Linpack also seems to be a joke of a benchmark if those graphs are to be believed.
Xperia SP has a dual-core Krait. Xperia Z has a quad-core Krait. SP actually having 200 Mhz higher clock speed.
Single threaded performance should be nearly same.
Multi-threaded? Obviously not.
Basically what these manufacturers do is, make modifications in Kernels of specific flagship phone models toboost performance, rather 'artificially inflate scores' in such stupid benchmarks. They'd obviously want their flagship to sell more.
i agree 100 % that is why benchmarks should never be taken at absolute values and always should be taken relatively with margin of error..
linpack is not perfect but it is the most accurate and reliable benchmarks when it comes to CPU..
ofcourse Xperia Z is employing some tricks here in single threaded..
i don't know if ram helps in bechmark or not but xperia Z has a 533mhz ram whereas sp has 500mhz don't know how much difference that should make..
there are other differences as well between SP and Xperia Z
like L2 cache in xperia SP is 1mb whereas Xperia Z has 2mb..
again i am not sure regarding cache and ram effect on benchmark