How to initialize a static array?

I have seen different approaches to define a static array in Java. Either:

String[] suit = new String[] {
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
};

...or only

String[] suit = {
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
};

or as a List

List suit = Arrays.asList(
  "spades", 
  "hearts", 
  "diamonds", 
  "clubs"  
);

Is there a difference (except for the List definition of course)?

What is the better way (performance wise)?