The Sony Xperia XZ is now available for purchase unlocked and contract-free in the United States, but it comes with quite a hefty price point.
The Xperia XZ costs a whopping $699.99, a price point that puts it at the steep end of the smartphone market.
The smartphone made its debut back at IFA 2016 but has just now made its way to the United States, after going up for preorder last month. Sony is not selling the device itself and it hasn't teamed up with any carriers either, instead relying on Amazon.
There's no doubt that the Sony Xperia XZ has some high-end features, but some areas such as the display or RAM may seem lackluster for such a high price, compared to other top flagships on the market.
For those unfamiliar with Sony's latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia XZ sports a 5.2-inch full HD display, which translates to a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. While this resolution displays crisp visuals on a 5.2-inch panel, it's still behind rival flagships that boast QHD resolutions of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels and come at the same price point as the Xperia XZ, or lower.
Other specs of the Xperia XZ include a powerful Snapdragon 820 processor, 3 GB of RAM, a 23-megapixel rear camera, a 13-megapixel front shooter, and a 2,900 mAh battery to keep the lights on. The handset comes with 32 GB of internal storage capacity, expandable via microSD.
The smartphone wraps it all up in a sleek metal body that makes it look and feel premium.
There's no doubt that the Xperia XZ has plenty to bring to the table. Nevertheless, that high $699.99 price point might be a deal-breaker for many prospective customers. Rival handsets such as the Samsung Galaxy S7 have already been available for a while now and are significantly cheaper at this point, so the Xperia XZ is making an expensive proposition for what it has to offer.
For those who would still like to buy the device regardless of its premium price point, Amazon is selling the Sony Xperia XZ in Platinum and Graphite Black color options. The Forest Blue avatar is not in the mix, at least not at this point.
Lastly, it's worth pointing out that the Sony Xperia XZ selling in the United States does not have a fingerprint scanner like the international versions of the device.
What do you think of the Xperia XZ at a $699.99 price point, considering its specifications? Worth it, or a deal-breaker? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
