IFA 2012: Sony Tablet S gets a makeover

Sony has refreshed its Tablet S, unveiling the new model here at the IFA electronics show in Berlin and, as with its new range of smartphones such as the Xperia T, making it part of the Xperia range of portable devices.

The Tegra 3-powered slate retains the "magazine-style" fold of its Tablet S predecessor – albeit flattened down for a slimmer profile. Inside it contains the aforementioned quad-core Tegra 3 processor along with 1GB of RAM.

The Sony tablet's 9.4in screen has a resolution of 1280x800, while there's an 8MP rear camera and 1MP front camera for image capture. You also get the same IR blaster as seen on the Tablet S for controlling your TV and other AV kit.

Connectivity options include USB and HDMI (via a dongle), plus Bluetooth 3.0 and an SD card slot.

The Xperia Tablet S will run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich at launch, while Sony's included its own Sony Entertainment Network Services software on board. Plus you get the obligatory PlayStation certification for gaming.

What's more, the Xperia Tablet S features a splash-resistant coating – and for extra protection you can pick up a separate keyboard cover (not unlike the Microsoft Surface cover) for US$100.

A 16GB Xperia Tablet S will cost US$400, while the 32GB and 64GB versions will cost US$500 and US$600, respectively.

The Xperia Tablet S will be available from September 7th in the US, while here in the UK we can expect to see it land some time later in September.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.