Apple iPad (4th generation) vs Sony Tablet S

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

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iPad (4th generation) compared with Tablet S

	AppleiPad (4th generation)	SonyTablet S
Overview
Released
Released	November 2012	September 2011
Display
Screen size
Screen size	9.7″	9.4″
Resolution
Resolution	2048 × 1536 (better)	1280 × 800
Sharpness
Sharpness	264 pixels per inch (better)	161 pixels per inch
Panel
Panel	LCD	LCD
Display type
Display type	Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD	TFT colour LCD with TruBlack treatment
Pixel density
Pixel density	264 ppi	–
Display features
Display features	Oleophobic coating; Multi-Touch	–
Performance
Chip
Chip	A6X	NVIDIA Tegra 2
Memory
Memory	1 GB	1 GB
Storage
Storage	16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (better)	16 GB, 32 GB
CPU
CPU	Dual-core A6X; 1 GB RAM confirmed by iFixit	Tegra 2 mobile processor at 1 GHz
GPU
GPU	Quad-core graphics	–
Cameras
Rear camera
Rear camera	5 MP	5.11 MP (better)
Ultra wide camera
Ultra wide camera	None	None
Front camera
Front camera	1.2 MP (better)	0.3 MP
Rear camera
Rear camera	iSight; f/2.4 five-element lens; hybrid IR filter; autofocus; face detection; backside illumination	–
Front camera
Front camera	FaceTime HD; face detection; backside illumination	–
Video recording
Video recording	Rear 1080p with stabilisation; front 720p; geotagging; exposure control	–
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 10 hours	Up to 6.2 hours
Battery capacity
Battery capacity	42.5 Wh	–
Mobile data option
Mobile data option	Yes	Yes
Stylus
Stylus	Not supported	Not supported
Keyboard made for it
Keyboard made for it	No	Yes
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours browsing over cellular	Maker claims approximately 6.2 hours Wi-Fi browsing or 6 hours video; 3G browsing approximately 4.5 hours; full charge approximately 5 hours
Charging
Charging	Power adapter or USB computer connection	–
USB-C
USB-C	Lightning; 3.5 mm headphone jack; optional Digital AV and VGA adapters; Apple support lists external video output up to 720p	USB 2.0 Micro-AB host/client port; separate proprietary power connector; SD/SDHC slot, without SDXC support
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi	Dual-band 802.11a/b/g/n; 802.11n at 2.4 and 5 GHz	IEEE 802.11b/g/n
Bluetooth
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 4.0	Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Mobile network
Mobile network	GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA; LTE bands 1/3/5/13/25 on A1460 or 4/17 on A1459; micro-SIM; 662 g	Wi-Fi models at 16/32 GB; 16 GB 3G version also sold, weighing approximately 625 g rather than the listed 598 g Wi-Fi body
Stylus support
Stylus support	No Apple Pencil support	–
Keyboards
Keyboards	Bluetooth keyboards supported; no dedicated Apple keyboard connector	Optional Sony SGPWKB1 Bluetooth keyboard
Design
Weight
Weight	652 g	598 g (better)
Thickness
Thickness	9.4 mm (better)	20.6 mm
Height × width
Height × width	241.2 × 185.7 mm	174.3 × 241.2 mm
Operating system
Operating system	iOS	Android
Speakers
Speakers	Built-in speaker	Built-in stereo speakers
Microphones
Microphones	Built-in microphone	Built-in mono microphone; headphone socket doubles as a mono microphone input
Sensors
Sensors	Accelerometer; ambient light; three-axis gyroscope; compass; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular model	Accelerometer, gyroscope, digital compass, ambient light sensor, GPS and learning infrared remote control
Materials
Materials	Aluminium enclosure	Asymmetric plastic body; thickness ranges from 10.1 to 20.6 mm, excluding projections
Colours
Colours	Black or White front	–
Software at launch
Software at launch	iOS 6; 128 GB version introduced with iOS 6.1 on 5 February 2013	Android 3.1 on Wi-Fi models, Android 3.2 on the later 3G model; Sony subsequently offered Android 4.0
In the box
In the box	iPad; Lightning to USB Cable; USB Power Adapter	Mains adaptor and wrist strap