Sony Ericsson CEO states ambition to become number one Android handset provider

One of the previous also-ran mobile brands that been revitalised by Google's open Android platform, Sony Ericsson has released financial figures for its 2010 third quarter, for the three months ending September 30.

Sales were €1.603 billion ($2.3 billion), down 1 percent year on year.

However the company had an operating profit of €63 million ($88 million), compared to a €193 million ($270 million) loss a year ago.

Next income was €49 million ($69 million), compared to a loss of €164 million ($230 million) year on year.

"Our third consecutive quarter of profitable results illustrates that Sony Ericsson's overall performance is stabilising," said Bert Nordberg, Sony Ericsson's president & CEO.

"Our strategy to focus on the smartphone segment is succeeding and smartphones now comprise more than 50 percent of our total sales.

"During the quarter, we launched our Android-based Xperia models in new markets, such as China and the US, and it is our ambition to become the global number one handset provider on the Android platform."

Further bolstering the company's performance, its gross margin was 30 percent, compared to 16 percent year on year.

The average cost of a Sony Ericsson device in the quarter was €154 ($216), compared to €114 ($160) a year ago.

In comparison, the average price of a Nokia phone in Q2 2010 was €62 ($80) overall, and €143 ($184) for its smartphones.

However Sony Ericsson is quarterly shipping less devices - 10.4 million in Q3 2010 - compared to 11 million in Q2. and 14.1 million in Q3 2009.

Sony Ericsson's net cash position as of September 30, 2010 was €538 million ($753 million).

[source: Sony Ericsson]