Split from Sony, VAIO unveils its own smartphone

VAIO Corporation, which was sold by Sony Corp last year, is venturing into mobile with the launch of its first Android smartphone that will compete with its former parent company's Xperia series.

The-first-VAIO-smartphone-Photo-AFP

VAIO Corporation, which was sold by Sony Corp last year, is venturing into mobile with the launch of its first Android smartphone that will compete with its former parent company's Xperia series.

The VAIO phone, which will hit stores in Japan on March 20 and cost roughly $33 a month for both the hardware and service plan, was revealed Thursday by Japanese operator B-mobile, reports The Verge.

The new mid-range phone has a 5-inch display, a 13-megapixel camera and sports the VAIO logo on both sides.

VAIO already announced last month its first laptops since parting ways with Sony.