Core Viewpoint - Sony's mobile phone business in China has effectively ended, marked by the shutdown of its official WeChat account and the removal of its product listings, following a significant decline in market share and sales performance [5][7][9]. Group 1: Business Operations - Sony's official WeChat account for Xperia was shut down in November 2025, indicating the end of its mobile operations in China [7]. - The last new model launched in China was the Xperia 5V in September 2023, with no subsequent models released [7][9]. - Sony's market share in China's smartphone sector fell below 0.1% as of 2023, categorizing it as "other" in IDC's report [9]. Group 2: Historical Context - Sony's mobile phone success peaked during the Sony Ericsson era, with annual sales exceeding 100 million units, driven by popular products like the Walkman and Cyber-shot series [9]. - After acquiring Ericsson's shares in 2012, Sony's mobile division began a prolonged decline, struggling to compete with the rise of the iPhone and other smartphone innovations [9][10]. - By 2018, global sales plummeted to 1.6 million units, with significant financial losses reported in its mobile communications segment [10]. Group 3: Strategic Missteps - Sony's rigid adherence to a "hardware-driven" philosophy led to a disconnect with market demands, focusing on technical specifications over software services [15]. - The company's strategic misjudgments, particularly in display technology, contributed to its loss of market leadership in consumer electronics [15]. - Despite a strong presence in audio and gaming, Sony's television and mobile divisions are struggling, with market shares dwindling significantly [15][16]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Sony is reportedly planning to release two new Android models, the Xperia 1 VIII and Xperia 10 VIII, in 2026, despite its retreat from the Chinese market [17]. - Any potential return to the Chinese market would require a fundamentally different approach, integrating its strengths in audio, gaming, and sensors rather than relying solely on hardware [18].