Both Samsung and Sony went all out in the mobile phone industry in 2013, producing two of the most popular and highly acclaimed smart devices in a year that was jam-packed with amazing mobile innovations. But the eternal question remains unanswered: which is better, a smartphone or a phablet? How do we determine pros and cons and where exactly do we draw the line for each category? Does the size of the screen determine its identity or should the overall dimensions of the phone itself be used as the basis? These are questions that have us wondering where to invest our hard-earned money and which would serve us better in the long run. For this, we'll go into an in-depth study in this comparison review for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and Sony Xperia Z1 to see whether a feature-packed phablet or the latest Android smartphone would better suit your needs.
Let's check out each of their features and see how these two heavy contenders will fare against each toher in this fight of epic proportions.
We may try to deny it but design is always important. While it's true that a bigger size and a snazzier look may not always mean a better phone, in Note 3 and Z1's case, the comparison of sizes is completely relevant. Xperia (5.69 x 2.91 x 0.33 inches) is almost dangerously close to Galaxy Note 3 (5.95 x 3.12 x 0.33 inches) in terms of size but the almost negligible difference in their sizes would still affect the user's comfort in the long run. As big as Xperia Z1 is, it is still relatively smaller compared to Note 3, making it slightly more comfortable to use. Despite the fact that Z1 is already big in terms of smartphone size, Sony's flagship android phone is still easier to operate compared to Samsung Galaxy Note 3.
While size appeals to comfort and viewing pleasure, appearance and build quality on the other hand tackle aesthetics and durability. These are also the categories in which Sony Xperia Z1 trumps Samsung Galaxy Note 3 considerably. The metal and glass creation that serves as Z1's casing presents users with a much more attractive design that not only looks more exquisite, but feels more solid as well. On the other hand, while it is by no means cheap, Note 3 adopted the run-of-the-mill leather-simulating, plastic body design that appears unremarkable next to Sony, HTC or Apple's classy looks.
In terms of physical buttons, Sony Xperia Z1 and Samsung Galaxy Note 3 are about tied in this category, with Z1 offering keys that are somehow quite small and don't necessarily feel "clicky." However, Xperia Z1 does boast a camera shutter which Note 3 doesn't have.
Both devices are charged using their microUSB ports, but the significant difference between the two is that Galaxy Note 3 offers a USB 3.0-compatible port. This means that if you've got a USB 3.0 port on your PC and as long as you're using the compatible cable, you can enjoy faster charging and transfer speeds.
So while Xperia Z1 doesn't feature a fancy microUSB 3.0 port, it does however boast another ideal trait with its IP 58 certification that makes it both water- and dust-proof. On the other hand, Note 3 sports a hallmark feature that had users calling it "phablet": the S Pen stylus. This accessory allows users to draw on its 5.7" screen, take handwritten notes in class or work and create designs while on the go.
While the differences in their sizes are almost neglible, Galaxy Note 3 features a considerably larger screen at 5.7" and 1080p, compared to Z1's 5", 1080p display.
In terms of display, Z1's high quality LCD display would usually be considered more superior and accurate compared to Note 3's AMOLED-based screen due to the LCD's more natural-looking colors and higher brightness output. The case with these two mobile juggernauts however is that Samsung has taken to introducing regular improvements to its Super AMOLED display and now it has nearly eliminated the issue with troublesome outdoor visibility. With this, Samsung Galaxy Note phablet has overcome one of its major weaknesses and now boasts a panel that is almost as bright and easy to view as Z1. Another specificity relevant to this case is that Xperia Z1 features a TFT panel that makes it appear washed out when viewed at certain angles, despite the brand's "Triluminos" enhancements.
One of the most notable differences between the two handsets is that Sony Xperia Z1's screen still produces the more realistic image quality between the two, with its Dela E (grayscale) of 3.96 and color temperature of 7000 K (kelvin). Galaxy Note 3's images and videos sometimes appear unpleasantly bluish/greenish because of insufficient red (color temperature: 8100 K and Delta E (grayscale): 6.34. At first glance, this subtle difference may not be all that obvious but using a reference to compare screen quality, Samsung's weakness against Sony's superior image quality becomes quite obvious. Looks like the South Korean brand has a lot more work to do in the future in its quest to iron out all the kinks of its AMOLED screen technology.
Based on these specs, which one should users invest their money in? It turns out that this isn't the easiest question to answer, as when it comes right down to it, it's not simply a matter of size. If the two devices were almost equal in all categories, Xperia Z1's bulkiness would have us rushing towards the direction of Note 3. However, Sony's flagship smartphone is certainly a heavyweight contender that's able to give the Samsung Galaxy phablet a run for its money in almost all points of comparison. Sure it's somehow bulky for an Android phone with a 5" display, but Z1's still smaller and more compact than Galaxy Note 3. Xperia's camera is also about the same level as Note 3's, even slightly better in some scenarios, but its software boasts a more streamlined and mature appearance.
All of this doesn't necessarily mean that Galaxy Note 3 is an inferior device. Samsung's Note 3 is one of the best phablets money can buy at the moment and it doesn't have any major flaws that would put off users completely.
Both devices are very good at performing in their respective specialty areas, so the decision on which is the better handset comes down to personal preferences in the end. If you want a bigger screen with a fancy stylus for taking down notes in Economics class, get a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. If you like solid construction with beautiful design in your choice of phones, then Xperia's Z1 is for you. Both handsets boast state of the art hardware and numerous features to keep you happy and busy so you can't go wrong with either of the two.
