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Sony Xperia Tablet S review

6.9/10 AVG.
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Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
Sony Xperia Tablet S
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6.9/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia Tablet S currently has an Informr score of 6.9 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 14 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

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)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.3 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.3 GHz
9.4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
9.4"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
6000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


What Hi-Fi
What Hi-Fi

It 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.

- Andy Clough, What Hi-Fi
Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews

It'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-...

- Tom Morgan, Expert Reviews
Tablet News
Tablet News

For 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...

- James A., Tablet News
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

The 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...

- Daniel P., PhoneArena
GSMArena
GSMArena

The 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...

- GSMArena team, GSMArena


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Quick view

Screen Size
9.4"

The Sony Xperia Tablet S's screen size is 9.4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1.3 GHz

There is a Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos or capture video with the tablet's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 1+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/32/64 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/64 GB. An external, SD, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
6000mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 6000 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 16.7 days standby time, 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia Tablet S Specs

Overview
Release Date September 7, 2012
Regions Available USA, Canada
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Nvidia Tegra 3 Quad-core 1.3 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64 GB
RAM 1 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
No
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info SD, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
Yes
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Geotagging, Panorama, White balance, Exposure compensation
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Video Recording Parameters
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
1+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel density Unknown
Size 9.4 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 5 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 12 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 16.7 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 17.4 x 24.0 x 1.2 cm (6.9 x 9.5 x 0.5 in)
Weight 572 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Stereo
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Wallpapers
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
TV Out Info: HDMI
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: MIDI, MP3, eAAC+, AAC+, AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, PDF, PPT, PPTX, XLS
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Weather, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Sony SGPT121, Sony SGPT122, Sony SGPT123

- Splash Proof
- Universal IR Remote Control Capability with Macro Functionality
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia Tablet S Reviews
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