Consumers will finally have the opportunity to bring home a Sony phone from a Verizon kiosk or store, now that the United States' top wireless carrier will offer the new Xperia Z3v in just a few weeks.
Like the v-less Xperia Z3, the Z3v features a 5.2-inch screen that outputs a display resolution of 1920x1080 pixels. It's waterproof and it keeps the dust out.
The 4G LTE Xperia Z3v runs on Android KitKat 4.4 and has all of the processing power to make it a prime candidate for Android L, whenever its released. It's driven by a 2.5-GHz Qualcomm quad-core processor and is fitted with 3 GB of RAM.
Also like the Z3, the Z3v has a brilliant 20.7-megapixel camera that's capable of capturing 4k video. On it's face, there's a 2.2-MP camera for those who love their own smiles.
It has taken a while for Verizon to embrace Sony's mobile offering, but Jeff Dietel, vice president of marketing for Verizon Wireless, says the Japanese conglomerate's latest products are exactly what his company was hoping to offer.
"Our industry-leading 4G LTE network is what our customers have come to rely on when they want to experience first-class products and unique experiences on their mobile devices," said Dietel. "The opportunity for Verizon customers to connect with Sony's broad ecosystem of mobility products, including the Z2 Tablet and the new Z3v smartphone, backed by unparalleled content, is exactly what we want to bring to market."
PlayStation fans will be able to stream games from their consoles via Sony's Remote Play and the handset's 4G connection. Gamers can also connect a DualShock controller to the Z3v for some pixel-perfect platforming or a couple of perfect laps around a race track.
"Drawing from Sony's expertise in gaming, music and movies, Xperia Z3v is a powerhouse of mobile entertainment designed to enrich and enhance every aspect of a user's day," said Ravi Nookala, president of Sony Mobile Communications North America. "Delivering experiences that only Sony can offer, Xperia Z3v takes everyday demands head on delivering a longer lasting battery and durability."
The deal with Verizon is a much-needed win for Sony's handset division, which has turned its focus away from its struggling low-end offering and is attempting to keep the entire sector afloat through the sales of its high-end devices, according to Kuni Suzuki, head of Sony Mobile.
"We are a latecomer to the smartphone market and have a lot of new technology bubbling up inside of the company," said Suzuki. "We want to show it off and use it to be more competitive. Every six months we find many, many areas where we can improve in both hardware and software, but it's only sustainable as long as we are growing in the premium product market."
