Good price for these quality tablets.
New Nexus devices may be coming out soon but with the depreciating Aussie dollar, they will not be lower than this.
Link for Xperia Z3 compact thanks to Ongrundy :)
Don't forget 2.5% cashback which will bring tablets down to ~$330
There's pros and cons to each.
Nexus has a bigger display, faster updates and vanilla android.
Xperia has a waterproof body, is thinner, has more ram at 3gb for multitasking and has Sony UI which I personally prefer.
Why do you prefer sonys ui ??
It's relatively clean, adds something extra to the Android experience. Sony provides pretty regular updates and actually supports its older devices.
Clean?
I guess we differ in opinion there. I'd describe it as one of the most bloated Android experiences, with them trying to push every single Sony service as possible.
@inose: Fair enough, it has definitely improved over the years. Doesn't really slow devices down like the Xperia Z from 2013 still runs like new with regular updates. Just my personal experience anyway :)
Z3 also has microSD expansion which Nexus 9 doesn't.
I would go with the Z3 tablet. If you want a larger tablet to watch movie, get the galaxy tab s 10.5 (not the tab s2 one) which has a better screen.
If only the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is the same price too :(
Not a fan of the Tab S. I own the 8.4 and the speakers being on the side is annoying. Plus having that damn unremovable flipboard app permanently taking up one screen on the tablet is really annoying.
Just install nova launcher, Google launcher, or any other launcher!
Mate you Can disable flipboard you know…
Done :)
@inose:
Wow. They must have just added the ability to turn that off in the lollipop update. Good to know.
Lol yes unlocked.
If you can, I'd recommend you to unlock from them, and install lollipop yourself. Seems like Telstra is taking over half a year to add in their own bloat and what not.
Nexus 9 gets so terrible reviews from owners on Reddit.
I've had my first one replaced. (Orientation sensor kept sticking) other than that it was 100% the nicest tablet I've ever owned. It was replaced through Amazon's 30 (or was it 90?) days policy.
Unfortunately the one I have now has the light bleed on the left side in landscape mode, and three months after I had it ALSO has orientation sensor issues now, and if the battery dips below about 58% and I'm using an intensive app (Real Racing 3 for example), I run a very high chance of a complete tablet melt down (screaming speakers high pitched noise, the screen goes whit with green blotches and the only way to reset is to hold the power down for 15 seconds and wait for the device to reboot which takes about 6 minutes). The lower the battery goes (below the 58% mark) the more crashes I get for example even when just watching a movie (which is hardware decoded and doesn't even run the tablet hot).
I suspect the battery somehow doesn't supply enough amps when it goes below the 58% mark.
Amazon has now put me in touch with HTC. First time I contacted them in February they didn't even have the device in their system, kept calling it a handset and asking for the IEMI number. Then the usual getting me to factory reset and blaming the app. They didn't even know about hte damn device.
Second time I contacted them a few months later (just gave up the first time), again they kept referring to my handset, asking for IEMI. Again with the factory reset and blaming my apps. Yes, of course I explained it I'd already done all this.
Last time I contacted them start of this month I haven't even had a reply.
Basically at this point I'll never buy a HTC device again. Look, if this device was trouble free it would be the most awesome tablet I've ever used but as it is the two I've had have been shit quality.
Does anyone have a friendly HTC representative I can contact and who will actually do something about this tablet? I REALLY need to get past level one "support" (I use that word sarcastically), and get this thing fairly replaced before it runs out of warranty in November.
I used to own a nexus 9 and it always got uncomfortably hot around the camera.
The nexus 9 has quality control issues. I bought one from Telstra ebay when there was a 20% off code. The screen had terrible lightbleed, terrible battery life and one speaker would always distort. Telstra sent me a replacement straight away. The new one is much better tablet all round, and if wasn't I would have got a refund. The nexus 9 is fast and smooth on latest update, it's probably the fastest Android tablet because of the tegra k1. Battery life though is average (5-6 hours) unless using power saving mode (around 10 hours screen time browsing or watching movies). The front facing speakers are definitely nice, but they aren't as good as the HTC One M8. And yeah it does get really hot near camera lens. The flash on camera is useful as a torch.
Good to here that Telstra honours warranty and sends fast replacements. I wonder why it gets so hot near that camera lens?
Good to here indeed.
*hear
Without having seen the inside of one, I'd assume it's because that's where the processor is located. There's normally just one circuit board that contains most of the components - including the camera.
Is the Z3 good for PS4 remote gaming ?
It has an s801 processor, 3gb ram and a sweet 1900 x 1200 display.
Also has a good demo here playing GTA5.
Looks very fluid and runs well. The waterproof ability would be handy if you were playing and spilt beer on it too.
Does the Telstra Z3 Compact have any bloatware on it? Or is it stock Xperia Android?
Z3 sold out!
Yeah I bought the last one… :P
When I saw that there was only one left I couldn't help myself. :P
That was lucky, enjoy your new tablet :)
This click15 has been such a trying tempting time….
Very true, there's so many things I want but don't need haha
Nice deal, really tempted to buy one…..my budget is holding me 😔
I know that feeling. I'm looking forward to seeing what Google will release this week.
Can you run foxtel go app on this?
At this price, you'd be better off with the Tab S2 8.0 in my opinion.
Better software, better quality, thinner, newer, more powerful, SD card expansion, 32gb… But you miss out on front facing stereo speakers
Yep, I agree.
Samsung, better software? Personally I think the Samsung version of Android is one of the worst.
Yes better, in my opinion. Btw I'm a Nexus convert lol
Samsungs have:
Real multitasking with Multi Window for one (The apps in Xperia's small apps are useless to me, because I want Chrome browser and YouTube. I don't need a floating calendar, nor a floating Chrome bookmarks list thank you)
Do not disturb mode, for silent hours.
ultra power saver mode, taking advantage of the Amoled screen.
You can safely disable S Voice and Flipboard, neither which I use… as well as other crap (and then hide them).
Actually those are the reason why I went with a Samsung (along with the screen and aforementioned points).
Sony on the other hand… Tries too hard to push their services to you. "What's new" with Google Now? No thanks. Small Apps? No use. Remote play? Cool but I don't have a PlayStation. Sony's Gallery? No… Social Life? Xperia's Music Likes? Xperia Music Lounge? Xperia with Facebook? SenseMe? Etc. Not needed, and obtrusive.
Just my opinion, I think Sony's products are the most bloated of the bunch, trying too hard to push their services… while Samsung has made drastic changes by removing much of the unused and unpopular apps, and refining the good ones.
Not to start a vendor war but
There is so much cruft in a Samsung phone/tablet it is ridiculous. Not to mention they have the ugliest builds of Lollipop out there, and horrendous updates to the underlying OS. (My Note 4 is still waiting on 5.1.1. Went to CM12 this morning).
I'm just ranting. I really do hate what Samsung has done to the Android ecosystem.
Do not disturb mode is useful, because it's automated. Granted, I'm sure there are similar apps available…
I guess the preference of aesthetics depends on the beholder… I prefer Samsungs flat icons, as opposed to Sony's 3d darker icons. I especially can't stand Sony's messaging icon (the one with a =) smiley face ).
I have a tablet, so multi window is very useful. Big screen, why not have multiple apps in the screen?
And "so much cruft"… is nothing compared to Xperias, and that's my point.
Have fun with CM, I've got it on my Nexus. No bloat whatsoever after you uninstall some apps from it you'll enjoy it.
@misterpotatomato: I thought DND was a feature of Android 5? I've always just used llama anyway.
My Asus has a very good power saving mode, in ultra power saving it will go about 3 or 4 days without a charge - good for when you're away for a while and won't be using your phone much.
Pity the s2 8.0 sold out. It depends on what you are looking for in a tablet. The z3 tablet compact was also a good buy but it has sold out unfortunately too.
I guess people are stuck with the Nexus then…
Oh well, it's not a bad device.
Fast firmware updates.
Stereo speakers.
Very good graphics.
Nexus experience, without the bloat (if you don't count Google's bloat that is).
The only thing that gets me is 16gb, and the lightbleed.
I rarely use multi window myself. I use viral pro to watch YouTube videos while browsing or using other apps. That works better than multiwindow for youtube and works on any android device.
Hmm viral pro… Interesting.
The native YouTube app works well for me (phone and Galaxy Tab S), don't see a need for change… But will try Viral Pro with my Nexus. Cheers
I really wanted the Nexus 9 but the lack of SD Card and lower battery life were things that made me choose the X3 in the end.
Yeah personally I would go with z3 over the Nexus 9 as I think it is a more future proof device with more ram, expandable storage and a waterproof design.
Indeed however the screen ratio on the N9 is really a big boost.. ah choices.
This is a pretty sweet deal for a clean tablet. Still surprised there aren't any better tablets released in the past 2 years.
Yeah me too. Tab S and S2 are good if you like Touchwiz and the Xperia tablets have always had a good name too.
What do you guys think of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014?
It is $395 with a second S pen and a screen protector at Computer Alliance in Brisbane
http://www.computeralliance.com.au/?gclid=CO2ZrLH5jMgCFdcmvQ…
I sent the Telstra ebay account a message earlier asking about restock, looks like they pulled through! Just ordered one and super happy!
I'm thinkin of getting one for my 70+ Mum but am concerned that it may cause neck strain from tilting one's neck while using it while laying down on the couch/bed? It's unlikely she would use it often on a stand on a desk…
http://www.apple.com/au/shop/product/FE279X/A/refurbished-ip…
This maybe a better option. Can't comment on the neck strain but.
Yeah this was my first option but then I questioned if the display size would be big enough even if she would be using it with glasses.
Which is better in performance and general specs and features?