Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Available now  
26th February 2013

The new Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the counterpart to the Sony Xperia Z smartphone, based on roughly the same internals and housed in a similar "OmniBalance" design.

Before we delve into the specifications, let us consider the design. Sony say that the OmniBalance concept is "focused on creating balance and symmetry in all directions". But to our untrained eyes it just looks like a black slab. Or perhaps a black-and-white slab if you have chosen the white version. Unlike the Xperia Tablet S with its wedge design, this one is uncompromising, and perhaps Sony should have just called it "OmniSlab". You could use it as a gravestone if you wanted, although we suspect that it might get stolen.

In fact, it isn't just the ultra-slabby design that would make this a viable memorial for the departed, because the Xperia Tablet Z is IP55 and IP57 compliant against dust and water ingress, and (if all the ports are closed) it can even survive being dropped in 1 metre of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, so a stint in a graveyard shouldn't present too many problems. Although if you really were going to use it as a headstone then you would to use the optional charging cradle.

So it's slabby, it's waterproof? Is that all there is? Of course not.. the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is a powerful beast with some very attractive features. The display on the Tablet Z is a 10.1" 1920 x 1200 pixel full HD panel (and more!) enhanced with Sony's BRAVIA Engine 2. An 8.1 megapixel camera on the back comes with Sony's Exmor R technology, and there's a 2.2 megapixel camera on the front too. There are audio enhancements as well (such as 3D surround sound), and overall it looks like the Sony Xperia Tablet Z get a generous helping of Sony's home entertainment technology thrown in.

Inside is a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm processor with 2GB of RAM and there is up to 16GB or 32GB of flash storage depending on model ordered, plus there is a microSD slot. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z supports NFC, and it also has a infra-red port which allows it to acts as a remote controller. There are either WiFi-only or 4G LTE versions available, although costings were not available at the time of going to press.

This is an Android 4.1 device with an early update to Android 4.2 promised, and of course Sony have been to work here with access to their own entertainment libraries and a stack of features ported over from generations of Xperia smartphones. The high-resolution display, fast processor and advanced audio features should make this a little multimedia powerhouse, and you can output to an HDMI-equipped TV via an MHL cable or perhaps use DLNA instead.

Despite looking so slabby, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is relatively slim and lightweight, weighing 495 grams (about 150 grams lighter than the current iPad) and at 6.9mm thick it is 2.5mm thinner than Apple's offering too. The lighter weight should certainly make it easier to handle for longer periods.

Some other features include advanced battery management using battery STAMINA mode, anti-shatter glass and of course we expect the Xperia Tablet Z should be able to do anything that any other Android tablet can. Sony say that the Xperia Tablet Z should be available from Q2 2013, no guidance was given on price, but we would expect the prices to range between €450 to €850 depending on model.