Weighing in at only 1.09-pounds / 495 grams, Sony is calling the Xperia Tablet Z not only the lightest 10-inch tablet on Earth, but also the thinnest tablet in the world at 6.9-millimeters, or just a tad more than a quarter of an inch thick, or 27-hundredths of an inch thin actually.

Physically it certainly is a lightweight, but its features and performance may very well have it "punching above its weight", because it is also the first tablet to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro asynchronous quad core processor. Another attention-getting feature is that the Xperia Tablet Z has the "highest levels of water resistance (IP55 & IP57) ever seen in a tablet, making it immersible in up to three feet of water for up to 30 minutes", assuming of course that the port-covers are firmly closed.

On display at the Mobile World Congress 2013 (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain some observers have referred to it as perhaps the most beautiful device presented. They may be correct, and the Xperia Tablet Z's design-expression is convincing enough that in some ways it seems to have out-appled Apple. Sony calls that design-language "OmniBalance design with subtly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces", which sounds-like a bit of marketing hype, which it is; but nevertheless that design does speak with pleasing esthetics to human perceptions.

The exceptional thinness and light weight of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z are apparently speaking loudly enough on their own to cut through the incessant noise of the 2013 MWC (Mobile World Congress), but tablets should also be focused on visual quality of display screens; and the Xperia Tablet Z delivers by going a step beyond full-HD, with an outstanding WUXGA 1,920 x 1,200 pixels resolution. Sony claims the Tablet Z has the "widest spectrum of color on any tablet" with more than 20% greater color reproduction than Apple's iPad.

Near Field Communication (NFC) provides easy instant pairing and facilitates connectivity with peripherals including speakers, and the Tablet Z is capable of acting as an infrared (IR) universal remote control for not only an extended range of Sony devices and TVs, but also products from other manufacturers. Expect an 8 MP rear-facing camera and a 2 MP front camera, as well as "TV SideView" which is a program-guide software application available from the Google Play store.

In the USA the Xperia Tablet Z is offered in a WiFi version, in 16 GB, and 32 GB models, with a microSD card-slot for up to 64 GB of expandable storage. Offered in glossy black, but also with a white version available only at Sony stores, including online, expect prices ranging from US-$500 to $600 when released in a few weeks.

Assessment

Sony's Xperia Z is the lightest 10-inch tablet on Earth, the thinnest tablet in the world, immersible in up to three feet of water, the 1st tablet to run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro; and has WUXGA 1,920 x 1,200 resolution with the "widest spectrum of color on any tablet" and more than 20% greater color reproduction than Apple's iPad; while providing Near Field Communication (NFC), 10 to 12 hours of battery life, and working as a universal infrared (IR) remote.

So what's not to like? Sour, whining complainers and worshipers of fruit-decorated technology artifacts need not apply.