Sony Corporation User Reviews

Sony Corporation, founded in 1946 by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, is a Japanese global tech and entertainment giant known for innovation in electronics (Walkman, Trinitron TV, PlayStation) and entertainment, growing from a small lab to a worldwide brand changing perceptions of Japanese quality through pioneering products and becoming the first Japanese firm on the NYSE.

Key Milestones

Foundational Years and Early Electronics

• 1946: Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita establish Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo K.K. (Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, or TTK) in post-war Japan.
• 1950: The company introduces the first Japanese-made tape recorder, the G-type.
• 1955: TTK releases Japan's first transistor radio, the TR-55, and the company goes public.
• 1958: The company formally changes its name to Sony Corporation.
• 1960: Sony introduces the world's first portable transistor television.
• 1968: The revolutionary Trinitron color TV debuts, a major commercial success.

The Era of Portability and Entertainment

• 1975: Sony launches the Betamax VCR for the consumer market, a product that would later lose the format war to VHS.
• 1979: The iconic Sony Walkman (portable cassette player) is introduced, transforming personal music listening.
• 1982: Sony introduces the first-ever consumer CD player (CDP-101) in association with Philips, establishing the CD format as an industry standard.
• 1988: Sony acquires CBS Records Inc., marking its major entry into the music software business.
• 1989: Sony acquires Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. (later renamed Sony Pictures Entertainment), significantly expanding its entertainment portfolio.

Gaming and Digital Dominance

• 1994: The original PlayStation game console is launched by Sony Computer Entertainment, becoming an immediate and massive global success.
• 1997: The VAIO line of personal computers is launched.
• 1999: Sony introduces the robotic dog AIBO.
• 2000: The highly anticipated PlayStation 2 is released, becoming the best-selling game console of all time.
• 2005: The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is introduced, along with the Bravia line of widescreen LCD TVs.
• 2006: Sony enters the DSLR camera market with the Sony Alpha series.

Modern Era

• 2013: The PlayStation 4 is launched, becoming Sony's second best-selling console.
• 2020: The highly anticipated PlayStation 5 is launched and sells out on its first day. Sony Corporation changes its name to Sony Group Corporation to reflect its diverse business portfolio.
• 2022: Sony acquires the video game developer Bungie for approximately $3.7 billion.
• 2023: The PlayStation 5 surpasses 50 million units sold worldwide.

Logo

• Official Name: Sony Corporation
• Source: www.genetec.com

Overview

• Common Name: Sony
• Year Founded: May 7, 1946
• Founders: Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita
• Origin: Japan
• Headquarters: 1-7-1 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0075, Japan
• Tagline: BE MOVED

Main Products

Electronics Products & Solutions (EP&S):

• Televisions: Bravia (4K, OLED, Mini LED).
• Audio: Headphones (WH-1000XM series), Soundbars, Home Theater, High-Res Audio Players.
• Cameras: Alpha mirrorless (A7, A9 series), ZV vlogging cameras, Handycam camcorders, professional cinema cameras (Venice).
• Mobile: Xperia smartphones (known for camera tech).
• Imaging: Sensors (for other brands too), Professional video/broadcast gear.
• Storage: Memory cards (CFexpress, SD), Optical Media.
• Gaming & Network Services (G&NS):
• PlayStation: PS5 console, games (e.g., Spider-Man, God of War), PS Plus subscriptions, accessories (DualSense controller).

Entertainment (Music & Pictures):

• Sony Music (artists, labels).
• Sony Pictures (movies, TV shows).

Financial Services: Insurance, banking (primarily in Japan).

Innovation & Partnership

• Microsoft: Sony and Microsoft established a strategic partnership to explore joint development of future cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure to support their respective game and content-streaming services.
• National Football League (NFL) & The Associated Press (AP): Sony is the exclusive imaging products and support provider for The Associated Press's NFL coverage. Sony cameras and technology are also used extensively in NFL stadiums and broadcast partners' studios, including CBS Sports, ESPN, and NBC Sports.
• Hasbro: Sony Music Publishing entered into an exclusive global administration deal with Hasbro to support its entire portfolio of branded entertainment music.
• Duolingo: Sony Music partnered with Duolingo to add a library of chart-topping songs from major artists to the language-learning platform.
• Hyundai Motor Company: Sony Pictures Entertainment and Hyundai teamed up for a multi-promotional partnership to blend Sony's intellectual property with Hyundai's future mobility vision, including urban air mobility concepts.
• Prologis: Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS) partnered with Prologis to provide logistics solutions using Sony's edge AI sensing platform, AITRIOS™, to improve supply chain efficiency and help address the issue of truck driver labor shortages in Japan.
• AV Alliance and Technology Partner Network: Sony has a broad and expanding network of over 80 AV alliance and technology partners globally (as of late 2024/early 2025 data), including companies like TeamViewer, AVI-SPL, and various content management software (CMS) providers, to offer compatible solutions for its professional display lineup (BRAVIA, Crystal LED).

Sustainability

• "Road to Zero": Long-term goal for zero environmental footprint by 2050.
• "Green Management 2030": Medium-term environmental targets.

Useful Links

Browse authorized repair centers and official retail stores of Sony using the links below to get support or shop for products on Google Maps.

Market Position

• Ticker: TYO: 6758
• Market Cap: Approx. JPY 25.33 T

Sony Corporation's total annual revenue for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, was ¥12.96 trillion (approx. $84.86 billion USD), and its market valuation (market cap) as of December 2025 is approximately $164.35 billion USD. The company has a significant global reach and holds leading market positions in several key sectors.

Customer Support

• Website: www.sony.com
• Online Help: Sony Help & Support