VAIO’s rumoured smartphone is now official. What used to be model number JCI VA-10J is now officially known as the VAIO Phone – but don’t hold your breath.
Those hoping the VAIO smartphone might be a worthy alternative to its former parent company Sony’s Xperia line will very likely be disappointed. The VAIO Phone runs on a 32-bit version of Android 5.0 Lollipop whereas its processor is actually 64-bit capable. Running on a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 processor with 2GB RAM, the device also has 16GB of internal storage with microSD support of up to 64GB. It sports a 5-inch 720p HD screen and it measures 7.95mm thick and weighs 130g.
To satisfy the user’s mobile photography needs, the phone packs a 13MP shooter on the back with a 5MP camera on the front for those selfie moments. In terms of connectivity, the phone features the standard Bluetooth 4.0, LTE Category 4 and Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity with no NFC support in sight. To power the VAIO Phone, there is a non-removable 2,500mAh battery under the hood.
The single-SIM device only comes in black and it will be exclusive to Japanese telco, b-mobile. It will be bundled together with unlimited data for 4,000 Yen (about RM121) a month – which may be the only really appealing feature about this whole thing. Additionally, it will also be sold in retail shops for 51,000 Yen (about RM1,550).
Interestingly, Blog of mobile has reported that the VAIO Phone bears a strikingly similar chassis design and hardware specifications as the Panasonic Eluga U2 that was launched in Taiwan. The Eluga U2 is selling for 7,990 Taiwan Dollars (about RM930), which is much cheaper than the VAIO Phone. Could it be that the VAIO Phone might just be an OEM device with the VAIO logo slapped on it?
