Info: The Sony Xperia Z vs the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

The Sony Xperia Z and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active are quite similar in many ways. But did you know that there is one feature which is common between both these smart phones? They both are waterproof. But does that mean that the Galaxy S4 Active can stand toe to toe with the Xperia Z? The Xperia Z was Sony’s flagship smart phone until the Sony Xperia Z Ultra was released and the Galaxy S4 Active is just a variation of the Samsung Galaxy S4. Who do you think will win this comparison?

Phone	Sony Xperia Z	Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
Image
Operating System	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean) TouchWiz Nature UX UI
Processor	Quad Core, 1500 MHz, Krait	Quad Core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300
System Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T
System Memory	2 GB	2 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 320	Adreno 320
Display	5.0” TFT	5.0” TFT
Screen Resolution	1,920 x 1,080	1,920 x 1,080
Pixel Density	443 ppi	443 ppi
Storage	16 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC slot (up to 32 GB)	16 GB Internal memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	13.1 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	2.2 MP	2.0 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0
Battery	2,330 mAh	2,600 mAh
Weight	146 g	151 g
Dimensions	139 x 71 x 7.9 mm	139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm
Announced	07th January 2013	05th June 2013

Size and weight

As far as size is concerned, the Xperia Z measures 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm while the Galaxy S4 Active measures 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm. The only noteworthy difference here is that the Xperia Z is much thinner. And when it comes to weight, the Xperia Z weighs 146 g while the Galaxy S4 Active weighs 151 g. Again, not a major difference.

It wouldn’t be fair to award this point to the Xperia Z just because it is a little more than 1 mm thinner and therefore, this one’s a draw.

(Sony Xperia Z - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - Zero)


Display

As far as display technology is concerned, there has never been a closer competition between two smart phones. Both smart phones come with a 5.0” TFT touch screen and have a pixel density of 443 ppi. There is one difference between both smart phones though. While the Xperia Z comes with Dragontrail scratch resistant glass, the Galaxy S4 Active comes with Corning Gorilla Glass.

Again, not much to go by here. And a different scratch resistant glass definitely isn’t enough to prove either of these smart phones as superior.

(Sony Xperia Z - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - Zero)


Memory & Storage

In terms of memory, both these smart phones come with 2 GB of Dual-Channel) RAM which means both phones are equally fast. And when it comes to storage, both come with 16 GB of internal memory. One difference here though is that the Xperia Z only allows storage expansion up to 32 GB while the Galaxy S4 Active allows storage expansion up to 64 GB. Then again, there is nothing that stops a user from using multiple 32 GB microSD cards with their Xperia Z. It may take a little longer, but not enough to earn the Galaxy S4 Active a point.

This is the third draw.

(Sony Xperia Z - Zero / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - Zero)


Camera

The Xperia Z comes with a 13.1 MP camera on the back and a 2.2 MP camera on the front. It supports full HD video recording at 1080p and includes digital image stabilization and HDR. The Galaxy S4 Active comes with an 8 MP camera on the back and a 2.0 MP camera on the front. It too supports full HD video recording at 1080p but does not include the above mentioned features. Finally, one of these smart phones does enough to prove their dominance over the other.

The first point of this comparison definitely goes to the Xperia Z.

(Sony Xperia Z - One / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - Zero)


OS & Performance

Both these smart phones are running on the Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean) operating system. The Galaxy S4 Active does have Samsung’s Nature UX user interface but it doesn’t really add too much to the software. The Galaxy S4 Active comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T chip and a quad core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300 processor while the Xperia Z comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 chip and quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait processor.

As far as the technology and hardware used in both smart phones is concerned, I think the Galaxy S4 Active deserves to win this point simply because it uses is more up to date technology.

(Sony Xperia Z - One / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - One)


Battery

The Xperia Z comes with a 2,330 mAh battery while the Galaxy S4 Active comes with a 2,600 mAh battery. But even though the Galaxy S4 Active has a larger battery, it doesn’t offer that much standby time. The Xperia Z offers a standby time of 22 days while the Galaxy S4 Active offers a standby time of just 13 days. I think Sony have done a pretty good job here and considering the fact that Samsung is known to have impressive batteries on their smart phones, I really don’t understand what went wrong with this smart phone.

Anyway, this point goes to the Xperia Z.

(Sony Xperia Z - Two / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - One)


Price

You can pick up the Xperia Z (free of contract) for $ 569 while the Galaxy S4 Active is available (free of contract) for around $ 600. It’s just a $ 30 difference and quite honestly, anyone who can afford to shell out $ 569 for a smart phone won’t mind an additional $ 30.

But since this point is about which smart phone provides more value for money, it goes to the Xperia Z.

(Sony Xperia Z - Three / Samsung Galaxy S4 Active - One)


Conclusion

So this comparison ends with the score at 3 points to 1 in favor of the Sony Xperia Z. Quite honestly, I don’t think anyone would go for these smart phones if they weren’t waterproof. Remember though that the smart phones are only “waterproof” under certain conditions. If I were asked to choose between both these smart phones, I would probably go with the Sony Xperia Z. There are 2 main reasons for this. Firstly, because it has a much better camera. And secondly because it has a longer battery life. Then again, these might not be everyone’s priority...


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