Leaner Sony gains smartphone lift despite its own mobile malaise

UPS AND DOWNS: In an nutshell, Sony's phones flopped but their PlayStation 4 dominated.

TOKYO: Sony Corp posted a smaller than expected second-quarter operating loss, hailed by its finance chief as proof that the Japanese group's restructuring programme is paying off. 

The company said the reduced operating loss was due in part to rising sales of image sensors to smartphone manufacturers, though the poor showing from its own Xperia phones weighed heavily on results.