Sony is now offering the unlocked GSM version of its Android-powered Xperia Acro S smartphone, according to a press release issued this afternoon. Priced at $599.99, the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich handset features a number of decent specifications, including a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, a 4.3-inch scratch-resistant HD Reality Display, and a 12.1-megapixel camera. Additional details for the Xperia Acro S include 1GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, NFC, HDMI, and MHL support.
The Xperia Acro S is but the latest unlocked Android device from a Sony that seems wary of getting cozy with U.S. providers. Since the release of its first Android, the Xperia X10, there have been very few Sony models released with carrier subsidy or contract.
I’m having trouble deciding if the company is simply ahead of the curve and one of the first hardware makers to understand that consumers don’t love two-year agreements. Or perhaps it’s not a deliberate move on Sony’s part at all. It’s hard to say for certain. My gut tells me though that this is a company that has yet to figure out a workable U.S. strategy.