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Sony Just Dropped a “New” 4K Blu-ray Player... But Is It Too Little, Too Late?



Black Sony Blu-ray player on a wooden table, next to a TV. Green plant in background. Minimalist and modern setting.


After five years of silence, Sony has finally launched a new 4K Blu-ray player… and it’s basically the same as the old one. Welcome to the UBP-X700/K — a spec bump that feels more like a shrug than a statement.




Wait... What’s Actually New?


Sony quietly rolled out the UBP-X700/K in March, marking its first Blu-ray hardware update in over half a decade. Expectations? High. Reality? Meh.


The new model:

  • Looks identical to the original 2018 UBP-X700

  • Uses the same remote, same design

  • Doesn’t shout about any major picture or sound upgrades

  • Drops features like built-in Wi-Fi and streaming apps


Yes, you read that right — it loses functionality. No Netflix, no Prime Video, no YouTube. Not even basic screen mirroring. It’s a stripped-back, disc-only machine.



Black Blu-ray player with open disc tray and disc inside. "Ultra HD Premium" logo visible. Minimalist design on light background.


Is This a Step Forward — or Just a Lifeline?

Let’s be real. The 4K Blu-ray market is in rough shape. With streaming dominating and no truly new players on the horizon, physical media needs a champion. This isn’t it — not really.

Instead of rejuvenating the format, Sony played it safe. No HDR10+ support, no upgraded DAC, no major performance claims — just enough to keep the lights on.


“This feels less like a bold revival and more like a placeholder,” says the audiophile crowd online — and they’re not wrong.




But Does Anyone Stream on Their Blu-ray Player Anyway?


Fair point. Most people today stream via their TV or dedicated boxes (hello Apple TV, Shield, Roku). So while losing streaming apps isn’t a dealbreaker, the real issue is: Sony didn’t add anything compelling in return.


If you're going to cut features, at least give us something in exchange — better upscaling, newer codec support, improved audio circuitry, something.



The image shows the back of a black electronic device with ports: HDMI, LAN, audio, and digital out. Visible labels: 12V, HDMI, Dolby Digital.


So Who’s It For?


If you just want a reliable, affordable 4K Blu-ray player to plug into your home cinema setup — and don’t care about streaming or Wi-Fi — this is still a solid buy. Just don’t expect a revolution. Think of it as a reprint, not a remaster.


The Verdict: A Bit of a Missed Opportunity


The UBP-X700/K could have been Sony's statement: “We're still in the game.”Instead, it's more like: “We’re still here… kind of.”


For die-hard disc collectors, it’s a small win. For the rest of us? We’re still waiting for a Blu-ray revival that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.




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