Sony Reaffirms Commitment to Xperia Smartphone Lineup

Following reports of production outsourcing and recent product recalls, Sony has signaled its intention to continue investing in its Xperia smartphone division. During a financial results briefing held this week in Japan, Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao asserted that the smartphone business remains “an extremely important business” for the company and emphasized plans to “nurture” it.

The declaration arrives shortly after Sony initiated a recall program for the recently launched Xperia 1 VII model within Japan, addressing an unexpected shutdown malfunction affecting some units. Acknowledging user disruption, Tao began the earnings call with an apology before reiterating Sony’s ongoing dedication to smartphone development.

Sony’s involvement in the mobile phone market has diminished considerably in recent years; once prominent competitors like LG and HTC have either withdrawn entirely or ceased sales in key regions, including the United States. Though Xperia devices continue to be offered in select international markets such as Europe, their availability remains limited. The brand’s position in its native Japan faces increasing competition from Google’s Pixel series.

Despite retaining features valued by some consumers—including microSD card slots and 3.5mm headphone jacks—the comparatively high price point of Xperia flagship devices has presented a hurdle for broader market adoption. While the specifics of Sony’s future strategy remain unclear, Tao’s statement indicates that the company does not intend to discontinue its presence in the smartphone sector.