In today's review we will tell you about a 10-inch Android tablet Sony Xperia Tablet Z, which features a lightweight, ultra-thin body with dust and moisture protection, a high-quality IPS screen with Full HD resolution and a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro platform.
Equipment
Tablet Sony Xperia Tablet Z comes in a fairly strictly designed white cardboard box with a large photograph of the device itself on the top. Thanks to numerous stickers, you can find out about the color version (black or white), the amount of built-in memory (16 or 32 GB) and the presence of only Wi-Fi or an optional LTE module. In the package you will find a tablet, compact Charger with a removable micro-USB cable and a solid pack of accompanying documentation.
If desired, you can also purchase branded accessories. Slim leather case for Sony SGPCV5 It is available in black, white and red and, in addition to protection during transportation, can be transformed into a stand for watching videos or typing. By closing the cover of the case, you will not just turn off its screen, but will automatically switch the tablet into energy saving mode.
Branded cradle stand Sony SGPDS5 useful for those who do not like to constantly remove the rather tight micro-USB port plug, since it uses open contacts on the left side of the tablet. In addition to its direct function, the cradle can also serve as a convenient multimedia stand with an adjustable tilt angle from 20 to 75 degrees.
Design
Ten inch tablet Sony Xperia Tablet Z made in the same “airy” OmniBalance design as its younger brother - the five-inch Sony Xperia Z smartphone. The main emphasis in the design is on the quality of materials, symmetry and minimal dimensions, as a result, this tablet weighs less than 500 grams with a thickness of only 6.9 mm. And of course, we can’t help but mention the tablet’s dust and moisture resistance, which allows the tablet to stay under water for up to half an hour at a depth of 1 meter. It is unlikely that this level of protection will be useful to professional divers, but those who like to read in the bathroom or pool will certainly appreciate this opportunity.
The Sony logo is placed at the top of the main panel, front-camera and a light sensor - otherwise it’s just a flat and smooth surface. Only after turning on the tablet does it become clear how wide the screen bezel is; along the short sides of the screen it exceeds 2 cm (!). Finished with soft touch plastic back panel The tablet is also completely flat. Here you can only find the main 8 MP camera and the Xperia and NFC logos.
All connectors and controls of the tablet are located on the thin sides of the case and, as expected, are covered with plugs in order to ensure sufficient dust and moisture protection. Only the top and right sides are relatively free; the bottom has a micro-USB port and a pair of slots for micro-SIM and MicroSD cards. The left side contains an audio output, a power button made of aluminum, a charge level indicator, a volume rocker and contacts for charging the battery using a docking station. Stereo acoustics are placed in the lower corners of the case, while each of the speakers has two false grilles at once.
Functionality
Tablet Sony Xperia Tablet Z based on a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with an operating frequency of 1.5 GHz, powerful Adreno 320 graphics and 2 GB random access memory. The 16GB or 32GB storage can be expanded via MicroSD cards with a maximum capacity of up to 32GB. In addition to standard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi modules, the tablet is equipped with an optional LTE modem.
From a 6000 mAh battery, the tablet can work for almost 10 hours in video viewing mode or three and a half hours under maximum load. The tablet runs the Android 4.2 operating system, supplemented by a proprietary software shell. As a result, the interface Sony Xperia Tablet Z noticeably differs from the standard version and offers the user a whole range of additional features and settings.
Front panel Sony Xperia Tablet Z covered with tempered glass with additional anti-splinter film. There is no air gap between the glass and the 10-inch IPS matrix with HD resolution 1920 by 1200 pixels, which has a positive effect on image quality. The backlight brightness is adjusted automatically or manually, within the range from 35 to 400 cd/m2.
Exploitation
The main complaint during operation Sony Xperia Tablet Z it became necessary to regularly remove the plugs to access any connector - this is precisely the price for the waterproofness of the device. I didn’t really like the “widest” bezel of the display, but again, the laws of geometry have not been canceled and if you want to get an ultra-thin body with a finite volume, then willy-nilly you will have to increase the size of the front panel. Otherwise, there are no complaints about the hardware of the tablet; it is a nice, thin and light tablet with excellent performance that easily copes with any tasks and is simply pleasant to hold in your hands.
But about the software part Sony Xperia Tablet Z I would like to talk separately, she definitely deserves it. Sony's proprietary shell differs so significantly from standard Android that it can easily be mistaken for a separate development. In particular, the release window is reminiscent of the original blinds; you can change not just the desktop background, but the entire design theme; four folders with favorite applications are fixed at the top of the interface and do not scroll along with the current table; present at the bottom of the interface additional panel with utility applications that run in multi-window mode; in the settings menu there are two additional energy saving modes, etc.
Video review of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z tablet
Results
Eventually, Sony Xperia Tablet Z- This is a well-equipped tablet, made in a stylish, waterproof case. The model is recommended for purchase by those who are looking for a high-quality flagship tablet, fans of Sony-style, as well as anyone who often has to interact with water.
Liked
+ dust and moisture resistance of the tablet
+ productive hardware platform (Qualcomm S4 Pro, Adreno 320, 2 GB RAM)
+ high-quality IPS screen with Full HD resolution 1920 by 1200 pixels
+ ultra-thin case in a minimalist design, materials used
+ proprietary software shell
Did not like
- the need to regularly remove tight plugs
— screen bezel is too wide
- quite high cost
The product was provided for testing by Sony, www.sony.ua
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Sony Xperia Tablet Z 16GB Wi-Fi (SGP311RU) Notify when on sale |
| Type | Tablet |
| Screen diagonal, inches | 10,1 |
| Matrix | IPS |
| Screen covering type | glossy |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1200 |
| Touchpad type | capacitive |
| Multi touch | + |
| CPU | Qualcomm APQ8064 |
| Kernel type | Krait |
| Frequency, GHz | 1,5 |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Graphic arts | Adreno 320 |
| Pre-installed OS | Android 4.1.2 |
| Amount of RAM, MB | 2048 |
| Built-in memory capacity, GB | 16 |
| External ports | micro-USB 2.0 (OTG), 3.5 mm audio |
| Card reader | microSD/SDHC |
| Front-camera | 2.2 MP |
| Rear camera | 8.1 MP |
| Light sensor | + |
| Orientation sensor | + |
| Built-in speakers | + (stereo) |
| Dock station | — |
| Ethernet | — |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| 3G/4G(LTE) module | — |
| Voice communication in GSM/3G networks | — |
| GPS | + |
| NFC | + |
| Battery capacity, mAh | 6000 |
| Time battery life | 8 hours |
| Weight, g | 495 |
| Dimensions, mm | 266x172x7.2 |
| Built-in microphone. Built-in IR port. Digital compass, gyro sensor, dust and moisture protection (IP57 standard). | |
| Case color | black |
| Front panel color | black |
System
operating system Android 4.2 CPU
Modern tablets usually use special processors - SoC (System on Chip, system on a chip), which, in addition to the processor itself, houses the graphics core, memory controller, input/output device controller, etc. Therefore, the processor largely determines the set of functions and performance devices.
Qualcomm Snapdragon APQ8064 1500 MHz Number of cores 4 Computational core Krait Process 28 nm Built-in memory
The built-in memory is used to store programs, music, photos, movies. The amount of built-in memory largely determines the cost of the device. If the tablet does not have a slot for memory cards, then it is recommended to choose a model with a large amount of built-in memory. Glossary of terms for the category Tablets
16 GB RAM 2 GB Memory card slot yes, microSDXC, up to 64 GBScreen
Screen
The diagonal of the tablet screen is measured in inches. Tablets with a diagonal of 9-10 inches are ideal for reading electronic versions magazines and comfortable web browsing. Models with a diagonal of 5-7 inches are more compact and suitable for those who constantly carry a tablet with them. Glossary of terms for the category Tablets
10.1", 1920x1200 Widescreen
A widescreen screen is ideal for watching movies, since most modern films have a similar format. The regular screen space is optimally used when browsing websites or reading books. When showing a wide-screen movie, a significant part of the regular screen is not used, and black bars appear at the top and bottom of the image. Glossary of terms for the category Tablets
yes Screen type TFT IPS Touch screen capacitive, multi-touch Pixels per inch (PPI) 224 Video processor Adreno 320Wireless connection
Wi-Fi support yes, Wi-Fi 802.11n, WiFi Direct, DLNA Bluetooth support
Many tablets are equipped with a Bluetooth interface. It can be used to connect wireless headphones, connect your tablet to wireless speakers, and also transfer files. Tablets with Bluetooth can support the A2DP profile, which ensures the transmission of high-quality stereo signals from the device itself to wireless headphones. Glossary of terms for the Tablets category
yes, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP NFC support yes SIM card type micro SIM mobile connection
There are several basic standards mobile communications, which are available to tablets. Most models work with 3G, but there are tablets that support 4G (LTE). Compared to 3G, LTE technology provides communications at higher speeds and with a longer range. Glossary of terms for the category Tablets
3G, EDGE, HSPA+, GPRS, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900, LTE (Band 1, Band 3, Band 5, Band 7, Band 8 and Band 20) Infrared port There isCamera
There is a rear camera, 8.1 megapixels Rear camera features autofocus Front-camera yes, 2.2 megapixelsSound
Built-in speakers yes, stereo sound Built-in microphone yes FM tuner yesFunctionality
GPS yes Automatic screen orientation There is Sensors
A modern tablet has various built-in sensors that expand the functionality of the device: an accelerometer records acceleration when moving the tablet, a gyroscope allows you to accurately determine the angle of inclination of the body. Among other things, these sensors are widely used in various games. The built-in light sensor is able to adjust the screen brightness depending on the lighting. 10 o'clock Battery charging time 7 hours Battery capacity 6000 mAh (22.2 Wh) USB charging available
Dimensions and weight
Dimensions (LxWxD) 266x172x7 mm Weight 495 gAdditional Information
Frame waterproof Peculiarities support for IP55 and IP57 protection standards; remote control function; support JPEG formats, GIF, PNG, BMP, WEBP; AAC, HE-AAC, MIDI, VP8, AVI; camera recognition of faces and smiles, shooting panoramas and HDR; dust and water protection according to IP55 and IP57 standardsBefore purchasing, check the specifications and equipment with the seller.
At the very end of summer 2012 Sony of the Year released new versions of its smartphones called Xperia. The new Tablet S tablet was also released under the same name. previous version there was no Xperia prefix in the name. New Tablet PC has certain improvements compared to old version, but compared to competitors technical specifications Xperia tablets don't seem all that serious. But when assessed by the price-quality parameter, this new product deserves attention. Let's take a closer look at the technical characteristics of the tablet. Sony Xperia Tablet S.
The design is reminiscent of the previous model with a “magazine” look. Display with a diagonal of 9.4 inches on an IPS matrix with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. The case is made of aluminum and is waterproof. In October, some copies were found to have a defect precisely due to a violation of the waterproofness of the case. A gap was found between the case and the screen, allowing water to penetrate inside. According to Sony, this defect is the fault of the Chinese assemblers of the device. Whatever it was, production was stopped until the error was eliminated, and in mid-November the production of Sony Xperia Tablet S tablets was resumed. Sony promised users who bought a defective product a free repair or exchange of the tablet.
The screen is covered with special glass to protect it from scratches and is equipped with backlighting using OptiContrast technology.
The processor is a quad-core NVIDIA Tegra 3, and the operating system is Android 4.0.3 ICS, with 1 GB of RAM. There are also two cameras of 1 and 8 megapixels, a slot for SD memory cards, GPS, Bluetooth 3.0, Wi-Fi, gyroscope, compass, and infrared. Some models may have a 3G module.
Models with 16, 32 and 64 GB of permanent memory are available for sale. The dimensions of the tablet are 241x174x8.8 mm, and the weight will be 570 grams for models with Wi-Fi, and 585 grams for models with 3G.
The battery capacity is 6000 mAh, which allows normal mode The tablet can work up to 10 hours without recharging.
What sets this tablet apart from its competitors is a set of mini applications from Sony that can be launched on top of the home screen. Such applications include a browser, voice recorder, timer, calculator, music player, notepad. It is on the software part of the new tablet that Sony focuses its attention. For example, a tablet can be used as universal remote control DU.
Additionally, the device comes with accessories. This is a docking station and a screen protector Cover with Keyboard, which can also act as a hardware keyboard. The price of each accessory is approximately $100.
Price Sony tablet Xperia Tablet S ranges from approximately $400 to $600 for models of different modifications.
| Type | Tablet |
|
Screen Specifications |
|
|---|---|
| Screen diagonal, inches | 9,4 |
| Matrix | IPS |
| Screen covering type | glossy |
| Screen resolution | 1280×800 |
| Touchpad type | capacitive |
| Multi touch | + |
|
CPU |
|
| Processor type | NVIDIA Tegra 3 |
| Frequency, GHz | 1,3 |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
|
operating system |
|
| Pre-installed OS | Android 4.0.3 |
|
Equipment |
|
| Volume of RAM, MB | 1024 |
| Volume of built-in memory, GB | 16 |
| External ports | 3.5 mm audio, Multi Port |
| Card reader | SD |
| Front-camera | 1.0 MP |
| Rear camera | 8.0 MP |
| Light sensor | + |
| Orientation sensor | + |
First, I would like to remind you that the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the first tablet created by two divisions of Sony: Mobile and Electronics, it is initially only part of the Xperia smartphone line, and also almost completely repeats the design elements and ideas of the flagship smartphone Sony Xperia Z. It so happened that The tablet embodies the best of both worlds: a thin body, completely protected from water (Tablet Z is the thinnest tablet in the world), powerful hardware (it has no equal among Android devices) and a high-quality screen with wide viewing angles.
The tablet was announced at MWC 2013 in Barcelona, and it took exactly three months for it to reach shelves in Russia. During the announcement, we already showed the tablet, filmed it, recently we were the first to find out the prices for various modifications, and now we are the first to get acquainted with the final device in its entirety.
Prices for the Xperia Tablet Z start at 21,990 rubles for the 16 GB version with Wi-Fi, the most expensive version, with support for Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE, will cost 26,990 rubles, which is exactly what we tested. Compared with competitors, then Apple iPad The 4th generation will cost 18,990 rubles for 16 GB + Wi-Fi, and 22,990 rubles for the version with 3G (we do not support LTE). The Sony tablet turns out to be more expensive, but you have to agree that it has something to contrast with. There's not much point in comparing it with other Android tablets: none of them offer the same image boost as Sony model, and all of them are significantly thicker and heavier, although also cheaper.
Specifications
- Communication: Wi-Fi + 3G, LTE
- OS: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
- Screen: 10.1", Full HD (1920 x 1080), 224 ppi, IPS 16M colors, Sony BRAVIA Mobile Engine 2
- Camera: Exmor R 8 MP (up to 3264 x 2448), autofocus, HDR mode, Super auto mode, video (1080p 30 fps) with constant autofocus, fast shooting. Front camera 2.2 MP
- Memory: 2 GB RAM, 2 GB ROM, 16/32 GB built-in flash array, microSD slot up to 64 GB
- Processor: 4-core Qualcomm S4 Pro APQ8064 1.5 GHz, Adreno 320 accelerator
- Communications: USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n (DLNA), Wi-Fi Direct, NFC, LTE
- Battery: 6000 mAh
- Dimensions: 266 x 172 x 6.9 mm, 495 g
- Operating system: Android 4.3, Nature UX interface
Design, convenience
The boom of 7-8-inch tablets is easy to explain: people are tired of heavy and rather bulky 10-inch devices that are not always convenient to take with them. This is why, according to many reports, the 8-inch iPad mini is outselling its older brother; Google starts business with 7-inch Nexus; and even Microsoft is lifting restrictions on the 10-inch diagonal - Windows 8 tablets with an 8-inch diagonal will soon appear.
Compare with Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet 2:
Sony went their own way: instead of releasing an 8-inch tablet, they reduced the thickness and weight of the 10-inch model so much that it felt little different from the same Apple iPad mini. 6.9 mm in thickness is a world record, as is the weight of 495 grams. Let me remind you that the same 4th generation iPad weighs 660 grams and has a thickness of 9.4 mm. So Sony has created the most mobile 10-inch tablet that you can barely feel on the go. This is an ideal option for frequent trips, from the “put it in your bag and forget it” series.
Second the most important moment is the body. It is protected from water and dust according to the IP57 standard: the tablet can be immersed in water for half an hour to a depth of 1 meter. That is, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the only tablet in the world with which you can easily and simply take, say, a bath or not be afraid of dropping it into the pool. The main thing is to make sure that all the plugs on the case are covered, of course.
Let's look at the stubs, by the way. The tablet has a slot for a SIM card (microSIM) and microSD memory under a single plug, 3.5 mm mini-jack, microUSB connector. In order not to constantly open the connector plugs, there is a similar Xperia smartphone Z docking station, contact pads on the tablet on one of the ends. Unfortunately, the station is not included in the package.
There are stereo speakers at both ends of the tablet. There are two of them, but each has two slots. In the system settings when listening to music and watching movies, there is a proprietary 3D sound technology "S-Force". When activated, the sound may shift from one side to the other, and one corner speaker may sound different.
It seemed to me that activating S-Force in the menu really takes the sound to a different plane, the side slots are activated, but for some reason the sound from the bottom slots is louder and richer. So I wouldn’t recommend activating S-Force, unless your tablet is in a docking station where the bottom speakers are closed.
At the top end of the Tablet Z there is only a slightly visible IR port for controlling equipment, I will talk about it in the appropriate paragraph. There are two color variations; in addition to the black one, there is a white tablet, it also looks interesting, but is less practical.
The back panel of the tablet, unlike the Xperia Z smartphone, is made of matte soft-touch plastic; glass would be out of place here. Due to the plastic, as well as the minimum possible thickness, the tablet can be slightly bent - some accuracy will not hurt. If you can easily sit down on an iPad, then this may not work with the Xperia Tablet Z.
Due to the plastic, as well as the minimum possible thickness, the tablet can be slightly bent - some accuracy will not hurt.
Screen
The tablet uses a 10.1-inch matrix with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels (with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 technology), but now (gasp!) excellent quality IPS with large viewing angles and high contrast. Of course, the screen is not perfect (more on this in detail a little later), but it is very good, I would like to use similar matrices on the company’s smartphones.
The pixel density here is slightly less than that of Retina screens, but it is higher than the psychological value of 200 ppi and significantly higher than standard HD resolution, so when working with a tablet the screen seems smooth, unless you look closely, individual pixels are indistinguishable. Plus, as I said, the screen here is IPS with natural colors, deep blacks and excellent viewing angles. From this position the tablet was a success.
The disadvantages are: the screen is hard to see in the sun, apparently the maximum brightness is not enough, the colors fade, and it’s difficult to make out anything. In addition, the screen is very easily soiled, and it is not always easy to wipe off marks from the film.
Editorial expert Mikhail Kuznetsov spoke in more detail about the screen. His comment is below.
As many readers remember, some time ago we were disappointed with the quality of the screen of the Sony Xperia Z smartphone. Now we have a tablet from Sony with a consonant name - Xperia Tablet Z. Now let's see how it's doing with the screen. Is it similar in contrast and viewing angles to the Xperia Z?
First of all, you shouldn’t worry about contrast. The anti-reflective coating was clearly better here than on the Xperia Z. The OptiContrast coating in this regard is somewhat reminiscent of ClearBlack from Nokia: the screen successfully maintains deep black color under external light, and the image does not fade. The measured contrast ratio, which was 923:1, only confirms the advantage. The measured maximum brightness was about 345 cd/m2 - a quite good result, but the margin is not that high. For example, in the bright sun, neither brightness nor anti-glare could hold back the onslaught of direct rays. But in a familiar room setting, the Xperia Tablet Z's screen looks undeniably richer. Where the Xperia Z's screen fades and colors look washed out, the Xperia Tablet Z's screen manages to maintain plenty of depth and richness.
Let's move on. The viewing angles also turned out to be stronger - just what you expect from a renowned manufacturer and an IPS family screen. Colors at an angle remain stable, the shades barely shift, and only the contrast gradually drops as you approach the maximum angle. This is another fundamental difference, which indicates that past mistakes are taken into account here.
The setup, however, turned out to be twofold. For example, the gamma is not very linear, the spread of values is quite high. As the most successful option, we fixed an average gamma of 2.03, but in most situations this parameter rushes down, thereby “overexposing” the image as a whole.
Unstable brightness distribution leads to the fact that details in extremely light and dark areas of the image may lose legibility or even merge. I repeat that the graphs show the most successful option; in some cases (with different measurement methods) the scatter was even greater.
White balance is also changeable. Average Colorful temperature- about 6000K, but on the gray scale there is a transition from 5800K to 6400K, so the shades are uneven.
Errors expressed in color deviation DeltaE naturally reflect these differences. The DeltaE value ranges from 6 units (very acceptable) to 14 units (poor). As you can see, the hue lacks consistency - at 50% gray there is too sharp a change.
The color gamut is quite close to the sRGB standard. Primary colors are a little oversaturated, and greens and blues in particular are off in hue, but the deviations are barely noticeable. Given the good contrast of the screen, the colors on it always look quite deep and natural. Activating BRAVIA Engine 2 image processing causes colors to saturate faster than they should, sometimes resulting in clipping (loss of detail). At the same time, by default everything is fine with colors, so using BRAVIA Engine 2 is not at all necessary.
In the end, we can’t say that the screen turned out perfect. Some questions arose regarding the quality of the settings. For example, why is the nature of white balance and gamma so “changeable”? However, in fairness, it must be said that not every tablet user will pay attention to these nuances. Rather, he will notice good contrast, rich but natural colors and comfortable viewing angles. That is, the Xperia Tablet Z screen really has everything it was missing Xperia screen Z and, in general, leaves behind a much more pleasant impression. I think for most users the image on Sony screen I'll like the Xperia Tablet Z a lot.
The screen is covered with scratch-resistant glass, covered with a durable film for greater safety, and is also equipped with a special anti-reflective layer, so that its reflective properties are less in the light. The proprietary BRAVIA Engine 2 technology improves colors when watching movies and photographs (although some may think that the technology makes the colors oversaturated and a little unnatural).
There is such a trick: the tablet is unlocked with a couple of taps on the screen, the same system was implemented in the Nokia N9.
Hardware platform
The tablet is built on the same hardware platform as the Xperia Z/ZL smartphone. It's quad core Qualcomm processor Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 clocked at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, Wi-Fi modules, NFC, LTE (MDM9215M chip).
Benchmarks show the corresponding results: now the Xperia Tablet Z is the most powerful and productive tablet; according to Geekbench it outperforms even the 4th generation iPad, according to AnTuTu, NenaMark - its Android colleagues, Samsung Nexus 10 and Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD.
The Tablet Z has 16 or 32 GB of internal memory (plus microSD card support), with the 16 GB version being the main one. Apparently, Sony decided not to make the device too expensive, and the 3G/LTE module will only be available in a 16 GB version. 32 GB will remain (for now) only with Wi-Fi.
Among other characteristics, I would like to note the 8.1 megapixel Exmor R camera, the front camera has a resolution of 2.2 megapixels and is also equipped with a Sony Exmor R sensor (with reverse illumination and even HDR mode), this is very good for a tablet, it is quite possible to communicate in video conferences, even in poor lighting.
As for the main camera, it is good for a tablet (especially the thinnest in the world), but it is not worth comparing with top smartphones: the Exmor R sensor is of the previous generation, it is not perfect with the clarity of the resulting images, and in Super Auto mode it is not always exposure is set correctly; as a result, the level of illumination of photographs under the same conditions may be different.
The camera interface is similar to the smartphone in the Xperia Z; there is a proprietary Superior Auto mode, which automatically recognizes the most common shooting situations: from portrait photography at dusk to night landscapes (as I said, not always correctly). In this mode, the maximum image resolution is 7 megapixels (1 megapixel is used for noise compensation).
Sample pictures:
Working hours
The Xperia Tablet Z battery has a small capacity of 6000 mAh, which is not much for such a hardware platform. Let's compare with others. For example, the flagship Samsung Nexus 10 uses a 9000 mAh battery, Acer Iconia A701 – 9800 mAh. But their thickness and weight are far from Sony, and significantly.
The Japanese sacrificed battery capacity for the sake of size and weight. Fortunately or unfortunately, everyone decides for themselves. It seems to me that it is better to have the most mobile tablet, which does not cause discomfort on the way than the longest-running one. In addition, the Xperia Tablet Z has STAMINA modes, Wi-Fi by location - the same as we saw in the Xperia Z smartphone, with the help of these software features the tablet works longer.
We tested the device with the AnTuTu benchmark, where it scored 534 points - a fairly average result, comparable to some smartphones.
Continuous video playback (Full HD, maximum screen brightness, Wi-Fi on) lasts for 5 hours.
Compared to 4-core competitors with screens high resolution Full HD and more (the same Samsung Nexus 10, as well as Huawei MediaPad 10 FHD), then the difference is not very big, they can play video for about 5.5 hours.
The operating time in heavy mode (games, playing videos, listening to music, working with documents, camera, etc.) will be the same 5-6 hours, the tablet is not very durable.
As for charging, the question is more interesting. The Tablet Z comes with a charging block, similar to smartphones, with a current of 1.5 A. And if it allows you to charge smartphones quickly, then in the case of the 6000 mAh battery of the tablet, things are not so rosy. To fully charge the Tablet Z, I used a more powerful charger from the Apple iPad, with a current of 2.1 A, under such conditions the Tablet Z was charged from 2 to 100% in exactly 4 hours.
If you use the included charger, the charging time will be closer to 6 hours, so it is better to charge the tablet overnight or use a third-party charger.
Interface and applications
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z uses Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, an update to 4.2 will be available after release. Not the best a new version The OS, many other products are already coming to 4.2, this is one of the disadvantages of the device.
But there is an undeniable plus: the tablet’s proprietary interface is completely unified with the Xperia Z smartphone. This means that interesting features are completely (or almost completely) transferred here: there is the same set of themes and screen backgrounds, widgets are brought out in the same way, You can create folders in the main menu, and Sony's discovery - mini-applications - has received a very interesting development.
As you remember, mini-applications appeared in Xperia V, T smartphones last year; at the time of launch there were few of them - a voice recorder, notes, a calendar and something else. Mini-applications could be placed anywhere - on the desktop, on top of the menu, or on top of any of the applications.
On a tablet with a larger screen size, such applications make more sense. I especially like the browser, the browser window can be adjusted in size and can be constantly accessed from one of the desktops. It’s convenient when you don’t have to constantly open the browser application to view a link from social media. networks
To control mini-applications on the Tablet Z screen, there is always a separate key in the center of the bottom panel; it provides access to existing programs. This list can include any standard applications, for example, an Internet bookmark manager, or favorite contacts.
The disadvantage of mini-applications is that only one of them can be on the screen at a time. If you removed the mini-browser, then you can no longer add a small window for a calculator or notes; the first application will “hide”. It's a shame, it would make sense on a tablet. Sony's find - icons from 4 selected applications (they can be any) in the status bar at the top of the screen, next to Google search, they can be accessed from any desktop.
Naturally, all multimedia applications - movies, gallery, Walkman player - are branded here, not standard Android. In terms of system friendliness, the Tablet Z turned out to be much better than other Android tablets; there is no longer the feeling that an Android tablet is a stone age compared to an iPad. Such well-known concepts as TrackID, xLOUD and so on are also available.
OfficeSuite package is pre-installed for viewing and editing documents, Chrome browser, Smart Connect, WisePilot navigation (paid and therefore not very interesting). Among the useful features - a separate application for Reserve copy and recovery, where you can choose a location for the copy, as well as fully customize the list of data for backup. Here you can also mark the applications that you would like to keep. A convenient thing, because in Android backup copying is done using third-party programs, the application is included
The Walkman music player is made very beautifully, in the style Sony smartphones. There is a customizable equalizer, the ClearAudio+ function and other gadgets: for example, editing tags, album cover, plus the Infinity button remains. If you press this button while listening to a song, the device will show all the information about the artist, composition, album, other tracks from this album, you can go to the official website of the artist, buy other songs using the PlayNow service.
As I said at the very beginning, the player has an S-Force setting that allows you to change the direction of the sound of the speakers if the tablet is in the docking station, for example. But as for the sound quality, it is average. It's normal for a tablet (except for iPad), but it doesn't stand up to comparison with top-end smartphones. The conclusion is simple: listening while traveling - on a plane or train - is quite enough, but no one is considering the Tablet Z as a replacement for a player.
Tablet Z plays unconverted video - AVI, MP4, codecs are preinstalled here. If support suddenly turns out to be insufficient, you can always install a third-party player from the Google Play store.
The remote control of the equipment deserves special attention. The tablet has an IR port at the top end, and the program itself is similar to the Xperia ZL smartphone. So the tablet can be used to control home appliances (not necessarily Sony brand) without any problems. For example, performance was tested with Samsung TV and a prefix from Beeline.
Opinion Hi-Tech.Mail.Ru
Sony Xperia Tablet Z turned out to be a unique tablet: the thinnest and lightest in the world, the only one with a water-resistant case. Moreover, with top-end hardware: the tablet is much more powerful than the previous leader, Samsung Google Nexus 10, not to mention competitors from Huawei or Acer.
I'm glad that this time Sony won't be criticized for the quality of the screen - it's an honest IPS without problems with viewing angles and Full HD resolution. The only controversial point is the battery, for a Full HD screen, a 4-core processor, its capacity is relatively small: the tablet can last up to 5 hours when playing video, and the charging time is from 4 hours. I hope Sony will release a higher power charger in the future. As for capacity, the manufacturer sacrificed it for the sake of thickness and weight, making the most compact 10-inch tablet. It feels comparable to the iPad Mini, Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 - that is, it is almost not felt in the bag, does not burden the hand.
Even tactile sensations themselves and appearance are worth a lot: the Xperia Tablet Z is the only Android tablet that can be on par with Apple products in this regard. Unexpectedly light, thin, protected. Not without flaws (the battery, as well as the behavior of the screen in the sun), but you can put up with them if other parameters are more important to you.
What, unfortunately, the tablet cannot boast of is battery life. This is understandable: after all, we have the thinnest tablet in front of us, and the engineers were faced with a dilemma: to make the gadget long-lasting, or light and thin. Sony decided to take the second path. As a result, we have a 6000 mAh battery. For comparison, the Samsung Note 10.1 has a 7000 mAh battery, while the iPad 4 has about 9800 mAh.
In the AnTuTu battery test, the device scored 528 points, which is a very average score, comparable to some smartphones. Full HD video at maximum brightness plays for 4.5 hours, 3D games last about 4 hours, and books at minimum brightness can be read for 10 hours until completely discharged. In other words, a tablet with an average load will be enough for a day, but for longer is no longer a fact. What helps is that in the inactive state the gadget holds the battery perfectly, as well as the proprietary Stamina mode, which, for example, turns off data transfer when the screen is off and stops some modules at a certain charge level, and ultimately increases the battery discharge time by 15-20%.
The Tablet Z comes with a 1.5 A charging brick, similar to those found on smartphones. And while phones charge fairly quickly, it will take almost 6.5 hours to fully charge a tablet battery, so it is strongly recommended to use a charger with a higher current value.
Interface and software
The Sony tablet runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean with a proprietary interface that was migrated here from a smartphone and optimized for a tablet. At the same time, the gadget works smoothly without noticeable lags.
The main feature of the Sony shell is the presence of special mini-applications that can be placed anywhere on the screen - on the desktop or even on top of any application. Among them are a voice recorder, notes, calendar, browser, calculator, file manager and others. To call up an editable list of these applications, there is a special key located at the bottom of the screen. There is another one to which you can assign any of these programs. Unfortunately, so far there can be only one window with a mini-application on the screen, but the diagonal of the tablet allows you to work with several at the same time - there is something to work on.
Another nice touch is the icons with four favorite applications located in the status bar at the top and accessible from any desktop.
The Japanese have not spared their proprietary applications, which are filled with the device’s memory. Naturally, the main one is the Walkman music player. It has a customizable equalizer, ClearAudio function, tag editing and more. In addition, the “Infinity” button has not gone away; when pressed, the device will show all the information about the composition, artist, album, and also offer to go to the artist’s official website and buy his other compositions; the “S-Force” function allows you to change the direction of sound in the speakers (down or to the sides).
Other branded applications include a gallery, video player, Chrome browser, Smart Connect synchronization utility, WisePilot navigation, OfficeSuite office suite, backup and recovery program, program for controlling equipment via infrared, Steam, Sociallife, Yandex applications " and much more.
Competitors
In fact, the Xperia Tablet Z has no direct competitors. No one else on the market offers an ultra-thin, water- and dust-resistant tablet with powerful characteristics. But since this gadget is Sony’s flagship tablet, we will compare it with the top devices of market leaders: Apple and Samsung.
Apple iPad
When you look at the design of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the Apple iPad, you realize that in terms of style they are on the same level - a rather rare case in the history of the world tablet industry. We won't compare Android and iOS, let's just say that Sony's gadget works almost as smoothly as Apple device, and in benchmarks we see similar results.
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