Sony Xperia Z3 T-Mobile Variant Passes Through FCC

It was a few weeks ago when we heard about a Sony Xperia Z3 variant with support for T-Mobile’s 700 MHz band 12 LTE. The device was code named D6603 and the information surfaced online after it was spotted in FCC logs. Even though we could have concluded that smartphone is headed to T-Mobile after the first leaks, it’s always good to have further confirmation.

Some new tests with the aforementioned T-Mobile Sony Xperia Z3 have been performed and they are now listed on FCC’s website. The tests are revealing that the smartphone is compatible with 850MHz (3G/4G band 5), to 1900MHz (band 2) and 1700/2100 MHz (band 4), as well as with LTE 700MHz (band 12), 1900MHz (band 2), 1700/2100 MHz (band 4), which is a pretty clear indication that the device is being tested on T-Mobile’s network.

We are glad to see that at least one major US operator will carry the yet-unannounced Sony Xperia Z3, because the current Xperia Z2 is not present in the offerings of any major US carrier. For what it’s worth, it was rumored that Verizon will start selling the Xperia Z2 later this year.

Hardware-wise, the Sony Xperia Z3 is expected to arrive with a 5.1-inch Full HD display, 3 GB of RAM, 16 GB of native storage, and the same 20.7 MP primary camera. While some sources are reporting that Z3 will have the same quad-core Snapdragon 801 as its predecessor, there are some voices saying that Sony will upgrade its processing unit to a quad-core 2.7 GHz Snapdragon 805 SoC.

There’s no doubt that Xperia Z3 will run Android 4.4.4 KitKat out of the box and that it will get updated to Android L later this year or early 2015. Design-wise, the Z3 will be a reminiscent of Sony’s last three flagships, with glass on the front and the back, sharp edges, and elegant lines.

I remind you that the last Sony flagship smartphone, the Z2, was officially unveiled back in February at Mobile World Congress 2014. A Sony representative said on the occasion that the Japan-based phone maker will start releasing two flagship smartphones a year instead of one. It seems that Sony is keeping their word.

Even though we’ve heard some rumors indicating the Xperia Z3 release date has been set for mid-August, the new Sony smartphone might see the light of day on a later date. IFA 2014 would be the perfect occasion. The Berlin-based tech fair will open its gates for the public on September 5th.