Sony Ericsson came into business in 2001 through a joint venture between Japanese consumer electronics company Sony Corporation and the Swedish telecommunications company Ericsson AB to produce mobile phones.

Since the establishment both companies have stopped making their own mobile phones.

The thinking behind the decision to merge was to combine Sony's consumer electronics expertise with Ericsson's technological leadership in the communications sector.

• 2001 - Established as Sony Ericsson based in London, UK
• 2005 - The company’s first 2 Megapixel, auto focus camera phone;
• 2005 – The release of the W800 Walkman® branded music phone. A combination of a mobile phone, a quality digital music player, and a 2 Megapixel camera.