VAIO Announces Phone Biz with Windows 10 Mobile
In what will become a running theme throughout my articles, I am very partial when it comes to anything from the world of Microsoft. As an avid Windows fan, there is a very special place in my heart for the much maligned (I prefer the term “misunderstood”) Windows 10 Mobile operating system. With that being said, you can imagine my excitement when VAIO, my favorite PC maker, announced its first-ever smartphone earlier this week, the VAIO Phone Biz. And yes folks, it is a Windows 10 Mobile beauty.
The VAIO Phone Biz is a mid-range phone with top-tier build quality. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 processor, 3 GB RAM, 16 GB storage (expandable with microSD), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and a 2800 mAh battery. The screen is a 5.5″ Full HD affair, and the Phone Biz features a 13 MP rear camera coupled with a 5 MP front-facing camera. The most compelling feature is its support for Windows 10’s Continuum feature, which allows the Phone Biz to operate like a Windows 10 desktop when connected to a monitor. One interesting thing to note is that the Phone Biz uses a microUSB port instead of USB Type-C. This is interesting because I was under the impression that USB Type-C was necessary for Continuum (Microsoft named Continuum as one of the reasons its Lumia 950 features USB Type-C), but apparently that is not the case.
If you are looking only at the technical specifications, the VAIO Phone Biz falls short of the Microsoft Lumia 950. What sets it apart, however, is its phenomenal design and build quality. As shown above, the Phone Biz’s body is milled from a single block of aluminum, giving it an unparalleled feeling and structural strength. Surprisingly, this solid construction does not compromise the thickness or weight of the device, coming in at just 8.3 mm thick and 167 grams. Adding even more credibility to VAIO’s claims of superb craftsmanship is the fact that the Phone Biz will be produced in Azumino City, Japan – not in China like almost all other smartphones.
The VAIO Phone Biz cements VAIO as the premier 3rd party OEM for Windows devices. Along with its line of exclusive PCs, the Phone Biz will appeal to businesspeople and those who want an alternative to Apple in the luxury computing space. VAIO plans to launch the Phone Biz this April in Japan for ¥50,000 (~$430). While VAIO has said it has no plans to bring the Phone Biz to the United States at this point, we can still dream that maybe one day they will.
