Yazılar

Sony lifts outlook after record quarterly profit as music and sensors shine

/in /tarafından

Sony raised its full-year forecast on Thursday after posting a record quarterly operating profit, driven by strong performances in its image sensor and music divisions and supported by a weak yen, even as sales of its PlayStation 5 console declined.

Operating profit climbed 22% to 515 billion yen ($3.3 billion), beating market expectations by 9%, according to LSEG data. The company also increased its full-year operating profit outlook by 8% to 1.54 trillion yen. Sony has steadily shifted away from traditional consumer electronics toward entertainment and components, though its shares have recently come under pressure as investors question its next long-term growth engines.

Sales of Sony’s image sensors, widely used in smartphones, rose 21%, benefiting from strong demand and favorable currency movements. The company’s music division also delivered solid growth, with revenue rising 13% on the back of streaming, live events and merchandising across recorded music. The business represents a key pillar of Sony’s earnings stability as digital consumption continues to expand globally.

Sony also announced an expansion of its share buyback program, increasing the planned amount to 150 billion yen from 100 billion yen previously, offering additional support to shareholder returns.

Sony Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII Appear on IMEI Database, Launch Expected in Japan, Europe and Asia

/in /tarafından

Sony's next Xperia phones just leaked – and you might want to wait for these two - PhoneArena

Sony is reportedly preparing to refresh its smartphone portfolio with a new generation of Xperia devices. Industry sources indicate that the company is developing two key models, expected to be called the Sony Xperia 1 VIII and Sony Xperia 10 VIII. These smartphones represent the next step in Sony’s mobile strategy and are likely to target both premium and mid-range segments. Recent online listings suggest that the official announcement could happen sooner than anticipated.

The upcoming Xperia models have been spotted on the IMEI certification database, a platform that often reveals devices before their public debut. The listings include two model numbers, XQ-GE44 and XQ-GH44, which are believed to correspond to the new Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII respectively. Technology website S-Max first highlighted these findings, pointing out that such appearances usually signal an imminent global launch. Although the database does not provide technical details, it strongly confirms that the devices are in active development.

According to early rumors, the Xperia 1 VIII is expected to be positioned as a high-end flagship smartphone. It may be powered by the advanced Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, which would ensure top-tier performance and enhanced capabilities. On the other hand, the Xperia 10 VIII is likely to serve as a more affordable alternative, aimed at users looking for solid performance in a mid-range package. This combination would allow Sony to compete across multiple price categories in the smartphone market.

The certification information also hints at the regions where these smartphones will be released. The different PM codes associated with the models suggest availability in Japan, Europe, and several Asian markets. While Sony has not officially confirmed any specifications or launch dates, the appearance of these devices in official records indicates that an announcement could be just around the corner. Fans of the Xperia series can expect more concrete information to emerge in the near future.

Sony Lifts Profit Forecast by 8%, Citing Lower Tariff Impact and Strong Anime Performance

/in /tarafından

Sony has raised its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 by 8% to 1.43 trillion yen ($9.5 billion), crediting a lower-than-expected impact from U.S. tariffs and strong results from its entertainment and semiconductor divisions.

In the July–September quarter, operating profit climbed 10% to 429 billion yen, driven by robust sales in its music and chip businesses. Sony highlighted the success of its animated hit “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” as a key contributor to the performance.

Once best known for electronics, Sony has steadily evolved into an entertainment powerhouse, with anime now one of its most profitable sectors.

However, its gaming division reported weaker results after recording impairment losses tied to “Destiny 2,” developed by its studio Bungie. Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao said user engagement had fallen short of expectations following the acquisition.

Sony sold 3.9 million PlayStation 5 consoles during the quarter, slightly above last year’s figure, and aims to grow its player base during the holiday season while maintaining profitability. The company’s recently launched game “Ghost of Yotei” sold 3.3 million copies, receiving strong critical and commercial response.

Meanwhile, the global gaming landscape continues to evolve: Take-Two Interactive has once again delayed “Grand Theft Auto VI” to November next year, while Nintendo has raised its forecast for the Switch 2 to 19 million units amid high demand.

Sony’s chip business also saw gains from increased sales of large image sensors used in smartphones, with some clients reportedly accelerating purchases ahead of tariffs. The company now expects a 50 billion yen tariff impact, lower than its earlier estimate of 70 billion yen.

To reward shareholders, Sony announced a share buyback program of up to 35 million shares worth around 100 billion yen. Following the news, Sony’s stock rose 5.5%.