FollowLaunching on U.S. carriers is, in fact, a milestone for Sony Xperia Z, and it is about to happen soon, according to Sony CEO Kaz Hirai. Hirai’s statements at the recent D11 conference confirm that the Xperia Z will arrive in the U.S. with carrier support, but did not reveal details about the timeframe or which mobile operators will offer it.
Until now, U.S. consumers could purchase the Sonly Xperia Z as a SIM-free version and then find a compatible carrier. Sony’s web store sells the unlocked version, named Xperia ZL, for $630. Based on Sony’s long relationship with AT&T and the fact that Xperia ZL is compatible with AT&T’s LTE network, there is a good probability of Xperia Z coming on the carrier.
The Xperia Z went through a successful test on T-Mobile network, according to an April report from TmoNews. Pointing to an FCC filing in May, analysts expect Xperia Z to arrive on T-Mobile. The device will support 4G and HSPA+.
Recalling its global launch in February, analysts are positive that wider carrier support will roll out soon. The Xperia Z was among the first 5-inch 1080p smartphones in the market, and has been received well in Europe and other parts of the world, with an estimated 4.6 million units sold until now. It was the best-seller for six successive weeks in the highly-competitive Japanese smartphone market, as Hirai put it.
Though Samsung and HTC are gaining dominance in the U.S. market, Sony has yet to make a deal with U.S. carriers to offer the Xperia Z on contract. Latest developments are in favor of the device which has gained popularity and drawn positive reviews with its high-end features, including its unique water-resistance feature. Undoubtedly, the Xperia Z is well-equipped to compete with Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One, the latest rivals in the market.
