Sony Xperia Z vs. HTC One - result after durability test

first I want to (as well as in my other reviews) to point out that I already possessed quite a few smartphones and me could give a very good overview so that each operating system iOS, BlackBerry OS and Andriod can and where their weaknesses lie - in my possession over the last years were: iPhone 4S, Samsung Galaxy S2, Samsung Galaxy Note, BlackBerry Torch 9800, BlackBerry Bold 9900, Xperia Pro, Motorola Razr i, Google Nexus 4 and over the last 6 weeks, the HTC One.

Everyone has their own individual needs and requirements which must personally make a Smartphone for him / to. My expectations were there: good call quality (both for me and my opposite) Design / feel to be right, battery needs a daily business survive without the grid, performance / display, smart unique features that convince me as a buyer, I want so good can take pictures / videos from the dog and Co and the phone needs to run clean overall without any lag and lags.

The Sony Xperia Z I have now since 2 weeks. As always, I was very happy with the service from Amazon and I received on time as ordered a white for my girlfriend (the HTC has also released again - more on that later) and one for me, clearly in black :)

Why I made the HTC One again and why the XZ is currently the best smartphone for me, I will now explain, which I will not list everything, but me only confined to the points to win the Xperia Z on the HTC One led noticed me or are and potential buyers should know - sometimes purely subjective, of course.

The advantages were the deciding factors:

Design / feel:

The XZ is a beautiful phone - no question. However, looking at "only" the design, most people would likely if they were faced with the choice to pick up the HTC One. After prolonged use, however, a lot of things but then developed to the detriment. Since I have fairly large hands, the Sony a touch is for me personally even better in your hand. Everything is valuable and is positioned at the right place. Unlike the HTC One I can reach the power button with one hand without having to reach round. He is always palpable and center right ideal for me. By the rubberized outer edge the phone does not slip out of your hands, is also the Sony better on the table and can thus also without having to hold it serve wonderful. Overall, a successful design which also is both practical for everyday use. The supplied docking station is of course an added bonus. Thus, the store is also no cable to connect to a mobile phone possible. Lovely, too, that the homescreen then view in landscape mode and the XZ therefore remains fully functional.

Call quality / reception:

I was beginning here yet convinced by HTC, I had in everyday life but unfortunately often noisy conversations and very poor reception experience. The Sony is to date when it comes to call quality and reception my best phone. No noise, no Knartzen. A dream and unrivaled in my eyes. My girlfriend had since she was in possession of the HTC One suddenly very poor reception on the work. This made up for the first time felt as WhatsApp messages arrived hours later only at me and I could barely hear and the connection tear the conversation during the lunch break (Vodafone). I myself (O2) had on our land for leisure purposes no internet - neither 3G nor, very annoying because I also like to edit Saturdays there business emails LTE and want to remain accessible. The decision to Xperia changed this problem abruptly. Messages come promptly to the talks during the lunch break and with customers extend back stress-free and on the land for leisure purposes I have complete surprise LTE 2 bar! Super and also I can not remember a device that was able to produce such a receipt values ​​in the past.

Battery / LEDs:

After about two weeks you could not say anything more against the battery of the HTC One. I was good an intensive daily business without having to go to the river. However annoyed me had the long load times that sometimes comical way also very varied. Less than 3 hours, the One was not to get full. The XZ is also value for money here, because both the battery performance is better than the charging time is significantly shorter. An ingenious invention is Sony's "Stamina" mode. Here I made it to a 1-week seminar in 3days 2hours of operation without charging. Incredible! Once the display is activated come all messages, emails etc abruptly and yet I am always reachable by phone. There are many situations in everyday life of this mode gives its raison d'être. Mag mad sound, important for me anyway: The XZ has an internal battery indicator in%! In fact, only be realized through an app on the HTC. The Sony has countless LED colors - my girlfriend is enthusiastic;) as a WhatsApp message "Lila-flashing" appears with her. What is missing is an update that the colors for SMS, emails etc also can not be set individually - the charging cycle, for example, is documented in Red, Orange and Green.

Display / Performance:

Not comes close to that of the HTC One - this must be said clearly and honestly. Here HTC has really built the finest, what you can currently offer. Extremely stable viewing angle and sharp. However, one must not forget that you can always make the comparison with the Sony already tucked screen protector that is applied at the factory. The change from HTC yet we noticed not that hard, after all, also the XZ with a FullHD screen is equipped, that is loaded not as stable point of view but still crisp and razor sharp. The color reproduction on BRAVIA Engine like and everything looks natural and in no way covered as with other manufacturers. Also in the discipline Performance HTC One hangs the XZ from a hair's breadth. Almost imperceptibly but in some areas the HTC is a ticking faster or more responsive. All but criticism at extremely high levels, because Sony is fluid, fast and powerful without any lag and lags. It should be noted that Sony has installed at the beginning of probably different displays. So we got off at the first order, a white instrument which clearly milky and darker than mine was. The unit was impeccably exchanged Amazon and replaced with a new one.

SAR values:

The HTC One are very high. 0.86 SAR and the measured Connect normalized value is also pretty bad. Not for each relevant, but as I professionally conditioned telephone between 3-4 hours a day and work with the phone's important to me personally a low-radiation mobile phone. The XZ is exemplary here. SAR 0.55 and normalized measured 0.12. Another plus.

Camera / USPs:

Well what can I say ... after I had shot my 20 Zoes with the HTC and every imaginable effect've tried (6 in number), but the whole was a bit boring and I went over to normal as usual to snap photos. Unfortunately, the HTC does not make beautiful pictures. The four million pixel ultra effectively are only 3.7 million simply come too often and too quickly reach their limits. Objects from 20 feet away are blurred, so even muddy. To me, a "no-go" Due to the rather moderate positive reviews about the camera XZ I picked it up on the matter with skepticism. However, we can both these criticisms do not understand, because the superior automatic makes brilliant razor-sharp images! I'll upload a picture here that I yesterday in the pouring rain with automatic does have. Frankly I do not know how to be better off - the Lumia 920 times left out - the XZ also in this area the best that we have come across.

We have a dog and are a lot out there on our land for leisure purposes and keen walkers - the Xperia is waterproof! At first we did not realize what that means and what added value this brings with it. We can on the beach carefree pictures make even if the phone full of sand is, I can make calls while in the typical German downpour I go for a walk again, my friend phoned recently in the bathtub and I am completely sausage that our dog again on my Cell throws with the typical cheeky look of Gremlins. Trails via GPS can also be discussed on rainy days and otherwise you just have a very good feeling to know "my phone is waterproof and dustproof - and now you come :)"

Also interesting is the possibility to upgrade the internal memory via micro SD card.

All in all fell us the decision, although difficult, the HTC One releasing it again, we regret it but never. The Sony Xperia Z is more convenient, more flexible, and in many ways that are subjectively important us in a better position. The S4 has never been considered due to the unspectacular features and design.

Absolute buy recommendation! Follow updates when there is something to say :)

---- ---- UPDATE 25.05.2013

Mir is 1.5 meters laterally fallen with full force on my tile floor, the Xperia Z yesterday from approx. Before I picked it seemed to me the very thought "oh woe that has listened to evil - display broken?" with slightly trembling hands I approached the accident scene to provide first aid to ... lo and behold, my Sony is still alive! Except for a minimal Macke at the point of impact everything is as before! No harm no display processor problem. Any other phone would be broken or at least been seriously damaged as a fall. Here Sony has obviously made the right decision and thankfully not set to the new Gorilla Glass 3, which has already caused massive problems in S4. Shock resistant mineral glass really is very durable. Respect. TOP!

We have now purchased the product Sony SRSBTM8B V3.0 Bluetooth speakers with Bass Reflex and I can give each only the tip to look at this Stereobox once. It harmonizes really super with the Xperia Z and also has a nice sound. For anyone who likes listening to music at home and the way this product is a useful addition. Since the speakers are to be operated on batteries, the box can be anywhere. The connection is made via NFC, what really works simply and conveniently. Enable NFC on XZ, briefly hold the speakers - that's it! CONNECTED! Even if the XZ located several feet away from the box, the sound at the same high level. The XZ then acts as a remote control which is output via the speakers. Also calls can take over the loudspeakers. Best Buy from me.

---- UPDATE ---- 09.06.2ß13

The XZ received an update. This needed along with some optical improvements also a patch for the battery itself. The term has improved and also the reception quality was raised a "touch".

UPDATE 12/07/2013 ---- ----

Android 4.2.2 was posted yesterday. Nothing has changed in size substantially. A few subtleties have been modified and optimized the entire system runs a little liquid and the battery life has been improved and load times have been shortened.

Now it is possible for example to choose even soft symbols in the status bar display. Finally is also stamina, GPS, LTE etc directly with a key press off or connectable.

I would have indeed wished for a clearer Stick music player, this problem can, however, by various vendors in the second PlayStore deal.

As before, I'm very happy with the Xperia Z and would stand not select another phone today. Meanwhile, I have also received the Xperia Tablet Z. The harmony of the two devices is amazing. A detailed review of Tablet coming soon.