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You didn’t think the LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition was going to have all the fun, did you? Sony’s phablet is also getting the Google Play love, with the pure Android device now sitting in the Play Store for $649.99 unlocked. It ships in 1-2 business days.
Notice that the Sony Xperia Z Ultra drops the “Xperia” name when brought to the play store? This could be to save space, but more likely Sony stripped the Xperia branding from the device due to the software being of the pure Google experience variety.
With a 6.4-inch screen, the Z Ultra really pushes the boundaries of the Phablet category. Nearby competitors include the 5.7-inch Galaxy Note 3 and 6-inch HTC One Mega, but the 6.4-inch Ultra puts both to shame in the size department. Thing is… do you really want a phone that big?
Some other specs to show on:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Quad Core, 2.2 GHz
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB onboard storage
- 8MP rear camera
- 2MP front camera
- 6.5mm thin
- 212 grams
- Waterproof
- Dust resistant
Best of all… because this Sony Z Ultra comes as a Developer Edition device, you’re blessed with the most recent branch of Android (Android 4.4 Kit Kat) and are practically guaranteed timely updates as they’re made available. The phone is also contract free and unlocked, allowing you to take it almost anywhere. Here’s the network information:
Unlocked GSM/UMTS/HSPA+/LTE
GSM/EDGE/GPRS (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
3G (850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz)
4G LTE (700, 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100, 2600 MHz)
That’s right, CDMA folks… you once again miss out.
UPDATE: The bottom of the page states, “Compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile in the US. Check with your carrier for details about coverage.”
For more, visit our Sony Xperia Z Ultra Forums!
wow… i gotta say i like this move by google and OEMs. carriers want too much control over devices as is and with OEM’s selling them via playstore AND many coming up with their own installment plans to boot, this is pure awesome
yes
I want to get one of these…. just to give my friends, who give me a hard time about the size of my Note 3, some perspective. ;P That and I just love the direction Sony has taken with phone design.
When will Note 3 get a Google Play edition?
Give it a couple of hours maybe? :p
Bullspit! Why leave out cdma folks? As if we don’t want the nicer options.
Why? Have you missed out on the whole Verizon Nexus fiasco? Play editions are all about being as unfettered as possible. Verizon…isn’t.
Because VZW won’t let you have one.
They still have not updated their last Nexus. It also had bloatware.
Posts below blame this on Verizon (which hey, I’m all for) but it’s not their fault this time. Sony unfortunately doesn’t do CDMA.
instant hard-on!!! omg!!! gotta sell some stuff to make fast money ASAP!!!!!!
Damn! I wish I would have waited on the Nexus 5.
You will not have any trouble selling it.
Nice
That phone is just too huge though.
PDA’s are coming back. Remember when PDA’s were out and how huge they were? History repeats itself, just in a different fashion.
I agree. I decided my limit is 5.2 in(5 in nexus 5 right now). I’d maybe consider 5.5-5.7 if they trimmed down the bezels a lot
I had a hard time deciding between this phone and the Note 3. Ultimately, I stayed with VZW and got the Note 3 (which I love) but this edition of the Ultra Z is bitchin! Really wish CDMA phones got more love…
Gonna have to buy this.
Have one..aside from the camera love it…loooove it.
I hope there is a successor to the HTC One Max on Tmo. Mainly because I’m loving the speakers and would love to have a phablet device.
Though if I can’t find something, then this phone would be nice. I won’t need my tablet anymore. It’ll be perfect. Unless it doesn’t have some type of HDMI out. =.S
The bezel on this is way too huge to an already massive screen footprint. To those that have this device it fits in a front Jean pocket? That’s the deal-breaker, I don’t care if it’s an obnoxious bulge, as long as it fits without tearing my pocket!
Think it depends on what kind of jeans you like. But the bezel etc is bigger to make it water resistant features etc.
Fits in my jeans just fine. It’s really thin too, which helps.
DAT price tag doe..
I’ve had a note 3 and it was lovely.. I miss that phone terribly lol but the z ultra is $50 cheaper, running kitkat and not sony ui, has 16 gb less of storage but still has a micro sd card slot, all the lte bands.. I gotta say that I do love pure android and this thing is waterproof, I might purchase.
What’s a “htc One mega”? Lol
Ok this is exciting, I already have a Z Ultra, but this means I can snag a very functional 4.4 ROM for it. Super pumped for this!
I left Sony for Nexus 4 But with this I might just be temped to go back pity I only got the Nexus 5.