tobye wetware: Sony announces U.S. availability of Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sony announces U.S. availability of Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra

Android Central

Smartwatch 2 also seeing a Stateside launch alongside Sony's latest high-end handsets

Literally days after Sony CEO Kaz Hirai seemingly poured water on a Sony breakout in the U.S, today we're treated to the news of three new device launches. The Xperia Z1, Xperia Z Ultra and the Smartwatch 2 will all be available to purchase in the United States.

The Xperia Z Ultra is available from today at Sony's online store at $649.99 for the HSPA+ version and $679.99 for LTE. For that you're getting a monstrous 6.4-inch 1080p Triluminos display, a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera and Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. Internal storage is a slim 16GB, expandable via microSD card, and it will be available in black, white and purple.

The Xperia Z1 is available in HSPA+ form only at a price of $669.99. Arguably Sony's finest Android handset to date, one of the marquee features of the recently launched Z1 is that 20.7MP Sony G-Lens camera on the rear. Round the front you're looking at a 5-inch 1080p Triluminos display, with a 2.2GHz Snapdragon 800 and 2GB of RAM underneath with 16GB of on-board, and expandable storage. It's also waterproof, if that's important to you. Both the Z1 and the Z Ultra are available now from Sony's U.S. online store, select Sony brick-and-mortar stores and selected online retailers.

The Sony Smartwatch 2 is the follow up to the original Smartwatch, and can be paired with Android devices running Ice Cream Sandwich and above. It promises 3-4 days battery life, easy setup via NFC and an 'Android like' user interface. Our early hands-ons with the Smartwatch 2 find it lacking a little when compared to something like the Samsung Galaxy Gear, but it also costs much less. The Smartwatch 2 can be had via the same channels as the two phones, and can be yours for $199.95.

You'll find links to the Sony Store at the source below, and be sure to check out our extensive review and hands on coverage with the Xperia Z1 and Z Ultra.