The new Sony Xperia Z packs all the right elements to deliver joy for the Japanese firm, long searching for a hero phone that will measure up with the mighty iPhone and Galaxy smartphones from Apple and Samsung respectively.

At first glance, its resemblance to the iPhone 5 is almost striking but the handset actually sports a built that is best characterised as a cross between the Apple device and the Galaxy S3, according to TechoMag.com. It's easier to brandish the new Sony phone and owning it is like enjoying the best of both worlds, the tech site hinted.

That's because the iPhone-like Xperia Z in on Android, JellyBean 4.1 exactly, but on top of the product is the Sony flavour in full swing, headlined by solid-build, superior camera features and overall top-notch specs, enabling it to measure up in equal footing with the smartphones that are lined up to crash into the 2013 mobile device scene.

Sony would want users to pay close attention to the Xperia Z's water-resistant shell, which according to Phones Review, shames previous Xperia bragging of liquid-proofing protection. This phone will actually withstand water submersion of up to one metre deep that lasts no longer than 30 minutes.

Such abuse, according to Sony, will not hurt the little machine that draw its life from a quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro that processes computing tasks in snap at 1.5GHz, labouring smoothly with a 2GB RAM.

Xperia Z, CNET said, "should provide a very swift performance for even the most demanding of tasks ... (like) multi-tasking and switching between open apps."

Most interesting, however, with the Sony smartphone is its published camera attributes, CNET added, which at best is barrier-breaking when referenced with the 2012 and the incoming 2013 releases.

Apart from its Exmor RS image sensor at 13MP, already a jaw-dropper, Sony decided to deploy a handy snapper that is able to adjust and provide the best possible shooting configuration via the Superior Auto, Phones Review said.

Not to be ignored too is the Burst camera mode, which allows the capture to 10 stills per second, phenomenal enough to please even the most demanding photo enthusiasts, the same review added.

Capping the top-of-the-line Xperia Z camera attraction is its ability to record 1080p clips, made possible by its high dynamic range (HDR) capability, described by CNET as a breakthrough in terms of smartphone camera muscle.

Another sweet spot on the Xperia Z is evident through the 1920 x 1080 resolution beamed on its 5-inch Full HD screen that CNET said will render stunning and immersive videos aided by Sony's Bravia mobile engine.

With a pixel density of 441ppi, the Xperia Z is "perfect for watching all the high-definition content you could want," added the tech site's initial review.

And this new Sony flagship smartphone is able to chew in sufficient contents with a built in 16GB of storage plus giving users the option to expand that by up to 32GB through its microSD slot.

The Xperia Z promises long hours of operation on its 2200mAh battery pack, which Sony said will get tremendous boost from a feature called Battery Stamina Mode. Background apps will be killed on this mode for considerable extension of the handset's battery life.

Sony has yet to indicate definite pricing for the Xperia Z but since it is set to compete with the best out there, the handset is likely to be priced no lower than the $US500 once its hits major markets around the world. Release date is scheduled within Q1 2013, with February emerging as the earliest possible debut for the phone.