Sony Mobile doesn’t think it’ll sell many phones in 2019

Sony Mobile is dying a slow, agonising death.

While Sony itself is doing just fine, buoyed largely by its thriving PlayStation business, its smartphone division is anything but healthy.

According to Xperia Blog, the once giant smartphone company shipped just 1.1-million smartphones in Q1 2019 — its lowest quarterly figure in a decade. In 2018, it shipped just 6.5-million devices — nearly half of what it shipped in 2017. The company’s aiming to ship just five million units in 2019.

We’re not sure how much of a role Africa will play in this number. It was long rumored that Sony was leaving the South African market, but the company’s local PR confirmed that its 2019 devices will make it to our shores. Four smartphones are expected to arrive in South Africa in 2019, including the flagship Sony Xperia 1 in June. The Sony Xperia 10, Sony Xperia 10 Plus and Sony Xperia L3 are supposed to be available here already.

But with that low sales projection for 2019, it’s clear that the company doesn’t expect any of these devices to be a lifesaver locally or internationally.

Feature image: Sony