Sony inadvertently confirms Xperia Z2 for Verizon
A press photo posted on its Google+ page tips Sony's hand for the recently announced flagship smartphone.
Verizon could be the carrier of choice for Sony's new flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z2 . The source for this bit of information? Why, that would be the hardware maker itself.
A photo posted (and since pulled) on its Google+ page shows the sleek new handset basking in the sun. Close inspection reveals Verizon's logo emblazoned above the speaker.
A Sony representative later denied that the Xperia Z2 was heading to Verizon, claiming that it was a "mock-up image" mistakenly posted to the social networking site. The company said that it would only come out as an unlocked phone in the US this summer.
"The image has since been removed and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused," a Sony spokeswoman said in a statement.
Should the device come to Big Red, Verizon will have quite the performance monster on its hands.
The Z2, announced at Mobile World Congress this past February, features a 5.2-inch Triluminos display, an impressive 20.7-megapixel camera, and the latest in hardware. Specifications include Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 processor at 2.3GHz, 3GB RAM, and a 3,200mAh battery. And let's not forget that this beauty is also resistant to water and dust.
It's unclear whether Verizon would carry the Xperia Z2 as an exclusive release in the US or if Sony wants to cast a wider net across carriers for 2014. The current flagship device, the Xperia Z1S , is only offered in the United States through T-Mobile. Sony typically shies away from the US market and often opts to sell its phones unlocked in a direct-to-consumer manner.
CNET reached out to Verizon for confirmation, but it wasn't available for comment. We will update the post with any additional comments.
Updated at 4:21 a.m. PT on Friday, May 2: To include a response from Sony, which denied a Verizon version of the phone was heading to the market.