Yes! Patience has paid off! The Z1 is coming to a major carrier, T-Mobile, and will be cheaper than the Z1 has been outright anywhere else, $603 outright or $22/month for 24 months ($528) with zero down. All the specs are the same aside from the internal storage going from 16 to 32 GB, and the headset jack is moved to the top.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/527...e-availability
Also announced at CES was the Z1 Compact, a 4.3" version that swaps the screen for a 720p IPS display but is otherwise the same as the Z1. No word on American release.
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/526...014/in/5046387