Definitely check out models in store. Hear all the gripes about body/frame on Samsung's and having owned S3 and Sony devices from X10i, Ion and now ZL can say pros/cons are "personal" choice.
1) Sony is more "rugged", appealing design with nice "features". Less encumbered interface closer to stock Android.
2) Less rugged design, rounded corners, centre button non standard. Touchwiz annoying but removeable and bigger battery great. Accessories less expensive and readily available.
The "issues" with both devices are valid from all the reviews out there - Try GSM Arena, put them side by side and check for pure specs.
Can say today "IF" the S4 (32GB or 64GB memory) was available and had to chose between Z/ZL and S4 would go Samsung hands-down. Basic reasoning, faster, better device because I don't care about water/dust resistance (Ergo, I have a ZL). Touch-Wiz is cheesy but user level control over features is amazing, can bypass S-Crap and use Google defaults as well. Same camera as Z/ZL but superior capabilities because better SW and they don't RAM image compression at you meaning better pictures.
Major reasons for S4 - Current OS out-of-box and actual "hope" for timely updates. Based on experience, had the S3 (Shipped before Ion (OS 3.0) with 4.0 and within one month a firmware/minor OS update. Within 4 months updated to 4.1.1 all while Ion still waiting in mid 2013 for same 4.1.1 update. MOST IMPORTANT, Samsung may control the experience but they base it on human design and seem to use focus groups, lving human feedback to enhance features. With Sony, you point out something you miss, see as defect or oversight you face lashing out by fanboys, maybe a sympathy from Sony but no assurance hope anything will change.
It's all about SW and Samsung has no issues like Sony Z/ZL (Biggest S4 beef is not enough RAM left on 16GB version meaning buy SD card)
Yes, people will say about "Z/ZL" mine is perfect but web and support here say differently. Issues are expected - Most are not hardware related although screen angles, built-in speaker with Z/ZL are significant shortcomings. It's all about software glitches, functionality and getting Sony in anyway to a) Recognize problem exists b) Accept responsibility and c) MOST IMPORTANT confirm and release a timely update.
Sony has yet to stand by it's marketing departments word and promises globally. They said no more flooding market with tons of different phone model/variants and focus on high end - FAIL as they are on-track in 2013 to release MORE phones than 2012 with more mid-low range units. This means updates will take longer because they don't have enough developers.
They stated publicly in EVERY REGION a "soon-after-release" upgrade to 4.2.2 and nothing yet - only thing is more variants, more markets thereby slowing a promised release date.
S4 sales already causing huge price drops on Z/ZL so if you want to compromise it should cost less very soon. Also, future "leaked" device to supplant the Z/ZL coming in true Sony Sytle so you can "aek.Believe" they might get something right in future.
Because of Sony's terrible track record of updates example - 2012 phones released are just getting out-of-date 4.1.1 in mid/late 2013 which is not inspiring. No apparent signs of improvement which leaves you to root your phone and wait for XDA to deliver (Sad commentary on any phone but more common on Sony)
Semantics of "timely" OS release are a) Almost Nexus level release with Samsung. With Sony always 1-2 releases behind and lengthy waits meaning never ever "current" in conjunction with number of phones/number of developers no way you'll ever see timely update.
The "features" within Android releases even incremental are important. Not just "bells and whistles" but OS level fixes that help with hardware and SW. With Samsung I enjoyed 4.1.1 for 6 months and ran great apps I could not have used on the Ion running 4.02. Future releases 4.1.2 vs. 4.2.2 and in future with 4.2.3 can be found on XDA forums.
If Sony takes 7-9 months to get 4.2.2 (That's the soon after release timeframe) and release 5-6 more new phones the "hope" over seeing 4.2.3 will linger. It's B.S. saying stable or solid releases offered with such lengthy delays, honestly Samsung number one in Korea, Sony number what in Japan?
Again it's choice, I have a ZL and the quirk and annoyances are nowhere near what I had with my S3 - can concur with most major issues pointed out across this site and the reviews. Have grown so tired of what annoys me with the phone that I've surrendered to "Make.Believe" Sony will address problems. Issues are with firmware/software and seems unlikely update(s) anytime soon for ZL - The Z has had 1-2 firmwares thus far (Equally scary that many issues not tested, resolved requiring updates which cause complete reinstall).
With a Samsung S4 they are already promising firmware, SW upgrades approx. June to introduce new features, fixes. Sony = no comment on updates but plenty of press releases to contradict every time a new region get's the Z/ZL and "Soon" 4.2.2 promised.
