Review: Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet
The Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet.Sony's latest tablet offering is admirable - the Xperia Z2 Tablet is fast, thin and light.
But what truly sets this tablet apart? After a few weeks with the Z2 Tablet, this is what I found...
Crisp, clear display
One of the first things you will notice is the crispness and vibrant colours of the display.
The 1920x1200 resolution means that images are clear and wonderfully defined. This makes it a great tool for watching videos and movies up-close. Even reading e-books seems easier.
The display also makes it great for viewing images, and its 8MP camera takes pretty good images considering this isn't the tablet's main function. With multiple gallery applications and picture-editing software one can easily capture and edit images.
But the Xperia Z2 Tablet is not only a pretty face, it performs exceptionally well too.
Fast, thin and light
The Z2 Tablet is also now the thinnest and lightest tablet on the market - even exceeding the iPad Air in that regard.
It's easy to handle and its weight makes it very easy to carry around and use for different tasks.
Another thing you'll notice when handling the tablet is the speed - there is virtually no lag on the device when launching apps and juggling between software. It's fitted with the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor so handling multiple applications and tasks is effortless.
Graphically intensive games pose no challenge to the tablet and they'll run smoothly on the device thanks to the updated Adreno 330 GPU.
Despite its size, the battery power is decent too - you can easily get a day's moderate use before you have to charge it again. There is also a Stamina Mode available for those who really want it to last.
However, as with most mobile devices, playing games for lengthy periods will quickly drain the battery.
Along with the seamless multitasking, I found the screenshot functionality easy to use - simply holding in the power button for a second or two and then selecting the option. This is just one of the examples of the straightforward, pleasant experience I had dealing with the tablet.
Durability
While the fact that the tablet is waterproof shouldn't be the main selling point, it definitely is a welcomed feature. This means that you can enjoy the tablet in a greater variety of environments (kitchen, bath, outside) without having to worry about water damage.
In fact, if the tablet does get dirty, you can simply wash it in the sink - something you can't do with other tablets.
You can use the tablet in water for up to 30 minutes at a maximum depth of 1.5m - so you could take pictures in the pool or underwater if that sounds like your type of thing.
On the other hand...
However, the tablet is not perfect.
The tablet will be selling for around R9999 - which is my main problem with the device.
It seems to lack a 'wow factor' that would make me seriously consider dropping that much cash on it as opposed to a cheaper tablet with only slightly inferior specs.
The tablet's glossy screen looks pristine - until the moment you touch it. The screen seems to be especially prone to fingerprints and smudges, but as mentioned before, you could easily wash/wipe these off without worrying about water damage.
Another annoyance was charging the tablet from a PC. The tablet would only charge once it was switched off, meaning you can't use and charge the tablet at the same time when working on your computer.
The front-facing speakers are convenient - you won't need to stand the tablet up to hear clearly. However, once you increase the volume to a certain point the quality isn't as good as one might hope - which may put a damper on your movie-watching. Of course, you could use the earphones for a better experience.
One thing that could have made it better, in my opinion, is a stylus. This would probably affect the tablet's weight, but it would increase functionality and make it much easier to use drawing and note-taking applications.
Differences to Xperia Tablet Z
Looking at a specifications comparison, there is not much difference between the Xperia Z2 Tablet and its predecessor.
The main differences are weight and speed. The Z2 is about 56 grams lighter than the Xperia Tablet Z. The Z2 also sports a newer and faster processor and more RAM.
Its Android version is also updated but there are no truly groundbreaking differences.
For a full list of specifications, you can visit the Sony site.
The verdict
Overall, using the Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet is a pleasant experience - and its lightweight design and exceptional speed are major selling points
The major downside though is the price - there really should be more features and selling points to warrant the cost.
Also, if you already own the Xperia Tablet Z, it's tough to consider ditching it for the Z2 - the products are still very similar.
Score: 8 out of 10
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