Sony Xperia turns camera monitor into subscription

Sony converted the External Monitor feature from a free, built-in function to a paid subscription service requiring $4.99/month, affecting phones already sold to customers.

Background

The External Monitor feature has been a big differentiator for Sony's Xperia smartphones since 2020, allowing the phones to work as high-quality displays for Sony Alpha cameras via USB-C connection. This professional-grade feature supported 4K resolution at 30fps with tools like waveform monitors, false color, & focus peaking. This helped justify the premium pricing of Xperia devices ranging from $1,299 to $2500.

The feature was marketed as a built-in capability of Xperia phones. This appealed to professional photographers & videographers already invested in Sony's camera ecosystem. Xperia models including the 1 IV, 1 V, 1 VI, 5 V, PRO, & PRO-I all shipped with the External Monitor app pre-installed at no additional cost.

Sony Implements Subscription Paywall

On August 26, 2025, Sony released Monitor & Control app version 2.4.0, which moved the External Monitor functionality behind a subscription paywall. The new pricing structure requires users to pay $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for the "Basic" plan to get access to wired monitoring functionality that was previously free.

The Xperia 1 VII, released in 2025, ships without the standalone External Monitor app entirely, forcing users to use the subscription-based Monitor & Control app for any camera monitoring functionality. The subscription model affects compatibility with Sony's supported professional mirrorless camera lineup, including the Burano, FX6, FX3, FX2, FX30, A7S III, A1 II, A1, A7IV, A9 III, A7RV, and ZV-E1. The change also affects compatible professional camcorders, including the PXW-Z300, PXW-Z200, and HXR-NX800.

Sony's response

Sony has issued no official press release, announcement, or executive statement explaining the transition to a subscription model. The company's documentation states only that "certain functions can only be used by purchasing a license" without addressing concerns about post-purchase feature removal.

Sony support representatives have reportedly provided no consistent messaging when contacted directly by affected users. The absence of FAQ sections addressing the transition or acknowledgment of customer feedback has been noted by technology media as particularly problematic given the significant nature of the change.

Consumer response

The announcement sparked negative reactions across the tech community. Android Authority described Sony's approach as "distasteful," noting that the feature "requires neither a server nor complex software" to operate. Reddit user "cliffr39" called it "super dirty" with 85 upvotes, while "hoverborg" suggested contacting consumer advocate Louis Rossmann with 49 upvotes.

Professional photographers expressed frustration about paying monthly fees for offline functionality. Reddit user "joeybetamaxpt2" stated: "I'm just so taken back with Sonys what appears like a deliberate attempt to make one of their failing brands even worse."

Despite widespread discontent, no organized resistance has materialized. No Change.org petitions, coordinated boycott campaigns, or consumer advocacy group interventions specifically targeting the External Monitor subscription have been identified.

Users have discovered workarounds including installing Monitor & Control version 2.3.1 (the last free version) from APKMirror, or using the legacy External Monitor app version 7.0.A.0.8 for older devices. However, these solutions lack ongoing support and compatibility with newer camera models.

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