Bemusing Sony Xperia 1 IV release date for US market published alongside price, color options, and bundle details

While many leaks concerning the Sony Xperia 1 IV seemed to wildly miss the mark, especially those concerning its camera equipment (12 MP sensors return despite 48 MP claims) and its actual name, those tipsters who predicted a high price for an Xperia 1 III lookalike were spot on. Sony’s US product page for the Xperia 1 IV shows a price tag of US$1,599.99 with a choice of either the typical black color option or a somewhat snazzy violet color scheme for the money. Configuration options are restricted to color; the Xperia 1 IV offers 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for US users.

In addition, those making a pre-order for the Sony Xperia 1 IV between May 11 and August 28 will “save US$280” on the WF-1000XM4 headphones. As the truly wireless earbuds, which offer noise canceling, actually cost US$279.99 on the site, this means they are basically free as part of the usual bundle deal that Sony produces when a new Xperia 1 smartphone is presented. Buyers will also be awarded points (280 for the WF-1000XM4 buds and 1,600 for the Xperia 1 IV) if they are part of the Sony Rewards Program. That’s enough for US$10 to spend at Amazon, Starbucks, or the PlayStation Store, with some change.

The specifications for the Sony Xperia 1 IV certainly make it a desirable purchase, but potential buyers will have to decide for themselves if it’s worth the wait: The advertised release date for the US is September 1. Over three-and-a-half months is quite a long time to hang around in the cutthroat smartphone game, and it might be a wise decision to wait until sometime in August before pulling the trigger on a purchase. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus SoC is expected to appear soon, which will surely attract the attention of smartphone fans who want the fastest device on the market, leaving Sony’s Xperia 1 release schedule as befuddling as ever.

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