Info: The Sony Xperia Z1 vs the Sony Xperia Z

What are your views on the new Sony Xperia Z1? Do you think Sony made all the right moves with their new flagship smart phone? How does it do against Apple’s latest releases? Is it worth buying? These are just some of the questions people have regarding Sony’s latest smart phone. I’m going to try and answer some of them in this comparison. And what better way to find out what’s new in a smart phone than by comparing it with its predecessor. That’s right; today I will compare the Sony Xperia Z1 with the Sony Xperia Z. Are there any surprises? Read on to find out...

Phone	Sony Xperia Z1	Sony Xperia Z
Image
Operating System	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)
Processor	Quad Core, 2200 MHz, Krait 400	Quad Core, 1500 MHz, Krait
System Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974	Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064
System Memory	2 GB	2 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 330	Adreno 320
Display	5.0” TFT	5.0” TFT
Screen Resolution	1,920 x 1,080	1,920 x 1,080
Pixel Density	441 ppi	443 ppi
Storage	16 GB User memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)	16 GB User memory + microSD / microSDHC slot (up to 32 GB)
Primary Camera	20.7 MP	13.1 MP
Flash	LED	LED
Secondary Camera	2.0 MP	2.2 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / n 5GHz
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0
Battery	3,000 mAh	2,330 mAh
Weight	170 g	146 g
Dimensions	144.4 x 73.9 x 8.50 mm	139 x 71 x 7.90 mm
Announced	04th September 2013	07th January 2013

Size and weight

The Xperia Z measures 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm which is quite decent considering it has a 5.0” display. The Xperia Z1 measures 144.4 x 73.9 x 8.5 mm which is far less appealing since it also has a 5.0” display. In terms of weight, the Xperia Z is considerable lighter at 146 g than the Xperia Z1 which weighs 170 g. Sony seems to have lost a few steps when it comes to size and weight. I mean, they’ve gone ahead and released a smart phone which is bigger than its predecessor and has the same display size. That is just not done. Maybe the extra size and weight is for the camera and battery?

But this point goes to the older Xperia Z.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Display

Sony had so much at their disposal. There is a difference of almost 8 months between the release of both these smart phones. But instead of improving the display, Sony chose to go ahead and do absolutely nothing. Both smart phones come with 5.0” TFT touch screens and a maximum resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels. In terms of pixel density, the Xperia Z is minutely higher at 443 ppi as opposed to the Xperia Z1 which has 441 ppi. Both smart phones have scratch resistant glass as well.

If it were up to me I would award this point to the Xperia Z but since both smart phones are exactly the same, this point is a draw.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Memory & Storage

This point is another clear sign of how the Xperia Z1 isn’t that much better than the Xperia Z. While the Xperia Z has 2 GB of RAM, the Xperia Z1 has, wait for it, 2 GB of RAM as well. Yes, the clocking speed is a little higher at 800 MHz, but how much of a difference does that actually make to the operating speed of the phone? In terms of internal storage, both smart phones are exactly the same at 16 GB. The only other difference between the two is that the Xperia Z1 accepts expandable storage up to 64 GB while the Xperia Z accepts expandable storage up to 32 GB. But apart from making storage a little more cumbersome I really don’t see how the Xperia Z1 does too much to help users.

This point is going to be a draw as well.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Camera

This is the one point that Sony have been bragging about as far as the new Xperia Z1 is concerned and I think I should just give it to them, no questions asked. Yes, the Xperia Z1 has a much better camera than the Xperia Z. It comes with a 20.7 MP shooter and an LED flash (seriously?) as opposed to the Xperia Z which comes with a 13.1 MP camera and LED flash. There is a whole list of new features with the Xperia Z1 camera as well although the front camera is no longer a 2.2 MP like the Xperia Z and is a 2 MP camera instead.

Still, the Xperia Z1 deserves this point.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - One / Sony Xperia Z - One)


OS & Performance

This is another point where Sony has improved on the Xperia Z. It’s not too significant an improvement, nothing industry defining, but it’s at least at par with the rest of the flag ship smart phones in the industry. The Xperia Z comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 chip and quad core, 1500 MHz, Krait processor while the Xperia Z1 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974 chip and quad core, 200 MHz, Krait 400 processor. In terms of graphics processors, the Xperia Z has an Adreno 320 processor while the Xperia Z1 has an Adreno 330 processor. Like I said, nothing earth shattering, but still a significant improvement. Also, both smart phones run on Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean).

The point goes to the Xperia Z1.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Two / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Battery

Again, the Xperia Z1 makes a significant improvement over the Xperia Z as far as the battery is concerned. While the Xperia Z comes with a 2,330 mAh battery, the Xperia Z1 comes with a much larger 3,000 mAh battery. Even in terms of standby time, the Xperia Z can go almost 23 days without charging while the Xperia Z1 can last 36.7 days without being charged. I have heard people complain about Sony’s batteries and how they don’t perform though, but since this comparison is based on official reports from the company’s, I have no choice but to stick to the figures provided.

This point goes to the Xperia Z1 as well.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Three / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Price

There isn’t any official pricing news available for the Xperia Z1 and the Xperia Z can be purchased (free of contract) for $ 569. Rumor has it, the Xperia Z1 will be selling (free of contract) for around the same price as the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4. That means you can expect the smart phone to sell for around $ 600 - $ 630. Is the Xperia Z1 worth the additional $ 30 to $ 60. I think it definitely is. But then again, the Xperia Z is well worth its price tag as well.

Therefore, this point’s a draw.

(Sony Xperia Z1 - Three / Sony Xperia Z - One)


Conclusion

The Sony Xperia Z1 was off to a slow start but managed to pick up 3 points in a row for its camera, performance and battery. It is a little larger than the Sony Xperia Z (which is the only point the Xperia Z picked up) but I think we all would be willing to overlook this fact. At the end of the day, the Sony Xperia Z1 is a good improvement over the Sony Xperia Z although I’m sure Sony could have done a lot more with its latest smart phone.


Similar Posts:
Sony Xperia Z vs Apple iPhone 5
Nokia Lumia 1020 vs Sony Xperia Z1
Sony Xperia Z vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

---

› See More: The Sony Xperia Z1 vs the Sony Xperia Z