Sony's tablets have a reputation for quality and durability, but which model is right for you? We're pitting the Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE against the older Xperia Z2 Tablet Wi-Fi to see which one offers the best blend of performance, features, and value in today's market. Let's dive in!
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Z4 Tablet LTE boasts a significantly more powerful processor and vastly superior battery life. However, the Z2 Tablet Wi-Fi remains a capable device, especially for those prioritizing affordability and a slightly smaller form factor. The Z4 is the clear performance winner, but the Z2 offers better value for budget-conscious users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 40 | - |
| EDGE | - | No |
| GPRS | - | No |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, June | 2014, February. Released 2014, March |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 254 x 167 x 6.1 mm (10.0 x 6.57 x 0.24 in) | 266 x 172 x 6.4 mm (10.47 x 6.77 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | No |
| Weight | 393 g (13.86 oz) | 426 g (15.03 oz) |
| | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | IP58 dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Shatter proof glass |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~299 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~69.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~64.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT |
| | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine | Triluminos display
X-Reality Engine |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A57) | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 (20 nm) | Qualcomm APQ8074AB Snapdragon 801 (28 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 430 | Adreno 330 |
| OS | Android 5.0 (Lollipop), upgradable to 7.1 (Nougat) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 6.0 (Marshmallow) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 16GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.0 | eMMC 5.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8.1 MP, AF | 8.1 MP, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps, 720p@30fps (HDR), stereo sound rec. |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5.1 MP | 2.2 MP |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 3D surround sound
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, aptX |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3.0 TV-out) | microUSB 2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | ANT+ | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC2 | 18W wired, QC2 |
| Music play | - | Up to 200 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 1420 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 13 h (multimedia) |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black, White |
| Models | SGP771 | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 105h
| - |
Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE
- Significantly faster performance
- Exceptional battery life
- LTE connectivity
- Higher resolution display
- Slightly better camera
- Higher price
- Larger and heavier than Z2
- Snapdragon 810 can exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load
Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Wi-Fi
- More affordable
- Slightly more compact and lighter
- Good display quality
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower performance
- Shorter battery life
- Wi-Fi only
- Older chipset
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature excellent displays, but the Z4 has a slightly higher resolution (2560 x 1440 vs 2000 x 1200) resulting in a sharper image. Both use IPS LCD panels with vibrant colors and wide viewing angles. The Z4's display is marginally brighter, offering better outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
The Z4 Tablet has a slightly better main camera (8MP vs 8.1MP) and front-facing camera (5MP vs 2.2MP). While neither tablet excels in photography, the Z4 generally produces slightly better images with improved detail and color accuracy. Both cameras are adequate for video calls and casual snapshots.
Performance
The Z4 Tablet's Snapdragon 810 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the Z2's Snapdragon 801. The octa-core processor and 20nm manufacturing process provide significantly faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and better gaming experiences on the Z4.
Battery Life
This is where the Z4 Tablet truly shines. Its endurance rating of 105 hours is exceptional, far surpassing the Z2 Tablet's battery life. The Z4 can easily last for multiple days of moderate use, while the Z2 will require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet LTE is ideal for users who demand high performance for multitasking, gaming, or content creation, and who need LTE connectivity. The Xperia Z2 Tablet Wi-Fi is a good choice for casual users, students, or those seeking a reliable tablet for media consumption at a lower price point, and don't require cellular data.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Z4 Tablet LTE worth the extra cost?
If performance and battery life are your top priorities, then yes. The Z4 offers a significant upgrade over the Z2. However, if you're on a budget and primarily use your tablet for basic tasks, the Z2 remains a viable option.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 810 in the Z4 Tablet LTE have overheating issues?
The Snapdragon 810 is known to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. While Sony implemented cooling solutions, it's still a potential concern for demanding tasks like extended gaming. The Z2's chipset is less prone to this issue.
