As a died-in-the-wool hard Apple fan, I did the unimaginable: I left my iPad and iPhone behind when I went to Germany for Gamescom, using only the Sony Xperia range of products. I not only survived, I might be slightly in love.

See me, feel me

Z2 tablet

The first thing I noticed about the Xperia Z2 Tablet was just how ridiculously light and thin it is. Weighing in at 439 grams, it’s about the same weight as the iPad Air and is easy to carry around or use at any angle without getting tired. The finish on the tablet is also incredibly smooth with that matte metal and black finish that makes it look particularly sexy.

Featuring a 10.1″ display, the screen has a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution, ensuring the sharpest images and videos are shown in all their glory. Considering the 8.1 megapixel camera in the back and the 2.2 megapixel (1080p) camera for your selfies, some of those nice pictures might just be of your own creation. Of course the cameras are really just meant for social media and Skype, but they more than serve that purposes – I never worried about looking blotchy or pixellated due to low megapixels.

Z2 tablet oh so wet

Despite being seriously light, the Z2 still feels really sturdy. I would often throw it in and out of my bag at a moment’s notice during the convention and I never felt worried that it would come to any harm. Add to that, the Z2 has an excellent trick up its sleeve – it is waterproof. I didn’t believe it, but after testing it numerous times by spilling all manner of beverages on it (for science) I can report that it’s really true. Gone are the days of worrying about water, or coffee, or wine spills near electronics.

Unlike other tablets that place the on/off switch on the top corner of the device, the Z2 button is on the side. While this was confusing at first, it actually makes a lot more sense in use – I rarely pick up a tablet from the top corner and this change of button placement made it easier to turn off the screen immediately after use and put it in my bag without changing hand placements.

Cause I’m (h)appy

Z2 tablet apps

Before we look at the specific apps that the tablet comes with, it’s important to note that the Z2 comes with Android 4.4 (Kitkat). Like any Android device, this means that you have access to the full range of cool apps in the Google Play store, as well as the inability that developers seem to have to create a twitter app the works properly on Android.

Like most Android devices, it is ridiculously easy to set up – log into your Google account that magically all your contacts, Chrome, YouTube and Gmail are organized. What I found particularly useful was that I was easily able to export my iPhone contacts, importing them into Google and moving seamlessly from one device to another.

The tablet comes pre-loaded with most of the applications that you might expect – Chrome, YouTube and Gmail of course come standard, as do your usual social media apps. There is the really rather rad TV controller app, along with some sorta useless things like the Sony Walkman app. Thankfully, the tablet didn’t feel overly bloated with apps – sure, there were a bunch already loaded at the start, but most of them were things I probably would have downloaded anyway.

Applications are quick and snappy on the Z2. I never experienced any lag on the device and found it simply a joy to use once I grabbed the firmware update that fixed the issues with the gyroscope.

What’s in the box?

Z2 tablet ports

  • 10.1″ TFT; 16,777,216 colours, 1920 x 1200 pixels
  • 439 grams
  • IPX5/8 (waterproof) & IP5X (dust-resistant)
  • RAM: 3 GB
  • 8.1-megapixel camera
  • 8x digital zoom
  • Front-facing camera (2.2 MP 1080p)
  • HD video recording (1080p)

Conclusion

Everything considered,  the Xperia Z2 tablet is an absolute joy. It is a serious rival for the iPad Air and I’d highly recommend it to anyone in the market for an Android tablet. Light, powerful and waterproof, I simply can’t find fault with the Z2.

Last Updated: August 28, 2014

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet
Rad

13 Comments

  1. Admiral Chief Assassin

    August 28, 2014 at 12:41

    ” just how ridiculously light and thin it is”
    That is what she said folks, now, was that Geoff or Matty?

    Reply

  2. Admiral Chief Assassin

    August 28, 2014 at 12:44

    Price?

    Reply

  3. WarframedSquirrel

    August 28, 2014 at 12:49

    So what’s in the box Zoe?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 28, 2014 at 12:49

      THE CLOUD!

      Reply

      • WarframedSquirrel

        August 28, 2014 at 12:51

        :O! But the cloud is a LIE and cannot be trusted!

        Reply

  4. WarframedSquirrel

    August 28, 2014 at 12:52

    Is that an HDMI connector ON the tablet? o_O

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 28, 2014 at 12:55

      Looks like mini-usb

      Reply

      • WarframedSquirrel

        August 28, 2014 at 13:03

        NFI… the shape looks kinda HDMI ish, but doesn’t have the curves there… so probably usb.

        Reply

        • FoxOneZA

          August 28, 2014 at 13:10

          Think it’s a mini-hdmi. Xperia’s love those connectors.

          Reply

  5. Rinceable

    August 28, 2014 at 13:08

    Picture of it in the bath or it isn’t waterproof!

    Reply

  6. FoxOneZA

    August 28, 2014 at 13:11

    The bezel is rather unflattering compared to the Galaxy S Tab and some may not like the whitish tinge screen filter that Xperia devices of late have.

    Reply

    • FSR

      August 28, 2014 at 16:09

      that said, the bezel really does help when using the tablet. It’s a nice size to grip without my fat fingers sneaking into the screen real estate.

      Reply

  7. Axon1988

    August 28, 2014 at 14:11

    I’ve been using my Sony phone for just under 2 years now. And while it’s not the fastest out there, it’s still a really solid experience. The walkman software is really nice. The camera app is amazing. However, with it being waterproof it came with these stupid flaps. And the flaps have this stupid plastic edge to help it clip in. This breaks off so easily. Only thing that I do not like about my Sony. That and the uninspired designed behind it.

    Reply

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