As a key element of the Xperia series, Sony Mobile has long collaborated with the engineering teams within Sony's audio department and Sony Music Studio to enhance the audio quality of Xperia series devices. Subsequently, they introduced audio-related technologies such as S-Master, DSEE-HX, Hi-Res high-resolution audio, and LDAC, allowing users to easily enjoy clearer, more detailed digital audio through Xperia series devices.
In conjunction with the Xperia XZ Premium in TokyoProduct Features Details Description ActivityWe also visited the Sony Music Studio in Nogizaka, Tokyo, to learn about Sony's current market development strategies for Hi-Res high-resolution sound technology and Xperia products. These strategies include plans to continue strengthening Hi-Res high-resolution sound products and services in Taiwan, while also expanding into the Hong Kong market in the future.
Hi-Res audio, actively promoted by Sony Japan, primarily captures high-frequency, narrowband sounds that CD quality can't reproduce, and offers richer sound layers. This technology delivers near-authentic sound through up to 192kHz/24-bit audio, approximately 6.5 times the information volume of typical CD recordings. By further integrating Hi-Res audio with Xperia devices, Sony hopes to enable users to enjoy Hi-Res audio in a simpler and more intuitive way.
Promoting Hi-Res sound quality through the user experience of Xperia phones
Sony Mobile's product development strategy first introduced Hi-Res audio with the Xperia Z3. By then, Sony's audio department had already been promoting Hi-Res audio products for some time, giving them ample experience in bringing Hi-Res audio to smartphones, allowing users to easily enjoy richer, clearer, and more detailed digital audio through their smartphones.
According to Sony Mobile, over 1100 million Xperia phones featuring Hi-Res audio technology have been sold in Japan to date. If overseas markets are included, sales are expected to be even greater. Statistics show that approximately 45% of users listen to high-quality music on Xperia devices, significantly higher than its competitor, Apple, which accounts for approximately 31%. The demand for high-resolution audio content also differs significantly, at 19% versus 7%. Furthermore, the fact that each flagship Xperia device has driven sales growth in high-resolution music content suggests that most users who purchase Xperia devices desire high-resolution audio content.
Sony Mobile is promoting the Xperia series in Japan with an advertising marketing strategy, including a series of "That's Why I Chose Xperia" commercials shot by music professionals. This campaign aims to connect with high-resolution audio enthusiasts. The jingles are also available for free download through the high-resolution music service platform mora, ensuring that users continue to associate the Xperia brand with high-resolution audio performance.
Expanding Hi-Res high-resolution sound quality development in the future
Sony Mobile has also pledged to continue promoting high-resolution sound output performance. In addition to promoting the high-resolution listening experience through Xperia-branded phones, it will also provide more services that easily access high-resolution audio content. For example, the mora service, which has already been launched in Taiwan, will not only expand its service in Taiwan, but also plans to expand market opportunities in Hong Kong. However, considering the current scale of mora's development in Taiwan, the cumulative number of music tracks included in Taiwan is approximately 5254, and the majority of them are anime-related content. This still lags behind the rich high-resolution audio content available in Japan.
However, Sony Mobile stated that it will continue to expand the proportion of Chinese songs and music content in the future. At the same time, it will use the resources of Sony Taiwan and Sony Mobile, and combine with events in Taiwan such as the Taipei International Game Show, the Kaituo Anime Expo, fanzine activities or concerts to promote the Hi-Res high-resolution sound quality listening experience, so that more people can actually feel the "touching" brought by high-resolution sound quality. It is expected to cooperate with Sony Mobile to promote the high-resolution sound quality experience in Taipei Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Xinyi New World Xiangti Boulevard in July this year.
The collaboration between Sony Music Studio and Sony Mobile further integrates recording studio expertise and technical resources into the Xperia series of smartphones, enabling Xperia models to more easily play digital audio corresponding to Hi-Res high-resolution sound quality. For example, noise reduction technology developed in a recording environment allows Xperia phones to maintain clear, high-resolution sound quality even during commuting.
During a visit to Sony Music Studio, home to recordings by AKB48, L'Arc~en~Ciel, Kana Nishino, Mika Nakashima, miwa, UVERworld, Bio-Kuni-chan, and Aoi Eru, staff members played Hi-Res music content through an Xperia device, demonstrating superior listening quality even when connected directly to a phone through live PA equipment. The performance concluded with a performance by Japanese artist GARNiDELiA, performing "Mirai," the theme song from the game-adapted anime "Gun Slingers," showcasing the effects of a live performance at Sony Music Studio.
