Sony Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE vs. Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3: A Detailed Comparison

The tablet market offers a wide range of options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the aging but powerful Sony Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE and the more modern Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3. Let's see which one comes out on top.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE boasts a superior display and older, but still capable, processor. However, the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 offers a more modern chipset, better value, and a more current Android experience. For most users, the M10 Gen 3 provides a better balance of features and price.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE	Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - SGP321	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SGP321	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps	HSPA, LTE - cellular model only
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	4 - SGP351	-

Launch
Announced	2013, February. Released 2013, May	2022, September
Status	Discontinued	Available. Released 2022, September

Body
Dimensions	266 x 172 x 6.9 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.27 in)	239.8 x 158.6 x 8.5 mm (9.44 x 6.24 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Micro-SIM	Nano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight	495 g (1.09 lb)	460 g (1.01 lb)
	IP57 dust proof and water resistant	-

Display
Protection	Shatter proof glass	-
Resolution	1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)	1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density)
Size	10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio)	10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~77.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	LED-backlit LCD,	IPS LCD, 320 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait	Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro	Unisoc T610 (12 nm)
GPU	Adreno 320	Mali-G52 MP2
OS	Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop)	Android 11, upgradable to Android 12

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot); microSDHC (SGP351)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	16GB 2GB RAM	32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
	-	eMCP or eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	HDR, panorama	-
Single	8.1 MP, AF	8 MP, AF
Video	1080p@30fps, HDR	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	2.2 MP	5 MP
Video	1080p@30fps	Yes

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with stereo speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos)
	3D surround sound	-

Comms
Bluetooth	4.0, A2DP	5.0, LE
Infrared port	Yes	-
NFC	Yes	No
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS - cellular model only
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	No
USB	microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out)	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG, magnetic connector
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Accelerometer, gyro, compass	Accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	-	10W wired
Music play	Up to 110 h	-
Stand-by	Up to 1230 h (2G) / Up to 1270 h (3G)	-
Talk time	Up to 10 h (multimedia)	-
Type	Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable	Li-Po 5100 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, White	Storm Grey
Models	SGP321, SO-03E, SGP351	-
Price	About 350 EUR	About 200 EUR
SAR EU	1.69 W/kg (body)	-

Tests
Audio quality	Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB	-

OUR TESTS
Audio quality	Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB	-
Camera	Photo / Video	-
Display	Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal)	-
Loudspeaker	Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB	-

Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE

Excellent Display
LTE Connectivity
Premium Build Quality
Water Resistant (likely)

Older Processor
Limited Software Updates
Potential Battery Degradation
Camera Quality Unknown

Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3

Modern Chipset
Better Value
Current Android Version
Decent Performance for Everyday Tasks

Lower Display Quality
Plastic Build
10W Charging (relatively slow)
Camera Quality Unknown

Display Comparison

The Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE features a stunning display with a reported contrast ratio of 996:1, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. While the Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3's display is adequate, it lacks the same level of visual fidelity. The Xperia's display is noticeably sharper and more immersive.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited for both devices. Both offer photo and video capabilities, but neither is known for exceptional camera performance. Expect basic functionality from both.

Performance

The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3's Unisoc T610 chipset, with its octa-core architecture, provides a smoother multitasking experience than the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE's older Snapdragon S4 Pro. While the Xperia's Krait cores are still capable, the M10 Gen 3's newer Cortex-A75 cores offer a performance boost in demanding applications. However, the Xperia's LTE capabilities are a significant advantage for on-the-go connectivity.

Battery Life

The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3's 10W wired charging suggests a decent battery life, though specific capacity isn't listed. The Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE's battery life is generally considered good, but older batteries may have degraded over time. Actual battery performance will depend on usage patterns.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE is ideal for users prioritizing a high-quality display and don't mind an older device. The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a reliable, everyday tablet for media consumption and light productivity.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE still worth buying?

If you prioritize display quality and LTE connectivity and can find it at a very low price, it might be. However, be aware of its age and potential software limitations.

❓ Which tablet is better for streaming videos?

The Lenovo Tab M10 Gen 3 is generally better for streaming due to its more modern processor and smoother performance, although the Xperia's display offers a slightly better viewing experience.