Introduction
This is an interest square-off – the ever elusive Sony Xperia Z2 and the already available HTC One M8…we say elusive only because Sony devices never seem to make a big splash in the U.S., but we are told the Xperia Z2 will be in the U.S. sometime in late April or May. The Xperia Z2 may also be a Verizon exclusive or we may see it on AT&T and T-Mobile as well…with Sony you just never know. What we do know is that the new HTC One M8 is up for pre-order on all four major carriers in the U.S. online, and also as a walk-in, only at Verizon until April 11. Nobody should argue that these are both premium devices – no plastic here – the HTC One M8 with its all aluminum body and the Sony Xperia Z2 with its glass and metal structure via the style of the iPhone.
Both devices are more similar in specifications than they are different – both have an almost identical screen size, the same processor and clock speed, both can increase internal storage up to 128GB with a microSD card slot, both are almost identical in size and even in their weight, and both will come with Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Take a look at the specifications side-by-side in the chart below and after that we will discuss some of the differences between these two devices and possibly why one is ‘better’ than the other.
Specifications
Sony Xperia Z2
The build quality on the Xperia Z2 is certainly on par with the HTC One M8 – the glass and metal add a little weight and thickness, but it is slightly more narrow than the M8, yet the weight is almost identical, 163 grams vs 160 grams for the M8. The screen is slightly larger, 5.2-inches vs 5.0-inches and it has a much larger battery, 3200mAh vs only 2600mAh for the M8. The Xperia Z2 has 3GB or RAM compared to the 2GB for the HTC One M8, and considering that the Xperia Z2 has a very thin ‘skin’ and is almost pure Android as one can get – it should fly with 3GB of RAM. While it does lack in the front-facing camera area, 2.2MP vs HTC One M8’s 5MP, the Xperia Z2’s main camera, with its dedicated camera button, at 20.7MP far out does the 4MP UltraPixel camera on the HTC One M8 – and I am NOT comparing 20.7MP vs 4MP – the Sony and its lenses simply too much for the HTC One M8. The Xperia Z2’s biggest disadvantage is its price and availability, but we are told it will be here in late April or May.
HTC One M8
They HTC One M8 is a beauty of a smartphone – most users will not deny that, and it’s already available to buy. The HTC One M8 has a slightly smaller screen, 5-inch vs 5.2-inches and both are of the LCD variety, although when Alex tested the Xperia Z1 screen, he did not like it as much as the LG G2 or the HTC One M7. It also has less RAM – 2GB vs. 3GB found in the Xperia Z2, although there is a 32GB model available (if we ever see it), but with the microSD card slot in both, that rather negates any benefit. The HTC One M8 also has a much smaller battery, 2600mAh vs 3200mAh than the Xperia Z2. It does have a better speaker – its beats everybody. The biggest difference is in the camera area – and I know I will get the whole ‘megapixel argument’ but there is simply no way that a 4MP UltraPixel camera with great software and lenses will out shoot the 20.7MP camera with great software and lenses found on the Xperia Z2…it is not going to happen.
…And the Winner is…Sony Xperia Z2
Summary
This was another tough decision, however, the all aluminum body of the HTC One M8, though beautiful, does not outdo the glass and metal body of the Xperia Z2 – true they are different, but each is beautiful in its own way…a draw. The Xperia Z2 has more RAM, a larger battery, a larger display and yet it weighs about the same. The 20.7MP in the Sony Xperia Z2 will certainly out-shoot the camera of the HTC One M8 – just compare the Xperia Z1 and the HTC One M7 as they are practically identical. The HTC One M8 certainly has the better speaker, but a great speaker is not enough to give it the edge over the Xperia Z2. The availability of the M8 is in its favor, but none of the other flagships are out yet either.
Please let us know on our Google+ Page what you think of these two beautiful and competent devices – we would love to hear what you think.