Sony and TCL have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic partnership in home entertainment. The move could reshape how Sony TVs and audio products are developed, built, and sold worldwide.

Under the agreement, Sony Corporation and TCL Electronics Holdings Limited will discuss forming a joint venture that would take over Sony’s home entertainment business. TCL would hold a 51% stake, while Sony would retain 49%.

The two companies aim to finalize binding agreements by the end of March 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. If completed, the new company is expected to begin operations in April 2027.

What the joint venture would handle

The proposed joint venture would operate globally and manage the entire home entertainment pipeline. This includes product planning, design, manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service.

Products under the venture would cover televisions and home audio equipment. Sony and TCL say these products are expected to continue carrying the globally recognized Sony and BRAVIA names.

The partnership is designed to combine Sony’s strengths in picture and audio quality, brand value, and operational expertise with TCL’s display technology, manufacturing scale, and vertically integrated supply chain.

Why Sony and TCL are teaming up

The companies point to continued growth in the large-screen TV market. Viewing habits are shifting, driven by streaming platforms, smarter TV features, and demand for higher resolution and larger displays.

Sony brings decades of imaging and sound expertise. TCL contributes cost efficiency, advanced panel technology, and global manufacturing reach. Together, the companies believe they can deliver more competitive products while improving operational efficiency.

Sony President and CEO Kimio Maki said the partnership aims to create new customer value through more compelling audio and visual experiences. TCL Chairperson DU Juan described the move as a way to elevate brand value, scale operations, and optimize the supply chain.

What this could mean for consumers

If the joint venture moves forward, consumers can expect future Sony-branded TVs and audio products to benefit from TCL’s display innovations and production scale, while retaining Sony’s image processing, sound tuning, and overall design philosophy.

Both companies say they will continue to support the venture’s long-term growth as the home entertainment market evolves.

Beyond the Box and Digital Walker officially turned over a Tesla Model Y to Joshua Juanillo, the lucky winner of their iPhone 17 launch raffle.

What started as a simple purchase quickly turned into a moment that felt bigger than the box. Joshua, a 27-year-old employee and long-time Android user, earned a single raffle entry after buying an iPhone 17 base model on the first day of sale at Digital Walker Glorietta.

It was his first time switching to iPhone, and already a milestone on its own. He had no idea it would lead to something this life-changing.

The surprise didn’t stop there. During the turnover, Beyond the Box and Digital Walker CEO Charles Paw added another unexpected gift to the moment, a brand-new iPhone Air, turning an already unforgettable day into something even more surreal.

This is the kind of story that captures what Beyond the Box and Digital Walker mean when they say Go Beyond. It’s about transforming a regular retail experience into a memory that stays with you long after the receipt fades.

With his new iPhone now seamlessly integrated with his Tesla Model Y, Joshua steps into a smarter, more connected way to drive, navigating and controlling his car straight from his phone.

The turnover was made even more meaningful as Joshua celebrated the moment with his family and girlfriend by his side, sharing a once-in-a-lifetime win that started with a single purchase and a leap of faith.

In 2023, there were rumors that ASUS is done with the Zenfone series. The rumors were apparently exaggerated because the brand eventually issued an official statement to deny the shuttering of the Zenfone. Now, in 2026, we’re back to speculating on the smartphone’s future. This time, however, it’s coming from high up the chain of command.

In a translated version of an interview (via Taiwan’s Inside), ASUS Chairman Jonney Shih said that ASUS has no plans to add new smartphone models in the future. Based on previous rumors, the shutdown will affect 2026, at the very least.

Despite confirming that the brand’s phones are gone for now, Shih has not waved away the possibility that they might come back in the future. Right now, we don’t know if this is all just a “see you later” or a “we’re leaving for good.”

ASUS’s last major launch in the smartphone space was early last year. The Zenfone 12 Ultra was an interesting headset but didn’t make enough waves to make a dent in the industry. On the other hand, ROG released the ROG Phone 9 Pro, which made our list of the best premium smartphones from 2025.

With the almost-certain exit from the smartphone space, this leaves the Zenfone 12 Ultra and the ROG Phone 9 Pro without successors in the foreseeable future. However, Shih has promised that the current lineup will still receive updates going forward.

SEE ALSO: Spotlight: ASUS Zenbook at CES 2026