Gibson X-Plorer or Epiphone Korina?

Ok, Im saving for the Gibson X-Plorer axe but some reviews at Guitar Center stated that the Epiphone Explorer is good too. I've tried it out and both are brutally good in their own ways. From an experience guitarist point, what are the difference between the two? I play mostly hard rock on my guitar. This will be my first high end electric guitar, cuz right now Im using the Squire Affinity Strat pack.