Sony has launched its first 5G enabled smartphone, Xperia 1 II, in an attempt to strengthen its mobile business which has not kept up to par with its rivals so far.
The Xperia 1 II smartphone comes with new features that showcase Sony’s heritage and expertise in camera sensors by its high-quality camera and display technology including settings found in professional cameras.
It also embodies a 6.5-inch 4K high dynamic range (HDR) display that makes images on the screen look more realistic.
As mobile communications evolve to next-generation 5G networks, Sony hopes that its frontrunner Xperia 1 II device will help to strengthen its mobile division as it has experienced a considerable decline in mobile phone sales at almost 16% year-on-year as of Q4 2019.
According to Counterpoint Research, last year, Sony had just 0.3% of the smartphone market, with Apple, Samsung, and Huawei, along with other Chinese counterparts dominating the market.
Paolo Pescatore, tech, media and telecoms analyst at PP Foresight told CNBC: “Sony has fallen away in the smartphone race compared to its Asian counterparts. Sony continues to face monumental challenges in competing with rivals who are rolling out new devices, rich with new features at punchy prices.”
The analyst added: “Even with its latest premium device, it feels like Sony is one step behind. Not including 8K video capture/recording is a huge oversight. This would have been a great addition in line with Sony’s heritage in content creation and production for unique storytelling. While the company has all the pieces, it is losing ground in all areas in the consumer electronics landscape.”
*Source: CNBC