Sony Looks to Rebound with New Budget Smartphone

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(Image Source: Phone Dog)

BY NICHOLE CARTMELL

ANCHOR NEVILLE MILLER

Sony is coming back to the smartphone market with the release of the Sony Xperia Ion. GigaOM reports you can get one for less than $100, and targeting the budget-conscious consumer might work in Sony?s favor.

?The device isn?t exactly Sony?s flagship phone, but the imaging and NFC features ? as well as its low price ? might make it attractive to U.S. audience. The inclusion of LTE is also key, showing Sony is specifically optimizing its devices for U.S. networks...?

But Sony?s history doesn?t suggest the new phone will have much success, especially after its failed attempt with the Xperia Play last year. An editor for CNET says the Xperia line has been on the market for the last four years but has yet make an impact in the U.S..

?...there are a few haves (Apple and Samsung...) and many more have-nots (everyone else). With the entrenched players shoring up their positions in the U.S., it?s doubly tough for new or returning entrants to get back into the game.?

But for those looking to combine wireless devices with a high-quality camera this could be the phone for you. A reporter for Pocketnowvideo exclaims at the amazing speed of the phone?s 12-megapixel rear camera.

?One of the neatest features about this is the quick capture feature in the camera... In less than a second, it?s actually 1.2 seconds between shots. So I can actually take it, take it, take it. ?Wow.??

There is no doubt, Sony is looking for a turnaround. Canada?s CBC News says currently Xperia is not a household name and this might be because of decisions Sony has made in the past.

?In its history Sony has actually not invented things but refined things that others have invented, for example, it?s Playstation, VCR, CD, DVD presences have all been invented by others.?

The Xperia Ion will hit stores June 24 as AT&T?s first 4G LTE smartphone.

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