---
endpoint: analytics
pattern: Technology
status: done
latency_ms: 173943
conversation_id: afc9021d-98e9-48a6-a515-ddd038ba6105
citations: 8
created: 2026-05-31 20:31:12Z
---

# Who are the key customers and suppliers of Sony Group?

# Sony Group (6758 JP) — Key Customers and Suppliers

Sony Group's customer and supplier base is structurally bifurcated across its semiconductor/sensor business (I&SS), its entertainment platforms (G&NS, Pictures, Music), and its home electronics business (ET&S). Below is the consolidated mapping based on CLSA internal research (June 2025) and Sony's most recent Corporate Strategy / Q4 FY2025 earnings call (May 2026).

---

## 1. Key Customers

### Imaging & Sensing Solutions (I&SS) — High concentration

| Customer | Relationship | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| **Apple** | Sole supplier of CMOS image sensors (CIS) for **all iPhone models** | ~**60% of Sony's mobile sensor demand**; single largest customer concentration risk [1] |
| **Other smartphone OEMs** (Chinese Android brands) | Mobile sensor supply | High-end segment remains strong; low-end volume impacted by memory cost inflation [2] |
| **Global Auto OEMs** | Automotive image sensors (ADAS, in-cabin) | Sony has **direct negotiation with 85-90% of customers**; targets 43% share by FY3/27 [3] |

CLSA explicitly flags this as a structural risk: *"Sony has high customer concentration in I&SS, with Apple accounting for nearly 60% of its mobile demand, and Sony remains the sole supplier for CMOS image sensors (CIS) for all iPhone models."* [1]

Sony is actively diversifying away from this concentration via auto sensors, HAMR lasers, smart-glass/AR sensors, and the AITRIOS edge-AI platform [2]. Mobile sensor sales in FY2025 Q4 *"exceeded our forecast primarily due to strong shipments to our major customer"* — i.e., Apple [9, also signal of continued reliance].

### Game & Network Services (G&NS)

| Customer | Scale |
|---|---|
| **PlayStation gamers (B2C)** | **>125 million monthly active users globally** on PlayStation platform [12] |
| **PS Plus subscribers** | Recurring subscription revenue base (tier migration is a key KPI) |
| **Third-party game publishers** | Licensing & platform fees |

Management is well-aware of competitive pressure from Microsoft (Xbox/Game Pass): *"the deflationary model adopted by peer Microsoft"* is highlighted as a key G&NS risk [1].

### Pictures & Music — Consumer + Distribution

| Customer | Detail |
|---|---|
| **Crunchyroll subscribers** | **>21 million paid global subscribers** (anime streaming) [10] |
| **Theatrical / streaming licensees** | SPE distributes to Netflix, Disney+, theatrical chains |
| **Music streaming partners (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.)** | Royalty-based revenue from Sony Music catalog |
| **Sony LIV (India)** | Exclusive Asian Cricket Council media rights (2024-2031) |

---

## 2. Key Suppliers / Strategic Partners

### Semiconductor manufacturing — Foundries

| Supplier | Role |
|---|---|
| **TSMC (2330 TT)** | Newly signed (May 2026) non-binding MoU for **strategic JV** for next-generation image sensor development & manufacturing; Sony will be majority/controlling shareholder; production at Sony's new Kumamoto (Koshi City) fab [6] |
| **TSMC (historical/ongoing)** | Currently handles **logic-layer** production while Sony retains pixel-layer manufacturing in-house [7] |

CEO Totoki: *"up until now, we have been doing the pixels, and TSMC was doing the logic… with this TSMC joint venture, what would be strengthened is that we'll have a world's top-class semiconductor process technology"* [7]. This formalizes Sony's "fab-light" strategy — partnering with foundries for pixel manufacturing while repurposing analog fabs internally [4].

### Memory suppliers — Critical input bottleneck

Memory chip supply is a current strategic concern: *"the current memory shortage… is being driven by surging AI infrastructure demand, and is impacting entire industries, including gaming, smartphones, laptops, memory cards"* [8]. Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) is in *"ongoing negotiation with suppliers to meet the demand beyond the current fiscal year"* [8]. Specific memory vendors are not named publicly but the major suppliers in this market are Samsung, SK hynix, and Micron.

### Home Electronics (ET&S) Partner

| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| **TCL** | Definitive agreement (March 2026) for **strategic JV in home entertainment (TV business)**; JV to commence April 2027; ~¥20bn FY2026 transition costs incorporated [9] |

### Mobility Partner

| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| **Honda Motor (7267 JP)** | **Sony Honda Mobility (AFEELA EV JV)** — Honda has reassessed EV strategy; AFEELA model launch discontinued and business downsized; Sony recorded ¥44.9bn additional Q4 loss; equity-method accounting [13] |

### Entertainment / Content Partners

| Partner | Role |
|---|---|
| **Bandai Namco Holdings (7832 JP)** | Strategic partnership in anime + collaborative generative-AI production pilot [10] |
| **WildBrain → Peanuts Holdings** | Acquisition of WildBrain's stake → Sony now owns **80% of Peanuts Holdings** (Snoopy IP) [11] |
| **GIC (Singapore SWF)** | Partnership with Sony Music Group to fund **music IP investments** (catalog acquisitions like Pink Floyd, Queen) [11] |
| **Aniplex / Crunchyroll partners** | Production & global distribution of anime (e.g., *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle*) [10] |
| **Gaudiy** | Partnership with MyAnimeList for Crunchyroll Anime Awards voting [10] |

### Component / Supply-Chain Risks (general)

CLSA notes broader procurement and currency exposure: *"Sony faces risks in the procurement of parts and production as well as currency risks due to rising geopolitical tension."* [1] Management has flagged geopolitical disruption (Middle East unrest, US tariff shifts) as actively affecting *"market, partnerships, and supply chains"* [8].

---

## 3. Strategic Implications

- **Customer concentration risk is highest in I&SS**, where Apple's iPhone dominates and Apple is reportedly diversifying its optical supply chain — a key contraction risk for sensor earnings [1].
- **TSMC partnership is structurally the most important new supplier relationship** — it shifts Sony from an Integrated Device Manufacturer (IDM) model to a fab-light model, reducing CapEx burden and securing scalability for physical AI/automotive sensor demand [6][7][4].
- **Memory suppliers have become a swing variable** for FY2026 profitability across G&NS, I&SS (low-end mobile), and ET&S (TV procurement) [8].
- **Auto sensor customer relationships (85-90% direct)** position Sony for long-term growth in physical AI/automotive imaging even as EV demand softens [3][5].

---

**Sources**
[1] Sony Group - O-PF (Semiconductor meeting) — CLSA (18 Jun 2025) — 607962284LinqAlpha.PDF
[2] Sony Group - O-PF (Semiconductor meeting) — CLSA (18 Jun 2025) — 607962284LinqAlpha.PDF
[3] Sony Group - O-PF (Semiconductor meeting) — CLSA (18 Jun 2025) — 607962284LinqAlpha.PDF
[4] Sony Group - O-PF (Semiconductor meeting) — CLSA (18 Jun 2025) — 607962284LinqAlpha.PDF
[5] Sony Group - O-PF (Business briefings) — CLSA (15 Jun 2025) — 607962001LinqAlpha.PDF
[6] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — Totoki CEO remarks on TSMC MoU
[7] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — Totoki Q&A on TSMC JV scope
[8] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — Memory shortage & supplier negotiations
[9] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — TCL JV; I&SS major customer shipments
[10] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — Crunchyroll, Bandai Namco, Aniplex
[11] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — WildBrain/Peanuts; GIC music IP
[12] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — PlayStation 125M MAU
[13] Sony Group Corp. — Q4 FY2025 Earnings Call (8 May 2026) — Sony Honda Mobility / AFEELA downsizing

## Citations

- [6] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [7] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [8] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [9] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [10] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [11] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [12] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external
- [13] **Sony Group Corp., Q4 2025 Earnings Call, 8-May-2026 3** · external

