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Which to buy: Galaxy S5 or Xperia Z3?

GTaudiophile

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Both the Samsung S5 and Sony Z3 cost about $600 from the T-Mobile website. Which to get? Which will get Lollipop first?

Pros of the S5 (for me)
+User-replaceable battery
+Radio supports more bands
+Better long-term support from Samsung?

Pros of the Z3
+Battery life (but not user-replaceable)
+Better camera
+More RAM
+Slightly newer
+Weather proofing


If the Sony had a user-replaceable battery I think it would be the no-brainer. BUT in regards to both phones, I have my concerns about software bloat (vs. stock) as well as speed at which they will get upgraded to Lollipop if at all.
 
custom ROM/modding wise, if you cared

T-mo S5 has unlocked bootloader and AMOLED

Z3 - dunno yet. the T-mo Z1S's bootloader cannot be unlocked


I prefer Z3 myself, but why don't you wait until Oct 29 and play with both in the store?
 
desura said:
I can't believe people still consider Samsung products...they're so bad on so many levels.
Click to expand...

They have their fans. Just like I can't believe people still use Apple products, yet they do. Apple, so simple that it's complex (do actually do things).
 
Of those two? The Z3 by a mile. Put me into the meh crowd for Samsung phones.

OP have you looked at the LG G3? Ive been considering either it or the Z3, and I think Ill pull the trigger on the LG.
 
I'm surprised at the reactions so far. Also, weather proofing is a plus for the Z3? Isn't the S5 essentially water proof?
 
zerogear said:
They have their fans. Just like I can't believe people still use Apple products, yet they do. Apple, so simple that it's complex (do actually do things).
Click to expand...

If you get caught up in nerdy statistics, then Apple is outclassed by Android.

When you actually use the devices, Apple is so much better...

I really do feel that Samsung is worse than Apple because it is all sizzle and advertising, while bloating down their phones with what is consistently *the* worst implementation of Android among major manufacturers.
 
Z3.
Samsung has gone downhill for me lately. They used to be mod friendly but then got popular and started locking everything.
 
Z3 is rated at deeper depths/longer times than s5

Surprisingly, the s5 Qualcomm is more open on tmobile- some reports say the T-Mobile z3 bootloader cannot be unlocked

Apple is becoming more useful, but I still enjoy the full control of my device, something that apple cannot provide yet
 
Amazing what changes in a year.

Z3 gets my vote as well. Only Samsung phone worth considering right now is the Note 4.
 
Go with the Z3. I can't stand the TW Microstutters that have come with EVERY samsung device since the OG Galaxy phone.
 
Z3, without a doubt.
I personally can't stand TouchWiz and it's bloat.

Anyone that recommends S5 over Z3 must be a shill for Samsung.
 
Never used a sony but i have no issues with my S5... no stutters that i notice. Unlocked is nice, screen is excellent and the overall size is small for the screen size.

I did like sense on my DNA better but TW isnt a deal breaker by any means.
 
desura said:
If you get caught up in nerdy statistics, then Apple is outclassed by Android.

When you actually use the devices, Apple is so much better...

I really do feel that Samsung is worse than Apple because it is all sizzle and advertising, while bloating down their phones with what is consistently *the* worst implementation of Android among major manufacturers.
Click to expand...

That depends entirely on how you want to use the device. For me, iOS makes it harder for me to do the simplest of things
 
sony_xperia_z3_vs_samsung_galaxy_s5_side_by_side_0.png


Have to say, the z3 is one heck of a good looking phone. The s5 still has that more primitive roundy look by comparison. Of the two, all things considered I'd pick the z3 as well. (Strange thing to say for me as I've never much cared for a lot of Sony products, they always came off to me as vastly overrated.)


Side note (speaking of overrated): typing this on an iPad 4 and I'm absolutely amazed at how much I dislike iOS 8.1 that I upgraded it to. They keyboard is just sheer garbage... Amazing for all the hype I've heard about it. Never minded it that much on a phone but on a tablet it blows. Third party keyboards are a joke so far. Overall, I'm just amazed how unproductive I feel using this thing. Feels surprisingly clunky. Granted, it's not a newer Air... But still.
 
Last edited:
lothar said:
Z3, without a doubt.
I personally can't stand TouchWiz and it's bloat.

Anyone that recommends S5 over Z3 must be a shill for Samsung.
Click to expand...

Why?

My S5 has a better CPU (krait 450), a better GPU (adreno 420), a bigger battery (3500mAh), (arguably) a better screen (OLED>LCD for some people), LTE-A...

To say that anyone that doesn't agree with your preferences is a shill is just... well... it certainly demonstrates shilling, but probably not the way you meant.
 
I suppose the battery on the Z3 is not owner-replaceable?

This is big for me bc my GF bought an N4 about 18 months ago and the battery is already crapping out on her.
 
desura said:
If you get caught up in nerdy statistics, then Apple is outclassed by Android.

When you actually use the devices, Apple is so much better...

I really do feel that Samsung is worse than Apple because it is all sizzle and advertising, while bloating down their phones with what is consistently *the* worst implementation of Android among major manufacturers.
Click to expand...
Go away, this thread has absolutely nothing to do with Apple.
 
WelshBloke said:
Why?

My S5 has a better CPU (krait 450), a better GPU (adreno 420), a bigger battery (3500mAh), (arguably) a better screen (OLED>LCD for some people), LTE-A...

To say that anyone that doesn't agree with your preferences is a shill is just... well... it certainly demonstrates shilling, but probably not the way you meant.
Click to expand...

Lets be real, not everyone wants an inch thick Galaxy S5 phone with a 3rd party battery in it. The Z3 offers a 3200mah battery while being thinner than the GS5, without the bandaid back and without TouchWiz, plus a proper on screen button implementation.

I'll be buying the Z3 myself; its the only phone this 'generation' that hit all my check boxes.
 
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