Sony Xperia Z vs HTC Droid DNA vs Samsung Galaxy S3: Specs Showdown

With more and more large-sized Android smartphone emerged in the market, consumer just like you must be smart in choosing the optimal smartphone to match your daily needs: entertainment, multimedia, social networking, web browsing, etc. Bear in mind that just choose the device based on your real purpose of owning a smartphone.

Everybody has already known that Sony just unleashed its latest Android flagship device Xperia Z. To see how it stacks up, I have put it against two established kings of Google’s castle, the Samsung Galaxy S3 and HTC Droid DNA. Also, I have run the three against each other in the specs list table below for easier comparison.

How does Sony’s latest flagship Android device compare to its peers? Take a gander at my comparison, spec sheet and see for yourself.

• Display 

Galaxy S3 boasts a sizeable 4.8-inch Super AMOLED touch display with a 1280x720p resolution at 306 ppi. Frankly, the picture quality of Galaxy S3 is a little lower. However, it is still plenty sharp for most uses. The contrast and brightness are good and color are rich.

The touchscreen of Xperia Z is bit bigger, it's a 5-inch LCD with a 1920x1080p HD resolution clocking in at an impressive 443ppi. The display delivers good brightness and also uses OptiContrast technology for deeper blacks along with the Sony Mobile Bravia Engine 2 for improved color and saturation.

HTC Droid DNA has the same 5-inch screen size and resolution as the Xperia Z. The difference is Xperia Z has TFT screen with Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, Shatter proof and scratch-resistant glass protection, while HTC Driod DNA has Super LCD3 with Corning Gorilla Glass 2 protection, HTC Sense UI 4+.

Considering the special waterproof feature, the winner on this round – Sony Xperia Z

• Processor and Memory

Sony Xperia Z comes with 1.5 GHz Quad core Snapdragon S4 CPU, while HTC Droid DNA also powered by 1.5 GHz Quad core Snapdragon S4 CPU. In terms of memory, both of them have 2GB RAM and 16GB internal ROM storage memory and up to 32GB expandable via MicroSD card.

The Galaxy S3 is fitted with Samsung’s own Exynos quad-core processor clocked at 1.4GHz with 1GB of RAM. Samsung offers the Galaxy S3 in both 16GB and 32GB options, with microSD capability for high-capacity cards up to 64GB.

Actually, speed is quite important to a mobile and removes your worrying on slowdown, especially wanting to do more multi-task or play high-end game. So, this round winners – Sony Xperia Z and HTC Droid DNA.

• Camera 

This is a big battle section among three models. Sony Xperia Z sports a 13MP rear camera and 2.2MP front camera. It also supports 1080p video recording. As it has water resistant support, users could take some beautiful snaps like fish under water.

HTC Droid DNA comes with 8MP rear camera and 2.1MP front camera, while Galaxy S3 is packed with an 8MP camera and 1.9MP front face. Both support 1080p video recording.

Obviously, this round winner – Sony Xperia Z

• Price and release date 

Xperia Z is announced at CES 2013 event and is expected to be on sale on first quarter of 2013. Price is rumored to be equal with Galaxy Note 2.

HTC Droid DNA is announced at December 2012, while Samsung Galaxy S3 is released on May 2012. Both are available for a starting price of $199.

It the rumored price of Sony Xperia Z is true, most likely it will let its followers down. Personally, no winner here.

• Final thoughts

Other features like battery, connectivity, software are nearly the same, so I will never take them as comparison. Actually the new Xperia Z stacks up quite well against the competition. It pulls head of the Galaxy S3 and HTC Droid DNA in quite a few aspects.

Xperia Z matches the HTC device’s high-resolution display and quad-core processor. In terms of camera and battery life, Xperia Z takes the lead. The camera is to be expected, especially with Sony’s intense focus on photography. Nevertheless, a slightly better camera and improved battery life doesn’t exactly blow the competition out of the water. As usual, only time will tell whether or not Sony can pull off the impossible and take the lead on the Android front.

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Sony Xperia Z Review: Sony Released Its Flagship Xperia Z on CES 2013

How time flies! Now it is the new 2013 and the stage for CES 2013. There are so many innovative digital products has made their amazing appearance on 2013 CES, especially those 5-inch smartphones. With Samsung's Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3 selling like hot cakes, it is strongly proved that 5-inch and even more large sized smartphone will be the main stream of 2013.

This year's CES springs out certain excellent 5-inch-plus phones, and among them Sony Xperia Z is no doubt the brightest star. This new Sony flagship contains heaps of high-end features including quad-core processing, a massive 5-inch screen and a 13-megapixel camera. More surprisingly, Sony claimed that this phone could be used in the bath or shower without fear and can even survive being dropped down the toilet. Quite Amazing! Personally, Sony finally crafted a flagship that could go toe-to-toe with the competition.

So now let us focus on Sony's new flagship and take a close look. 

1. Screen 

Sony Xperia Z boasts a 5-inch 1080 x 1920p full HD Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2 to deliver amazing visual effect. The Xperia Z’s display manages 443ppi and adds even greater realism. It lacks the eye-poppingly bright color palette of the iPhone but it’s a stunning display.

2. Processor 

This mobile comes with a 1.5 GHz asynchronous quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor with 2GB RAM. The quad-core processor means the speedy processing speed. If you want to do multi-task with your mobile and are unwilling to slow your activities down, a quad-core processor is in great need. So to speak, Sony Xperia Z is a speedy, powerful, responsive phone.

3. Camera 

The highlight on this handset is the phone equipped a 13MP rear camera and 2MP front facing camera . Far as I know, Sony Xperia Z is the first phone to feature an amazing 13MP camera and indeed, it will help to capture sharp pictures and videos.

4. Battery

Battery STAMINA mode improves standby time by at least 4 times.

5. Waterproof

Excellent waterproof ability to meets military specifications IP55 and IP57, which means it’s dust resistant and submersible in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

6. Android 4.1

Launch on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and will be upgraded to 4.2 shortly after launch for the latest Android user experience.

7. Connectivity

NFC-enabled, Stereo Bluetooth™ Headset SBH20 and the Wireless Headset DR-BTN200M.

Sony Xperia Z will launch globally in the first quarter of 2013. We haven't got its price but one thing is pretty sure that this smartphone will have a high price tag. There is also a smaller model called Xperia ZL we did not introduce in this article hitting the market.

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