Following the Sony press conference at CES 2013, the announcement of the Xperia Z, the next question to ask is -- when and where can I get it? Sony is the number 2 Android smartphone OEM in the UK, after Samsung, so we had no doubts that we'd be seeing it receive a British launch. The good news is that the device itself isn't a carrier exclusive.

O2, Vodafone and Three have all released statements of their intent to carry the new 5 inch, 1080p flagship smartphone from Sony. Dates are somewhat lacking, as is any indication of price. But, we do know that O2 will be carrying an exclusive purple version of the Xperia Z, along with the black version we saw yesterday. Vodafone intends to carry the Xperia Z "as soon as it is released in the UK," while Three simply says "in the not too distant future."

High Street retailer Phones4U is a little more accurate with a release date though. In a press release issued by the chain, they announce their intentions to launch the handset on March 1 in store, with pre-registration beginning immediately on their website. That press release can be found after the break.

Update - We've just received word from Clove Technology that they too will be stocking the Xperia Z. They expect to offer it in the same time frame as Phones4U, and currently are taking pre-orders for SIM-free devices. The price is pretty steep at £528, but we'd expect a high price for a device of this stature.

Sources: O2, Vodafone, Three, Clove