Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE vs. Apple iPhone 6s Plus: A Detailed Showdown

The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE and the Apple iPhone 6s Plus represent different approaches to mobile computing. One is a large-screen tablet designed for productivity and media consumption, while the other is a flagship smartphone. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which device reigns supreme.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE boasts significantly longer battery life and a powerful chipset for demanding tasks. However, the iPhone 6s Plus offers a more polished user experience, a superior camera, and the broader iOS ecosystem. It depends on your priorities: tablet power vs. smartphone convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE Apple iPhone 6s Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 - A1633
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 - A1634
Launch
Announced2015, March. Released 2015, June2015, September 09. Released 2015, September 25
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Corning-made glass), aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions254 x 167 x 6.1 mm (10.0 x 6.57 x 0.24 in)158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm (6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight393 g (13.86 oz)192 g (6.77 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingIon-strengthened glass, oleophobic coating
Resolution2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~299 ppi density)1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~69.7% screen-to-body ratio)5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD
 Triluminos display X-Reality Engine3D Touch display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57)Dual-core 1.84 GHz Twister
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm)Apple A9 (14/16 nm - maker dependant)
GPUAdreno 430PowerVR GT7600 (six-core graphics)
OSAndroid 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1 (Nougat)iOS 9, upgradable to iOS 15.8.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal32GB 3GB RAM16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM
 eMMC 5.0NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesHDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR
Single8.1 MP, AF12 MP, f/2.2, 29mm (standard), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, PDAF, OIS
Video1080p@30fps, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@120fps, 720p@240fps
Selfie camera
Features-Face detection, HDR, panorama
Single5.1 MP5 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard)
Video-720p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
 -16-bit/44.1kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX4.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (Apple Pay only)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio, RDSNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL 3.0 TV-out)Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 ANT+-
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC2-
Stand-by-Up to 384 h (3G)
Talk time-Up to 24 h (3G)
TypeLi-Po 6000 mAh, non-removableLi-Ion 2750 mAh, non-removable (10.45 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteSpace Gray, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold
ModelsSGP771A1634, A1687, A1690, A1699, iPhone8,2
PriceAbout 500 EURAbout 240 EUR
SAR-1.12 W/kg (head)     1.14 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.93 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -71.1dB
Battery life Endurance rating 105h Endurance rating 85h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: 1382:1 (nominal), 3.530 (sunlight)
Loudspeaker- Voice 65dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 64dB
Performance- Basemark OS II 2.0: 2261

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Powerful Snapdragon 810 chipset
  • Large, immersive display
  • Android's open ecosystem
  • LTE connectivity

  • Older design
  • Camera not as good as iPhone
  • Larger size and weight
  • Snapdragon 810 can throttle under sustained load

Apple iPhone 6s Plus

  • Premium design and build quality
  • Excellent camera performance
  • Smooth iOS user experience
  • Strong app ecosystem
  • Compact size (relative to the tablet)

  • Shorter battery life
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Z4 Tablet
  • Closed iOS ecosystem
  • Can be more expensive

Display Comparison

The iPhone 6s Plus's display, while sharing a nominal contrast ratio of 1382:1, generally offers better color accuracy and brightness due to Apple's display technology. The Z4 Tablet's larger screen is advantageous for multitasking and media, but the iPhone's smaller size makes it more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed. Sunlight readability is excellent on both, with the iPhone showing a 3.530 rating.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 6s Plus consistently delivers superior image quality thanks to Apple's computational photography and optimized camera hardware. While the Z4 Tablet's camera is capable, it doesn't match the iPhone's dynamic range, color reproduction, and low-light performance. Video recording is also generally better on the iPhone.

Performance

The Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE's Snapdragon 810 chipset, with its octa-core processor, provides raw power for demanding applications and multitasking. While the A9 chip in the iPhone 6s Plus is efficient, the Z4 Tablet's processing capabilities are generally superior, especially for graphically intensive tasks. However, iOS optimization often results in a smoother, more responsive user experience despite the hardware difference.

Battery Life

The Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE's standout feature is its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 105 hours. This significantly surpasses the iPhone 6s Plus's 85-hour rating, making the Z4 Tablet a clear winner for users who need all-day (or multi-day) power.

Buying Guide

The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, large screen real estate for productivity or media consumption, and Android's open ecosystem. The Apple iPhone 6s Plus is best suited for those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, seeking a premium smartphone experience, and valuing a strong camera and user-friendly interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE still worth buying in 2024?
It's a niche buy. If you need extreme battery life and a large screen on Android, it can still be a good option, but be aware of its age and potential software support limitations.
❓ Which device is better for gaming?
The Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE generally offers more raw processing power, but the iPhone 6s Plus's optimized iOS and potentially better thermal management might result in a smoother gaming experience in some cases.