Sony and HTC both passed Samsung easily this year. Too bad Samsung has become the Apple of Android- there's no way either will be able to catch up anytime soon. Especially since Sony doesn't even sell the Z2 in the US.

i used to prefer Samsung as first choice before but not anymore a year ago, switched Sony Xperia Z series cause somehow i just like their classy glass design more with IP58 certified, currently using Z1 Compact and Tablet Z, so far still happy with them so not going for upgrade yet, but will consider Z2 Compact if it still holding same spec as Z2, cause i prefer smaller phone with hi-end spec... 

The Premium (Flagship) Sony phones tend to be cheaper than than the premium Samsung phones. The Sony phones also look and feel premium, not cheap and plastic looking like samsung.

some plastics actually cost more than aluminium..  only fools care what some outer sheel looks like.

Saying all that samsung know that these fools exist hence why they got the F series coming out lol.

A lot of people care what the outer shell looks like. If I get a $650 device, I damn well expect it to look and feel premium. The build quality was the reason I went with the original HTC One instead of the S4, and the reason I will go with the Z3 when it comes out instead of the S6. 

And trust me, the plastic on the S5 costs a lot less than the aluminum on the One or the glass and metal on the Z2. 

This is also why I got the Z1 as well.  Also the battery life is much better compared to other major smartphones.

I am confident enough that I have more than enough self-esteem and non-care factor that someone elses opinion on whether something feels/looks good isn't going to deter me from using/buying a product that I will enjoy.

Plastic, Aka, Polycarbonate can feel as every bit as premium as metal, you just need to use a high-end Lumia with it's full-body plastic shell.
Plastic has several advantages over metal bodies, especially in regards to signal strength, metal attenuates the signal far more than plastic, that's a law in physics that you simply can't get around, you can always boost the signal strength more by throwing more electricity at the problem, but thats at the expense of battery life.

There are also plastics that "self heal" thus if you DO get a nasty, ugly scratch/dent it will heal itself.

Converesly, I don't know about anyone else, but every smartphone I have ever bought has lived inside of a cover, thus making the material and durability arguments, literally a non-issue.

DXOmark put the upcoming Z2 camera above all others smartphones. The website has high credibility. They criticized 1020 camera for producing strong color shading indoor and underexposure outdoors pictures

Z1 and Z2 both have the same parts, but the sofware is improved in 2. Follow the link if you are interested.

Not saying it is a cold fact, but neither should you, It is definitely not " hands down " or " not even close ".

http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-Z2-overview-Revised-model-takes-first-place-in-Mobile-rankings

they are back now though. Spec wise Sony+Samsung are miles away, but as an experience Nokia's are very very good. windows on mobile has grown into a good platform, it really comes down to whether you prefer Andriod or windows phone. personally i love andriod, so im getting a Z1 compact. 

actually the nokia has the better camera. however, both are really really solid camera's so it isnt a big issue. Z2 is probably the better option due to water/dust resistance and that gives you better options to take pictures from. like taking a picture while its raining (just an example).