Sony: no quad-core handsets until 2013

Sony already being left behind in mobile game
Playing catchup from the start

Sony has only just got out of the starting blocks on its solo quest into the mobile market, but it's already being left behind after it confirmed it won't be launching a quad-core handset until 2013.

We saw the likes of the LG Optimus 4X HD, HTC One X and

Huawei Ascend D Quad

all rock up at

MWC 2012

to show off their shiny quad-core innards, but Sony is set to stay out of their way this year.

Speaking to CNET Asia Stephen Sneeden, Product Marketing Manager for Sony Mobile, highlighted Sony's concern for these next-gen devices: "We're going to join quad-core when we feel that the performance matches the battery efficiency".

Playing the waiting game

Sneeden said that Sony is "evaluating the quad-core performance" and that it will enter the quad-core arena in 2013 once it believes it can offer a device "where you're not suffering in quality and the performance truly is there".

Sony has made strides into the mobile market with the CES 2012 unveiling of its Xperia S followed by the Xperia U and Xperia P handsets at MWC 2012 – although none are groundbreaking, as they are all stuck with Android Gingerbread and a now standard dual-core processor.

Sony may have to re-think its strategy as 2013 could be too late to play catch-up, especially with the Samsung Galaxy S3 and iPhone 5 on the horizon for later this year.

From CNET Asia

John McCann
Global Managing Editor

John joined TechRadar over a decade ago as Staff Writer for Phones, and over the years has built up a vast knowledge of the tech industry. He's interviewed CEOs from some of the world's biggest tech firms, visited their HQs and has appeared on live TV and radio, including Sky News, BBC News, BBC World News, Al Jazeera, LBC and BBC Radio 4. Originally specializing in phones, tablets and wearables, John is now TechRadar's resident automotive expert, reviewing the latest and greatest EVs and PHEVs on the market. John also looks after the day-to-day running of the site.