Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Verdict
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is a refined, powerful Android tablet that exudes the premium feel Sony hangs its hat on. But pricing the tablet at full-sized iPad Air 2 levels seems misguided, especially as demand for premium Android tablets continues to decline. Those still in the market for a high-end Android tablet should turn their attention towards the Editors' Choice-winning Galaxy Tab S 8.4, which has the best display of any tablet, and a lower price tag than the Z3 Tablet Compact.”
“The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact does not lack competition but its list of features make it the one to beat. It has a super-slim and light body with an exposed metal frame, IP68 waterproofing and front-facing stereo speakers - full of value-added proprietary Sony tech. Offering all of this in a single package is a big win for Sony, but each of those add to the price - which, to be fair, is steep. But that's only if in your world a tablet is either an iPad or a droid - the latter usually presumed to be plain, affordable, inferior and therefore anonymous. Sony says it's time to change your mind.”
“Sony really created a convincing device with the Xperia Z3 Compact. Only the case stability and the color accuracy of the panel are small issues. The latter is otherwise one of the best screens in this price range. Brightness, pixel density and contrast are on a really good level. The Japanese don't use the latest and fastest SoC, but they still equip the tablet with a really powerful SoC that can always utilize its full potential.One thing that should be improved is the microphone. We also hope that the App2SD feature will be implemented with the update to Lollipop. However, this is complaining on a very high level, since Sony makes almost everything right and offers a great tablet, which is also waterproof and dust-resistant. There is hardly any alternative for the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact if you want to watch movies or play games in the bathtub.Display enthusiasts on the other hand will be better off with the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. Fans of iOS don't have a choice, anyway, and have to live with the products from Apple. However, the iPad Mini is the most sophisticated device within the comparison, but also has its price, especially if you want more storage or an LTE module. One less expensive and smaller alternative is the MediaPad X1. Still, our review unit is a very successful package and therefore deserves the top spot in this product category.”
“Sony once again has a winner on their hands with this device. The tablet just looks stunning, feels great in the hand, and is extremely portable. While past generations have featured larger displays, the benefits of this comparatively smaller form factor do outweigh the negatives. Sony’s enhancements on the hardware and software side of things, including the front-facing speakers, and its resistance to the elements, make the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact a compelling choice for anyone.”
Watch before you decide
In Depth
While smartphones are getting bigger, the tablet manufacturers seem to be duking it out for the title of top mid-size tablet. Sony has entered the fray with the release of the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. At first glance, it might not necessarily live up to its “compact” name, but once reviewers held it in their hand they understood why Sony tacked on the title. At 0.25 inches thick, it is one of the slimmest tablets available and it weighs only 270 grams. As well, the 16:10 aspect ratio allows it to be much narrower than its competition (the iPad Mini 3) and experts were able to hold it easily in one-hand. As thin and light as it is, critics did not experience any significant bending though CNET warns, “…it does feel a touch fragile.” It does, however, have an IP65 and IP68 rating that makes it dust proof and waterproof for up to 30 minutes in up to six feet of water.
Dominating the front of the screen is the 8-inch full HD LCD display. Although it doesn’t offer the same resolution or pixel density as the iPad Mini retina display or the LG G3, experts barely noticed any difference in sharpness. As well, they commend the screen for its good contrast and vivid colors though they mention that it tends to be a bit oversaturated. Brightness levels are also good as they were able to read the screen in bright light despite its high reflectivity.
Inside is a 2.5GHz quad-core processor paired with 3GB of RAM. This combination of hardware created a virtually stutter free experience for experts regardless of whether they were just browsing the web or playing graphics-intensive game. As thin as it is, Sony was able to stuff a 4,500mAh battery inside that get it running for around 13 hours in battery draining tests and a little under two days of light usage in real life testing. One of the more interesting features of the tablet is its ability to act as a display for the PlayStation 4. Unfortunately, when put to the test experts experienced frame rate issues, freezes and crashes. Still they add that the technology is still in early stages so they expect it to improve over time.
Sony isn’t breaking the mold with their 8MP camera but it did reward experts with a solid performance. Performance-wise, they had no complaints as it provided fast and reliable picture taking and decent autofocus. Image quality, on the other hand, is fair at best. They noticed a lack of fine detail in images as well as problems with contrast, though surprisingly low light images were fairly clear when compared to similar low end cameras. Still, TechRadar states, “You’re probably not going to want to frame any of these shots.”
Overall, reviewers had few complaints about the Z3 Tablet Compact and would recommend it over its competitors despite its flaws. Stuff.TV states, “…the Z3 Tablet Compact is a lovely thing. It’s a slim, light and reliable couch or commute companion.”
What people actually want to know
When was the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact released?
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact was released on November 2, 2014.
How long does the battery last on the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact?
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has a 4,500 mAh battery.
Is the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact water resistant?
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact carries an IP68 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact support wireless charging?
No, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact does not support wireless charging.
Does the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Does the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact have NFC?
Yes, the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact?
Visit Sony's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact manual?
You can view and download the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact manual on our dedicated manual page.
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