Samsung Galaxy S4 vs. Sony Xperia Z: When worlds collide

31 March 2013
If you’ve been paying attention – and we know you have – there’s no way you couldn’t have noticed that for a good ten days or so we’ve all been on and on about two phones. Now, we’re about to make it three...

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  • m
  • momo
  • x8y
  • 03 Apr 2013

AnonD-130819, 02 Apr 2013Hi Friends. I want to buy a smart phone. but I have a big c... moreIn my opinion, maybe the most important aspects are the following:
1)Battery life: depending on your usage - video playback, phone calls, web surfing. Most people charge their phones everyday, so as long as the battery lasts you the day doing any of the above 3 things, it's fine. Talk time Z wins, Web surfing and Video playback S4 wins. Really depends on what you do most!
2)Appearance: People do notice your phone all the time, I think Z wins here for sure. People rarely admire you for loading an app or software 2 secs faster, but people always admire you for having a sexier and quality looking phone. PLUS waterproof (new level of phone usage, u can even pick up the phone in the shower or by the pool)
3)UI: S4 has slight advantage here with newer android software. It is important for the user to find options and multi-task.
4)Camera (only low light condition): S4 wins, if you r a night owl n take many pictures with friends at night events, then it's important. Otherwise, daytime photos u can hardly tell the difference.

The above 4 points should be weighted the most when choosing a phone. The rest are trifling matters because the performance are too similar to be picky about:
-Screen: how long do u really look at picture or video comfortably on screen to make a difference. If you are choosing between 50" Sony and Samsung TVs, then maybe.
-Camera: if you are into quality pictures, then use Canon SLRs. You rarely zoom max into a picture taken by a phone. it's just for convenient of quick pictures.
-Gaming & Web Surfing: if u r into crazy gaming, wait for PS4 or ASUS ROG laptops. Games on phone are just to kill a bit of time. Into Web surfing? Just get a tablet. Instead of zooming in & out on the rather tiny 5" display.
-Audio: you want real quality sound? it's all the about the headphones or external speakers. Bose, Klipsch, Sennheiser, Bang and Olufsen, etc. No need to compare the phone. Hardly anyone plays loud music in public with their phones to max vol.

Hopefully narrows down the thoughts ppl need to go through when choosing a phone. There's really only a few things (4 points) to look for. Outdoorsy person, watch little videos, phone chat a lot, cares about looks = Xperia Z. Busy man, need multi-task, takes lots of photos day n night, lots of web surfing but no money for tablet = S4. Ya all know what i mean? :)

    • R
    • Ron
    • fCF
    • 03 Apr 2013

    momo, 02 Apr 2013In my opinion, maybe the most important aspects are the fol... moreThank uuu. I was seriously contemplating on whch phone to buy. And yr simple yet candid review sure helped. Im moving from an Xperia arc to either of these babies n couldn't decide. Xperia Z it is. With a good pair of headphones ofcos ;-)

      Anonymous, 02 Apr 2013Samsung galaxy S4 is no doubt a good phone. But the Sony Ex... moreReports from XZ owners of extreme overheating, weak speakers, weak wifi, and mediocre ACTUAL screen time battery with a lot of effort on conscious reduced usage for power saving. It means you really can't use it much for gaming, wifi hotshot, and watching much as the battery runs quicker. 4 hours average "normal" usage. The problem is the screen is inefficient and consumes a lot of power. Source - XDA Developers forum on battery usage.

        • E
        • Erick
        • mXP
        • 02 Apr 2013

        It is clear that for now there are 5 top devices running Android OS. The Sony Xperia Z, the HTC One, the LG Nexus 4, the LG Optimus G, and the Samsung Galaxy S4. However, the arrival later this year of the rumoured Motorola X backed by Google will prove an interesting alternative.

          • A
          • Anomaly
          • nGB
          • 02 Apr 2013

          AnonD-80609, 02 Apr 2013Go for SGS4,you ll never regret.Until it starts to develop hairline cracks on the plastic "silver" bezel! Oh yeah, and the screen degrades and suffers from burn in! Still plastic is highly re-cyclable! Ha ha ha

            Anonymous, 02 Apr 2013WOW!!! What is that for a mantra? The screen, what ki... moreAre you delusional or what?

            Doesn't matter if it's JDI or Sharp who have made the TFT LCD screen on the XPERIA Z. Because a TFT LCD screen is still a TFT LCD screen, even though the Sharp screen is better than the JDI screen.

            Doesn't matter what brand that have made the screen on the XPERIA Z, because no matter how you want it to be, TFT LCD screens will always have worser colors and vieweing angles than IPS LCD and Super AMOLED screens. Just accept this fact.

            Stop with the masturbating over your favourite brand.

            This post is also meant for you Nick.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • U@9
              • 02 Apr 2013

              Samsung galaxy S4 is no doubt a good phone. But the Sony Experia Z is a Water and dust proof phone in a thin model. The other feature is almost same. For updated OS S4 is the best but in engineering view SONY EXPERIA Z is the best and it has also smarter design than S4.

                • m
                • m-i20
                • fXv
                • 02 Apr 2013

                Again Samsung Galaxy S4 smokes the opposition.. But why no built in RDS Radio?? what a disappointment...

                  • N
                  • Nick
                  • mG@
                  • 02 Apr 2013

                  This message is adapted, because GSMarena deleted this post.

                  The problems with the screens is very know by Sony, but you are probley mislead by people who promote Samsung still repeating and repeating the same thing all over again, dude, it's already know problem.

                  Tom is not honest about the true he pick only selective things to hammer Sony.

                  He also ignore the fact that sharp panel that wipe the SAMoled panel with the floor.

                  That's why i ignore him already.

                    • T
                    • ThaMan
                    • nGB
                    • 02 Apr 2013

                    Tom-Helge, 01 Apr 2013If you know what Adobe RGB is, then you should know that th... moreI never argue with fanboys as they cannot have a constructive or meaningful debate. If you have watched a movie, music video or anythingelse for that matter on the Xperia Z, damn watching it playing a full HD movie, you will have to be a complete noob to go on and on about the screen. It is one of the main selling points and unbiased reviews do not disagree with that although they may complain about viewing angles and those complaints are over exagerated believe me! Getting so much like Samsung fanboys sound just like iPhone fanboyz...boring as hell and ignorant to boot! Goodbye.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • mG@
                      • 02 Apr 2013

                      AnonD-80609, 02 Apr 2013SXZ- Old chipset Poor display Lenghtier than SGS4 Poor ... moreWOW!!!

                      What is that for a mantra?

                      The screen, what kind for screen the one of JDI or Sharp?

                      The JDI screen is only for a short time until Sharp has more output. So, yes the SGS 4 has bit better screen as that from JDI screen only in contrast nothing more.

                      If we talking about Sharp panel, that panel wipe the floor with the SGS4 AMoled panel.

                        • D
                        • AnonD-85136
                        • 6Qm
                        • 02 Apr 2013

                        i love xperia z.

                          • D
                          • AnonD-97969
                          • RHT
                          • 02 Apr 2013

                          AnonD-130819, 02 Apr 2013Hi Friends. I want to buy a smart phone. but I have a big c... moreif looks is what you want go for the xperia z

                            • V
                            • Van
                            • 7X1
                            • 02 Apr 2013

                            For me, cellphones with rounded corners with too much angles are appropriate for ladies only. I better liked square type corner cp's coz it's masculine. How much more with better features.

                              • D
                              • AnonD-80609
                              • tUw
                              • 02 Apr 2013

                              [deleted post]Go for SGS4,you ll never regret.

                                • D
                                • AnonD-80609
                                • tUw
                                • 02 Apr 2013

                                SXZ-
                                Old chipset
                                Poor display
                                Lenghtier than SGS4
                                Poor camera
                                Just a quad core with 5"
                                wait,
                                Its Waterproof & Dustproof!

                                SGS4-
                                Out Qualified SXZ in al the benchmarks with S600
                                Best diplay out there(can adjust diplay to ur need)
                                Vey thin and shorter 5" phone
                                Looks good with curves
                                Compact in hand

                                New Touchwiz with-
                                Dual Camera (for video and chat)
                                Shot & Sound
                                Smart Pause and Smart Scroll
                                Air Gesture
                                Samsung Knox
                                Story Album
                                S Voice Drive
                                S Health
                                Drama Shot
                                Adaptive Display
                                Eraser
                                HomeSync and Smart Switch
                                Media Hub and ChatON updates
                                Group Play
                                I can Keep on goin!

                                Oh wait! SXZ has water & dust pRoof!! ROFLOLMAO!

                                  • A
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 4Er
                                  • 02 Apr 2013

                                  Sony Z: Better at being thrown in water.

                                  Samsung S4: Better at everything else.

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-130819
                                    • t1$
                                    • 02 Apr 2013

                                    Hi Friends. I want to buy a smart phone. but I have a big confused.
                                    That's. Xperia z. (or) galaxy s 4
                                    2 smart phones r mostly same spec.
                                    But, I think Xperia z is better bcoz Xperia z is eye catching design..!
                                    Plz. Somebody help me.

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-80609
                                      • tUw
                                      • 02 Apr 2013

                                      Tom-Helge, 02 Apr 2013We Samsung users feel the heat from Sony? ROFL, is that ... moreTake a bow ! I don think someone needs better explanation than this!

                                        • A
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 4Er
                                        • 02 Apr 2013

                                        Tom-Helge, 02 Apr 2013We Samsung users feel the heat from Sony? ROFL, is that ... more+100000, great comment!

                                        I think they are all good smartphones, but the S4 is clearly the best of them all... The Sony and HTC are probably good enough for their respective fanboys for now... but until there is a real competitor with the latest Galaxy phone, I'll stick with the best: Samsung.