Sony’s best Android phone is now an AT&T exclusive

Today AT&T announced they would be the exclusive US carrier of the Sony Xperia TL. This is the same device known at the Xperia T overseas, but the Xperia TL is optimized to run on AT&T’s 4G LTE network. No pricing or availability were revealed, but those details should be coming soon.

The Xperia TL is Sony’s flagship device and it features their best mobile camera technology, best display, and it’s Playstation certified. We haven’t spent any hands-on time with the Xperia TL yet, but we expect a similar overall experience as the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III.

Highlights of the device include:

Android 4.0.4 (upgradedable to Android 4.1)
4.6-inch HD display (1280 x 720), powered by the Mobile BRAVIA Engine
13-megapixel primary camera, full 1080p HD video recording
1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Plus
16 GB storage, 1 GB RAM
MHL, NFC, Bluetooth 3.1, microSD slot
1850 mAh Li-Ion battery
Playstation Certified

Overall it looks like a quality high-end device from Sony and we are excited to take it for a spin. The unlocked version is not available for sale in the US, but we will be keeping an eye out for it and let you know when it lands.

Source: AT&T

43 ben steel 10/01/12 1:40 PM

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1850 mAh…unless that Bravia engine is super efficient…you’ll still need 20 percent more…let’s say 2100 from now on…on all top end Android devices….

MORE POWER…you with me…?

84 Dr.Carpy 10/01/12 1:50 PM

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Hopefully a device like this is what Sony will launch if they do in fact make a Nexus branded device. Bigger battery would be nice, but let’s also get bigger internal storage @ 32gb. C’mon Sony, you need a game changer soon, or you’ll be Rim and Nokia.

92 aranea 10/01/12 2:53 PM

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Exactly what I was thinking reading this article.

jonathanGuest 10/01/12 5:27 PM

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Just like RIM, from my consumer perspective it seems like Sony keeps doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Late-to-market with a nice chipset *right* before the next fancy tech SoC comes along is Sony’s M.O. in the flagship game.

“… we expect a similar overall experience as the HTC One X and Samsung Galaxy S III.”

Agreed. How did Sony differentiate this with AT&T’s existing heavyweights, GS3/One X/ and arguably the Atrix HD? For non-nerds, the GS3 is the most talked about and most recognized (and like it or hate it, I think the color on those saturated displays really grab the eye), so in general I see that one being the choice of most people who walk into a store and browse. Unless the price undercuts the One X and Atrix (which it won’t), I have no idea who the market is for this phone.

It’s probably a fine phone, but Sony should have just passed this round, the S4 720p android slab phone is already a pretty competitive environment on at&t and significant upgrades / Nexus device(s) are not far behind.

And I *want* to see Sony shake things up, because I like their hardware and their software is OK, but this is literally like the fourth time they released some flagship-ish device with an underwhelming/average spec sheet. I personally loved the Xperia play idea, but I was not going to buy a game-oriented phone with an adreno 205. If they just released that again, used something like an S4 w/adreno 320, bigger battery, and slightly better display, I think they may see some success. Either that, or go after the free-on-contract market with good looking devices, average specs, and the Sony brand.

tl;dr – I think it looks like a pretty decent One X competitor. Considering the One X is nearly half a year old, that’s not a good thing.

93 Alexander drzfr3shboialex 10/01/12 2:09 PM

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I’ll take that HTC or Lg nexus, although Sony is awesome. I wanted a Sony nexus but the other nexus rumored specs are more compelling, Sony will not outshine their flagship with a nexus.

98 jamal adam 10/01/12 2:09 PM

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This became irrelevant as soon as I read “Att exclusive.”

kitpogiGuest 10/01/12 5:07 PM

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I agree. Although, you can purchase it unlocked and will work on T-mobile’s 3G/4G network fine. But then again, Nexus devices will be announced soon, HTC, … I can’t wait.

1 shaw 10/01/12 2:09 PM

Let’s hope Sony will make the next Nexus smartphone…

98 jamal adam 10/01/12 2:10 PM

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meant to write AT&T

78 MoSDeeb 10/01/12 2:32 PM

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Really not a fan of this exclusivity ish. if only carriers were out of the equation.. one day.

98 jamal adam 10/01/12 5:10 PM

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I can’t wait for that day to come. I shall rejoice when it happens.

96 Homncruse 10/02/12 1:43 PM

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If everyone made a mass exodus to prepaid plans and bought their phones off-contract, the carriers would *have* to change to adapt. Sadly, that day unlikely to ever happen.

98 Nathan D. 10/01/12 3:37 PM

Mighty fine phone att has there.

70 orangestrat 10/01/12 6:31 PM

It looks very gadget-y. If this comes to Bell, and LG makes the next nexus, this might be my next

64 BigCiX 10/01/12 7:07 PM

13 mp camera. My One X is jealous.

ScotterGuest 10/01/12 10:54 PM

Is that resolution correct? 1080×720 sounds off…

ScotterGuest 10/01/12 10:55 PM

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I think the resolution is actually 1280×720.

95 thekaz 10/02/12 8:56 AM

I was kinda hoping to see this on Verizon.. well, I guess narrowing the field for the next phone will only help make the decision (a bit) easier. ;)

50 h0ruza 10/03/12 7:04 AM

The Sony phone have a good look to them. I’m very interested to see how well this bad boy does in the states.

Gay GentryGuest 12/05/12 10:22 PM

HELP…Can someone tell me if the Sony ST21A2 Unlocked Android Phone is AT&T compatable?

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