GoKawiilSony's Xperia smartphone sales collapse from 39 million to near-invisible market share
Sony sold 39.1 million smartphones in fiscal year 2015 but only 2.9 million by fiscal 2020, according to company figures cited in the report. By Q2 2026, Apple and Samsung controlled 84 percent of US smartphone shipments per Counterpoint Research, with Sony's share too small to be listed separately. Sony's 2023 Xperia 1 V launched unlocked for about $1,400 through authorized retailers rather than major US carriers.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Sony's reliance on niche photography features like manual camera controls and Alpha camera compatibility may have appealed to enthusiasts but made the phones harder to sell to mainstream buyers who get devices through carrier plans. The comparison to Nokia's decline after Microsoft's 2014 acquisition suggests a broader pattern of legacy phone brands struggling against Apple, Samsung, and rising Chinese manufacturers. Sony's choice to skip carrier partnerships could be read as a strategic retreat to a smaller, premium niche rather than a bid for mass-market relevance.
- Sony's smartphone sales fell from 39.1 million units in fiscal 2015 to 2.9 million by fiscal 2020.
- Apple and Samsung held 84% of US smartphone shipments in Q2 2026, per Counterpoint Research, with Sony unlisted separately.
- Sony sells the Xperia 1 V unlocked for about $1,400 through authorized retailers instead of major US carriers.
Sony Xperia 1 V Unlocked Smartphone — If you're curious what happened to Sony's phone ambitions, the Xperia 1 V is the culmination of that camera-first vision discussed in the article. It offers manual camera controls and a physical shutter button that photography enthusiasts will appreciate in a smartphone. It's a niche but fascinating alternative to the iPhone/Samsung duopoly mentioned in the piece.
See Sony Xperia 1 V Unlocked Smartphone on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Husain Parvez, 2026-11-14
Published there as: “Whatever happened to Sony Xperia phones?”
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