Normally, Sony takes a lot of time bringing its critically acclaimed smartphones to the United States. The Xperia Z2 never found a mobile carrier and the older Z1 took months to arrive, which means it already felt old when it finally came.
Not this time, however, Sony says its new flagship Xperia Z3 will be available on Verizon, America's biggest wireless carrier, which should help the Japanese smartphone maker make an impact in the American smartphone market where it currently has a minimal market share.
Dubbed the Xperia Z3v, the Verizon-exclusive smartphone is, for the most part, a subtly altered version of the standard Xperia Z3, which will also be available from T-Mobile when Sony launches the phone on Oct. 23. The Xperia Z3v, like the standard Z3, runs on the same 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 system-on-a-chip and 3GB of RAM and has the same 5.2-inch high-definition LCD display and 20.7-megapixel cameras that can shoot 4K video content and broadcast it live over YouTube, a first in the smartphone industry.
The only difference on the specs sheet is the additional 16GB of storage for the Z3v, which amps the overall storage space up to 32GB, which is expandable to 128GB via microSD, and an extra 100mAh of battery, ramping it up to a total of 3200mAh.
However, the most prominent difference is the ability to charge the Z3v wireless using a CPWS wireless portable charger that can be purchased for an additional $60. Wireless charging is fast becoming a standard feature in many flagship smartphones, but they often entail buying a special phone cover that works with the wireless charging accessory.
Design-wise, the Xperia Z3v has the Verizon logo emblazoned on its back. Other than that, looks more like the Z2, with a strip of soft plastic with an accent of aluminum running down the middle, making for a sturdy yet stylish smartphone that offers a premium feel. The front and back are made of tempered glass panels with IP68 waterproofing, making the Z3v able to be submerged in up to two meters of water for an entire hour.
Like the standard Z3, the Z3v comes equipped with PlayStation 4 Remote Play, a feature that lets users play their PS4 games on their smartphone when the TV is not available. For users to fully take advantage of Remote Play, they have to connect their DualShock controller to their phone using Sony's GCM10 Game Control Mount 6, which they can get for $40. The Z3v will also come with digital copies of movies from Sony's entertainment arm Sony Pictures, which means users can have their own free copy of films such as "The Amazing Spiderman 2," "American Hustle" and "Zero Dark Thirty."
"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," says Sony Mobile Communications North America president Ravi Nookala in a statement.
