Is Sony’s smartphone business finally turning a corner?
- Sony reported stable year-over-year smartphone shipments in the third quarter of 2020.
- This is the first time since 2017 that deliveries have been maintained year-on-year.
Sony’s wireless business has had a tough time in recent years, with fewer and fewer smartphones being shipped and losses remaining constant. This required restructuring and also resulted in the company pulling out of several markets.
However, it looks like the company’s efforts to halt the decline are beginning to bear fruit as Sony reported relatively stable year-over-year smartphone shipments in Q3 2020 (h / t: Xperia Blog).
However, Sony reported only 600,000 smartphones sold in the quarter, dwarfed by Apple and Samsung, who sold millions of devices in the same period. However, this is the first time since Q2 2017 that shipments can be sustained year over year if they don’t grow.
Sony’s strategy seems to be gaining momentum
The Japanese company previously reported 800,000 smartphones sold in Q2 2020 compared to 900,000 units in Q2 2019, suggesting third-quarter results are based on strategy rather than a one-time result. The company launched the high-end Xperia 1 II and mid-range Xperia 10 II during this time, and we praised the flagship in our review. The phone has also revived the headphone jack and offered a dedicated pro camera app for enthusiasts.
However, it’s worth noting that the Xperia 5 II was announced in the third quarter but won’t go on sale in the US until December, while European users received the device from mid-October. That means we’ll have to wait for the fourth quarter to see if the latest flagship has a similar impact.
Still, it’s too early to tell whether Sony has gotten its groove back, but it sure looks like the manufacturer has some momentum on its side. Hopefully the Xperia 1 III or Sony’s next flagship will continue the trend of encouraging results.
Next: Sony Xperia 5 II review second opinion – On the right track
