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Tablet Comparison

Apple iPad Air 2 vs Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
Apple iPad Air 2
Apple
Apple iPad Air 2
9.0 / 10
Compass Score
From 32 critic reviews
Full review →
Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Sony
Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
8.2 / 10
Compass Score
From 21 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPad Air 2

+
Good
+ Reduced weight and thickness
+ Incredibly fast performance
+ Beautiful display with vibrant colors and deep blacks
−
Not
− Potential issues with bending
− 16GB base model not worth the price
− No real improvement in battery life

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

+
Good
+ Incredibly thin and light
+ Excellent battery life
+ Snappy performance
+ Water- and dust-proof
−
Not
− PS4 connection feature laggy and often crashes
− Camera images lack detail and proper contrast
− Display colors oversaturated
Spec data

How they compare

iPad Air 2
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Price (MSRP)
β€”
Price (MSRP)
β€”
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A8X Triple core
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad core
Camera zoom
β€”
Camera zoom
β€”
Battery life
β€”
Battery life
β€”
Wired charging
β€”
Wired charging
β€”
Wireless charging
β€”
Wireless charging
β€”
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
β€”
Software support
β€”
Repairability
β€”
Repairability
β€”
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
Weight
270g (9.5 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
No
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPad Air 2
9.4" × 6.6"
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
8.4" × 4.9"
Thickness · to scale
iPad Air 2
0.2"
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
0.2"
Height
9.4" (239 mm)
Height
8.4" (213 mm)
Width
6.6" (168 mm)
Width
4.9" (124 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6 mm)
Weight
437g (15.4 oz)
Weight
270g (9.5 oz)
Screen
9.7"
Screen
8"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

iPad Air 2 vs Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact: FAQ

Which is better, the iPad Air 2 or Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air 2 earns a Compass Score of 9.0 compared to 8.2 for the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. That 0.8-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated October 2026. Suggest a correction →