Spec Wars: Sony Xperia Z Vs Samsung Galaxy S III
Does the Xperia Z have what it takes
to stop the Galaxy S III?
The Galaxy S III is the biggest-selling
Android smartphone ever, with more than 40 million units being shipped
worldwide since its launch last summer, contributing to the more than 100
million Galaxy devices sold in total. Sony’s Xperia Z is arguably the most
powerful mobile device ever launched, with a superfast processor, quality
next-gen camera and ultra-high resolution display, and as a premium phone from
one of the world’s largest tech companies, it is being pitched as the ultimate
Galaxy killer. But does it have what it takes to halt the Galaxy juggernaut? We
take a look at the specs and our hands-on tests to find out.
Sony
Xperia Z Vs Samsung Galaxy S III
Sony Xperia
Design and build: draw
Sony’s device is minimalist in design and
rather angular in shape, giving the impression that the phone is larger than it
is. It is also weightier than the S III, although it does still slip into a
pocket comfortably. For added value the phone is well protected against the
weather.
Xperia
Z
Power and performance: win
Powered by the quad-core Krait processor,
the Xperia Z really flies. Even with non-final firmware the power of the CPU
shows itself, and coupled with a skin that feels far lighter than Samsung’s
TouchWiz we’d expect few issues with the responsiveness of this device.
Features: draw
The Xperia Z is mostly built around the
hardware specs – the 1080p display in particular is stunning. All the basics
are here, including NFC and HDMI-out capability, but so much of the added
extras are designed to get you buying into the Sony ecosystem, whether you want
to or not.
Ecosystem and extras: lose
Lots of Sony apps and services are on
board, so if you’re a Sony fan you’ll be in your element, especially being able
to use the device as a remote control for your other Sony kit. If you’re
manufacturer agnostic, you may find less value in the extras that are on offer.
Hack ability: lose
Time will tell how popular the Xperia Z is
in the Android hacking community. Sony does offer support through its official
boot loader unlocking tool, but past experience shows that Sony’s handsets
struggle to capture the imagination of the hacking crowd.
Key specs
·
OS version: Android 4.1.2
·
Processor speed: Quad-core 1.5GHz
·
Graphics: Adreno 320
·
RAM: 2GB
·
Camera: 13 megapixels
·
Weight: 146g
·
Screen resolution: 1080x1920
·
Screen pixel density: 441ppi
·
Battery: 2330mAh non-removable
Samsung Galaxy S III
Design and build: draw
A far curvier design than the Xperia Z may
not be quite as refined or classy but it feels great in the hand. The tapered
edges emphasize the phone’s slimness so the device feels less large than you
might expect. The plastic casing does not have the most premium feel, however.
Samsung
Galaxy S III
Power and performance: lose
The S III was one of the trailblazing
quad-core phones and still offers superior performance. But it’s limited in RAM
– 1GB where the noticeable difference lies. It has always been the S III’s
major weakness, especially where the bloated TouchWiz skin is concerned.
Features: draw
The S III has all the bases covered, albeit
in sometimes obscure ways – the MHL port for HDMI-out functionality is
proprietary, for example. The camera is excellent and a much
larger-than-average battery ensures the phone will keep running throughout the
day and sometimes more.
Ecosystem and extras: win
Samsung doesn’t miss the chance to
encourage you to use the S III as a hub for your Samsung gear, but in a more
subtle way than Sony. While Samsung does replace virtually all the stock
Android apps with its own S-branded alternatives, some of the tweaks do add
real value.
Hack ability: win
The Galaxy S III currently ranks among the
most popular devices for hacks, tweaks and ROMs, so you can customize the
device to your heart’s content. With such a large user base we’d expect it to
remain relevant for some time, just as the S II continues to be a well-used
handset.
Key specs
·
OS version: Android 4.1.2
·
Processor speed: Quad-core 1.4GHz
·
Graphics: Mali-400MP
·
RAM: 1GB
·
Camera: 8 megapixels
·
Weight: 133g
·
Screen resolution: 720x1280
·
Screen pixel density: 306ppi
·
Battery: 2100mAh removable
And the winner is...
Samsung Galaxy S III
It really couldn’t be much closer, but
we’re still giving the nod to the S III based on the likelihood that it remains
a more hack-friendly handset than the Xperia. If that’s not a priority for you
then the contest is far tighter. Indications are that the Xperia Z is considerably
faster and more powerful, and has a better and less resource-hungry skin. We’ll
need to wait on the final release of the Z, where we can test battery and
uncover any other issues before we are able to make the final call.
