I am looking to get a new phone and have narrowed my choice down to a Z3 compact or a Galaxy Alpha. On paper the Z3 compact is the one to go for, although I think the Galaxy Alpha looks nicer, has a nicer looking user interface and possibly a better camera, but I am really scared of all the reports of Z3 screens cracking for no reason and being incredibly fragile. Also they seem to have issues with their software i.e. freezing or dying for no reason. Anyone able to put my mind at rest or give me some of their personal experiences of these two phones?

Well I just today took delivery of a Z3 Compact... and so far it's not burst into flames or anything. That being said I've only had it for 12 hours so far, so it's probably far too early to tell! It certainly feels solidly made.

A friend of mine has just got the Compact and I'm shortly going to be getting it's bigger brother. I think it's a great phone and personally not encountered any talk of there being a screen cracking issue. You can also always try a custom launcher to make the interface more to your liking.

Had my Z3 Compact since November and no problems yet. That said, the glass back is slippy and I'd imagine won't survive a drop on a hard surface very well. Get a good case, preferably one that allows for the official magnetic charger (also a must). Oh, and battery life is a joy!

Thanks everyone for the comments.

I think I'm going to go for the Galaxy Alpha. The one thing that was putting me off it was the mediocre battery life that it apparently has. I have now found that you can buy higher capacity batteries for it that bring it up into the same league as the Z3C and this has kind of sold it to me.

Yep, I've ordered magnetic charge cables from a certain auction site. Wondering what case to get for it.

So far it's still working! I love it! Disappointed with the 4g coverage 3 offers, even around Manchester. Never mind, there's already a huge thread about that subject!