If DigiTimes sources are correct, Sony Mobile is quite pleased with its smartphone division which is making strides far faster than anyone had predicted. For its part, Sony has announced that they expect to ship 42 million smartphones in the physical year 2013 which ends in March 2014. While not a bad tally for a company who had little to no presence in the mobile market, DigiTimes goes on to note that Sony will increase its physical year 2014 forecast by 55% which will have the company ship 65 million smartphones from March 2014 to March 2015.

The report goes on to note that:

 Consequently, Sony Mobile is also expected to release more orders to Taiwan-based handset OEM/ODMs, including Arima Communications, Compal Communications and Foxconn/FIH Mobile, the sources indicated. 

This means that each manufacturer will receive 2-4 smartphone models from Sony Mobile in the 2014 physical year.

 In addition to releasing Qualcomm-based smartphones, Sony Mobile also plans to increase its offerings to include MediaTek-based models, the sources noted. 

While most of Sony’s flagship smartphones carry a Qualcomm chipset, the Sony Xperia C utilizes MediaTek for its core. 2014 is also the year that many expect Sony will launch its Firefox based smartphone. If the reports come to fruition, this will mark a substantial turnaround for Sony Mobile who has primarily targeted premium handset owners with devices like the Xperia Z1. Luckily for Sony and its shareholders, premium models tend to also carry a premium profit margin, something that Sony has been working hard at under new CEO, Kaz Hirai.

Discuss:

Do you believe Sony will be dramatically increasing its smartphone shipments in 2014, due to higher demand for them?