In the coming weeks, many big name smartphones of 2013 will hit shelves. Names like the HTC One, Samsung Galaxy S4 and quite possibly, the iPhone 5S will tempt shoppers and their wallets. However, those looking for a new device should also know that there are some tempting devices on shelves already. Two of those devices are the Sony Xperia Z and the Samsung Galaxy Note 2which will be vying for the attention of consumers in the days and weeks to come.
6 Ways the Sony Xperia Z Beats the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
To many, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 probably already seems like an aging smartphone. It was launched in August of last year and since then, it has received a whirlwind of attention as it launched on all five of the largest carriers in the United States and has gone on to pass five million units sold around the world. It’s also an extremely solid smartphone.
The Galaxy Note 2 in between the iPhone 5 and iPad mini.
However, the Galaxy Note 2 is not old. In fact, it’s relatively young. Samsung did not finish its U.S. Galaxy Note 2 launch until the end of November when Verizon rolled out the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 on November 29th. That means that the Galaxy Note 2, at least in the United States, is only a few months old. The Galaxy Note 2 isn’t rumored for much later in the year, presumably in August, and that means that the Galaxy Note 2 still a very viable option for those looking to snag a new device.
Of course, it’s not without competition. In addition to the phones that are coming in the weeks ahead, the Galaxy Note 2 is also going to have to deal with new, larger-screen smartphones like the Sony Xperia Z which arrived on shelves just a few weeks ago after launching at CES 2013 in Las Vegas.
The Sony Xperia Z hit shelves just a short time ago.
The Sony Xperia Z represents Sony’s latest entry into the smartphone world and it will be the device that Sony promotes against the competition for a good portion of 2013.
One of the devices that it will be competing against is, of course, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Already, we have shown you some of the advantages that the Sony Xperia Z has over the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and now, it’s time to take a look at some of the ways that the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 beats the Sony Xperia Z.
Bigger Screen for Travel
While the Sony Xperia Z display is large. It stands in at a statuesque 5-inches in size. It also features 1080p resolution and some smart features that make it one of the more intriguing displays on the market. However, those who want a bigger display for watching movies, browsing the web, or maybe doing work on-the-go will want to opt for the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 may not feature insane screen resolution, a mind-blowing pixels-per-inch count or the smart features of the Xperia Z, but what it does have is size.
The Galaxy Note 2 features a massive display, perfect for travel.
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 2 uses a 5.5-inch display which is much bigger than most smartphones on the market including the Sony Xperia Z’s. The shear size of the phone makes it a perfect companion for those that are constantly traveling, whether it’s for work, pleasure or just a plain old commute.
For example, the display size allows for two people to comfortably share the screen for a video on a long flight. It also allows those who may be taking the train home to comfortably pull up something to work on while on-the-go.
Those that need the extra .5-inches of space, and there will folks that do, will want to take a closer look at the Galaxy Note 2.
S-Pen
The Galaxy Note 2 S-Pen.
Besides the massive display, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 also possesses another unique property in the form of the S-Pen stylus, a bundled accessory that takes advantage of a number of applications that are unique to the Galaxy Note 2 as they were added by Samsung.
Samsung’s S-Pen stylus not only features a beautiful ergonomic design, but it also features a handful of applications that take the stylus beyond just a tool used for writing and drawing on the display.
The Galaxy Note 2 features a number of S-Pen related applications including one called S-Note which allows users to easily jot down information whether it’s in a meeting or a classroom. The app automatically opens up when pulling the S-Pen out of the device’s dock as well for easy access.
The stylus also allows owners to take advantage of a feature called Easy Clip which allows for users to simply use the stylus to crop and share photos from their content. Users can also utilize something called Photo Note which lets users write messages on the back of photos in order to keep memories.
This is just a sampling of the power of the S-Pen, an accessory that the Sony Xperia Z simply does not have in its arsenal.
Multitasking
Those looking for a powerful multitasking experience will find one with the Samsung Galaxy Note 2.
Samsung has outfitted the Galaxy Note 2 with a couple of features that are perfect for those that need to multitask on their smartphone.
For instance, a feature called Multi Window View divides up the display into two halves so that owners can run two separate apps at the same time. For instance, owners can check Facebook while looking at Twitter as well. This is just another advantage of having that extra space as far as the screen is concerned.
In addition, the device uses a feature called Pop Up Video which allows owners to open a video and simply move it out of the way, on screen, while doing something else. Due to the quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM on board the Galaxy Note 2, the device is able to handle these functions perfectly.
Those looking for them on the Sony Xperia Z will unfortunately not find them there.
Removable Battery
One of the perks of owning a Samsung smartphone is that it features microSD card support and maybe even more important, a removable battery.
The Galaxy Note 2 features a removable battery which means that owners will not only have an easy time replacing it if it starts to perform poorly but they can also attach an extended battery to the device if they need more juice. The battery on the Galaxy Note 2 is already massive but those power users who need more can potentially add more if they choose to.
The Galaxy Note 2 uses a removable battery.
The Sony Xperia Z does not have a removable battery. This of course means that owners are stuck with the stock battery and should a problem arise, it will be much more difficult to repair as it can be done simply by opening up the back of the Xperia Z.
LTE in U.S.
The Sony Xperia Z, while an LTE supported smartphone elsewhere in the world, is not compatible with the high-speed 4G LTE networks in the United States.
The Xperia Z does not lack a 4G LTE radio, instead, it lacks the proper LTE bands. The Xperia Z, even the unlocked model, 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 carriers of choice 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, 2G EDGE.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 of course does not have that problem. It runs gracefully on five of the largest 4G LTE networks in the land, including Verizon’s 4G LTE network which boasts connectivity in over 400 markets across the United States.
Those who are looking to run LTE with a Sony Xperia Z will have to opt for the Sony Xperia ZL, a more compact version of the Xperia Z, which will be out at some point later on this year.
Carrier Selection
Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 boasts a better carrier selection for those in the United States because the Sony Xperia Z is not officially available on any carriers in the United States.
Instead, users will have to pay a pretty penny to import the device, the Xperia ZL too, in order to get it up and running on an American carrier.
The Galaxy Note 2 is home on several U.S. carriers.
Those interested in the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 will have a ton of options including AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon. It also means that users will not only have the ability to buy the phone on a subsidy but that they will be graced with a full range of data plan options.
Those data plan and carrier options won’t be available those in the U.S. looking to get the Xperia Z.
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