By 
The much rumored Sony Yuga and Odin have been a few devices shrouded in mystery. Rumored for a CES 2013 unveiling, we’ve seen the devices pop up in benchmarks and unlike Sony’s previous efforts, the Odin and Yuga are said to come decked to the nines with top of the line, high-end specs.
Up until now, we haven’t actually seen the device pictured in the wild (despite some fan’s attempts at recreating renders of the Odin). Thankfully, the folks at Android Schweiz have gotten their hands on a device they’re calling the Sony C6603, aka the “Yuga.”
Just like the Odin, the Yuga is said to carry a 1080p full HD 5-inch display along with a quad-core S4 processor, 2GB of RAM and 12MP camera, all running on Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean. Yeah, Sony’s not messin’ around anymore. While the device doesn’t feature a removable battery, Sony was nice enough to include micro SD expansion and HDMI mirroring.
Looks-wise, this is a departure from what we’ve seen from Sony in the past. But maybe there’s a reason for that. I’ve long held this theory that when manufacturers submit their top of the line devices for Google’s Nexus program and are rejected, we see ’em pop up later with OEM UI’s slapped on instead of stock Android. Maybe that’s why the glass backing we’re seeing on the Yuga is so similar to Google/LG’s design on the Nexus. Just a hunch.
While I would love to finally get a well spec’d Sony device in my hands, I can’t say I’m a fan of this new glass back panel trend. I didn’t like it on the iPhone 4, and I sure as heck don’t like it now. How are you guys feeling about the Yuga?
[via XperiaBlog]
I’m super excited at the prospect if Sony having a device to compete with the SIII and the OneX. Let’s hope this actually is top of the line.
And yet no one will buy it. Sorry, but Sony lost their crown a long time ago.
Disagree. More sophisticated buyers will look at the individual merits of each phone, and the companies history of providing updates. If the two satisfy that buyer, there is no reason not to purchase. My One X will be due for an upgrade then, so I for one will definitely be following this with interest.
Yet, Apple continues to sell iPhones by the millions……
What does that tell you about the average buyer?
The iPhone is actually a really nice piece of hardware. If I wasnt going to get the N4, I would consider the iPhone
If you have to much money send it to me
It tells you that the average buyer likes to buy really nice phones (the iPhone included).
If it’s a good product they’ll buy it. I’d give them a chance for sure.
because they don’t know that there is more carrier other than at&t.
Specially with that sealed battery crap
Let’s just just revisit this topic 3 months or so after it’s released :)
you’re assuming sony even had a crown to begin with. i don’t think sony’s had a crown in any of the categories it has products in and this has been going on for a long time. not in gaming, not in tvs and definitely not in smartphones.
You must be young. Sony did carry the crown for most things electronic throughout the 80’s as well as the early 90’s.
i do remember those days when sony was #1 in electronics and there pretty much was no one else. no samsung or lg. my comment was in reference to the last 5 or even 10 years. in gaming ps1 and ps2 dominated but the same cannot be said for ps3 or their portable gaming system.
Well, back in those days we did have companies like Panasonic competing with Sony…and then crap like Emerson and Sound Design..haha
Your comment sounded like you were implying that Sony NEVER had the crown. So, I guess we agree then.
My last Sony phone was a S710A :0
btw this phone is announced at ces 2013 and available to buy, it’ll be old again. whlie i agree sony’s up their smartphone game compared to before, they still have a long way to go to match the competition on timing. being this late in the game, the phone should at least include android 4.1.
Being that this is Sony they will wait forever and release it once something like this is just normal or not considered high end anymore. Examples: Xperia X10, Xperia Play, Xperia S, Xperia T
Hopefully, that will not be the case now that Sony bought out Ericsson.
This is the new Sony (sans the Ericsson). They’re stepping their game up.
If that is the case where is the xperia v? Latest news is france is delaying it which probably means it will be delayed everywhere. Trust me I’m a Sony whore with all kinds of bravias and vaios in my stable but their mobile department needs some work on their production line. I’m sick of their delays.
The V and all the current phones many only say Sony on the outside but they are still using Ericsson roots.
You sir are correct
Full HD? …
Sorry my HD2, you’re definitly outdated.
Wait- HD2? From 3 years ago? O_o
Ooooooo, pretty pretty
The battery capacity will be an important factor if these devices can compete for the top spot in sales.
With a 5 inch screen there should be plenty of space back there. Look at the Note 2. Hopefully they follow suit.
I’ll be good with the nexus 4
Glass back…. I shiggy diggy….
Well, if this device is for real, and if I’ll be able to flash an AOSP rom onto it, then I’d get one without hesitation!
Sony is awesome about supporting the Android modding community. :)
Yup yup…all the more reason to salivate at the prospect of this device!
The aspect ratio on that first picture looks wider than 16:9… anyone else see that?
Lookin good…..
Can’t wait till March when my upgrade is up… To many choices but the note 2 still tops my list
Nexus 5 plz.
That would be a dream come true!!
THIS IS VERY NICE PHONE BUT STILL GETING THE NOTE2.
If, if, if they release it in a somewhat timely manner, and if these specs hold true, then I will buy this phone. I have been begging Sony to come out with a true beast…this could be it.
Now if it’s not gettable until May our something like that, not so much.
Not a fan of the glass back, but not a deal breaker to me. This phone looks awesome, so long as it has a decent battery. Only downside is it probably won’t come to the states, and even if it did, verizon is getting the Droid DNA by HTC instead, but the DNA is looking like it won’t have a micro sd card slot. This phone does.
I think it looks like a sweet phone, though it would probably need a Nexus backing for me to leave my current G-Nex. 4G or bust.
What is with these completely square flat black devices? Yuck! LG & Sony lately have some of the WORST looking devices ever. I would take a palm pilot over what they are offering. Do they need designers to help them develop new ideas? I could design something better on a napkin in a bar. They need to start looking at the phone internals and figuring out placement of parts in order to develop a better looking device.
they might look bland in pictures but i haven’t heard anything but praises for the build quality fit and finish of the LG phone
Same can be said for the iPhone if you talk to the right people…
Looks pretty damn good to me. Great specs, ext storage, very good build quality and it’s a damn good looking phone. The only issue I ever had with Sony was they always had very good hardware but stuck a 2 yr old OS in the phone and never upgraded. Maybe this is a new look and team. If the device is developer friendly with killer specs it should do great. Any device that is launched with KILLER specs and the LATEST software will sell.
Sony was REALLY good about updating their entire 2011 lineup to Ice Cream Sandwich. They were one of the first OEM’s to jump on it.
Yes I do believe that they learned from their old mistake.
Wow Sony is now in the game
Big. square. glass on the back. don’t want
Calling it: Revealed at CES. Then we don’t see it until August.
This > HTC DNA
except that the DNA should be available much sooner than this phone.
Hmm… Will still be buying the Nexus 4 on the 13th of November… Just means my wife may get a freebie Nexus 4 when I upgrade to this… I am a sucker for the latest tech.
Don’t really care much about the glass on the back man
Im in the market for a new phone after my Nexus S is becoming outdated and outpowered ..I owned a Sony device 11 years back and it was a great looking device that was distinguished from the sea of stupid Nokia phones. I love the looks of this device and im sure the camera will be awesome, yet im eager to know how the battery life will be like in this good looking beast ?? The other thing that kept me away from Sony devices is the heavy UI render of Sony on Android, the glass on the back is very very disappointing two. … But I think I will keep it on my wish list.
Dear sony, Please make front camera and batterry capacity more than SS galaxy
I hope Apple patented the glass back, so everyone stops making these stupid glass covered backplates. Rubberized material is astronomically more practical and convenient.
It’s hard for us Americans to get excited for all these Sony devices when most of them don’t even launch here. I think AT&T is the only carrier that gives them any love =/
Good looking phone.
BEAST!!
LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL may be i should hold out on my upgrade till CES cause by then JELLY BEAN PHONES BUT DAMN LOOK AT THAT SCREEN!! PLUS SD CARD!!