Formerly Sony-owned VAIO has officially launched its very first smartphone, introducing the aptly named VAIO Phone set to hit retail later this month.
VAIO has long been rumored to make an entry on the smartphone market, and the moment has now arrived. After plenty of rumors, leaks, and speculation, the VAIO Phone is now official, but it doesn't boast the high-end bells and whistles some were hoping to see.
In fact, those looking for a top-notch smartphone will likely remain utterly unimpressed by this smartphone, but the VAIO Phone aims to compete in the affordable segment of the smartphone market. The specs fall in line with previous reports hinting at a mid-range handset.
There's not much to see in terms of design, as the VAIO Phone looks like many other smartphones we've seen so far. It sports a glossy plastic back, rounded corners, and curved sides, going for a "simple and stylish look," according to VAIO.
When it comes to specifications, the new VAIO Phone sports a 5-inch display with an HD resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and packs a 1.2GHz processor under the hood, paired with 2GB of RAM. The smartphone further features a 13-megapixel rear camera, and will ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop on board out of the box.
VAIO has teamed up with B-Mobile, one of Japan's smaller carriers, for the launch of its first smartphone, and the VAIO Phone is set to hit commercial availability later this month, on March 20.
The handset will reportedly be available for 4,000 yen (roughly $33) per month, which will also entail unlimited data. Interested customers in Japan will also be able to purchase the VAIO Phone outright for 51,000 yen (about $420).
VAIO has not offered any details yet regarding the smartphone's availability in other regions, if it will ever sell outside of Japan.
It remains to be seen whether the VAIO Phone will make it in an increasingly competitive smartphone market, but it looks pretty good for a first attempt. It may not pack impressive specs and features or boast a top-notch design, but it should nonetheless deliver a good performance for those looking for a decent handset without burning a hole through their wallet. On the other hand, $420 outright is not that cheap either. For more information about the device, head over to the product page at this link.
