Struggling smartphone maker Sony picked up support from US number one operator Verizon Wireless, which is set to offer a version of the vendor’s Z4 smartphone – albeit with a slightly different specification from its other incarnations.

In Verizon guise, the device has picked up a 5.2-inch 2K (2560×1440 pixel) screen, compared with standard HD (1920×1080 pixel) elsewhere. It is also slightly thicker and heavier, with a beefier battery and wireless charging support.

While Sony has showcased Z4 for the Japanese market, elsewhere it is being launched as Z3+, reflecting the fact that the feature set is an incremental improvement over Z3, rather than a step-change.

The device is being offered by Verizon as a US exclusive. The company recently said that as part of an effort to boost its profitability, efforts in this market would be focused on a small number of operators and premium devices, which the latest announcement seems to reflect.

In a statement, Jeff Dietel, VP of marketing for Verizon Wireless, said: “The Sony Xperia Z4v continues a tradition of high-quality smartphones that have the best of entertainment with Sony movies, PlayStation gaming, and in-demand features like a powerful battery, all on the largest and most reliable 4G LTE network in the United States.”

The device will be available “this summer” in white or black – losing some of the colour options available in the international variants. Pricing details were not revealed.