Sony has conceded the US market to its competitors

[bollywood69]

Unless they somehow release an XZ on steroids to the US...

But with next to no marketing, nor word about the US market, I think Sony has missed their chance at grabbing the attention of its US consumers w/ their flagship before Samsung and HTC comes in. Sure, people like you and I who follow this sort of stuff know to expect the XZ, but that's hardly a fraction of US smartphone consumers.

When the XZ does (or doesn't) get released to the US, I think consumers will be confused. Sony will be releasing their flagship device partly on last generation's hardware. And that is not going to sit well with the average consumer, where the average consumer will understand waterproof and glance at the spec sheet.

I know the US doesn't represent the world, but without doubt they are one of the biggest markets, and surely Sony has done themselves in with the XZ.

 

[Dsteppa]

Unless they somehow release an XZ on steroids to the US...

But with next to no marketing, nor word about the US market, I think Sony has missed their chance at grabbing the attention of its US consumers w/ their flagship before Samsung and HTC comes in. Sure, people like you and I who follow this sort of stuff know to expect the XZ, but that's hardly a fraction of US smartphone consumers.

When the XZ does (or doesn't) get released to the US, I think consumers will be confused. Sony will be releasing their flagship device partly on last generation's hardware. And that is not going to sit well with the average consumer, where the average consumer will understand waterproof and glance at the spec sheet.

I know the US doesn't represent the world, but without doubt they are one of the biggest markets, and surely Sony has done themselves in with the XZ.

Yup you're right, it's weird, why wouldn't they release it in the states? Releasing it with upgraded specs would also be a bad thing, what would the rest of the world think then?
Maybe the phone didn't pass FCC regulations or something, I've got no clue (Nor really care since I'm not in the states.)

 

[binku]

My The phone has a FCC ID number. Do doesn't it mean they have passed?

Sent from my C6603 using xda premium

 

[bollywood69]

Interestingly, there is an NDTV article just released that reports 4.6 million potential XZ sales. So maybe I'm wrong and they do know what they're doing =D

Although, it remains to be seen how it will fair against the One and GS4 which will hit the world market soon.

 

[mgroover]

I just got back from Las Vegas and a TON of people were asking me what phone I had. So if they don't release it in the states they're idiots

I did shock quite a few by dropping it in the pool at the MMS2013 ending party

 

[Tom Fagerland]

"At the farmers market with my so-called girlfriend.
She hands me her cell phone. Says it's my dad.
Man, this ain't my dad - this is a cell phone!

I threw it on the ground!"

 

[realpg]

I just got back from Las Vegas and a TON of people were asking me what phone I had. So if they don't release it in the states they're idiots

I did shock quite a few by dropping it in the pool at the MMS2013 ending party

so cool

 

[E90 Commie]

The problem with the US market is that the carriers mess with the devices. In a normal market, Sony can take the Xperia Z and release it through independent retailers and also let carriers sell it without altering the device (other than very light branding in some cases).

To me, it is fully understandable that Sony don't want to mess with one Xperia ZV for Verizon, an Xperia ZS for Sprint and finally Xperia ZL for AT&T and T-Mobile. It means three different versions of what is supposedly to be the same product.

Each version requires extra testing, FCC certification and is crippled by the carriers - each update has to go through them and people would complain about "Sony is not updating" et al.

It makes more sense to sell the Xperia Z in developed markets, i.e. markets where a C6602 or C6602 is ALWAYS the same. Europe is one example and with the big middle class in India, that is another example of a better market from their perspective.

It makes more sense for Sony to bring the Xperia to the US through themselves, in unlocked editions and then sell them together with prepaid cards and perhaps offer some kind of installment plan for paying off the device. Making THREE different versions of the device just in order to get it on US carriers is just not worth it.

Educated consumers in the US knows better than signing away $2699 ($299 + $100 x 24) - they buy their Xperia directly from Sony and pays $30-50 per month. Sony should aim for those consumers and profile themselves as a highend brand rather than going for those low class, ugly and crippled carrier branded devices with tons of bloatware that Joe Public craves for.

A Sony should be a pure Sony. Not a Sony AT&T, Sony Sprint, Sony Verizon or Sony T-Mobile. The latter could be an option for selling the devices provided that they can be unbranded and unlocked, without any T-Mobile logotype or bloatware in place.

The T-Mobile UnCarrier move would be a perfect fit for Sony but only if they can sell unmolested products. The other three carriers is not a good option because of the terrible mess they offer with branding etc.

The Sony brand should be kept clean. A Sony should always be a Sony, a pure experience like the Nexus.

 

[Entropy512]

The main problem is that while Sony does have devices with proper band support for AT&T and T-Mobile, they aren't selling them.

Seriously, I can't figure out why the C6602 is not available for purchase in this country. Releasing just the ZL is a huge mistake IMO - the Z has its water/dustproofing as a MASSIVE differentiator. The ZL is really "just another 5" 1080p phone" to most people. Yes, it has more polished software than any other device on the market - but consumers are so used to carrier mangling they won't see that.

 

[Akiainavas]

Sony probably doesn't want Xperia Z with Verizon logo printed on the most awkward place possible... but seriously, blame your carriers - if your market needs to modify each and every device and require manufacturers to prepare a special edition just for you with ridiculous requirements as to what has to be modified - it'll be like that all the time. They even seem to be reluctant to allow T-Mobile version of Xperia Z, and I can't blame them for that. It's meant to be "the best of Sony", not the best of AT&T Sony, or Sprint Sony.

 

[Entropy512]

Sony probably doesn't want Xperia Z with Verizon logo printed on the most awkward place possible... but seriously, blame your carriers - if your market needs to modify each and every device and require manufacturers to prepare a special edition just for you with ridiculous requirements as to what has to be modified - it'll be like that all the time. They even seem to be reluctant to allow T-Mobile version of Xperia Z, and I can't blame them for that. It's meant to be "the best of Sony", not the best of AT&T Sony, or Sprint Sony.

Thing is, they aren't even offering the C6602 in unlocked form.

The Nexus 4 proves that you can sell in the US without carriers in the loop if you have pentaband HSPA+. The C6602 has pentaband HSPA+ - it'll work great on both T-Mobile and AT&T with ZERO changes. All they need to do is actually put it up for sale!

 

[Gitaroo]

n4 king of sales numbers are not even worth the effort probably, z is in high demand and shortages in many countries right now, best to allocate all the stocks at hand to those markets that actually want it bad.

 

[E90 Commie]

There are two retailers that carries the Xperia Z C6602: At GSM in Bowery Street and Mobile City Online in Walker Street.

I bought my C6602 at At GSM.

It would be nice to have it in the Sony Center too but even if they would sell it, I don't think there would be many retailers with it. Perhaps J&R. Otherwise, most of the mobile phone stores are carrier affiliated and therefore out of the question for anything unlocked and standardized.

I would like more manufacturers take a hard stance against the carriers in the US. Their modifications and branding dilutes the original brand of the device while most consumers blame the manufacturer rather than the carrier when there's no updates or delays.

Even if Sony should bring the C6602 in to the Sony Center, I stand behind their decision fully. Their brand represents quality and class and should provide a controlled experience - i.e. 100% Sony. Not 50% Sony and 50% [insert carrier of choice].

Another important thing is that beside modifications and branding, the marketing etc are put into the hands of the carriers. The manufacturer is pretty much out of the loop and that mean that the gains of getting a device out on a carrier could be a loss when everything comes around.

It is also worth to mention that the US market is such a terrible mess that a more standardized market like Europa or India etc simply makes more sense since they can receive a standard model (C6602 or C6603) that doesn't require extra testing etc.

You can supply the whole EU with C6603 while the US market would require a minimum of 3 different models (if AT&T and T-Mobile gets the same version) - if it would go to local carriers like US Cellulars it results in even more models. If the device sells 6 million divided between those different versions, then the problem is very obvious.

If we are kind and say that total sales is 6 million divided on AT&T 2 M, Verizon 2 M and 1 M each for Sprint and T-Mobile, the question is if it is worth the trouble. Especially since all those devices are different models even if it is supposedly the "same product" in the sales literature.

Personally, I would not release a product under those circumstances when I can go to the EU market and sell it in all countries with very slight alterations (translating some manuals and warranty papers).

It is also worth to mention that the risk for badwill is high if the carriers decides to withdraw further update support even if the manufacturer provides new updates. Since people will complain about Sony if a Verizon Xperia ZV doesn't receive updates, the problem is obvious.

 

[kalo88]

I've never understood why Sprint/AT&T feel the need to plaster their crap over devices... NO ONE wants it.

At least here in the UK it's a bit more toned down.

 

[masnex]

They are, newegg and amazon have them on sale already. And it's the 6602 with sony us warranty.

Thing is, they aren't even offering the C6602 in unlocked form.

The Nexus 4 proves that you can sell in the US without carriers in the loop if you have pentaband HSPA+. The C6602 has pentaband HSPA+ - it'll work great on both T-Mobile and AT&T with ZERO changes. All they need to do is actually put it up for sale!

 

[ryude]

I just bought a ZL from newegg today, C6506. But they also had the Z in C6602 form (the LTE model is "coming soon").

 

[G1_enthusiast]

OMG I BOUGHT MINE ON EBAY FROM HK FOR 591 i hope its unlock!!!!

 

[bollywood69]

None of these responses really make any sense...

Sony is operating their mobile division at a loss. They want to compete with the big 2 (Samsung and Apple) in releasing a product, the XZ, that is in line w/ the Galaxy S line and iPhone. But because it is too difficult, they will sacrifice one of the largest target markets in the world?

Again, I'm not arguing that the US is the center of the world, but we remain a HUGE share of consumers for high end smartphones. And it isn't just the US, I just happened to choose it as one example. Quite frankly, what makes the Galaxy S line and iPhone such a success is that it can reach so many markets. And I think HTC realizes this, albeit quite late in the race. HTC finally released a 'world' phone in that its One reaches the masses in one config or another. No longer are they marketing the Droid, One X, DNA, etc. as their marquee phones.

This seems to be a misstep of Sony's. And with all the positive reviews coming in for the One and GS4, it looks like it's time to write off the XZ.

 

[pandaball]

I wouldn't write off the Z so quickly. Other than the slightly slower processor, everything else is still more or less on par, some things slightly more so (waterproofing was what sold it for me, excellent developer support is another. Really, which other manufacturer makes AOSP builds for their phones?)

 

[sapinder]

US carriers are mess with the devices, which are not unlockable in india..