Images of a T-Mobile branded Sony Xperia Z have leaked, and reports confirm that the device is in testing, according to TmoNews. Still, that's no guarantee the phone will ever actually make it to release.
I've managed to 'confirm' via three separate sources that the Xperia Z (Yuga) is being tested. Before you set aside your interest in other upcoming Android launches on T-Mobile, I'll remind that it's only in testing right now and there's absolutely no guarantee the device will ever hit store shelves. This is the same type of scenario we saw with the HTC One X+ image that leaked all the way back in September. As it turns out, T-Mobile had tested the device but ultimately opted against launching the device," TmoNews writes.
The new image is fairly self-evident. The smudged glass back of an Xperia Z bears a small T-Mobile insignia at the bottom. The accompanying image of the front of the phone bears no distinguishing marks, though it's equally smudged.
It's been a long time since T-Mobile has carried a Sony phone, but everything is new at T-Mobile these days. More than likely, the Xperia Z will cost $99.99 upfront with a $20 monthly fee for two years, just like all other phone from T-Mobile. If you end up getting your hands on an unlocked Xperia Z, you can bring it over to T-Mobile sans the $100 and the monthly fee.
The Sony Xperia Z features a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch 1920x1080 pixel display, a 13.1-megapixel camera with 1080p video, 16GB of internal storage and runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, though Sony has promised a quick upgrade to 4.2. It is waterproof down to a meter in depth for up to half an hour.
Check back for the latest information on the Xperia Z as it becomes available.