A New phone in the Xperia lineup has been spotted, and debate has already begun on what type of smartphone it will be and what purpose the device will have.
EVLeaks is the first to post a picture of the new device, called the Xperia Z1S in the tweet. In addition, the phone appears to be set for a 2013 reveal date according to the message. The 2013 could also be for a release date for the device, though this is highly unlikely considering the Xperia Z1 is just a few months into its life cycle and the smartphone is only just getting a wider release in the United States with T-Mobile.
One possible theory for what the Xperia Z1S will be is that the phone is the international version of the recently revealed Xperia Z1f. The Z1f, also referred to as the Z1 Mini, was rumored about heavily before being revealed to be a Japan exclusive device. Changing the name of a product is a fairly common strategy for releasing a smartphone internationally, so it would make sense for Sony to change the name to reflect different markets.
However, one bit of evidence from the leak may spoil the theory that the Xperia Z1s is the international Z1f has come out. The location of the front facing camera in the picture is different from the location of said camera on the Z1f, so this phone may be an entirely different device. Sony may have switched some components around before releasing the Z1f internationally, so until Sony chimes in it is unclear what significance this moved camera will have.
Another theory that has surfaced about this new smartphone deals with the 4G LTE icon at the top of the display. Those who have T-Mobile will recognize the logo, as it is indeed part of the branding for the carrier. This has led some to declare that the Z1S will in fact be the Xperia Z1 customized for the service provider.
Until some specs are leaked so that comparisons can be made with existing Xperia phones, it is hard to gauge what Sony's intend with the Xperia Z1S will be. Most smartphone manufacturers try to get their devices out by November to take advantage of the holiday shopping season, so if Sony does indeed intent for the Xperia X1S to be release in 2013 they will have to make an announcement concerning the smartphone very soon.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
