The Sony Xperia Tablet S is one of the latest devices launched to market with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. It comes in a splash proof casing and weighs 572 grams total, but it isn’t quite like many other Android-powered tablets available on the market today. From the hardware design to the numerous software enhancements, Sony made sure to inject certain elements in the Xperia Tablet S that would distinguish it from the competition.
One of the first things you will notice upon seeing or picking up the Tablet S is the fact that it has a somewhat large bezel surrounding the touchscreen display. This display measures 9.4-inches diagonally and features a native resolution of 1280x800. This means it’s going to be possible to watch 720p HD video content. And with the help of the 1.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor plus 1GB RAM combo inside, this Sony tablet should have no trouble with that at all.
You would think that with all the models of Android tablets that have become available over the past few years, manufacturers would have run out of design ideas for their devices already. But Sony manages to come up with an interesting new design that has an area that sticks out at the back, an area where the Xperia branding resides. Other than that, it looks plain and simple. And more importantly, it doesn’t get in the way of users during usage, and even supports a number of different docks and covers for different scenarios.
Since it offers up to 64GB of internal storage—which can be expanded further with the use of microSD cards—and up to 12 hours of battery life pre charge in terms of video playback, this tablet should serve as a reliable companion for media consumption. However, the fact that it doesn’t run the latest version of the Android software by default may seem like a dealbreaker for some, especially those don’t want to wait for an official Sony update months after they purchase their devices.
Need to Know: Sony Xperia Tablet S
1. The NVIDIA Tegra 3 and 1GB RAM combination makes it easy to take care of full HD content, whether through movies or video games. (The Good)
2. Offers 12-hours of battery life in terms of video playback. (The Good)
3. Doesn’t run the latest version of the Android software. (The Bad)
4. Not as slim and light as other tablet models. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Andy Clough, What Hi-FiIt all adds up to an accomplished do-it-all tablet, and one of our favourite Android devices around. The problem is that the iPad with Retina Display is just £70 more expensive – and worth every penny.
- Tom Morgan, Expert ReviewsIt's a shame that Sony had to pull the Xperia Tablet S for so long in order to fix its splash-proof seal, as in the meantime its been surpassed in many ways by the Google Nexus 10, which has a significantly better screen for the same money. The Xperia Tablet S’s splash-proof design and family-...
- James A., Tablet NewsFor the design we give it a 7.5 out of 10, for the hardware an 8 out of 10 and for the OS and UI an 8 as well. Sony Xperia Tablet S gets a total grade of 7.83 out of 10 and it’s a bit of a disappointment for us, since we were expecting a bit more, to be honest. I’m not sure we’ll s...
- Daniel P., PhoneArenaThe Xperia Tablet S does offer some features to differentiate it from the competition, though, apart from the distinctive looks, like the useful universal remote control function. Other than that, you can find plenty of good Android tablets with this screen resolution and processing power for even l...
- GSMArena team, GSMArenaThe Sony Xperia Tablet S is fairly unique in design and features, but established competitors and relative newcomers like Barnes&Noble are providing excellent products of their own at very competitive price points. So, while the Xperia Tablet S might be a good companion to your other Sony gadget...
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