Kyocera, the long-standing Japanese electronics maker, has declared its exit from the mobile phone market following a record loss of 16.6 million dollars reported in February 2023. The decision marks a strategic shift as the company confirms it will discontinue consumer mobile devices while continuing to support corporate customers. In a statement, the company emphasized that continued pressure in the consumer segment made a profitable path unlikely, signaling a pivot toward business-to-business solutions and enterprise-oriented communications. This move aligns Kyocera with broader industry trends where legacy hardware brands reassess product lines to protect core capabilities and invest in higher-growth areas.
The leadership at Kyocera explained that the firm cannot compete effectively on a global scale within the rapidly evolving mobile market, a view reiterated by Hideo Tanimoto, the president, who underscored the decision as a necessary response to market realities rather than a temporary retreat. While the consumer footprint narrows, Kyocera’s enterprise division is poised to continue delivering established services and devices tailored to corporate clients, ensuring continuity for partners and large organizations that rely on Kyocera for secure, durable communications infrastructure.
Historically, Kyocera stands among the earliest entrants in mobile device production, tracing back to 1989 when it began manufacturing phones. This heritage mirrors similar industry shifts seen in other major brands: for instance, LG, another veteran, shut down its smartphone division in 2021 to devote more resources to smart home technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics, and other growth areas. The LG example is frequently cited in industry analyses as a case study in strategic refocusing, highlighting how even legacy players seek new value from adjacent technology sectors.
In related market context, there were discussions around Xiaomi’s rapid rise in another major market—Russia—where the brand surged to become the largest smartphone supplier at the start of 2023. Reports indicate that Xiaomi imported about 1.3 million devices into the Russian Federation during January through March, capturing roughly a fifth of the country’s market. Analysts point to Xiaomi’s aggressive distribution and pricing strategies as key factors in this growth, while observers note the broader implications for competition, supply chains, and consumer choice in the region.