Here we go guys. We’re throwing two flagships with the same processor in the ring to fight it out. We’ve got the Xperia ZL and the Google Nexus 4 going at it today. the Xperia ZL is the brother to the Xperia Z which should be making it’s way to the US fairly soon. The Nexus 4 is Google’s current flagship phone that was announced and released back in November of 2012. We start out with specs then break down each device with advantages and disadvantages then pick a winner. So let’s get her started.
Specifications
Sony Xperia ZL
The Sony Xperia ZL is the brother of the Xperia Z, which has a bigger battery and is a bit thicker but is not water resistant or dust proof. But it does still have that beautiful 1080p display, but I’ve heard that the viewing angles aren’t all that good on the Xperia Z or ZL. You’ve also got the 13MP camera on the back which takes great pictures.
On the software side you’ve got Android 4.1.2 with Sony’s skin. So you’ve got Google Now along with expanded notifications and some Project Butter on the Xperia ZL. You’ve also got software keys. Which makes Sony one of the very few manufacturers to adopt the software keys that Google introduced with the Galaxy Nexus in 2011.
Pros
- Beautiful looking device
- Larger battery then some 5-inch devices (like the Droid DNA)
Cons
- No indication of it being available in the US
- Not water resistant or dust proof like it’s brother the Xperia Z
Google Nexus 4
The Nexus 4 is the fourth generation Nexus phone from Google. It does run stock Android 4.2, and is beautifully designed. The Nexus 4 has a nice glass front and back. The back actually has a rather glittery pattern on the back. It also has an updated camera compared to the Galaxy Nexus, along with a larger battery. Giving it a 2100mAh battery which gives you much better battery life over the Galaxy Nexus, the last generation Nexus.
Pros
- Pure Android
- $299/349 unlocked
- Battery life is great for a 2100mAh battery
Cons
- Not compatible with Verizon and Sprint
- No LTE support (officially)
Winner
We’ll have to go ahead and choose the Nexus 4 for this one. One reason is having the latest and greatest version of Android. Another reason is that it’s available in most parts of the world for about half the price unlocked. The Nexus 4 and the Xperia ZL have pretty similar specs, aside from the Battery and display. Both phones are great devices, and you’d be happy with either of those.
Which phone would you choose?