Difference Between Samsung Galaxy S7 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

The key difference between Samsung Galaxy S7 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is that the Galaxy S7 comes with a faster and better processor, more memory, better display technology, and a better low light camera whereas the Xperia Z5 Premium comes with a high-resolution display, more battery capacity, larger camera sensor and a high-resolution rear camera and a larger display. Both devices seem to be equally matched with key features like water- resistance and availability of micro SD. Let us take a closer look at both the devices and see what they offer.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Review – Features and Specifications

Although Samsung does not seem to be producing the best TV or other electronics around, the smartphone market has another story to offer. Even though there have been some flaws with the devices, Samsung has seen them being rectified and has taken steps towards perfection. The seventh iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S series is taking this series another inch closer to perfection. Every aspect of the device seems to be top-class. This is an impressive phone which should not be taken lightly.

Design

The design, when compared with the Samsung Galaxy S6, has not seen much of a difference. The design on the Samsung Galaxy S6 had no issues. So Samsung has not made any significant change with it. It comes with the same metal glass design as its predecessor. The only notable difference is the camera which sits flush with the glass rather than bulging out like with its predecessor. The Galaxy S7 sides have a  curved shape similar to that found on the iPhones. The design is elegant, but the glass back attracts fingerprints.

Display

The display also comes with a feature known as Always on. This only turns on a selected number of pixels on the screen which will enable the user to view the calendar clock or notification without the need to unlock the device. This will, in turn, save power and conserve the battery. Devices like the Moto G and the Moto X support third party apps on the Always on display, but the Samsung Galaxy S7 does not support such a feature. Even building such apps are not supported,which is a disappointment.

Processor

The device is powered by an Exynos 8 octa processor, which is able to clock a speed of 2.3 GHz.

Storage

The expandable storage feature was removed from last year’s Samsung Galaxy S6. The Samsung Galaxy S7 again comes with this feature which can be expanded to 200GB. The micro SD card is inserted into the hybrid SIM tray where the SIM is also placed. But Samsung has left out a key feature known as Flex storage which treats the micro SD card as a part of the built-in storage. This means that the micro SD card can do more than just hold on to media like videos and photos. It will be linked to the device directly making it more secure via encryption. The external storage will also be used to install apps on them which would have been a cool feature to have. The external storage is an essential option, especially when shooting in 4K and RAW as it eats up space relatively quickly.

Camera

In the past, the iPhone was the king when it came to smartphone photography. At that time, Samsung was only able to capture images in a satisfactory manner, but now Samsung is able to go head to head with iPhone due to its camera package. The camera can be launched very easily with just a double-tap on the home button. The camera can be used in auto mode and comes with the Pro mode where many settings can be manually adjusted as preferred by an actual photographer.

The daylight photos will be great, but the camera will also be able to produce quality photos even in low light conditions thanks to optical image stabilization and the industry’s first f /1.7 aperture on the lens. The f /1.7 aperture is able to capture more light which enables the camera to produce great low light photos. According to Samsung, the camera on the new device is able to capture up to 95 percent more light than its predecessor.

The camera also is powered with a feature known as a dual pixel which doubles by capturing light as well as focusing which means the camera is able to focus quickly than other smartphone cameras out there. This is a technology which is available in DSLRs, which is known as Dual Pixel autofocus. This will make sure that when capturing moving objects, the image will not end up a blur even when lighting is not that great.

Memory

The memory that comes with the device is 4GB. Apps open up quickly, and gaming is supported well. Games can now be recorded as well. Keys can be locked, and alerts muted so that the user can enjoy the game without any hindrance.

Operating System

Touch Wiz has not had a great history in the past, but it has improved steadily with every iteration and smartphone that Samsung has produced. One of the issues that Samsung had was bloat ware which cannot be removed even if the user wanted to. But these types of apps are also disappearing from the device. The Touch Wiz, which comes with this device, is more attractive as well as clean.

Battery Life

The battery life on the device has also seen a massive improvement. The battery capacity has increased with this edition of the device. The battery is nonremovable which may be a disappointment for some user. This feature still comes with the latest phones of LG, which sacrifice the water and dust resistance in return.

Additional/ Special Features

Although some may argue that the design is purely based on the iPhone, The Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with additional and important features like water and dust resistance as well as the expandable storage option which disappeared in the last iteration. The waterproof feature is really one of the key features which stand out with the new device. Now the user does not need to worry if such an expensive device accidentally got exposed to water. Only the Sony Xperia Z series phones have had this feature which made them shine when compared with the competition. Now Samsung is also following in its footsteps by introducing it.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Review – Features and Specifications

One of the latest smart phones by Sony, the Sony Xperia Z5 premium comes with many impressive features. It comes with a 4K display which will undoubtedly be the most detailed smartphone display in the market.

Design

The design philosophy has not changed much when compared with its previous models. The edges have been rounded so that it would be more comfortable in the hand. Although the corners have been rounded, the device still retains the rectangular form as with its predecessors. The Sony Xperia Z series has been there for many years, and all their devices look very much similar to each other. The front and the rear come with glass while the metal frame is sandwiched in-between.  The Sony Xperia devices were one of the first devices to support water proof. The design of the device is known as Omni Balance, which comes with space on the top and bottom of the device. The device is relatively larger than the regular Xperia Z5, but users with larger hands will have no issues in gripping the device.

The device edges have a flatter look giving it a square profile. The dimensions of the device are 154.4 x 75.8 x 7.8mm and the weight stands at 180g. Out of the models that come with the Sony Xperia Z5 premium, the chrome is easily the best looking of the lot. The Xperia Z5 premium is also a waterproof device which comes with IP 65 and IP68 certifications.

Display

The display of the device stands at 5.5 inches and is powered by IPS LCD technology. The resolution of the display is an impressive 3840 × 2560 pixels. The pixel density of the device is an astounding 806 ppi. This resolution is the highest found in any smartphone to date. This means that the detail produced by the display will be high as well as accurate. The videos will use upscaling technology when viewing 4K content, especially videos. When using apps like Gmail, the display will operate as if it was a full HD display.

The problem with 4K is that there is almost no content to take advantage of, at least for now. But the display is able to produce better contrast and colors when viewing images and videos that are available for now. The images and videos the display produced looked natural while deeper blacks and brighter whites improved on them even further. But is all this detail really worth it for a display which is small? The images and videos can be viewed in better quality, but it all depends on the user and what he prefers.

Finger Print Scanner

The fingerprint scanner on the Sony Xperia Z5 premium has been relocated to the side of the device. This is one of the reasons for the flatter design of the device. The fingerprint scanner can also be used for payment authentication which is believed to be the future payment mode. When we are naturally gripping the device, the fingerprint scanner is located so that it falls right under the thumb for easy unlocking. But when it is compared with smoothness and accuracy in it operation, it is evident that many other brands perform better than the Sony Xperia Z5 premium device. This is very much evident when the fingers are slightly damp. The HTC One A9 and the Google Nexus 6P perform better in this aspect when compared to the Sony Xperia Z5 premium .

Processor

The processor that powers the device is Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor. The previous model was hampered by overheating issues which have been rectified with this model. Although the device will get warm when charging and playing games, it will not be a problem as it will not be uncomfortable to the user.  From a performance aspect, the device is fast and packs a punch, but sometimes it feels as if the software part of the device fails to take full advantage it.

Memory

The memory that is available on the device is 3 GB of RAM.

Camera

The new camera module has a resolution of 23 MP, which is powered by an Exmor RS sensor which comes with a 6 element lens. The camera is able to counter low light and shake in an effective manner. The camera is also able to focus really well. A feature called steady shot helps stabilize videos. This is also applicable for 4K videography. The hybrid autofocus is able to focus on an object is just 0.03 sec. This will enable the photos and the videos to be captured instantly.

Otherwise, we would miss a shot due to the lag in the focus. Although the resolution of the camera is great, it cannot be titled as the best camera out there. Manual mode does not give the user full control of the setting, which in turn, will not let the user capture the perfect photo.

Storage

The built-in storage that is found on the device is 32 GB, but expandable storage should be used in order to watch 4K content as it takes up a large amount of space. The storage is expandable, thanks to microSD support that can support a capacity of up to 200 GB. The tray that holds the SIM and the microSD card are smaller this time, compared with the previous model; it is an improvement in the design.

Operating System

Although the hardware on the device is exceptional, Sony is let down on the software part. Due to the software being not up to the mark, the user experiences disappointment, and the smartphone falls short in user experience. The Android Lollipop powered the device when it was released last year.

Battery Life

The battery capacity of the device is 3430 mAh. The display that comes with 4K support might cause concerns on the battery as this display get drained quickly. But the device has great stamina and with the ability of the display to shift from 4K to 1080p, the device is able to last throughout the day. This results in the pixels not working to their full potential all the time, which saves power. Sony’s stamina mode also helps in saving battery power, prolonging the life of the battery.

Additional/ Special Features

The device is able to support high-resolution audio as well as play station compatibility. Mobile content on the phones can be easily played by connecting to a Sony TV. While the device is waterproof, it also comes with open micro-USB and headphone ports which are open.

What is the difference between Samsung Galaxy S7 and Sony Xperia Z5 Premium?

Design

Samsung Galaxy S7: The Samsung Galaxy S7 has dimensions of 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm, and the weight of the device is 152 g. The device’s body is made up of metal and aluminum and comes with a fingerprint scanner which only requires touch for authentication. The device is dust and water proof. The available colors are Black, Gray, White, and Gold.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: The Sony Xperia Z5 premium has dimensions of 154.4 x 76 x 7.8 mm, and the weight of the device is 180 g. The device’s body is made up of metal and aluminum and comes with a fingerprint scanner which only requires touch for authentication. The device is dust and water proof. The colors that the device comes with are Black, Gray, and Gold.

The design of the Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with a curved metal frame while the back and the front of the device are made up of glass. The Sony, on the other hand, uses a glass known as frosted glass on the rear of the device. The edges on the Sony Xperia Z5 premium are sharp while the edge on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is curved to provide comfort. The Samsung galaxy S7 is able to attract fingerprints while the Sony Xperia Z5 premium does not suffer from such issues. The Samsung Galaxy S7 is the smaller device of the two. The Xperia Z5 premium is the thinner device of the two. Both the devices are waterproof and are certified by IP68 certifications.

Display

Samsung Galaxy S7: The Samsung Galaxy S7 has a screen size of 5.1 inches, and a resolution 1440 × 2560 pixels. The pixel density of the screen is 576 ppi and the technology which powers the device is super AMOLED. The screen to body ratio of the device is 70.63 %.

Sony Xperia Z5  Premium: The Sony Xperia Z5 premium has a screen size of 5.5 inches, and a resolution of 2160 × 3840 pixels. The pixel density of the screen is 801 ppi and the technology which powers the device is IPS LCD. The screen to body ratio of the device is 71.10 %.

The display technologies used in both phones rival each other. Both the displays are very sharp. Although the Xperia Z5 premium comes with a higher resolution, it will be hard to tell the difference between the two displays. When compared side by side, the Xperia will produce a bluish tinge which is a downside while the Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with a more saturated and color vibrant display.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy S7: The Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with a rear camera resolution of 12 MP, which is assisted by an LED flash. The aperture of the lens is 1.7 while the sensor size is 1/ 2.5 “. The pixel size on the sensor is 1.4 micros; when combined, will be ideal for low light photography. The device is capable of 4K recording, and the front facing camera comes with a resolution of 5 MP.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: The Sony Xperia Z5 premium comes with a rear camera resolution of 12 MP, which is assisted by an LED flash. The sensor size is 1/ 2.3 “. The device is capable of 4K recording, and the front facing camera comes with a resolution of 5 MP.

The rear camera on the Sony Xperia Z5 premium comes with a resolution of 23 MP, which is almost twice the resolution found on Samsung Galaxy S7 camera. But the aperture is f 1.7  and the sensor and pixel sizes enable more light to be captured in turn, producing great low light photos. Both the devices comes with fast autofocus, and Sony Xperia Z5 takes only 0.03 second to focus.

Hardware

Samsung Galaxy S7: The Samsung Galaxy S7 is powered by Exynos 8 Octa SoC which consists of an octa-core which is able to clock a speed of 2.3 GHz. The graphics are powered by ARM Mali-T880MP14 GPU. The memory that comes with the device is 4GB, and the built-in storage of the device is 64 GB. Storage is supported by micro SD up to 200GB.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: The Sony Xperia Z5 premium is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC  which consists of an octa-core which is able to clock a speed of 2.0 GHz. The graphics are powered by Adreno 430 GPU. The memory that comes with the device is 3GB and the built-in storage of the device is 32 GB were 23 GB is User storage. Storage is supported by micro SD up to 200GB.

The new and efficient processor on the Samsung Galaxy S7 outshines the Sony Xperia Z5 premium in many areas. But Xperia Z5 does not lag behind much from a performance point of view.  The RAM on the Samsung Galaxy S7 is also high, but this would not be much of an issue when comparing the both devices.

Battery Capacity

Samsung Galaxy S7: The Samsung Galaxy S7 comes with a battery capacity of 3000mAh. Wireless charging is an optional feature.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: The Sony Xperia Z5 premium comes with a battery capacity of 3430 mAh. The battery is not user replaceable.

Samsung Galaxy S7 vs Sony Xperia Z5 Premium – Summary