I had an opportunity this week to change my Samsung Galaxy S5 for the Sony Xperia Z2 at no cost.

So over the Bank Holiday weekend I explored the web for reviews, users feedback and more. I owned previously the Xperia Z1, which was a superb phone but let down by poor photos from the supposed 20.7mp G Sensor camera. All the flash words used by Sony to describe the camera did nothing to hide the average output.

The Z2 has the same sensor as the Z1, except it has further optimised software and added an additional processor for processing the photos. So based on user photos uploaded to Flickr and CNET, I was able to examine the full resolution camera samples. Also @gilroyneil received his Z2 on Saturday and conveyed his initial thoughts on the Z2. Based on the photo samples, YouTube videos and everything else I read on forums, I have decided the Z2 is not worth changing for my Samsung S5. Why?

Firstly, the S5 is comfy to hold and therefore easier to manage. The Z2 has large bezels making its overall size on the cusp of what is comfortable. Software – unless you are a Sony for all your other hardware eg TV, Playstation , the S5 offers a more diverse and comprehensive package. Camera – the photo quality of the Z2 is an improvement over its replacement the Z1, and a lot better in many ways. But it is not necessarily better than the S5. Both phones offer a degree of waterproofing and dust proofing, the Sony leading the way with higher IP ratings. But the Z2 has a flap on the left side near the top that is huge and needs to be opened every time you want to charge it. This flap also reveals the sim card. The Z2 does have a magnetic charging point half way down the left side, but it is no match for the S5 that has its USB3 port flap on the bottom of the phone which makes car charging so much easier. The S5 also supports QI Wireless charging which is a route I am choosing to adopt. The Z2 does provide a better loudspeaker experience and noise cancellation if you use its own headphones. The sound quality through the headphones is excellent. But the S5 loudspeaker is clear enough for podcasts and also possesses decent audio via the headphone jack. There is reports from a number of sources that the Z2 gets too hot, and recording 4K video will even advise you to stop recording as the phone is too hot. The advised solution from Sony is not to record long sessions of 4K video or carry a bowl of icy water and dunk the Z2 in to the bowl. Its waterproof!

So in summary, I feel that changing to this phone will not add any further value, rather offer less value than the Samsung S5.

It also made me reflect on the HTC One M8, and if you take the Sony Xperia Z2 and Samsung S5 you have 3 very different phones, each with a different usage proposition and experience.