The world's slimmest waterproof full HD smartphone is here

MANILA, Philippines – Slim at 6.5mm, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra also happens to have the largest full HD (1920x1080) display in any smartphone today at 6.4”.

Officially launched by Sony Philippines recently, the ZUltra as I’ve come to call it, is already available at an SRP of P31,790 for the HSPA+ version. Those who buy until September 30 get a free Muvit Slim Folio case. Or you can wait for the LTE version that will be available by October.

It features Sony’s Triluminos Display for mobile, which, in plain English utilize quantum dots that in even more plain English are nanoparticles that emit light. This gives the ZUltra a display that is brighter and deeper in contrast.

With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor 2.2 GHz quad-core underneath, it has the right to call itself one of the most powerful smartphones today.

But tech specs aside, the ZUltra really makes a statement with its size. It is larger than the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and is as big as the iPad Mini’s display area.

During the launch, Sony Philippines also unveiled accessories that really do make sense when partnered with the ZUltra. There is the SBH52 Smart Bluetooth Handset that has an OLED display, which allows you to see text messages and who’s calling you. This is practical if you don’t feel like putting a huge phone to the side of your face when making calls. You can keep the ZUltra in your bag or in your coat pocket. It has one-touch NFC connectivity, meaning you can just touch the SBH52 to the ZUltra and the two are instantly paired. By the way, you can also use it to listen to music that’s on your ZUltra or to the built-in standalone FM radio.

There is also the Magnetic Charging Dock DK30 that lets you charge the ZUltra while watching movies on its Triluminos screen.

The ZUltra is of course waterproof and dust-resistant with ratings of IP55/IP58. It can be submerged in water up to 5 feet in 30 minutes. You can shoot photos and record videos underwater with its 8MP camera.

Perhaps one of the cooler features of this phone is its ability to recognize pen and pencil (capacitive stylus or metal pen with tip diameter over 1mm). It doesn’t come with a stylus but who needs that when you can just get any old Bic ballpen or Mongol pencil to write down your bright ideas on the ZUltra’s screen? And you can even do that while answering a call, perhaps if you need to jot down important numbers and the phone is on speaker mode.

The ZUltra is big and handling may be an issue for those with small hands. But it could also very well be a fun companion during long trips (you can utilize its Battery Stamina Mode feature to ensure that), pool parties, or use it for what it is, a powerful and mobile device that can practically do it all.