Forget the Nexus 9: Sony just unveiled a PS4-ready iPad mini rival

In addition to the Sony Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact flagship smartphones, and the budget Xperia E3, Sony also unveiled a new tablet at IFA 2014 called the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact that the company claims is the “world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet.”

The 8-inch tablet will compete against similarly sized devices from Sony’s rivals including the Google Nexus 9 and the 2014 Retina iPad mini later this year when it hits stores, but it’s ready to offer users some interesting features competitors won’t be able to match.

The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has an ultra-slim 6.4 millimeter profile, weighs 270 grams, and comes with IP65/68 waterproof and dustproof certification.

When it comes to hardware, this compact tablet will offer users an 8-inch Full HD Triluminos display, a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor, 3GB of RAM, 8.1-megapixel camera, 2.2-megapixel front-facing camera, up to 16GB memory, microSD support, Android 4.4 KitKat and a 4,500mAh battery capable of delivering up to 13 hours of video playback.

But the tablet’s most interesting feature is PlayStation 4 support. Whenever the TV is being used for other purposes, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact owners will be able to pair their tablet with the console and play PS4 games on the 8-inch display using the DualShock 4 controller thanks to the new Remote Play feature.

The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will launch globally in autumn 2014, in both LTE and Wi-Fi versions, although pricing details are not available yet.

More images and the full press release follow below.

View the full Forget the Nexus 9: Sony just unveiled a PS4-ready iPad mini rival gallery

• 
• 
• 

See all 3 photos

Sony introduces XperiaTM Z3 Tablet Compact – the world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet

• The world’s slimmest (6.4mm) and lightest (270g) compact tablet1 for ultimate portability
• The only tablet with PS4™ Remote Play2
• Waterproof and dust-tight (IP65/68) with exquisite attention to design details
• A bright 8” Full HD TRILUMINOS screen with Live Colour LED technology
• The world’s fastest processor in a compact tablet3 (Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 processor with 2.5 GHz quad-core CPUs)
• A large battery with Battery STAMINA Mode for long-lasting battery performance and 13 hours video playback

3rd September 2014, IFA, Berlin – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces Xperia™ Z3 Tablet Compact – a tablet that re-defines lightness, re-invents entertainment and re-imagines power. The culmination of years of Sony engineering have resulted in a tablet where might isn’t held back by measurements.

The world’s slimmest and lightest waterproof compact tablet4, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact delivers the highest level of waterproof design with attention to detail that makes the difference. Running with the most powerful processor in a compact tablet3, it has the brightest and sharpest 8” Full HD display, as well as the latest audio technology. It’s also the only tablet with PS4™ Remote Play2, making serious mobile gaming a reality.

“Following on from the success of our award-winning Xperia Z2 Tablet, we’re continuing to expand our tablet portfolio with the launch of the no-compromise compact tablet. Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact pushes the boundaries of technology innovation by bringing our flagship Z3 series features in a compact size, continuing our new standard of offering premium experiences in a choice of form factor for consumers,” says Calum MacDougall, Director of Product Marketing Programme at Sony Mobile Communications.

The world’s slimmest and lightest compact tablet1

Impossibly slim, astonishingly light and exquisitely crafted – Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is a design sensation. At just 6.4mm slim, its compact design is perfect for those on the go, while advanced Sony technology ensures you don’t have to compromise on power. Weighing just 270g, the ultra-portable tablet feels weightless in your hand.

Created using the highest quality materials, its clean lines and uniquely designed power button capture Sony’s exquisite attention to detail. Stainless steel corners, an ultra slim rounded frame and a tempered glass front give an elegant and durable finish. Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is available in either white or black to ensure a classic finish.

Sony’s passion for perfection takes the design of this compact tablet even further – adding market-leading waterproofing to beauty. The IP65/68 rating means you won’t ever have to worry about water or dust getting in the way of performance. Take your tablet poolside, find your way in the rain, and keep scrolling through your recipe next to the kitchen sink. Wet conditions are no problem, and other compact tablets are officially blown out of the water.

Unrivalled entertainment with the world’s only tablet with PS4™ Remote Play2

Sony has engineered a revolution in gaming technology with the addition of PS4™ Remote Play on the Xperia Z3 series. With PS4 Remote Play, exclusive to Xperia, you can now use your Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact as a remote screen to connect to and control your games on PS4. For those times when the TV is being used, simply connect your tablet to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller with the GCM10 Game Control Mount to continue playing games anywhere at home on your Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

Additionally the PlayStation®App lets you use your Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact as a second screen to remotely watch the game play of your game friends, communicate with PSN™ friends, purchase PS4 games and download to PS4, or simply to control your PS4.

Whether you’re playing a game or watching a movie, your entertainment is enhanced with Sony’s latest TV and audio technologies. Boasting Sony’s brightest tablet display yet, this compact tablet has a visual brilliance beyond its size. Combined with Sony’s TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile technology with Live Colour LED, X-Reality™ for mobile and intuitive contrast enhancement, this 8” Full HD display is sharp and vivid even in bright sunlight.

Tune in with an audio powerhouse

The mobile music experience just got re-invented. Sony’s rich audio expertise comes through in every beat with incredible High-Resolution Audio, so you can hear every track just as the artist intended when using Hi-Res headphones such as Sony’s new MDR-1A range. For those tracks that aren’t in hi-res quality, Sony’s ground-breaking DSEE HX technology – available now for the first time in our Z3 series – ‘upscales’ the fidelity of your MP3 or AAC music collection as well as your playlists on Sony’s cloud-based digital music service, Music Unlimited5, to near High-Resolution Audio quality.

To enjoy your favourite music without interruption, the Xperia Z3 series brings Sony’s Digital Noise Cancelling technology to the tablet. Ambient noise is reduced by up to 98% when paired with the MDR-NC31EM Digital Noise Cancelling headset – perfect for that busy commute or tuning out the background in a noisy office.

Best-in-class speed and stamina

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact brings you all the best in Sony entertainment, backed up by the latest advancements in performance and speed. Featuring the world’s fastest processor in a compact tablet3, thanks to the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 801 Quad-core 2.5 GHz processor6 with 3GB RAM, ensuring entertainment comes at a breakneck pace. Every interaction is fluid, browsing is lightning-quick and multi-tasking is effortless. The asynchronous processor makes sure each core is powered independently which means you get the precise amount of power when you need it, without wasting power when you don’t.

As the world’s only tablet with PS4™ Remote Play2, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is kitted out with the speed-enhanced, fully integrated Qualcomm® Adreno™ 330 GPU, delivering up to 25% performance improvement over its previous generation for the ultimate graphic performance that is incredibly fast and realistic, ensuring you’re more absorbed than ever in your game.

This compact beauty has been engineered to keep going even when you’re on the go with 13 hours of high quality video playback. Get even more from your battery with Sony’s Battery STAMINA Mode, which turns off background functions when you’re not using them to help extend your battery life, so your game won’t quit before you’re ready and your movie marathon can run the distance.

Enjoy Sony camera expertise

Capture all your special moments with an 8.1MP camera and innovative new Xperia camera apps. With Exmor RS™ for mobile you can capture stunning images even in low light conditions and the 2.2MP front-facing HD chat camera is ideal for video calls with family and friends. The integrated social camera apps offer a unique user experience perfect for social sharing and the latest of these will take your camera experience to the next level. Record from multiple angles at the same time with Multi-camera. Create a movie automatically from your photos and videos with Movie creator. Broadcast your videos live via Live on YouTube by Xperia. Add scribbles and animations to pictures with AR fun. Or add sound to a photo with Sound Photo. Try Sticker creator to use your favourite picture as a stamp. And try capturing an event and your reaction to it with Face in.

Convenient connectivity and security

Switching to Sony has never been easier. With Xperia™ Transfer you can simply and easily transfer of all of your existing content, contacts and more when you switch or upgrade to Xperia from your existing Android or iOS tablet.

Work from anywhere with the advanced Xperia Email, Calendar and Contacts apps, which can be synced using Microsoft® Exchange ActiveSync® (EAS) and use your favourite business apps from the Android community. With NFC compatibility it’s even easier to connect devices and share with over 160 one-touch devices.

Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will launch globally, in both LTE and Wi-Fi variants, from autumn 2014.

For the full specifications, please visit:http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/tablet/xperia-z3-tablet-compact/specifications/
1 Compact Tablets are defined by Strategy Analytics as tablets with a display size greater than 7 inches and less than 9 inches. Xperia™ Z3 Tablet Compact is slim (6.4mm), light (270g), dust-tight and waterproof (in compliance with IP65/68). Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service as of 26th August 2014, for more information on Strategy Analytics results go to:http://www.sonymobile.com/testresults/

2 Functionality available on Sony Xperia Z3, Z3 Compact and Z3 Tablet Compact starting from November 2014. PS4 System, DUALSHOCK®4, Sony Entertainment Network and high speed internet connection required. Some games may not support this feature

3 Compact Tablets are defined by Strategy Analytics as tablets with a display size greater than 7 inches and less than 9 inches. Xperia™ Z3 Tablet Compact is dust-tight and waterproof (in compliance with IP65/68) powered by Qualcomm’s MSM8974AC 2.5GHZ quad-core processor and 3GB RAM. Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service as of 26th August 2014, for more information on Strategy Analytics results go to:http://www.sonymobile.com/testresults/

4 Compact Tablets are defined by Strategy Analytics as tablets with a display size greater than 7 inches and less than 9 inches. Xperia™ Z3 Tablet Compact is slim (6.4mm), light (270g), dust-tight and waterproof (in compliance with IP65/68). Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service as of 26th August 2014, for more information on Strategy Analytics results go to:http://www.sonymobile.com/testresults. For more on waterproof go to:http://www.sonymobile.com/durability

5 Sony Entertainment Network services are subject to availability by region. Please visit http://www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com for more details. The number of tracks available from this catalogue varies by country and may be fewer than stated.

6 The Snapdragon 801 processor is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.