Sony's Xperia line has always been known for its premium design and innovative features. Two standouts from that era are the Xperia Z Ultra and the Xperia Tablet Z LTE. But which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs and performance to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xperia Z Ultra generally edges out the Tablet Z LTE thanks to its significantly faster processor, improved sunlight readability on its display, and slightly more modern chipset. However, the Tablet Z LTE's thinner profile and potentially better tablet-specific software experience might appeal to some.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - SGP321 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - all versions |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - SGP321 | 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17 - C6806 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 4 - SGP351 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20 - C6833 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2013, February. Released 2013, May | 2013, June. Released 2013, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 266 x 172 x 6.9 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.27 in) | 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm (7.06 x 3.63 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Micro-SIM |
| Weight | 495 g (1.09 lb) | 212 g (7.48 oz) |
| | IP57 dust proof and water resistant | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Shatter proof glass | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~344 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 112.9 cm2 (~68.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LED-backlit LCD, | IPS LCD |
| | - | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait | Quad-core 2.2 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm APQ8064 Snapdragon S4 Pro | Qualcomm MSM8274 or MSM8974 Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 320 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop) | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.1 (Lollipop) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot); microSDHC (SGP351) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 4.5 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2.2 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 3D surround sound | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) | microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG |
| 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, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 110 h | Up to 120 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 1230 h (2G) / Up to 1270 h (3G) | Up to 790 h (2G) / Up to 820 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (multimedia) | Up to 14 h (2G) / Up to 16 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Ion 3050 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White, Purple |
| Models | SGP321, SO-03E, SGP351 | C6833, C6802, C6806, C6806 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 280 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.69 W/kg (body) | 0.34 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB |
Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 52h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1001:1 (nominal) / 1.578:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB
|
Voice 63dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 59dB
|
| Performance | - |
Basemark X: 11606 |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Audio quality | Noise -87.0dB / Crosstalk -87.8dB | Noise -92.5dB / Crosstalk -90.7dB |
| Battery (old) | - | Endurance rating 52h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 996:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: 1001:1 (nominal) / 1.578:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | Voice 66dB / Noise 64dB / Ring 70dB | Voice 63dB / Noise 60dB / Ring 59dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark X: 11606 |
Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE
- Extremely thin and lightweight
- Good contrast ratio display
- LTE connectivity
- Slower processor
- Less bright display
- Older chipset
Sony Xperia Z Ultra
- Faster processor and chipset
- Excellent sunlight readability
- Brighter display
- More modern design
- Slightly thicker than Tablet Z LTE
- Battery life potentially shorter under heavy load
Display Comparison
Both devices boast impressive contrast ratios (996:1 for Tablet Z LTE, 1001:1 for Z Ultra). However, the Z Ultra shines with its exceptional 1.578:1 contrast ratio in direct sunlight, making it far more usable outdoors. The Z Ultra's display also tends to be slightly brighter overall. Both use similar LCD technology, so color accuracy is comparable.
Camera Comparison
Camera specifications are identical on paper (Photo/Video), but real-world performance often differs. The Z Ultra's more powerful processor likely allows for slightly better image processing and faster autofocus. Both cameras are adequate for casual photography but don't excel in low-light conditions.
Performance
The Xperia Z Ultra holds a clear advantage here. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset (MSM8974) with a 2.2 GHz Krait 400 quad-core processor is significantly faster than the Tablet Z LTE's Snapdragon S4 Pro (APQ8064) with a 1.5 GHz Krait CPU. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Z Ultra.
Battery Life
Both devices are reported to have an endurance rating of 52 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under moderate usage. However, the Z Ultra's more powerful processor might consume more power under heavy load, potentially leading to slightly shorter battery life in those scenarios.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Tablet Z LTE is ideal for users prioritizing a slim, lightweight tablet experience for media consumption and light productivity. The Xperia Z Ultra is better suited for those seeking a more powerful device with a brighter display and faster performance, blurring the lines between smartphone and tablet.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is the difference between a smartphone and a tablet?
Smartphones are smaller, pocketable devices primarily used for communication. Tablets are larger, offering a bigger screen for media consumption and productivity, but are less portable.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these older Sony devices?
Finding genuine spare parts for these older models can be challenging. Third-party options are available, but quality can vary. Repair services might also be limited.
