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Sony Xperia Z vs Xperia Z1 Comparison Review

Most of our readers might be following the proceedings at the IFA and would already be aware of the recent launch of the Sony Xperia Z1. For those who aren’t aware, the device is the latest from the house of Sony, and comes with a host of features that make it one of the most exciting devices to be launched in the recent past. These features include a 20.7MP camera, a 5 inch full HD screen, etc.

xperia z1

On the other hand, the Xperia Z which came in earlier this year already managed to make waves across all countries in a short span of time.

Both these devices have a bit in common, while some other things differentiate them. Let us go ahead and talk about this difference and judge for ourselves whether the Xperia Z1 was worth the extra months of work put in by Sony.

Display and Processor

Both these devices come with exactly the same display specifications, at least on paper. Sony was criticized for having a low-quality display panel on the Xperia Z which we hope has been corrected with the Xperia Z1, since the Z1 would now be taking over as Sony’s flagship device.

The Xperia Z as well as the Z1 come with 5 inch display panels that pack a full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels, which returns a pixel density of 441 PPI which is about the best you can get in the market at the moment (save for the HTC One).

Since both devices come with same display characteristics, nothing much can be chosen in between the two; however we would imagine that the Z1 comes with a better quality display. However, it is just a speculation.

On the processing front, the Z1 kills any other competition including the Xperia Z with it’s quad core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor. This processor is considered as the world’s most powerful mobile processor.

On the other hand, the Xperia Z comes with the very popular Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064 processor, again a quad core but clocked at a much lower frequency of 1.5 GHz.

Camera and Memory

The Xperia Z1 again beats the previous gen Xperia with it’s 20.7 MP rear camera that comes with the world’s finest imaging tech. The Xperia Z1 is the world’s first device to sport a camera of this sort. The sensor is a part of Sony’s own Exmor series, and comes with a 1/2.3 inch sensor, which according to Sony, will produce better images than the Nokia 1020 which will have a 41MP camera.

The older-gen Xperia Z comes with a 13.1 MP camera which impressed one and all, however, it does fall short of what the newer Z1 has on offer.

Front facing camera on the Xperia Z1 is surprisingly a 2MP unit which is second to what we saw on the Xperia Z – a 2.2MP unit. Although the difference isn’t huge, we expected the Xperia Z1 to have an upgrade in this department as well.

On the storage front, both the devices come with exactly the same set of specifications that include 16GB of ROM, which can be expanded up to 64GB using a microSD card. The RAM capacity on both these devices is 2GB which is currently the best you can get in the market.

Battery and Features

Yet again, the Xperia Z1 proves it’s prowess with a 3000mAh battery as opposed to the 2330mAh on the Xperia Z. However, thanks to the uber powerful internals, the Xperia Z1 is expected to be as good or a bit better with battery life, since the internals will also most probably turn out to be battery mongers.

Other features of both these devices include a waterproof coating which is increasingly becoming popular, especially on Sony phones.

Key Specs

Model Sony Xperia Z Sony Xperia Z1
Display 5 inches full HD 5 inches full HD
Processor 1.5 GHz quad core 2.2 GHz quad core
RAM, ROM 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM expandable by up to 64GB 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, expandable by up to 64GB
OS Android v4.1.2 Android v4.2
Cameras 13.1MP rear, 2.2MP front 20.7MP rear, 2MP front
Battery 2330 mAh 3000 mAh
Price About 33,000 INR To be announced

Conclusion

As expected, the Xperia Z1 brings along a lot of new tech on the table. This new set of features is headed by the 20.7MP camera which does promise a lot. The Xperia Z1 can be regarded as a complete upgrade from the Xperia Z, but what amazes us is the time frame – we think that a phone of Sony Xperia Z’s calibre deserved some more time in the market before being written off.

There are no second thoughts as to what potential buyers will choose among these two devices – it has to be the Xperia Z1 by all means.

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Abhishek Bhatnagar

Abhishek Bhatnagar, a known technology blogger & YouTuber from India. A Software Engineer by qualification, now he works as the editor-In-Chief, Webmaster, & Managing Director at Gadgets To Use. He runs a number of other technology websites as well.