The Sony Xperia Z Ultra does have a lot going for it, but the big question here is whether Sony has learnt from its mistakes with the Sony Xperia Z. The simplest way of checking is to compare it with the Samsung Galaxy S4. You must have noticed how the Sony Xperia Z Ultra didn’t do too well against the Samsung Galaxy Note II. Will it do any better against Samsung’s flagship phone? Read on to find out...

Phone	Samsung Galaxy S4	Sony Xperia Z Ultra
Image	Attachment 52847	Attachment 52848
Operating System	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)	Android 4.2.2 (JellyBean)
Processor	Quad Core, 1900 MHz, Krait 300	Quad Core, 2200 MHz, Krait 400
System Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 APQ8064T	Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974
System Memory	2 GB	2 GB
Graphics Processor	Adreno 320	Adreno 330
Display	5.0” Super AMOLED	6.4” TFT
Screen Resolution	1,920 x 1,080	1,920 x 1,080
Pixel Density	441 ppi	342 ppi
Storage	16 / 32 / 64 GB User memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)	16 GB User memory + microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC slot (up to 64 GB)
Primary Camera	13 MP	8 MP
Flash	LED	None
Secondary Camera	2.0 MP	2.0 MP
WiFi	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac / n 5GHz	WiFi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac
Bluetooth	4.0	4.0
Battery	2,600 mAh	3,000 mAh
Weight	130 g	212 g
Dimensions	136.6 x 69.8 x 7.90 mm	179.4 x 92.2 x 6.50 mm
Announced	14th March 2013	24th June 2013

Size and weight

There is a very interesting comparison to be made here. The Xperia Z Ultra measures at 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm while the Galaxy S4 measures at 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm. You must have noticed that the Xperia Z Ultra is longer and wider than the Galaxy S4, but that is obviously to incorporate the bigger display. What’s interesting though is that the Xperia Z Ultra is 1.4 mm thinner than the Galaxy S4. That is something worth talking about. I always thought Samsung made the thinnest phones. I could never have been more wrong. Yes, the Xperia Z Ultra is 82 g heavier than the Galaxy S4 at 212 g but I’m sure most people will be willing to overlook this.

The point goes to the Xperia Z Ultra. That’s a good start for Sony.

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


Display

In terms of display, while Sony managed to create a cell phone with a larger ppi than the Galaxy S4 (Sony Xperia Z), the Xperia Z Ultra may have a larger screen, but that means it compromises on the pixel density. The Xperia Z Ultra has a huge 6.4” TFT screen while the Galaxy S4 has a 5.0” Super AMOLED screen. The good thing though is that both cell phones offer a maximum screen resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels.

Since both cell phones are offering the same resolution, I would have to go with the Xperia Z Ultra for this point as well. I mean who wouldn’t want a bigger screen to work with?

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Two)


Memory & Storage

This is something that Sony has really managed to improve in the last year. The Xperia Z only offered expandable memory up to 32 GB but the Xperia Z Ultra offering expandable memory up to 64 GB. And while it doesn’t come in 3 variants like the Galaxy S4 (16, 32, 64 GB) having 16 GB + 64 GB of memory on any smart phone seems more than enough to me.

Even though Samsung has more variants I am still going to call this one a draw

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Zero / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Two)


Camera

The camera is one thing I just can’t understand on the Xperia Z Ultra. I mean, Sony had an excellent 13.1 MP camera on the Xperia Z and I don’t see any reason why they shouldn’t have included it in the Xperia Z Ultra as well. Anyway, the 8 MP camera on the Xperia Z Ultra is decent enough even though it lacks a flash. But in all honesty, there is only one winner here.

The Galaxy S4 wins this point, convincingly.

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


OS & Performance

Both these cell phones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon chips and while the Xperia Z Ultra is slightly ahead with its 2200 MHz processor and Adreno 330 graphics processor, the 1900 MHz processor and Adreno 320 graphics processor on the Galaxy S4 are just as good. Both phones can handle multiple applications at the same time and it would be unfair to avoid this point to anyone.

The point is a draw.

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


Battery

I expect very few cell phones to be able to compete with Sony as far as battery life is concerned. The Galaxy S4 comes with a 2,600 mAh batter which offers a standby time of almost 16 days on 3G. But on the other hand, the Xperia Z Ultra has a huge 3,000 mAh battery which offers an unbelievable standby time of 22+ days on 3G. The Xperia Z Ultra does have a much bigger battery but how does that matter? We wanted a longer lasting battery and we got it.

The point goes to the Xperia Z Ultra.

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


Price

I never thought I would see Samsung trailing by two as we head into the final point for comparison. The Galaxy S4 is available for around $ 690 and we don’t really have an official price for the Xperia Z Ultra. If we take Europe pricing into account though, the Xperia Z Ultra will be priced around $ 900. If that is true, it means the Xperia Z Ultra will not have many takers. Even though the cell phone is better than the Galaxy S4 in multiple aspects, it just isn’t worth $ 200 + more.

I can’t believe the point goes to the Galaxy S4 for being way cheaper.

(Samsung Galaxy S4 - Two / Sony Xperia Z Ultra - Three)


Conclusion

So with an unbelievable score of 3 to 2 in favor of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra all I have to say is that Sony have definitely learnt from their mistakes with the Sony Xperia Z. Yes, they did downgrade the camera, but the phone is still waterproof. That in itself is an awesome feature and is in itself reason enough for Sony to be considered the best smart phone manufacturer in the world. In my opinion the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is now on top of the pyramid. What do you think?


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