14 DAY TRIAL // If the information coming from industry sources is correct, then this is bad news for Xperia fans as Sony Mobile might have already cut most of its smartphone roadmap for 2016.
Although it was previously reported that the Japanese company would launch at least five new high-end smartphones in the first half of the year, it looks like sources familiar with the company's plans claim otherwise.
Not only that Sony won't launch more than two high-end smartphones next year, but these two devices might be the only ones that will make it to market in 2016, Digitimes claims.
Moreover, “industry sources” claim Sony Mobile may also close down its R&D unit in Taiwan, and since it drastically reduced its lineup for 2016, it will also discontinue smartphone production at Foxconn Electronics.
Apparently, Sony Mobile will place the bulk of its orders with Arima Communications and Compal Electronics, sources claim.
More rumors on Sony's 2016 smartphone lineup?
We sincerely hope these “industry sources” got it all wrong and Sony Mobile will launch only two high-end smartphones, but also several other mid-range and affordable handsets next year.
Otherwise, this could be the beginning of the end for Sony's mobile division which continued to bleed money heavily in the last couple of years.
Those two smartphones that Sony might be launching next year could be announced at MWC 2016 in late February and IFA 2016 trade fair in September, respectively.
The good news is we're only a few months away from Mobile World Congress, so we will certainly learn more about Sony's involvement in the smartphone market.
Sony Mobile has already confirmed a press conference for Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016, which is supposed to kick off in early January, so expect more news on the matter in just a few weeks as well.