Sony Xperia Tablet Z – Available in Singapore (6 June)

With increasing consumer preference for tablet and mobile devices, it was no surprise that tablets are now more favored over the “personal computer” or PC. Sony has followed up to the success of the Xperia Z with the launch of the Xperia Tablet Z. It would be available in Singapore at the Xperia Store, Sony Stores and Sony Centres and all telco operators from 6 June 2013 in the colours Black and White.

Continuing where it has left off, Sony has taken a number of design ethos from the Xperia Z phone, but with some nifty improvements. The tablet’s design sticks with the same stark and minimalist character as the smartphone, with a slick glass panel up front, small rounded corners and a thin plastic strip running around the edges. You can also find the now-signature silvery knob on the left edge, which acts as the power button. It’s water and dust-resistant, while still managing to be the slimmest 10-inch tablet out there. Is there enough polish to justify a premium price?

Sony Xperia Tablet Z Specifications

Display: 10.1-inch LED-backlit LCD @ 1920×1200 (224ppi)
Processor: 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro (Quad-Core Krait)
GPU: Adreno 320
RAM: 2GB
Cameras: 8MP rear Exmor R sensor, 2.2MP front camera
Storage: 16GB and 32GB
Battery: 6000mAh
Dimensions and Weight: 266 x 172 x 6.9 mm – 495g
NFC: Yes
FM Radio: Yes
Ports: microUSB, microSD card
OS: Android 4.1.2 with Xperia customizations
Wireless: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n – 2.4 and 5.0GHz, Bluetooth, and DLNA (LTE 800 / 850 / 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 on select models)
Price: TBD

The Xperia Tablet Z excels on the hardware build quality. This device feels incredibly solid and free of flexing or creaking. The Tablet Z is also phenomenally thin. The entire confection of glass and plastic is a mere 6.9mm thick and weighs in at only 495g. This makes it incredibly comfortable to use. The soft touch back makes it easy to hold onto, as well.Its entire construction is tight and reassuring, and features the same port covers as the Xperia Z. Though you may have problems prying it open, it’s a small price for the water and dust resistance. The black version looks especially good, and there is a white version as well. Plus, the weight feels incredibly even across the whole tablet, making it very easy and comfortable to hold. The display is good, but loses out slightly to the Nexus 10, which has a higher resolution. Another area that loses out is the battery life. The Xperia Tablet Z packs a 6000mAh battery in its slim frame. This is a trade-off to be sure – the much heavier Nexus 10 has a 9000mAh battery. This makes all the difference between a full-day device and one that needs to be plugged in during lunch.

The software of the Tablet Z also feels more refined than that of the Xperia Z, and overall, should not affect users too much unless you must have the latest Jellybean 4.2.2 version. Even so, I am sure the custom developers will start preparing custom ROMs for the Tablet Z.

I think it’s a great device. The other aspect also boils to price. In the US, the Xperia Tablet Z is $100 more than the Nexus 10 at the 16GB WiFi-only tier. I think that makes the Tablet Z a tough sell. It’s a good device, but you have to really focus on build quality or the need for dust/water resistance to justify the extra cash.