Increased smartphone sales played a significant role in Sony Group increasing its revenue in the year to 31 March 2013. The phone company said the increase in sales was “primarily due to the impact of consolidating Sony Mobile Communications as a whole-owned subsidiary” in February 2012. The group bought out former handset partner Ericsson for $1.1 billion at the beginning of last year. Smartphone sales for the period were 8.1 million units, down from 8.7 million seen in the third quarter (it did not provide a year-on-year comparison). Total smartphone sales for the twelve months was 33 million units, up from 22.5 million the year before. The phone manufacturer said its flagship Xperia Z smartphone has enjoyed “strong consumer acceptance” since its launch in February, and forecast smartphone sales in the current fiscal year of 42 million.
