Sony Slowly Steps Back from Smartphone Sector

Japanese tech giant Sony appears to be gradually withdrawing from its mobile phone business, with recent reports indicating that the company is shutting down its smartphone operations in several countries, including the United Kingdom, according to India TV News.

Once a household name in the mobile market, Sony now holds less than 1 percent of the global smartphone share.

Sony first entered the mobile phone market in 1992 with a device called "Mars Bar." The brand gained major traction in the early 2000s through a joint venture with Ericsson, launching the widely popular “Sony Ericsson” lineup. At its peak, the company held a market share of around 9 percent. However, in recent years, the dominance of Apple and Samsung has led to a steep decline in demand for Sony smartphones.

In the UK, most Xperia models are reportedly out of stock. This move follows earlier closures of Sony’s mobile operations in India and several other markets. Despite this decline in the smartphone segment, Sony remains a leading brand globally in cameras, televisions, and gaming consoles.

While the company has yet to make an official announcement about the complete closure of its mobile division, analysts suggest that a formal exit may be imminent.