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Key features
Sony has a few unique selling points up its sleeve, including one which may even tempt gamers away from Apple's tablets. PlayStation Remote Play support enables those with a PS4 to connect over the same Wi-Fi network as the tablet and use it as a second screen.
It's been available on Sony's other flagship products before, and this isn't the first time a tablet has been compatible, but the display on the Z4 Tablet is another level compared to previous Sony devices, and it just makes me want to use it to play games on.
Connecting up your PS4 here allows for a second 2K screen – you really can't fault that. I hooked the Z4 tablet up with my PS4 at home and, believe me, you're not going to want to clip it onto your controller. The weight isn't an issue, but it's just too big to wield.
Instead I found myself just leaning it up against something on a table, connecting up my controller and playing games in beautiful 2K.
The Wi-Fi signal dropped out once when first connecting, but from there I managed to fit in a full 30 minute GTA V session without any issues. I've even managed to connect it up and play a couple of games of Rocket League in my kitchen while someone else uses the TV in the living room.
You can play games without a controller and use the display instead, but I really don't recommend it unless you're just playing some puzzle games; it's too unwieldy. You've likely already got a PS4 controller if you have the console, so just connect that up and get the full experience.
It's a big selling point though – and will become more so as Sony begins to expand its Remote Play service so that it can run off different Wi-Fi signals. It'll be possible for you to play PS4 games running in your living room at home on the train, or in another country when you're on holiday.
Some might not like the idea of their PlayStation still running at home as you play it on a second screen, but it's arguably the future of mobile gaming, and it's a feature many are clamoring for.
Keyboard and docking
Sony has never really been one for accessories in the past, but it has decided to buck the trend with the Xperia Z4 Tablet and offer a Bluetooth keyboard alongside it.
I had one to test alongside the review tablet, and I loved it. I've always found Sony's slates to be a little difficult to prop up, so having a Bluetooth keyboard to dock it into so it doesn't fall over works a treat.
Sadly the dock only goes to one position. This is certainly not the Surface Pro 3, with countless options for propping it up, but it does give you a good view when you're typing and for watching movies.
The keyboard connects via Bluetooth – the tablet automatically recognises the keyboard and notifies you to turn on Bluetooth, which is a nifty feature, giving you a quick kick under the table to warn you why nothing's happening when you type.
I found that the keyboard connected quickly without any issues. The keys are well placed but they take some getting used to – but then again so does every new keyboard.
The trackpad is a little on the small side, and I found myself ditching it in favour of the touch functionality on the main screen. Some users will prefer the trackpad, but I found it a little slow as well.
Another smart feature is that the Xperia Z4 Tablet automatically opens up a little taskbar along the left-hand corner of the screen with key apps you're likely be using when the keyboard is connected.
These kick off with Google apps such as Chrome, YouTube and Gmail, but you can easily swap in other apps by pressing the two dots to the right to open up a menu.
The slate also snaps down onto the keyboard to give it that little bit of extra protection when it's in your bag. Be warned, though, that while the tablet is waterproof and dustproof, the keyboard isn't.
Everything just kind of works with the new Bluetooth keyboard, but the main sticking point could be the price. If you could pick it up alongside the Xperia Z4 Tablet for under £100/$120 it would be a great accessory, but my inkling is that Sony may want a little more for it; pricing hasn't been announced at the time of writing.
