The tablet market is crowded, but these two offer distinct experiences. The Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE, a legacy device, boasts a unique design and LTE connectivity, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) provides a more modern and refined Android experience. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is the clear winner overall. While the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE has a unique appeal, the S6 Lite’s newer chipset, improved software support, and more modern features make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - SGP321 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SGP321 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 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, May 14 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, May 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 266 x 172 x 6.9 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.27 in) | 244.5 x 154.3 x 7 mm (9.63 x 6.07 x 0.28 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) | 465/467 g (1.03 lb) |
| | IP57 dust proof and water resistant | Stylus support |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | - |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1200 x 2000 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.4 inches, 307.9 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | TFT LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot); microSDHC (SGP351) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 8 MP, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.2 MP | 5 MP, (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 3D surround sound | Tuned by AKG |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) | USB Type-C |
| 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, gyro |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W 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 7040 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Chiffon Pink, Angora Blue, Oxford Gray |
| Models | SGP321, SO-03E, SGP351 | SM-P613, SM-P619 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (body) |
| 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
- Extremely thin and light
- LTE connectivity
- Good contrast ratio (display)
- Outdated chipset
- Limited software support
- Basic camera
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
- Modern chipset (Snapdragon 732G/720G)
- Vibrant display
- Good battery life
- S Pen support (optional)
- Regular software updates
- Plastic build
- 15W charging is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) features a 10.4-inch LCD display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. While the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE has a respectable 996:1 contrast ratio, its display technology is older and likely lacks the brightness and color accuracy of the S6 Lite. The S6 Lite's larger screen also provides a more immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices is not a primary selling point. The Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE's camera is basic, suitable for occasional snapshots. The Tab S6 Lite (2022) offers slightly improved camera performance, but neither device excels in this area. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light.
Performance
The Tab S6 Lite (2022) holds a significant advantage here. Its Snapdragon 732G/720G chipset is considerably more powerful than the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE's Snapdragon S4 Pro. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the S6 Lite. The S6 Lite's octa-core processor also provides a noticeable boost in overall responsiveness.
Battery Life
The Tab S6 Lite (2022) generally offers better battery life due to its more efficient chipset and optimized software. While the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE's battery life was decent for its time, it will likely struggle to keep up with the demands of modern apps and usage patterns. The S6 Lite's 15W charging is also faster than the Z Tablet's charging capabilities.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE? Users seeking a very thin and light tablet with LTE connectivity and don't mind an older device. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)? Anyone looking for a well-rounded, modern Android tablet with good performance, a vibrant display, and excellent value for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Xperia Z Tablet Z LTE still worth buying?
It's a niche purchase. If you prioritize extreme portability and LTE connectivity and can find it at a very low price, it might be considered. However, the Tab S6 Lite offers a much better overall experience.
❓ Does the Tab S6 Lite (2022) support a stylus?
Yes, the Tab S6 Lite (2022) supports the S Pen, which is sold separately. It's a great addition for note-taking and drawing.
