Sony Tablet S 3G Comprehensive Specs Pricing & Insights

Overview of Sony Tablet S 3G

Sony's foray into the tablet market with the Sony Tablet S 3G was met with anticipation and intrigue. Announced in August 2011 and released in September of the same year, this device was designed to compete in the burgeoning Android tablet segment. Although it is now discontinued, the Sony Tablet S 3G remains an interesting piece of technology that highlighted Sony's innovative approach to mobile devices.

Design and Build

The Sony Tablet S 3G features a distinctive design that sets it apart from other tablets. The dimensions of 241.2 x 174.3 x 10.1-20.6 mm and a weight of 625 grams make it somewhat bulky compared to modern tablets, but it was considered quite innovative at the time. The device has a unique wedge shape — designed to mimic a folded magazine — which provides a more comfortable one-handed grip.

The body of the tablet is solidly built, indicative of Sony's commitment to quality. The inclusion of a mini-SIM slot also highlights its capability to connect via 3G networks, augmenting its portability and utility as a mobile device.

Display

The tablet sports a 9.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 60.9%, with a pixel density of about 161 ppi. This display, while not as crisp as current market standards, was sufficient for casual media consumption, reading, and web browsing. The choice of a 16:10 aspect ratio is suitable for media consumption, providing an immersive visual experience.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the Sony Tablet S 3G is powered by a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor on the Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 chipset, alongside the ULP GeForce GPU. This combination, paired with 1GB of RAM, provided decent performance for its time. It could handle multitasking and media playback, but might struggle with more demanding applications that became prevalent in subsequent years.

Initially running on Android 3.2 Honeycomb, the device could be upgraded to Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich. This provided users with a slightly updated interface and improved functionality, albeit still limited compared to the functionalities of more recent Android versions.

Memory and Storage

The Sony Tablet S 3G was available in two storage variants: 16GB and 32GB, both with 1GB of RAM. There is an option to expand storage by an additional 32GB via an external SD card, providing flexibility for users who needed more space for media and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The tablet is equipped with a single 5MP rear camera with autofocus, capable of recording videos at 720p at 30fps. While not aimed at professional photography, the camera is sufficient for casual snapshots and video calls. There's also a front-facing VGA camera for video communication, though its quality is minimal by today’s standards.

Audio and Connectivity

For audio, the Sony Tablet S 3G is equipped with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to enjoy audio content with ease. In terms of connectivity, the tablet offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA support, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, and GPS for positioning. Additional connectivity features include an infrared port and a microUSB 2.0 port with MHL TV-out capability, as well as OTG support.

Sensors and Additional Features

The tablet includes basic sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, and compass. These enable functionality for various apps, including games and navigation applications, enhancing the interactive experience of the device.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a non-removable Li-Ion battery that provides a standby time of up to 400 hours, talk time of up to 7 hours, and music play of up to 31 hours. The battery life was decent for its time, allowing users to enjoy prolonged periods of media consumption without needing frequent recharges.

Pricing and Availability

At the time of its release, the Sony Tablet S 3G was priced at approximately 260 EUR, making it a mid-range option for consumers looking for a reliable and multifunctional tablet. Its availability has since been discontinued, but it still holds value as a collector's item or a functional device for basic tasks.

Conclusion

Despite its discontinuation, the Sony Tablet S 3G remains a testament to Sony's ingenuity in electronic design and functionality. From its unique shape to its versatile connectivity options, the tablet offered a distinctive user experience. While it may not compete with modern devices in terms of performance and features, it serves as a noteworthy reminder of the innovation present in early tablet computing.