Apple iPad Air 2 vs Sony Xperia Tablet Z

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

iPad Air 2 compared with Xperia Tablet Z
AppleiPad Air 2SonyXperia Tablet Z
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2014March 2013
Display
Screen size9.7″10.1″
Resolution2048 × 1536 (better)1920 × 1200
Sharpness264 pixels per inch (better)224 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Display typeRetina; LED-backlit IPS LCDTFT LCD with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
Pixel density264 ppi–
Display featuresFully laminated; anti-reflective coating; fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating–
Performance
ChipA8XQualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
Memory2 GB2 GB
Storage16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB (better)16 GB, 32 GB
CPU64-bit A8X; M8 motion coprocessor; 2 GB RAM confirmed by iFixitQuad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 at 1.5 GHz
Cameras
Rear camera8 MP8.1 MP (better)
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera1.2 MP2.2 MP (better)
Rear cameraiSight; f/2.4 five-element lens; autofocus; backside illumination; hybrid IR filter; auto HDR; panorama up to 43 MP; burst; timer; auto image stabilisation; face detection8.1 MP Exmor R for mobile sensor; HDR photos
Front cameraFaceTime HD; f/2.2; backside illumination; auto HDR; burst; timer; face detection2.2 MP Exmor R for mobile sensor
Video recordingRear 1080p at 30 fps; slow-motion at 120 fps; stabilised time-lapse; video stabilisation; 3x video zoom; front 720pFull HD recording
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours
Battery (mAh)–6,000 mAh
Battery capacity27.3 Wh–
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusNot supportedNot supported
Keyboard made for itNoNo
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing, video or music; nine hours cellular browsingMaker claims approximately 10 hours video or 8.2 hours Wi-Fi browsing for the Japanese Wi-Fi model; approximately 6.5 hours for a full charge; SO-03E LTE capacity is 6000 mAh
ChargingPower adapter or USB computer charging–
USB-CLightning; 3.5 mm headphone jackMicro-USB 2.0 for charging and data; HDMI output through a separate MHL adaptor; microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 64 GB
Wi-FiDual-band 802.11a/b/g/n/ac; HT80 with MIMOIEEE 802.11a/b/g/n
BluetoothBluetooth 4.2 (current Apple UK specifications)Bluetooth 4.0
Mobile networkLTE, UMTS/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, GSM/EDGE and CDMA EV-DO; nano-SIM with Apple SIM support; Wi-Fi calling; cellular model weighs 444 gWi-Fi and LTE variants; regional configurations differ; first sale was the Japanese SO-03E LTE model on 22 March 2013
Stylus supportNo Apple Pencil support–
KeyboardsNo Smart Connector–
Design
Weight437 g (better)495 g
Thickness6.1 mm (better)7.2 mm
Height × width240 × 169.5 mm172 × 266 mm
Water and dust resistance–IP57
Operating systemiPadOSAndroid
BiometricsTouch ID in Home button–
SpeakersBuilt-in stereo speakersStereo speakers with S-Force Front Surround 3D
MicrophonesDual microphonesBuilt-in mono microphone; 3.5 mm headset socket
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; assisted GPS and GLONASS on cellular modelAccelerometer, gyroscope, digital compass, ambient light sensor, GPS, NFC and infrared remote control
Materials–Plastic body; 6.9 mm at the thin section and 7.2 mm maximum excluding projections; IP55 and IP57 protection requires all port covers closed
ColoursSilver, Gold, Space GreyBlack or white, depending on configuration
Software at launchiOS 8.1; orders opened 17 October 2014, with availability the following weekAndroid 4.1 Jelly Bean
In the boxiPad Air 2; Lightning to USB cable; USB power adapterMains adaptor and USB cable; regional accessory bundles differ

More comparisons