Warning: Sony VTC5s sold today are all fake. December 06 2014, 4 Comments
The Sony VTC5 has officially kicked the bucket
Battery bro is always asked about the Sony VTC5. Every e-cig enthusiast has heard about this battery because of its high specifications ideal for sub-ohm vaping. If you check Ebay, Amazon, or Alibaba you can find vendors selling them. In fact, the VTC5 is still one of the best selling 18650 batteries on Ebay. We are a high-quality li-ion wholesaler and we don't stock them.
So why don't we sell them?
Because it's overwhelmingly likely that every VTC5 you've ever seen is fake.
Official response from Sony Media
Thank you for your inquiry.
The 18650 (VTC5) type batteries are no longer manufactured by Sony.
This product was never intended for individual, public sale and are not eligible for warranty or engineering support.
It was only available to OEM makers of specific devices.
The specifications and markings on the battery may vary depending upon the OEM’s requirements.
Therefore, it is difficult to determine the true manufacturer or authenticity of the batteries without physical inspection and manufacturing code research.
This type of battery is widely available on the internet market through non-authorized resellers.
Therefore, Sony is not liable for the performance or use of this type battery for non-intended purposes.
Such applications should be done at the user’s own risk.
Furthermore, any battery of this type claimed to be Sony brand may be older stock.
They go on to provide this link for further assistance identifying counterfeit batteries.
Where did they go?
There are several unconfirmed rumors:
- Production stopped after the Fukushima nuclear disaster forced a lithium ion plant to shut down in Japan.
- They have moved production to the Philippines but demand exceeds supply.
- There are still real VTC5s on the market, in dwindling stock-piles
The Shimotsuke li-ion battery facility, closed in 2012.
Rumor #1
Sony Fukushima Corporation, did produce these cells, and stopped production in some plants for several days, and others for several weks. The Koriyama, Motomiya, Tagajo and Kanuma plants make electrodes for lithium-ion batteries and the Koriyama and Tochigi plants assembled them into cells. These factories were out of operation after the disaster, but all resumed operations within a month.
Rumor #2
In 2012, Sony announced they will move their li-ion battery assembly abroad to counter a strong yen (the Japanese currency). They relocated, but not to the Phillipines - they have moved assembly to China and Singapore. As of today, Sony only has three battery plants still in Japan. The business headquarters (Koriyama), the electrode production plant (Motomiya), and a plant in Kanuma. If you would like to visit the three remaining factories, here is a helpful guide.
When talking about supply, it is worth noting that Sony only accounts for about 10% of the global li-ion market, and is dwarfed by market leader Panasonic. Actually this year, Sony posted an operating loss of 23.8 billion yen in its devices segment due to an impairment charge on its battery business. Sony is expected to focus their li-ion production on smartphones and tablets, while scaling down on other commodity batteries like the 18650.
Rumor #3
While this is probably...slightly true, it is increasingly unlikely, and not a compelling reason at all to buy a VTC5. Because of the demand for these cells, they have likely all been sold many months ago.
How do I spot a fake VTC5?
Just take a look at a calendar. At the time of writing this post, December, 2014, Sony does not manufacture the VTC5.
Should you buy Sony VTC5s?
No, definitely not. You will likely receive a dangerous, low-quality cell, hidden under a fake shrink-tube wrapper.
To confirm for yourself, email mediaservices@am.sony.com and ask "Is my Sony VTC5s real?"
What is a good alternative to the VTC5?
The Samsung 25R is the best alternative to it.
Comments
Jason Watson on July 05 2019 at 03:02AM
Your claim of Sony VTC5 batteries being out of production has been debunked for some time now. Sony didnt ever stop making them, in fact sony stat sheets can be had easily in pdf and now Sony even makes a new version of the battery, the VTC5A with even better specs and it has been available since 2016. This whole rumor mill started because some vendors wanted to create artificial demand via false exclusivity. I don’t buy you claiming you cant get them as I can get them wholesale direct from Japan from Sony. I didnt make contact with them until mid 2016 so perhaps when you wrote this that may not have been the case but it is now. Also, for legal reasons of course Sony is going to place a potential fakes disclaimer in any inquiry as they dont want to be getting sued. While I dont doubt the VTC5 VTC4 etc have been faked, the fact is there are supplies of real verified authentic 2016+ batches coming out. I tested my latest batch of VTC5A and they spec out right in line with Sony’s specs. They will take 35 REAL continuous amp discharges (not efest 35a LOL) Without hardly breaking a sweat. They spec at 30a continuous or 35a continuous at <80C so they will take anything a vape modder can throw at em pretty much.
william on December 19 2014 at 08:06PM
I like the LG he2 or he4 personally depends on the application…
Charlie on December 11 2014 at 10:17AM
@zygi22 The 35 amps advertised are actually 20 amps continuous and 35 amps pulse rated. The Sony’s were 30 amp batteries because they were not manufactured and labeled for retail so there was no need to exaggerate the specs like a lot of the batteries are doing.
After the Sony 30 amp batteries, the other contenders for the same types of cells would be the Samsung 18650 20R and Samsung 18650 25R and LG HE2, all of which are rated at 20 amps continuous. Most of the other batteries besides these such as efest 35 amps batteries, are just LG HE2 cells rewrapped with efest shrink wrap and lebeling. Panasonic also makes a 20 amp cell but I don’t remember the number. The problem with rewrapped cells is that they might be using LG HE2 cells today which are just as good as LG HE2 batteries, but since they’re rewrapping other manufacturers cells, tomorrow they could be whatever other generic cells they get a cheap contract on.
zygi22 on December 07 2014 at 10:14AM
Ok, then maybe the Panasonic is the one. I heard is has a really good life and can get 35 amps? if all the vtc5 are fake, then what is the next best battery to get?