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Sony Xperia Tablet Z review

8.3/10 AVG.
RATING
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Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony Xperia Tablet Z
Sony Xperia Tablet Z
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8.3/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z currently has an Informr score of 8.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 23 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

What's good

  • Durable
  • Attractive design
  • Good screen

What's bad

  • Poor battery performance
  • Performance stuttering
  • Pre-installed software bloat

The Xperia Tablet Z features a more durable build than others with certifications for waterproofing as well as dust proofing while managing to keep a slim and sleek design similar to other Xperia’s. At 10.1 inches, this tablet has great entertainment value because of Sony’s exemplary Bravia Display technology and sound technology expertise.

Thanks to a quad core processor, it should be no slouch when it comes to performance, but all that power and Sony’s lack of software efficiency leaves it marred by hiccups and battery drain. According to GSM Arena’s tests, “the Tablet Z lasted a little over 7 hours, which is nearly two hours less than the Apple iPad mini.”

“The tablet's IP57 certification, lightweight and ultra-slim design, coupled with its entertainment and productivity services make it a compelling choice” says Alastair Stevenson of V3 UK. If you can deal with Sony’s un-optimized software and bloat, this tablet is worthy of your consideration.


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.5 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.5 GHz
10.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
10.1"
8+ MP
Camera
Camera
8+ MP
6000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TechRadar
TechRadar

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is a triumph, a tablet that genuinely deserves consideration when you're in the market for a new top-end gadget. If you're against the iPad for any reason, or even just agnostic over your OS, the Sony has taken the best of Android and fused it with its own innovation to make...

- Phil Lavelle, TechRadar
Chip Chick
Chip Chick

Overall, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is a very media centric tablet, but thanks to its petite form factor, it can still handle the riggers of traveling too. And this is one tablet that not only sets itself out from the pack, but it feels just at home in the kitchen, as it does in your living room, or i...

- Helena Stone, Chip Chick
Android Community
Android Community

The Xperia Tablet Z is probably the best 10-inch Android tablet you can buy right now, if you can stomach the £400 starting price. Rivals like the Nexus 10 offer a higher-res screen for less cash, but Sony pushes ahead with water resistance, LTE connectivity, expandable storage and battery-ext...

- Alex Dobie, Android Community
The Verge
The Verge

Ultimately, the Tablet Z's raison d'être is two-fold: it can be a universal remote, and it can go (but not function) underwater. I don't know if that's worth $500, or even the $100 over some other great Android tablets. I used the Tablet Z a lot more than I've used most Android tablets &mdash...

- David Pierce, The Verge
NDTV
NDTV

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z is an expensive offering from the Japanese electronics giant. The tablet packs in a large number of features, a unique design and high-end specifications, but recommending it over the latest generation iPad (3G+WiFi) that costs a similar amount, is a bit difficult. The Apple...

- Anupam Saxena, NDTV


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Quick view

Screen Size
10.1"

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z's screen size is 10.1 inches with 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.5 GHz

There is a Qualcomm APQ8064+MDM9215M Quad core 1.5 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 5.1.1 Lollipop) operating system (OS).

Camera
8+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 8+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/32 GB

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

Battery
6000mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium Polymer (Li-Pol), 6000 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 6 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Xperia Tablet Z Specs

Overview
Release Date May 29, 2013
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (Update Available: 5.1.1 Lollipop)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm APQ8064+MDM9215M Quad core 1.5 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual
Cellular
Networks
No
Mobile / Cellular Data
No (Option available)
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
No
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HID, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 64 GB)
NFC Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
8+ Megapixels
Zoom
16x digital
Flash
No
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Face detection, Geotagging, Image stabilization, Multi-shot, Panorama, HDR, Scene Recognition
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, XviD, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1920 x 1200 pixels
Pixel density 224 pixels
Size 10.1 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
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 Polymer (Li-Pol)
Battery Capacity 6000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 5 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 6 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Standby Time Up to 37.1 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 17.2 x 26.6 x 0.7 cm (6.8 x 10.5 x 0.3 in)
Weight 495 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design Yes
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech No
Screen Reader No
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
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: AAC, AMR, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, MIDI, MP3, OGG, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, AVI, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, XviD
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Wi-fi Encryption: WEP/WPA/WPA2
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Sony SGP311, SGP312
Related Links Manual (PDF)
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