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Apple iPhone 7 vs Sony Xperia XZ: Which is best for me?

Apple’s iPhone 7 is a premium, feature-packed phone, boasting one of the most promising mobile cameras of 2016. But those exact words could also be stamped on the Xperia XZ, Sony’s latest flagship phone released just a week earlier. Here’s our iPhone 7 vs Sony Xperia XZ comparison review to see how they really stack up.

And why not check out our iPhone 7 vs every other iPhone guide to see if the latest Apple smartphone is a decent upgrade on previous iPhones.

iPhone 7 vs Xperia XZ: Specs at a glance

Phone iPhone 7 Xperia XZ
Screen size 4.7-inch 5.2-inch
Screen resolution 1334×750 1920×1080
Water resistant? Yes Yes
Processor A10 Fusion Snapdragon 820
Storage 32/128/256GB 32/64GB
MicroSD? No Yes
Cameras 12MP + 7MP 23MP + 13MP
Price From £599 £549 (TBC)

iPhone 7 vs Xperia XZ: What’s the difference?

Sony’s Xperia XZ flagship was announced a week before the iPhone 7 and is just as sexy, boasting a fresh new Alkeleido metal design that’s impressively hardy. Fair enough, the Xperia is a bit of a handful and definitely not as easy to use one-handed as the dinkier iPhone 7. But those curvy edges and the slender build still means it’s comfortable to clutch. Both phones are also water resistant, so losing your grip while playing around in the bath isn’t a total catastrophe.

You get a fingerprint sensor with both handsets too, for improved security. But only the Xperia XZ boasts expandable storage via a microSD memory card slot; with the iPhone 7, you’re stuck with the on-board storage.

The Xperia XZ’s Full HD 5.2-inch screen is just as strong as the iPhone 7’s 4.7-inch Retina panel. They both pack a high-def resolution for sharp image reproduction, plus a strong maximum brightness to cut through glare. Colour reproduction can be scaled between natural and vibrant on the XZ, to suit all tastes.

If you want to attach a pair of wired headphones, however, you’ll need to use Apple’s fiddly adapter with the iPhone 7; the 3.5mm jack is missing in action. Sony’s Xperia XZ not only has a jack, but also boasts support for Hi-Res audio, for true audiophiles.

Apple’s iPhone 7 is likely to benchmark better than the Xperia XZ, with the super-powered A10 Fusion promising a massive increase in performance over last year’s iPhone 6s. However, the XZ is also a smooth runner, thanks to the Snapdragon 820 chipset. We’re yet to test the battery life of both handsets, but we’re expecting just over a day of heavy use from both. Check back soon for our full reviews.

We’re also looking forward to testing out the cameras on both mobiles, as they’re sure to be strong rivals for the best smartphone snapper of 2016 crown.

The iPhone 7 and Xperia XZ cameras are both trying to drastically improve low light photography. Sony’s phone boasts a laser-guided autofocus and five-axis image stabilisation, to lock onto your subject and keep them sharp as well as compensating for hand shake. Meanwhile the iPhone 7 also boasts some (not quite as cool) image stabilisation, along with a 4-LED flash for more natural tones.

Check out our iPhone 7 camera preview for more info.

So, which is best between the iPhone 7 and Sony’s Xperia XZ? It’s a difficult one to say, as they’re both portable media powerhouses that boast some impressive camera tech as well as silky smooth performance and sexy design. We’ll have to call this one a draw until we’ve fully tested both handsets.

 

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