Sony Interactive Entertainment announced via the Twitter account Ask PlayStation JP that it will no longer accept new registrations for the PlayStation Vita warranty extension in Japan after March 31, 2021.
According to reports, the owners of PlayStation Vita might be able to request a warranty extension to 2,200 yen (~$20) from Sony. But it seems that the warranty will only cover the original console, battery, USB cable, and electric charger. The warranty will not cover the memory card, SIM card, or internal earphone set.
Unlike PlayStation Vita, Sony still accepts warranty extensions for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 4 Pro, and PlayStation 5 respectively at 3,300 yen (~$30) and 4,400 yen (~$40). Registrations for these home consoles are available for the foreseeable future.
2021年3月31日をもちまして、PlayStation®Vita延長保証サービスの新規加入申し込み受付を終了いたします。加入条件など詳細はこちらをご確認ください⇒https://t.co/wzRdSLxQXB pic.twitter.com/8d9Y7Ne3Kr
— Ask PlayStation JP (@AskPS_JP) March 22, 2021
Thankfully, the console owners of PlayStation in Japan will be able to apply to extend their console’s warranty within one year of the initial warranty period. The extended warranty allows for up to two console repairs. However, the warranty is void if the console has been exchanged.
The PlayStation Vita, Sony’s second handheld console after the PlayStation Portable, was first launched in Japan in December 2011 with a worldwide release in 2012 and the production of the same console ended in March 2019.
In recent years, Sony has gradually phased out official support for the handheld console. For example, it removed pre-PS4 games from the PlayStation Store in October 2020. People even reported difficulties accessing Vita PlayStation Store in December 2020.