Sony Suspends Nearly All Memory Card Sales Indefinitely Amid Global Chip Shortage
CFexpress and SD card lines halted for the foreseeable future on the same day PS5 price hikes were announced
The affected products include CFexpress Type A, Type B, and SDXC/SDHC cards, although a few models of Type B and low-end SF-UZ series SD cards remain in production. Existing stock on shelves may still be available until supplies run out.
The suspension comes on the same day Sony announced it would raise PS5 prices worldwide, suggesting the company is dealing with broader supply chain pressures across its hardware divisions.
The memory card halt is particularly impactful for professional photographers and videographers who rely on Sony's CFexpress cards for high-speed shooting. The timing leaves many scrambling for alternatives from competitors like Lexar and ProGrade.
Analysis
Why This Matters
Sony is one of the largest memory card manufacturers in the world. An indefinite sales suspension signals serious supply chain problems that could ripple through the photography and content creation industries.
Background
Global chip shortages have persisted in various forms since the pandemic era, but memory and storage components had largely recovered. This suspension suggests new pressures, possibly related to the broader economic disruption from the Iran conflict.
What to Watch
Whether other memory card manufacturers can absorb the demand, and if Sony provides a timeline for resuming production.