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

Dec. 17, 2013 12:38 p.m. PT

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Pure, sweet KitKat

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.

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A smudge-prone surface

The glass backing of the Z Ultra makes for a smudge and fingerprint magnet.

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Impressively thin and trim

Despite its massive screen size, the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition is breathtakingly thin.

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Speaker on the bottom

On the bottom edge of the Sony Z Ultra Google Play Edition is a lone speaker.

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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.

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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.

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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.