Sony's shockingly large Z Ultra Google Play Edition (pictures)
$649 is certainly a lot to pay even for an unlocked and unsubsidized smartphone. Sony's Z Ultra Google Play Edition does its best to entice you with pure Android 4.4 KitKat, a massive 6.4-inch screen, plus a thin and waterproof chassis.
Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition's main draw is its stock version of Android 4.4 KitKat. Its lovely 6.4-inch full HD LCD screen ain't bad either.
2 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
A smudge-prone surface
The glass backing of the Z Ultra makes for a smudge and fingerprint magnet.
3 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
Impressively thin and trim
Despite its massive screen size, the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition is breathtakingly thin.
4 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
Speaker on the bottom
On the bottom edge of the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition is a lone speaker.
5 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
These ports are protected
Like other phones, the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition's ports have protective flaps to guard against dust and water damage.
6 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
This phone fears no spills
Don't try this with any ordinary smartphone. For water-resistant handsets like the Z Ultra, though, a proper dunking is all in a day's work.
7 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
Tailormade Google insights
The Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition offers access to the pantheon of Google apps and services, including Google Now personalized suggestions and advanced search tools.
8 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
A basic Android camera
Sadly the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition has a very simple camera app.
9 of 9 Sarah Tew/CNET
Chat at your own risk
Be warned, talking on the oversize Z Ultra GPE will likely elicit laughs and certainly a few odd looks.
