Sony has resolved issues with the Xperia 1 VII and resumed sales.

Sony initially halted Xperia 1 VII sales in Japan and then extended the suspension to other regions. A replacement program is in place, allowing customers to see if their devices qualify for an exchange.

The Xperia 1 VII, released in May, included features like a headphone jack and microSD card slot, uncommon in current flagship devices. It did not launch in the US and had a limited European release with a €1,499 price, making it difficult to recommend in reviews.

Sony's investigation found that some Xperia 1 VII units had faulty circuit boards. The manufacturing was adjusted to prevent further issues, and customers who bought directly from Sony were contacted.

To check exchange eligibility, locate the 15-digit IMEI number by dialing *#06# in the phone app, going to Settings - System - About and tapping System / IMEI information, checking the SIM tray, or looking at the packaging.

With the IMEI, use Sony’s tool to check if the device is affected. If so, contact Sony or visit an authorized service center.

For now, Sony seems to have avoided a worst-case scenario, though the company's future prospects look grim. Sony has left the US, reduced its European presence, and faces declining sales in Japan. These challenges, combined with recent manufacturing issues, may lead to the company exiting the mobile market.