Electronic company Sony will be moving further into the smartphone space in order to save itself from sale decline as the digital development sphere becomes increasingly mobile-centric.
Sony released its smartphone growth forecast today (Thursday), predicting a 42 million rise by March 2014.
The company puts its hope in a new smartphone to generate US$2.3 billion revenue in the current business year.
Mitsushige Akino, chief fund manager at Ichiyoshi Asset Management, told Reuters: “Its smartphones are high-spec and production costs should be hefty, so the company has to sell a lot to be profitable in the business.”
In comparison, electronic sales such as digital cameras and Playstations are expected to escalate to “double-digit rates”.
Kazuo Hirai, chief executive officer at Sony, placed its profit bet on mobile products, gaming and digital imaging in 2012.
Neil Mawston, executive director at market researcher Strategy Analytics, said: “The Xperia range is selling well where available, but Sony’s limited retail presence in major markets like the U.S. and China is restricting its growth.”
Japan-based Sony will have to increase its one per cent share in the United States market to become a worthy competitor to industry dominators.
If the forecast numbers for 2014 prove a reality, Sony will grow with four per cent.
Asian rivals are Chinese Huawei and Korean LG Electronics and Samsung, whereas United States-based giant Apple is possibly the toughest competition.
