Strong sales of camera sensors and PlayStation 4 consoles have helped triple Sony’s Q1 profits to US$676m, showing that the company’s turnaround is in full effect.
Sony reported revenues of US$14.8bn, which were flat year-on-year, mainly due to poor sales of smartphones and home entertainment products like mid-range LCD TVs.
Sony’s mobile communications division saw sales fall 16.3pc to US$2.2bn while the home entertainment and sound group saw sales fall 13.8pc to US$2bn.
The company’s game network services division, however, saw sales increase 12.1pc to US$2.3bn driven by strong demand for PlayStation 4 consoles. The games division reported an operating profit of US$160m.
Sony is estimated to have sold more than 25m PlayStation 4 consoles to date.
Sales were also up 3.5pc in Sony’s imaging business to US$1.3bn due to demand for high-end digital cameras. The imaging products and solutions group reported operating profits of US$174m.
The company’s devices group, including sales of semiconductors, batteries and image sensors, reported a 35pc surge in Q1 revenues of US$1.9bn.
Sony Pictures recorded a loss of US$96m while Sony Music’s revenues were up 8.5pc to US$1bn.
Sony PlayStation 4 image via Shutterstock