointed to changing customer needs and buying patterns. It said some Xperia 5 users were moving to the larger Xperia 1 VI, and that demand for larger-screen phones was stronger even though interest in smaller devices remained. The company also described upgrades as increasingly driven by when customers themselves wanted a new phone, rather than a predictable annual cycle. Sony’s explanation was about customer demand and lineup planning—not simply a judgment made after seeing Xperia 1 VI sales. ITmedia’s account of Sony’s comments provides further context.
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- Width: 3. inches; Length: 6.5 inches; Height: 0.4 inches; Operating System: Android 13.0; Cpu Model Family: others; Connector Type: USB Type C
Why a 2024 Xperia 5 VI had seemed likely
The Xperia 5 family had generally followed an annual rhythm, with new models often arriving in late summer or early autumn. Sony announced the Xperia 5 V on September 1, 2023, although regional launch timing varied. The absence of a successor the following year broke that recent pattern, but Sony’s statement was a decision not to launch one in 2024—not confirmation that a planned phone had simply slipped to a later date. Sony’s Xperia 5 V announcement
What Sony offered instead
| Model | Role in Sony’s 2024 lineup |
|---|---|
| Xperia 1 VI | Sony’s larger flagship; an alternative for buyers who wanted its flagship direction, not a formal Xperia 5 successor. |
| Xperia 5 V | The existing, smaller high-end Xperia that Sony continued selling instead of replacing in 2024. |
| Xperia 10 VI | A separate, less expensive mid-range tier, not a like-for-like Xperia 5 replacement. |
Sony announced the Xperia 1 VI and Xperia 10 VI in May 2024. Xperia 1 VI announcement; Xperia 10 VI announcement
What the later model record says
Sony’s device overview, checked as of August 18, 2026, identifies the Xperia 1 VIII as a 2026 model and the Xperia 5 V as a 2023 model; it does not list an Xperia 5 VI. That supports the conclusion that a 5 VI had not been officially launched by then. The page’s omission is not, by itself, a formal announcement that Sony permanently discontinued the 5 series. Sony’s Xperia device overview
What this means if you are choosing a phone
If you already own an Xperia 5 V
There was no Xperia 5 VI to upgrade to in 2024. Keep the 5 V if its size, battery life, camera features and software support still suit you; check the support page for your region before deciding how long to keep it. Sony’s Irish support page lists August 1, 2026, as the security-update end date for the Xperia 5 V, but support dates can vary by region. Sony Ireland’s Xperia 5 V support information
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- Display Type: AMOLED; Width: 3. inches; Length: 6.5 inches; Height: 0.4 inches; Operating System: Android 13.0; Cpu Model Family: others; Connector Type: USB Type C
If you want Sony’s newest flagship direction
The Xperia 1 family is the closest Sony alternative for a buyer prioritizing a newer flagship, but it is larger and is not a compact Xperia 5 replacement. The Xperia 10 line is a lower-cost tier, not an equivalent flagship option. Sony’s own 2026 Xperia comparison presents the product lines separately.
If you are considering an imported Xperia 5 V
Do not assume an imported model will work like a phone sold locally. Check the exact model number against your carrier’s supported LTE and 5G bands, and verify VoLTE, Wi-Fi calling and emergency-calling support. Warranty service may be limited to the original sales region, and regional firmware can differ. Compare those risks with any saving before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Did Sony abandon small phones?
The 2024 comments do not establish that Sony had stopped making every smaller phone; they concern the Xperia 5 lineup and the relative strength of demand for larger screens. The later absence of a 5 VI makes the line’s future less certain, but the cited official material does not contain a clear permanent-discontinuation statement.
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