If something works, lets make it work bigger and better than ever before.

At least, this is the idea that some smartphone manufacturers seem to be embracing. Samsung keeps launching iteration after iteration of the Galaxy S4, HTC is said to be launching a One mini, and now, Sony has joined in with the fun and games.

Sony unveiled the Xperia Z at CES 2013, but smartphone enthusiasts in the US have yet to see the device land state-side.  According to reports, the device is finally set to arrive on these shores soon, possibly in the next few weeks, with T-Mobile being the go-to carrier if you want to get your hands on this water-and-dust-resistant smartphone.

The Xperia Z features a slim body, reflective durable front and back glass, glass fibre polyamide frame, OmniBalance design, weighs 146g, and comes with a 5-inch shatter-proof and scratch resistant tempered glass display. The device will be powered by the Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, and incorporates a TFT capacitive touchscreen, 1080 x 1920 pixels, ~441 ppi pixel density, multitouch, OptiContrast™ panel, and runs Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean.

Digging deeper, we can see that Sony’s device boasts a Qualcomm S4 Pro Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait inside, along with 2GB RAM, a Non-removable Li-Ion 2330 mAh battery, Battery STAMINA mode for longer battery life, Exmor RS rear camera – 13.1 MP, 4128×3096 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, front camera – 2.2 MP, 1080p@30fps, sweep panorama, geo-tagging, touch focus, HDR, and face detection.

Xperia ZR

Just a few months after its CES debut, Sony unveiled a revamped version of the Xperia Z – known as the “Xperia ZR,” which is now a waterproof and dustproof smartphone.  The ZR is IP55 and IP58 compliant which means you can submerge the phone in 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes without doing the device any damage.  The screen size has been reduced to a 4.6” HD Reality display with a 1280×720 resolution, and the devices weighs less too, at just 138g. Other features include a Battery STAMINA Mode to lengthen battery life, a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Quad Core, 13 megapixel fast-capture camera with Exmor RS with 16x digital zoom and autofocus, with the device running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.  The ZR is expected to sell in the second quarter of 2013.

Xperia Z Ultra

While Samsung and HTC are making mini mes, Sony has opted to go bigger.  Leaks have surfaced about a Sony event for July 4 where the company is said to be launching an Xperia “phablet” dubbed as the Xperia Z Ultra.  Rumored features include a whopping 6.44” IPS LCD screen with 1,920 x 1,080p and 342ppi, a Quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded to up to 64GB via a microSD, an 8MP Exmor RS rear camera, and a 1.3MP Exmor R in front.  And no doubt it will come with the same water and dust proof features that have made the original such a popular device with clumsy oafs.

Leaked image courtesy of TrustedReviews.com

A leaked promotional photo shows the side of a thin device and a stylus but some say that the Z Ultra will not be sold with a stylus – nevertheless, it will be able to work with a pen purchased from third-party manufacturers.