Verizon Sony Xperia Z2 outed on official Google+ page

What have we here? It sure looks like a Sony Xperia Z2 with a big old Verizon logo up top. The image above was published (and since deleted) on the official Sony Xperia Google+ account along with a promotional blurb about the phone. And from what we can see, it's the same Xperia Z2 that's currently available in parts of Europe 5.2-inch display and all.

A word of warning, though just because a Z2 with Verizon branding exists somewhere, doesn't necessarily mean it's a dead cert for release. Remember the ill-fated Verizon HTC Merge, for instance, which never saw the light of day. So far the only official U.S. release plans for the Xperia Z2 involve a GSM unlocked version being sold on Sony's online store.

We've reached out to Sony for comment and we'll update this post with any official response. In the meantime, hit the comments and let us know if you'd buy a Sony Xperia Z2 on Verizon.

Update: The image has now been pulled from Google+. You'll find it preserved for posterity above.

Update 2: We've received a statement on the leak from Sony, which simply reiterates that the Xperia Z2 will be made available unlocked later this year:

"A mock-up image was mistakenly posted to the Sony Mobile Google+ page. The image has since been removed and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused. For our U.S. customers eager to find out more information about the availability of Xperia Z2, we are excited to share that the device will be coming to the U.S. unlocked this summer."

Source: +Sony Xperia, Thanks @CrenshawPete!

Via: Verizon Sony Xperia Z2 outed on official Google+ page