Sony Xperia Z: 5 Killer Smartphones to Slump After Waterproof Handset Launch in India

| Updated: Thursday, March 14, 2013, 16:26 [IST]

High-end devices including Samsung Galaxy S3, Nokia Lumia 920, HTC One X+, iPhone 5 and more sporting 720p displays were the talk of the town last year. However, smartphones flaunting stunning HD 1080p displays seem to become the trend in 2013. Moreover, with the addition of heavyweight specifications including the integration of quad core processors, the tech arena is set on fire.

In 2012, there were rumors regarding Sony's 1080p handsets that were slated to come in 2013. Going in line with the same, the Japanese tech giant came up with Xperia Z and Xperia ZL at the CES 2013 tech show. Considering the importance of the Indian consumer market, Sony has also released the handsets in India on Wednesday at a media event in New Delhi.

Launched in tie up with Vodafone, the buyers of Xperia Z and ZL will be getting 8GB 3G data for two months.

Speaking of specifications, both Xperia Z and Xperia ZL pack a 5 inch full HD capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and with Mobile Bravia Engine 2, quad core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system, 13MP rear camera, 2.2MP front camera for video calling, 16GB internal storage, 2GB RAM, micro SD card slot supporting up to 32GB additional storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and 4G LTE.

On the pricing front, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL will be available at Rs 38,990 and Rs 36,990. Also, the online pre-order for the same have been started and the retail availability of the handsets will debut from the next week.

Detailing on Xperia Z, the waterproof handset of the duo, the handset comes with IP55/57 certifications making it water proof and dust resistant. By waterproof it means that the handset can be submerged into 1 meter water.

With the release of the Xperia smartphones, Sony will be kicking off a tough competition with the other flagship smartphones and phablets that are existing in the market and also the ones that are on cards for Indian release.

Eventually, Gizbot has come with an interesting collection of the challengers of Xperia Z based on specifications and price range.

Click here for more Xperia Z images...

HTC Butterfly

HTC launched Butterfly in India boasting a 5 inch LCD 3 capacitive touchscreen display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 2, 1.5GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS topped with HTC Sense 4 UI, 8MP rear camera with BSI sensor, 2.1MP front camera for video calling, 2GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, microSD card slot, Wi-Fi, HDMI out, Bluetooth, NFC, micro USB and a 2,020 mAh battery.

The handset is priced too high at Rs 45,999 and it comes with features including Beats Audio integration and ImageSense chip and is also water resistant.

Xperia Z and ZL come with a better camera and improved battery as compared to Butterfly with Beats Audio and ImageSense integrations.

Apple iPhone 5

iPhone 5 sports a 4 inch display with a resolution of 1136 x 640 pixels, a new Apple A6 chipset, 1GB RAM, 16GB/32GB/64GB internal memory, 8MP rear camera with iSight technology, 1.2MP front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, 4G LTE, 3G, micro USB 2.0 and a battery with 8 hours talk time and 225 hours standby.

Apple has priced iPhone 5 at Rs 45,500, Rs 52,500 and Rs 59,500 for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB variants respectively.

Though iPhone 5 did not have Retina display, it has a 4 inch display with 1136 x 640 pixel resolution and 326 ppi pixel density. However, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL have a 440 ppi display could easily knockout the Apple offering. However, Sony Xperia Z and ZL come at a lesser price, which will be an added advantage.

Nokia Lumia 920

Windows Phone 8 based Lumia 920 has been released in India at Rs 38,199 and has also received a price cut costing Rs 37,510. The handset sports a 4.5 inch IPS LCD touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels along with PureMotion HD and ClearBlack display technologies, 8.7MP rear camera with PureView branding, 1.3MP front camera, 1.5GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, micro USB 2.0, NFC connectivity and 2,000 mAh Li-ion battery.

With a better display and enhanced software features, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL could be stiff challengers of Lumia 920, which comes with PureView camera technology and wireless charging.

LG Optimus G

Optimus G boasts a 4.7 inch True HD IPS+ capacitive touchscreen display with a resolution of 1280 X 768 pixels, 1.5GHz quad core Qualcomm processor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, 13MP rear camera, 1,3MP front camera for video calling, 3G, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS and 2,100mAh battery.

The handset has been officially released in India at Rs 34,500 and is also available online at Rs 30,990. Though Xperia Z is priced expensive than Optimus G, it comes with a better display, improved battery and water/dust resistant aesthetics.

Samsung Galaxy Note 2

Galaxy Note 2, the second generation Samsung phablet and the hottest selling phablet in the world is selling in India at Rs 36,700.

The phablet houses a 5.5 inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution, 1.6GHz quad core processor, 2GB RAM, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS, micro SD card slot supporting 32GB, 8MP rear camera, 1.9MP front camera, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth with A2DP and a massive 3,100 mAh Li-ion battery.

Moreover, Galaxy Note 2 has an improved stylus with rubber tip for better touch response. However, Xperia Z and Xperia ZL come with a 1080p display, and improved camera performance as compared to Galaxy Note 2 with a faster processor and larger display.

Click here for more Xperia Z images...