iPad Air vs Sony Xperia Z2: Which is best?

Can the Android KitKat tablet topple the iOS heavyweight?

15 May 2014

The iPad has remained at the top of the tablet food chain since its release in 2010. A bevy of Android challengers have flooded the market and the latest is the Sony Xperia Z2 tablet. Can unique features like a waterproof coating help it to outperform the iPad Air?

Head-to-Head categoriesDisplay Design Battery Life Hardware/Connectivity Software/Apps Pricing Verdict

Display

Apple's iPad Air is the largest iOS tablet available with a screen size of 9.7in. The Retina Display squeezes in over 3 million pixels into the screen (2048 x 1536) or the equivalent of 264 pixels-per-inch. Colour replication and brightness is excellent, with the one criticism being the 4:3 ratio.

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The Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet has a 10.1in display which makes it almost an inch and a half larger than the iPad Air. It's got a lower resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels and so the pixel density is lower at 224ppi.

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Sony's slate does have a excellent colour range thanks to the Triluminos hardware. However, the iPad is the brighter device. We measured a maximum brightness of (420 cd/m2) compared to 382 cd/m2 for the Xperia Z2.

Winner iPad Air - The pin-sharp 9.7in display is brighter, has more pixels and is easier to hold in one hand.