Sony's Xperia Z seems worth comparing with the Nexus 4 from the Google-LG. The two gadgets draw energy from one power source - the 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro that works sweetly with a 2GB RAM for a trouble-free handset behaviour.

But beyond these shared characteristics, the Xperia Z appears superior on paper: More storage capacity, longer battery and a backing technology that Sony built up through decades of experience.

Sony take pride on its consumer electronic products, their core technology the company deliberately apply in overlapping fashion on all its offerings, smartphone including.

It goes without saying that Sony's new flagship smartphone will benefit from the portfolio of Sony creations. The 1080p Xperia Z will have a Full HD 5-inch screen that the company said will deliver crisp video and image rendering. Viewing clips on the phone is enhanced by the firm's Bravia technology, which made its mark on television units that Sony used to sell by the hordes.

Sony also immortalised the pleasure of mobile music listening via Walkman. The same will be ported with the Xperia Z, this time part of the Japanese company's multi-media content and entertainment package.

Also, the Xperia Z's camera features, underpinned on Sony's vaunted reputation, is greeted by experts with glee for ramping up on all the awe-inspiring image capturing and video recording functions that the tech world has witnessed before.

Sony offers more than what Google on Nexus 4 can provide. But the Xperia Z is not expected to drive the popular smartphone out of business. Users are drawn to the LG-manufactured device because it delivers what they need and want for a trusty handset.

As Google had intended, Nexus 4 represents a full smartphone experience that is actually affordable. Its retail price will not exceed the $300 mark but its usability is limited only by users' imagination and willingness to experiment.

The native Android on Nexus 4 alone promises of unimpeded enjoyment in the ecosystem minus the trouble of modifications (though many Nexus 4 owners opt for that), which is not possible on Xperia Z without rooting it and flashing custom ROMs on the handset.

With Nexus 4, Google provides near super ownership of the handset plus unfettered access to the Android apps collection, a move so appreciated by Android fans they quickly grab every available unit to crop up on Google Play store.

On Xperia Z, that is a remote possibility. You get the Sony phone, you subscribe to the company's inner ecosystem, which is fun anyway but is defined by boundaries.

On Nexus 4, you get the Google smartphone (hopefully you get it soon enough) and you will immerse with the liberal collaboration of Android developers that so far have contributed more than 750,000 apps for everyone's enjoyment.

Sony's Xperia Z is a superb creation that outshines the Nexus 4 in many respects. But the Google phone remains a winner because users would find it hard to resist a smartphone experience that is both rich and affordable.