Sony has reportedly begun outsourcing the production of its flagship Xperia smartphones. According to a report from Smartphone Digest, the newly released Xperia 1 VII may be the first premium Xperia device manufactured by a third-party partner, marking a significant shift for the brand.
Over the years, Sony gradually distanced itself from the competitive smartphone market, already outsourcing the production of its mid-range devices. However, it had continued to manufacture its high-end Xperia line in-house until now. The company recently removed the term “smartphones” from the product lists on its manufacturing sites in Thailand and China, further hinting at this strategic transition.
This move doesn’t necessarily spell the end for Xperia phones, but it does suggest Sony’s decreasing hands-on involvement in smartphone hardware. Like other tech giants focusing on R&D while delegating production, Sony might pivot toward refining its camera and display technologies while leaving assembly to manufacturing specialists.
