Connect with us

Android

8 Ways the iPhone 5 Beats the Sony Xperia Z

Published

on

Now that the Sony Xperia Z is out on shelves, it will finally be tugging at the hearts and wallets of consumes in regions around the globe. However, it won’t be alone. Apple’s iPhone 5, a device that is available in over 100 countries around the world, will also present itself as an option to consumers. And like all smartphones, each has its superior areas.

Read: 10 Ways the Sony Xperia Z Beats the iPhone 5.

Apple launched the iPhone 5 back in September of last year. The device, which replaced the iPhone 4S, represented the company’s first stab at a larger iPhone and the first with 4G LTE data speeds. Previous iPhone models had sported 3.5-inch display and either 3G or HSPA+ data speeds, both of which are typically slower than 4G LTE.

We take a look at how the iPhone 5 bests the Xperia Z.

We take a look at how the iPhone 5 bests the Xperia Z.

The iPhone 5 also brought changes from a design standpoint as well. Apple ditched the glass back of the iPhone 4S and instead, rolled out a beautiful, industrial design that includes hints of glass and metal to go along with the iPhone 5’s smooth anodized aluminum back. The iPhone 5 is also one of the most lightweight and thin smartphones on the market checking in with a 7.6mm and 112 gram form factor.

It also includes a high powered camera, an HD front-facing camera and of course, Apple’s latest and greatest software, iOS 6, which has delivered more than 200 new features from the previous version, iOS 5. Needless to say, the iPhone 5 is one of the top smartphone options available and one that most smartphone shoppers will want to look at.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gWysHOjl95E

Apple’s device has competition though. While most of the attention have been lavished upon the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony’s Xperia Z, which arrived back at CES 2013 in January, is a device that should be on smartphone shoppers lists as well.

From its beautiful glass design – which includes anti-shatter film on both sides, to its 13MP camera with Sony sensor, to its magnificent 5-inch 1080p display, there is quite a bit to like about the Sony Xperia Z.

However, much like the iPhone 5 does, it has its weaknesses and they are something that consumers should think about before taking the plunge on the new device.

Already, we’ve taken a look at 10 ways the Sony Xperia Z beats the iPhone 5 and now, it’s time to take a look at eight ways the iPhone 5 beats the Sony Xperia Z.

Pocketability

The Sony Xperia Z may feature a fantastic design, a slim form factor and more, but despite that, it’s a much bigger phone than the iPhone 5 is.

Sony has equipped the Xperia Z with a 5-inch display, much bigger than the iPhone 5’s 4-inch display. What this means is that the Sony Xperia Z, overall, is a much bigger device than the iPhone 5. It also means that it weighs a whole lot more than the iPhone 5.

The iPhone 5 is much more pocketable than the Xperia Z.

The iPhone 5 is much more pocketable than the Xperia Z.

While the Sony Xperia Z weighs 146 grams, the iPhone 5 is a much lighter 112 grams meaning it’s extremely nice to hold in the hand and doesn’t feel like one is lugging around a brick in the pocket. Those will smaller hands also may have a bit of trouble trying to operate the Xperia Z with one hand.

So for those that like their smartphone to be a little smaller and a little more pocketable, the iPhone 5 is a much better option.

Price

Maybe the biggest draw back of the Sony Xperia Z, at least for those in the United States, is the fact that the device hasn’t been announced for any carriers in the U.S. What this means is that the device is not available with any sort of subsidized, on-contract pricing.

Customers in the U.S. looking to get the Xperia Z can in fact order the device from third-party retailers, however, the up front cost is going to be extremely expensive. Currently, retailers have the Xperia Z priced at over $800 and that doesn’t include shipping or tax.

The Xperia Z is not cheap in the U.S.

The Xperia Z is not cheap in the U.S.

On the other hand, the iPhone 5 is available for a variety of prices which include on-contract and off-contract pricing.

At AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, the iPhone 5 starts at $199.99 on-contract and that will net customers a 16GB iPhone 5. Those looking to get the device off-contract, which is how they would need to get the Xperia Z, Apple charges $649 for the 16GB iPhone 5 unlocked, much cheaper than the unlocked Xperia Z.

Quick Bug Fix Updates

One of the nice things about owning an iPhone is that owners always know that if there are issues, and there often are, that they will be ironed out in an extremely timely manner.

For instance, after the arrival of iOS 6.1, owners of the iPhone 4S started experiencing 3G connectivity issues. Apple fixed those with a quick update to iOS 6.1.1. Owners of other devices, including the iPhone 5 and iPad, saw battery drain issues with their devices after updating to iOS 6.1 due to a calendar bug with Exchange.

Apple moved quickly to tackle that issue as well and for many, it was patched up within a few weeks. This is not the time frame that owners of Android devices typically see when it comes to bug fixes.

Instead, devices like the Verizon Galaxy Nexus have had to wait months for bug fix updates. And while Sony’s track record has been a bit better than other Android manufacturers, we just haven’t seen the type of timing that we’ve seen from Apple in terms of fixing major and even minor issues.

Tons of Accessories

Since the iPhone, and the iPhone 5, are extremely popular amongst consumers, they are lucrative to third-party accessory manufacturers. And because of that, the iPhone dominates the accessory market.

What this means is that there is an almost unhealthy amount of iPhone 5 accessories available to consumers. From water proof cases, to cases that extend battery life to car docks to docks for music, the iPhone 5 has no shortage of accessories available to those that buy it.

The iPhone 5 has tons of accessories available.

The iPhone 5 has tons of accessories available.

And while the Sony Xperia Z may prove to be popular with consumers, it likely won’t have the same type of availability as far as accessories are concerned, particularly in the United States where the phone isn’t officially available.

This means that owners in the U.S. will have to buy most, if not all of their accessories online before trying them out, something that could wind up being a waste of money and time.

Better Customer Support

After buying an iPhone 5, consumers are treated to a one year warranty. This means that if something happens to the iPhone 5 that isn’t caused by user damage, Apple will replace the device for free.

Those looking for more support can upgrade to something Apple calls AppleCare+ which adds further support for the iPhone and extends the warranty to two years, the length of a contract. iPhone users can also bring their device into an Apple retail store in order to have a Genius diagnose an issue with the iPhone.

This type of support is not extended to unlocked devices like the Sony Xperia Z. Besides not having physical retail locations to take the phone to for instant service or repairs, retailers that sell this phone often take themselves out of the equation when it comes to warranties.

The iPhone 5 offers fantastic customer support.

The iPhone 5 offers fantastic customer support.

For instance, GSMNation which sells the Sony Xperia Z to customers in the United States, says that most brand’s offer a one year warranty from the OEM, in this case, Sony. However, it also says that it’s “not responsible for any service issues 10 calendar days after the receipt date.” This means that if there is an issue, owners will have to go through Sony.

This could prove extremely timely as it will mean calling or emailing customer service and perhaps having to ship the phone. While Sony might fix the phone, it could be a big hassle getting it do it. Those that wish to avoid this will want to look closely at the iPhone 5 and Apple.

Longevity

Those looking for continual major Android updates for the Sony Xperia Z should be weary.

While Android manufacturers have gotten better about updating older phones with new Android software, those who have bought an Android phone know that major updates can be unpredictable. For instance, those who bought 2011 Xperia smartphones likely bought the phones thinking they would get Android updates for the year or years to come.

Instead, Sony decided that they would be left on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich and would not be getting Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, a piece of software that arrived in July of 2012.

Sony has been good about communicating with customers about timing of updates but it still hasn’t proven that its devices are long-term solutions for customers.

Those that buy the iPhone 5 will run into no such difficulties. Apple keeps its phones consistently upgraded throughout the duration of a contract and beyond and the iPhone 5 will likely continue that trend.

For example, the iPhone 3GS, which was released more than three years ago, was updated with iOS 6 back in September. That’s the type of support that iPhone owners have come to expect from Apple.

The iPhone 5 features a 64GB model.

The iPhone 5 features a 64GB model.

64GB Model

Those looking for a smartphone with a ton of on board storage space will find them in both the Sony Xperia Z and the iPhone 5. However, those power uses that need all the space they can get, will likely want to take a close look at the iPhone 5 and its 64GB model.

While the most space that the Sony Xperia Z allows is 48GB, 16GB plus a 32GB microSD card, the iPhone 5 comes in a 64GB model that is perfect for those that shoot a ton of video, use a lot of apps, and generally just take up a lot of space on their smartphone.

48GB is a lot but many users will need more space, something that the Xperia Z doesn’t offer.

LTE in U.S.

And finally, the last way the iPhone 5 beats the Sony Xperia Z. The iPhone 5 is the first iPhone to utilize 4G LTE data speeds. What this means is that it can pull down data that can be 10 times as fast as standard 3G and is generally faster than HSPA “4G” speeds.

Those unfamiliar with that terminology can think of it as having Wi-Fi speeds without having access to Wi-Fi. It’s simply that fast and is perfect for streaming video, browsing the web and more whilst on the go.

The Sony Xperia Z, while sporting a 4G LTE radio, will not work, at least as is, on 4G LTE networks in the United States.

Xperia Z network compatibility.

Xperia Z network compatibility in the U.S.

It features 4G LTE bands for 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20. AT&T and T-Mobile, the GSM carriers in the United States that would be the ideal destination for customers buying the Xperia Z, support LTE bands 4 and 17. That incompatibility means that users will be stuck on 3G or 4G speeds or worse, EDGE, with the Xperia Z.

18 Comments

18 Comments

  1. Steve Jobs

    03/01/2013 at 2:24 pm

    Better customer support? More accessories? Hasn’t been announced in the US? The non-US version doesn’t use LTE in the US? Buying it from a third party is expensive? The Sony is a larger phone, therefore it’s worse? These are terrible comparisons!

    1. Better customer support does not mean the iPhone is a better phone than the Sony Xperia Z.
    2. How does having more “accessories” make the iPhone better than the Sony?
    3. The Sony hasn’t been announced for release in the US. How does that make it a worse phone than the iPhone?
    4. Of course the Sony doesn’t work on carriers in the United States. It’s not designed to. That’s common sense. When it’s released in the US, they will make the “US version” like all phone manufactures, and it will utilize US 4G LTE networks.
    5. Yes, buying the Sony from a third party would be expensive. Same with the iPhone. When the Sony is released for carriers in the United States, it will have the around the same $200 price tag for a 2 year contract as the iPhone and many other smartphones.
    6. How is having a physically larger phone worse? That’s merely an opinion.

    Learn how to make factual comparisons next time.

    • Ronzalpha

      03/01/2013 at 3:07 pm

      I agree, this article is completely biased against Sony.

    • Michael

      03/01/2013 at 5:15 pm

      “While the most space that the Sony Xperia Z allows is 48GB, 16GB plus a 32GB microSD card, the iPhone 5 comes in a 64GB model that is perfect for those that shoot a ton of video, use a lot of apps, and generally just take up a lot of space on their smartphone.”

      The Sony XZ actually offers a total of 80gb storage too. You can actually use 64gb microSD in it. All you have to do is to format it in the phone, boom.

      Proof:
      https://goo.gl/RVvjk

      Looks like the author proved one thing with this article.
      There’s not many ways the iPhone beats the Sony XZ ;)

      • Kenny

        03/01/2013 at 6:04 pm

        microSD card is good for storage expansion but is not reliable. It can corrupted anytime and all your stuffs gone unless you made a copy in your PC.

        My previous Nokia experiences teach me that. It just crazy when you load back from the PC to the card and starts installing one by one the apps , games, etc.

        Thats the reason i choose Apple Iphone which i dont have such experiences.

        So i prefer non removable storage rather than rely on microSD expansion.

        • Stephen Emhecht

          03/17/2013 at 10:12 am

          hahahahahaa no not really??? that has literally never ever ever happened to me once in the 6 various androids i’ve owned but keep making stuff up

    • Sidney Atta-Ekanan

      03/02/2013 at 1:14 am

      I agree, quick up date to fix issue, shouldn’t have release it in the first place is what I am saying.

    • sam

      03/03/2013 at 7:13 am

      Yes… it’s the article that’s bias here…

      At least it links to the 10 reasons the sony handset beats the apple handset. you can’t even comprehend that 60 millions people in the last three months may have had a reason for buying an iPhone.

      I’m a Razr maxx man because it offers things no other phone does. the iPhone may not be the best device (see link in article) but the company that makes it does offer extra features such as support ecosysestm ect. that to man users are more valuable than processor speed or shading capabilities… even my maxx’s battery life isn’t as important to the 90% of smart phone users that use samsung or apple.

      reality check; these are not important features to you or I (though I’d like the option of a motocare+) but they are feature inseperable from pixel count or screen size to some.

  2. Daniel SBC

    03/01/2013 at 5:06 pm

    Holy crap. Biggest pile of biased douchery on the internet. The tears of a crying fanboy…

  3. Ben

    03/01/2013 at 5:21 pm

    I also agree. These aren’t factual comparisons and you have to learn that the whole world doesn’t revolve around the US. Countries like Australia for example, have a higher dollar value than the US and they still have to pay more! (eg. MacBook Air US: $1,799 base model, MacBook Air AU: $2,499 base model) You are another victim of apple like a lot of people, and assume iPhones are the best in the world, when they’re not. The Sony Xperia Z is much better than an iPhone 5 and I for one, will be buying an Xperia Z because I live in Australia and it is cheaper than an iPhone 5. (Well done to Sony for not making Australians pay more than they have too)

  4. OmgThisArticleFails

    03/01/2013 at 7:24 pm

    This article is clearly written by another Apple fanboy. The fact the iPhone has a smaller screen is a drawback to me, but it’s down to opinion. Quicker updates and longetivity is also a rubbish comparison.. yes Android is fragmented but you’re now comparing android Vs Apple. Better customer support is just Apple Vs Sony, oh and I wonder what experience this guy has with Sony customer support? I wonder how well the iPhone would work after being dropped in a puddle of water? Fanboy post. Rant over.

  5. Chad Anderson

    03/01/2013 at 7:45 pm

    This is the worst bit of rubbish I’ve read in a long time (or at least since the last time I read a fanboi article). Your fuzzy logic is mind-boggling. What’s next Adam, comparing apples to…erm oranges?

  6. Barry Scott

    03/02/2013 at 1:04 am

    Got my XZ it’s lovely. Super bright sharp screen, wicked camera. Let’s see how iPhone 5 fair up to being dropped into a glass of beer. I have moved from iPhone 4 to XZ for a reason. Mostly because of signal issues. When I have chatted to an iPhone 5 from my iPhone 4 our devices race to see who’s can cut out first. Apple have let the world down with low spec high priced bull poo. Really not brave enough to submerge yet, need to see some videos of others doing it first

  7. KC

    03/02/2013 at 2:11 am

    iPhoney 5 has NO NFC. PERIOD! Watch others use their NFCs to do or pay, with their jaws dropped OPEN WIDE, in secret admiration which their puny size iPhoney cannot do, hah!

    No expansion slot for microSD card, another bugger!

    Lousy cameras – yet another!

    Every damn app or accessories cost a bomb.

    One boring design with no choices due to their CLOSED SYSTEM – another. Non standard.

    Accidentally drop your iPhone 5 into the water and it’s all OVER for iPhone 5 or any iPhonies.

    The list goes ON and ON.

  8. Tony

    03/05/2013 at 5:27 am

    When the iPhone 6 becomes 5″ like the rest of the leading phones will Adam then be complaining about its size? What an absolutely embaressing article, full of utter nonsense.

  9. Zeffy

    03/10/2013 at 9:51 pm

    I love this article. I totally convinced me to buy an Xperia. Thanks.

  10. DIM

    03/16/2013 at 4:10 pm

    I Have Bothe Of them. But a small qulity of 5’Camer. So Xperia is better.

  11. Stephen Emhecht

    03/17/2013 at 10:14 am

    the fact that i can literally shower with my xperia means it’s a better phone. and it’s REALLY embarrassing you’re trying to make apple look good at customer service. they’re only good if you have cash to blow. plus, applecare barely covers anything, it’s practically useless. try spending an hour on hold with apple and then come back to me with how “GREAT” their cust. service is. what a joke this article is

  12. Barry Scott

    03/18/2013 at 5:59 am

    Undoubtedly the best phone I have ever used/seen/had. See what S4’s 8cores do with a glass of water

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.