Sony Xperia Z2 vs Sony Xperia Z1 - Design, Timescape and features

Just six months after launching the Xperia Z1, Sony looks set to release its new flagship handset, the Xperia Z2.

**But what’s so different about the successor to the popular Z1? **

Here we put the Sony Xperia Z2 vs Sony Xperia Z1 head to head to battle it out.

Z1 vs Z2 Design

Sony really took things up a notch when it released the Xperia Z, clad in stylish tempered glass with aluminium trim to match. And when comparing Sony smartphones with those from Samsung, HTC and LG, it’s clear that Sony’s Z range stand out of the crowd.

So when it comes to the Xperia Z2 in terms of appearance, why change a winning formula?

We expect the device will look identical to its predecessor, except with a slightly larger 5.2-inch screen, compared to the Z1’s 5-inch display.Further to a change in screen size, however, some rumours hint that sapphire glass will replace the tempered glass from the Z1.

This will not only add an extra element to the device’s appeal, but it will also make it a much sturdier phone, which will be more resistant to scratches and scuffs. Now that can only be a good thing, surely?

Specs: what surprises has the Z2 got under the hood?

Where the Sony Xperia Z2 does stand apart from its Z1 counterpart is under the hood. The rumour mill has been going crazy about the Z2’s alleged specs, throwing up suggestions  of improved screen resolutions, RAM and processing chips.

Building on the Z1’s impressive visual display, the Xperia Z2 will feature a 2,560 x 1,440 screen resolution, which is unheard of in the smartphone arena. This, teamed with a rumoured 560 pixel per inch density, will make the Z2’s screen the sharpest display around.

Screen quality aside, the Sony Xperia Z2 is also set to wow even more than the Z1 did with regards to its processing power. Sony is alleged to provide another first by offering a Snapdragon 805 chipset as opposed to the usual 800 chips we see in the majority of flagship smartphones. Not only will this make the device run at lightning speed, but a rumoured 3GB of RAM is also set to make multi-tasking like a dream.

Sony Timescape features

In an attempt to single out new handsets as different from their predecessors, more and more manufacturers are turning to software changes.

And whilst the Sony Xperia Z2 will sport the latest Android KitKat operating system instead of the Z1’s Jelly Bean, this isn’t where the differences will end.

Leaked images of the Z2 show a new and improved user interface which will sit on top of Android 4.4, complimenting Google’s updated software.

New Sony Timescape features include larger icons, mimicking KitKat’s new design perfectly, as well as an ‘accessories’ tab, ideal for hooking up Sony’s existing and upcoming range of wearables.

On top of that, the Xperia Z2’s user interface will feature a number of home screen launchers, as well as allowing for a new double-tap wake up function, similarly to the LG G2.

And while these changes to the Timescape UI might not be revolutionary, a seasoned Z1 user is sure to recognise an improvement.

Z1 vs Z2 camera wars

If there’s something that Sony does well, it’s cameras. Sony camera phones have long dominated the market, with the Xperia T being one of the first smartphones to sport a 13 megapixel camera. Since then, Sony launched the Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact with a massive 20.7MP snapper.

So will we see an improvement on the Sony Xperia Z2 camera?

Some rumours are hinting that the Z2 will bear a huge 25 megapixel camera in order to compete with the likes of the Nokia Lumia 1020. However, it is more likely than not that Sony will keep the megapixel count the same as the Z1, stepping up the additional camera features of the Z2 instead.

Aside from the quirky AR Effect we spotted on the Z1, the Z2 will feature 4K video recording, as well as Background Defocus and a Timeshift video mode, allowing users to apply slow motion effects to videos, like the iPhone 5s.

Xperia Z1 vs Xperia Z2

So is the Z2 really going to be much different from the Z1? You might not notice too many changes at first glance at the device, but under the hood, the Z2 looks set to blow the socks off its predecessor.

With an improved camera, Sony’s strongest feature, and a massive step up in terms of processing power, the Sony Xperia Z2 is going to be one of the highlights of 2014 without a doubt.