Goodbye Sony mobile: here's why Xperia is facing extinction
Sony is aiming to be 25 times more profitable by 2018, and a key part of that strategy could be to drop out of the smartphone game - leaving the Xperia family to seek a new home.
Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai predicts $4.2 billion growth for Sony within the next three years, saying that this will be driven by the company's strong-selling games division (led by the PlayStation 4) and cameras. When asked whether TVs and smartphones figured in this plan in a recent interview with Reuters, Hirai said Sony "would not rule out considering an exit strategy" for these divisions - the biggest hint yet that Sony Xperia could be no more.
This isn't the first time Sony has hinted it could sell off the Xperia family, with company officials saying in January that "no business is forever" when discussing the future of its mobile division. Sony has just reported its sixth net loss in seven years, and this has largely been attributed to its unprofitable smartphone division.
Sony's Xperia brand has always been in the shadow of smartphone industry leaders like Samsung and Apple, but is now facing even more pressure from high-quality, low-cost devices from growing Chinese manufacturers, OnePlus and Xiaomi.
There have been no suggestions yet as to who would swoop in to buy the Xperia brand if Sony were to pull out. But considering the critical success of devices such as the Xperia Z3 and the Xperia Z3 Compact - both of which we gave 5-star reviews - we expect there to be several companies out there who will see value in these solid devices.
Would you be sad to see Sony quit the mobile market? What company would you like to see buy Xperia, giving the brand the recognition it deserves?
Who makes waterproof phones for five generations?
How many phones have you seen without antenna lines?
Just hope Snapdragon can give then decent CPUs...
It would be really disappointing to see one of the most stylish phones around disappear.
In May 2015, Google reported that it received more search queries on mobile devices than on desktop devices. The shift has incentivized Google to reward websites that render well on mobile devices. App development companies mobile apps are scaling up their infrastructure and delivery capability to meet up the demand.
This is very disappointing. But our disappointments will do nothing to change what will happen. In case Sony will really sell their smartphone department, i think Google is an ideal company that can keep Xperia Branding.
I've grown to love and respect Sony. I just bought a Z Ultra. I hope they're not leaving the smartphone game😖
I had Sony Xperia Z1 and it was so fucking awesome smartphone. Now im planning to get Z4
it would be very sad without sony :( can not imagine a better Company than Sony. love the design of sony, the camera, performance... just perfect smartphone. I feel very disappointed :(
In my country, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact (16 gig Wifi version) is exactly the same price as the Nexus 9. So I don't think Sony is too expensive. I ordered mine yesterday, expect it tomorrow. I would hate to see them leave.
Xperia E4 is a big deal.
If they only hit the right price...
No its a mid range phone
Well this sux...I was actually getting ready to dump my iPhone 5s for the Z4. I loved the feel of the Z3 when I held it and liked the speed etc, so I thought I would wait for the Z4 and give Android another shot...and this happens.
Then depression set in...
Give it a try. I'm ready to buy the very last Sony Xperia phone, being it Z4, Z5 or whatever, they're from the best out there. Support will continue, just not under the hands of Sony. Despite that, I really hope they keep on going.
I would be really sad if Sony sells Xperia. No doubt Sony builds excellent smartphones, but cost is the main factor that makes the customers think twice before buying an Xperia. Because in today's smartphone world, there are many growing brands which produce quality smartphones with good specs and with much lesser price tag.
I agree with u