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 DesignBattery LifeHardware/ConnectivitySoftware/AppsPricingVerdict
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.
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.
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.
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