Since launching, the Sony Xperia Z has held the top spot in our smartphone chart since launching, but can the Samsung Galaxy S4 topple it? Find out in our Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z comparison review.
The first big Android smartphone launch of the year was Sony's Xperia Z but now the Samsung Galaxy S4 is here to challenge its Japanese rival.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Galaxy S3 comparison review.
If you're trying to decide between these two Android heavyweights this comparison review will help you out. See also: Best smartphones of 2012
See also: Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Apple iPhone 5 comparison review.
Take a look at the following two articles for more details on each smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S4: details, what you need to know
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Design and build
As you can see from the image above, the Galaxy S4 looks quite similar to the Galaxy S3 in design and therefore pretty different to the Xperia Z. It's a case of rounded pebble-like vs sharp and square so you can take your pick. What might help you decide is that the Galaxy S4 is mostly plastic with a removable cover and the Xperia Z is largely glass and boasts a waterproof and dust proof.
See also: Group test: What's the best smartphone?
With 5in screens, both are pretty big smartphones. The Galaxy S4 is marginally smaller than the Xperia Z at 69.8 x 136.6mm compared to 71 x 139mm. The two are wafer thin at 7.9mm and since the Galaxy S4 is smaller with a plastic build it's a little lighter - 130g against 145g.
The superior build quality of the Xperia Z makes it the better smartphone in this area.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Screen
Things are pretty tied when it comes to the screen. As expected, the Galaxy S4 has a 5in display with a Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920. As does the Xperia Z so each has a high pixel density of 441ppi - beaten only by the HTC One.
Technology varies as the Samsung uses SuperAMOLED while the Sony uses its own Mobile Bravia Engine 2. There's little to choose between them, the Galaxy S4's screen offers a little more brightness and colours look eye popping. However, the Xperia Z's screen has a more natural look.
The other difference is glass as the Galaxy S4 uses Gorilla Glass 3 but the Sony Xperia Z has unamed shatter proof and scratch-resistant glass.
Since we're splitting hairs between the two, it's a draw here.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Processor and performance
The Xperia Z has the same impressive 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor found in the Nexus 4. The UK model didn't get the Exynos 5 Octa 8-core processor but has a 1.9GHz quad-core processor instead. Both phones are matched on RAM at 2GB.
The Galaxy S4 blew the Xperia Z out of the water in terms of benchmarks. It scored 3227, 41fps and 1092ms in Geekbench 2, GLBenchmark and SunSpider. The Xperia Z scored 1986, 30fps and 1791ms respectively.
We were surprised, then, to find the Galaxy S4 very laggy at times. Something we didn't find with the Xperia Z.
It's difficult to call a winner here since the benchmarks suggest the Galaxy S4 while user experience says the Xperia Z. The latter is more important, though, so the Sony comes out on top.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Storage
Sony has opted to sell just a 16GB model of the Xperia Z but the Samsung Galaxy S4 comes in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB models – although it's only the 16GB model which seems to be available at the moment.
Both have a microSD card slot for expansion and although the Xperia Z is supposedly limited to 32GB, it's been widely reported that formatted 64GB cards also work. The Galaxy S4 takes 64GB cards as standard.
With almost half of the Galaxy S4's internal storage being taken up with the OS and Samsung's additional features and the current lack of the 32GB and 64GB models, the Xperia Z takes a win here.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Cameras
In terms of specs, cameras are almost the same. Both have a 13Mp rear facing camera with the ability to shoot video in Full HD 1080p quality. The Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z have 2Mp ad 2.2Mp front facing cameras respectively. Like the main shooters, they can record 1080p video.
As you would expect there's little difference in quality here. However, the range of additional shooting modes which the Galaxy S4 offers means it pips the Xperia Z.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Software
Both of these smartphones run Google's Android Jelly Bean but slightly different versions. The Xperia Z is on 4.1.2 while the Galaxy S4 ships with version 4.2.2. It's a minor difference and the Sony will be updated soon anyway.
The far bigger difference is the user interface overlay which each firm applies to Android. Sony's is closer to vanilla Android but the Galaxy S4 with TouchWiz comes with more exclusive software features.
Which interface you prefer is down to personal taste but our main concerns is that, not only does the Galaxy S4's software features take up space, a lot of them are gimmicky and buggy. What's more, you can't uninstall them to free up memory.
Samsung Galaxy S4 vs Sony Xperia Z: Battery
The Sony Xperia Z has a 2330mAh non-removable battery while the Galaxy S4 has a larger, and removable, 2600mAh battery. This doesn't automatically mean that the Samsung offers longer battery life.
We found both phones to offer excellent battery life, each being capable of two days of use. It's a draw here.
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Comments
Sidd said: This is a specs comparison only -
Leoparkes said: Thanks for you comment and yes I have all other measures you suggested in place as well as hidden SSID
Leoparkes said: Thanks for your update - the problem is that when you leave the Wi-Fi bubble the XZ will not reconnect when you return - thats unless you temporarily reset to broadcast SSID - dont fancy doing that every time Oh and by the way its Sony that says the XZ isnt design to do this
just trying to help said: Listen mate Not broadcasting your SSID wont help Having a strong WPA-psk Password will Believe me Not broadcasting your ssid doesnt mean you cant be found
Matt Egan said: Ha
Nabil said: Love how you used the word odd clearly illustrates your point without being outright rude touche Well I simply do not have access to any sources that would be able to counter your proposition though might I also point out that you have not published a source that I can access to verify your what I believe to be bold statement Regardless the point of my refute was to highlight that humans by nature are inherently opinionated and biased There is nothing wrong with that Chris even states it in the introduction of the article - with our opinions as usual It would just have been nice to listen to his expert view on which was the all round better phone - something I have now had to go to a lesser technology media publication to ascertain
Matt Egan said: You have some very odd impressions But youd have to look at a variety of sources Experian Hitwise ComScore ABC but chiefly Neilsen Net Ratings Like the titles you mention we publish in print digital online and mobile Some of those great products have larger print or digital circulations than us but we have 52m online readers and that combined with our also healthy numbers in all other areas makes us able to claim to be number one and independent groups such as Neilsen to sustain that claim on our behalf
Nabil said: PC Advisor is the UKs best-read technology magazine because we deal with objective testing and hard facts Please provide me a source for this hard fact as I was under the impression that Which PC PRO and T3 lead the way
Nitish Puri said: Very impressive phone I am using this device from last two weeks Super fast functioning awesome camera amazing resolution and best audio- video quality But one thing disappointed me was its battery backup around 8 hours since i am a heavy user But for others it can work for more than a day
XZRox.... said: goooooooooooo offf SG4 totally biased review hunnie
nikmjtyt said: asssholes with out seeing the model of samsung how you people can say that sony is better
Francis Mulleady said: The Xperia Z is a stunning phone to hold and use You cant really have an opinion on it until to you place it in your hands and start using it It is just as good to watch a film on as an iPad Retina 97 notwithstanding its beautiful construction and toughnessThe S4 is and will be a superb phone too Ive heard a lot of critics say the HTC One is a nicer design and better quality believe me it isnt I wasnt a fan of Sony phones since the classic Sony Ericsson
BigBernard said: Dont bother applying if you dont know that
BigBernard said: You sound hilarious
moonpen said: Agreed and the Samsung have a true octo core its just a highpower quad core and a low power one they cant even work together with multi threaded application
NO GOD = LGBT RIGHTS said: Both are great but S4 touchwiz is really cool both need better front facing camera for facetime
Jonathon said: Galaxy S4 for me please
Fahim Hussain said: The Xperia Zs own S4 is its biggest downfall - the S4 pro processor just doesnt cut the mustard compared to the s600 in the HTC One and GS4 Its infuriatingly laggy and on top of that for a premium phone the screen should have been thought about more Viewing angles are horrible The phone looks incredible yes but its the least ergonomic design Sony could have come up with I was really hyped up for this phone really wanted Sony to rise to the top But the HTC One blows it out of the water even if its been there for half an hour
tejas said: Samsung going mad theres no mobile application which requires 19 octa core processer to run on They r makn it lyk a pc Xperia z winsofcourse n the price
P Nice Takeo said: love the xperia Z the best now