Sony to cut smartphone and TV ranges to save money
Sony is about to cut its output of new smartphone and TV models to concentrate its focus on its image sensors and the PlayStation 4 games console. Switching resources to better performing businesses is a canny strategy to make the most of your opportunities. However it’s good to know that Sony isn’t withdrawing completely from the smartphone and TV fields where it makes some well regarded devices – even though earlier in the year it completely divested its interests in laptop computers.
Hiroki Totoki, chief of Sony’s mobile division told investors that “We’re not aiming for size or market share but better profits,” reports Reuters News Agency. To this end the Iconic Japanese technology brand has announced a new three year plan. As part of the plan Sony is aiming to boost PlayStation video game sales and services by a quarter and its image sensor business by as much as 70%. Luckily its PlayStation 4 games console appears to be out in front in the next-gen console wars. Meanwhile its imaging sensors are very popular high performance units often equipped on high end smartphones and tablets such as the Apple iPhone and iPad range.
Cutting its range of smartphones echoes Samsung’s recent stated intention to reduce the range of Galaxy smartphones that will be released to market. However I don’t think Sony littered the market with nearly as many tweaked smartphone variants as Samsung did. The move probably won’t impact the upcoming Sony Xperia Z4, Z4 compact and Z4 tablet. We still expect those highly anticipated flagships to come out shortly, either at the CES or MWC early next year.
Do you think Sony is doing the right thing? Or perhaps you think it was on the verge of greatness and shouldn’t take its foot off the gas with the Xperia range at this time?