Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Sony Xperia Z2 – Specs Comparison

Two very popular smartphones go head to head in this flagship battle. The Sony Xperia Z2 got released in Taiwan and Singapore recently and is approaching its world wide release date. It will replace the Z1 and become the company’s new top model. To find out if it’s as good as it’s advertised we will match it against Samsung’s top-of-the-line Galaxy S5. The S5 is available since the beginning of April and it’s one of the most sought-after devices on the market, which makes it the perfect candidate for this match up.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Successor of the S4, the Galaxy S5 improves upon its predecessor with features like dust and water resistance, fingerprint reader, improved build quality and a better camera. The Samsung Galaxy S5 was designed to dominate the market with its high-end hardware and innovative features.

Design

The Galaxy S5 is IP67 certified for dust and water resistance. It can stay under a maximum of 1m’s of water for up to 30 minutes. Visually, the S5 reflects the design of its predecessor, with its rounded plastic chassis and faux metal trim look.  It has a dimpled soft plastic back cover for a better grip. As a special security feature the home button also serves as a fingerprint reader.

Display & Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S5 uses 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080p resolution at 432ppi density. The 16 MP main camera offers 4K video recording capabilities and features like: autofocus, zero shutter lag, simultaneous video and image recording, real-time HDR, panorama, Geo tagging, image stabilization and exposure compensation. The image sensor uses Samsung’s “Isocell” technology, which can improve the camera’s light capture ability. It also has a 2MP secondary camera with dual video call support.

Hardware & Software

The heart of the Samsung Galaxy S5 is a Snapdragon 801 2.5Ghz quad-core chip with 2GB of system memory.  It offers 16/32GB internal storage that can be expanded using a microSD card of up to 128GB. Its connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0 and 4G LTE. Samsung’s “Download Booster” will help you achieve higher download speeds by using both the 4G and Wi-Fi connections simultaneously.

With Android 4.4.2 KitKat and a more refined version of Samsung’s custom TouchWiz software the S5 offers a clean look and easy handling. Samsung incorporated a heart rate sensor next to the camera’s flash which can be used with the S Health software. The special S Health app integrates well with devices like the Gear 2 smartwatch and the Gear Fit tracker.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy S5 is powered by a 2800mAh Li-Ion battery which should keep you going for a full day with moderate usage. The battery is removable so you can buy a spare cell to use on long trips with no recharging possibilities.

Sony Xperia Z2

The successor of the famous Sony Xperia Z1 comes with improved specs and features. The highly anticipated Xperia Z2 will become available worldwide in many countries in a few weeks, followed by its release in Taiwan and Singapore. The Z2 will remain the company’s flagship for only six months after which Sony is planning to release an even better device. That may not be an easy task considering the Z2’s current capabilities.

Design

The Z2, like the Galaxy S5, is water and dust proof with IP ratings of IP55 and IP58. Like other devices in the Xperia Z family the Z2 was designed with balance and symmetry in mind. The Z2’s frame is made out of aluminum and features tempered glass fused to its front and back. However, because of its dimensions it may be a bit uncomfortable to hold it with one hand.

Display & Camera

The Sony Xperia Z2 makes use of a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display with 1080p resolution and a pixel density of 423ppi. It comes with Color LED technology which allows it to achieve richer colors and uniform back-lighting. The Xperia Z2’s 20.7MP camera is the same as its predecessor’s. It uses Sony’s own G lens with BIONZ image processor and Exmor RS image sensor. It’s capable of 4k HDR video recording and supports 4k video output using its MHL 3.0. This makes it possible for you to watch your family photos and videos directly on your HD or 4k TV. The Xperia Z2 features a secondary 2.2 MP camera.

Hardware & Software

The Z2 has Snapdragon 801 2.3Ghz processor and 3GB of system RAM at its core. It also comes with 16GB internal storage and microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC support up to 128GB. Its connectivity features include NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, DLNA, GPS/GLONASS and micro USB 2.0.

The Xperia Z2 uses Sony’s custom launcher alongside Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The software includes a new feature called “Smart Backlight” which keeps the phone on as long as you’re looking at it. Sony did not modify the OS too heavily so it’s a bit closer to Androids stock look. This does not make it inferior in any way however.

Battery

The Z2 ships with a 3200mAh Li-Ion non-user removable battery. It should be enough to power your device for a whole day. Sony’s battery stamina mode will provide you extra juice to keep everything running until you can get to a charger.

Conclusion

Both devices come very close to each other when it comes to specs. The extra security provided by Samsung might be important to some; others might prefer the Z2’s powerful camera and stylish design. The Samsung Galaxy S5 has a solid design and it’s a reliable device. The Sony Xperia Z2 comes with a bigger screen and a generally more pleasing visual appeal; it also feels a bit better made when compared to the S5, sporting a higher quality finish. Exact pricing for the Xperia Z2 isn’t known yet, but it’s likely that Sony’s offering will be the more expensive of the two overall. Plenty of things to take into consideration but you can’t go wrong with either of them.

Which one would you choose between the two? Let us know in the comment section.