Skip to main content

Sony trolls U.S. with Verizon-branded Sony Xperia Z2 in Google+ leak (updated)

verizon branded sony xperia z2 revealed google leak xperiaz2

Updated on 05-01-2014 by Williams Pelegrin: Added in Sony’s statement on the matter. Looks like it won’t happen, folks.

About a week ago, Sony told TechCrunch that the waterproof Xperia Z2 will not be available through carriers in the United States, which means that if you were planning on getting the smartphone with a contract, you’re out of luck. The only way to get the smartphone in the U.S. will be through the company’s online store. Unlocked versions of the device will be available by this summer.

Sony has a history of launching products too late, with models coming out just when competing brands have better options available. There are also rumors that component shortages may delay the device by up to seven months, which makes getting your hands on the device more complicated than necessary.

After making the announcement, a curious development on the U.S. carrier front has transpired. A photo of the Xperia Z2 bearing the Verizon logo (which you can find at the top of this post) has turned up on Sony’s Google+ page. The image has since been removed, which makes it all the more intriguing.

All the more intriguing was Sony’s response to the post. Reaching out to Pocketnow, Sony said the image, which was a mock-up, was mistakingly posted, with the company reiterating that it will sell the Xperia Z2 unlocked this summer. Sony’s statement doesn’t deny that the Zperia Z2 will make its way to Verizon, nor did it say the image was mistakingly created.

The majority of reviews online have been positive for the Xperia Z2. The device has a 5.2-inch 1080p display, 2.3GHz Snapdragon 801 processor and a 20.7 megapixel Exmor camera. The specs are impressive enough, and some have declared that the Xperia X2 is a worthy contender to other flagship smartphones running Android.

Just because there’s a Verizon-branded Xperia Z2 somewhere doesn’t mean that a launch is imminent. Nonetheless, this revives hope that Sony has come to its senses and has decided to hook up with a carrier in the U.S. We want our Z2.

Christian Brazil Bautista
Christian Brazil Bautista is an experienced journalist who has been writing about technology and music for the past decade…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more