Sony had launched the successor to the Xperia Z1 at the MWC 2014 in the form of Xperia Z2 and the device comes with an evolutionary upgrade over the previous model. The Xperia Z2 is still the only flagship device that is water as well as dust proof as the S5 is just water resistant. Let us compare the Z1 and Z2 to find out if the latter is worth the upgrade from the former.
Xperia Z2 vs Xperia Z1
Display and Processor
The Xperia Z1 comes with a 5 inch screen with a display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and Z2 gets a display unit of 5.2 inches with the same resolution. Sony Xperia Z2 brings some much needed improvement in display and now the display definitely better.
The Xperia Z1 has a 2.3 GHz quad core Snapdragon 800 processor under the hood which teams up with an Adreno 330 GPU and a 2GB RAM for multitasking. It offers a top-notch level of performance and the same holds true for the Xperia Z2 as well. It gets Snapdragon 801 to take charge of the processing department and it joins hands with Adreno 330 GPU and a 3GB of RAM which is a major upgrade over the 2GB RAM. The GPU is clocked at higher frequency in 801 which will give significant performance boost.
Camera and Memory
This is one department where Sony has decided not to give the Xperia Z2 an upgrade. It is not that we are complaining about it because the Xperia Z1 already came with an amazing camera unit. Both the smartphones come with a 20.7MP rear camera unit which comes with a 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS for mobile and promises top-notch imaging quality. The Xperia Z2 gets 4K video recording support whereas the sibling has to make do with 1080p video recording support. The Xperia Z1 gets a 2MP front camera and the Xperia Z2 gets a 2.2MP front camera.
Both the smartphones come with 16GB of internal storage and offer a support for expandable memory up to 64 GB. So it is a tie in this regard as well.
Battery and Features
The Xperia Z1 gets a 3,000 mAh battery but the Xperia Z2 gets a 3,200 mAh battery which is a minor upgrade over the Z1. Both the devices will offer a similar battery back up which will be a little less than a day courtesy of the high resolution screen they have to power and a CPU that is a battery monger.
The Xperia Z2 runs on Android 4.4 KitKat whereas the Z1 will get the update soon and all the software functionalities of the Z2. Both of them are IP55/58 certified and offer water and dust resistance.
Key Specs
| Model | Sony Xperia Z1 | Sony Xperia Z2 |
| Display | 5 inches Full HD | 5.2 inches, full HD |
| Processor | 2.3GHz quad core | 2.3 GHz quad core |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB |
| Internal Storage | 16GB, Extendable up to 64 GB | 16GB, Extendable up to 64 GB |
| OS | Android v4.3 | Android v4.4 |
| Cameras | 20.7 MP/ 2 MP | 20.7/2.2MP |
| Battery | 3000mAh | 3200mAh |
| Price | Around 39,000 INR | To be announced |
Conclusion
The Xperia Z2 offers a minor upgrade over the Z1 in terms of hardware specsheet, but the user experience and display have definitely improved.It is lighter and slimer and feels good to hold in hand.The Z2 is an amazing device with a camera performance majority of the smartphones will find hard to match. If you already own a Z1, you should wait for the next upgrade. Let us see how Sony prices the Xperia Z2 in India. Expect it to be priced around the Rs 40,000-42,000 mark.
