When comparing Amazon Fire TV vs Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, the Slant community recommends Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact for most people. In the question“What are the best Android gaming devices that have proprietary game controllers?” Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is ranked 3rd while Amazon Fire TV is ranked 4th.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Voice search
There is a dedicated voice search button on the remote so you can quickly bring up the voice search prompt from any app that works fast and accurately.
Pro Has support for tons of media service integrations
The Fire TV has support of the following of services: Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, ESPN, Pandora, Showtime, MLB, iHeart Radio, Vevo, Vimeo, Crackle, Bloomberg, Twitch, NBA, Amazon Music, Plex, YouTube, Tune In, Flixster, Quello, AOL on, WWE, HuffPost Live, Frequency, Red Bull TV, and Smithsonian Channel.
Pro Has a simplified kids mode
There is a mode called "freetime" that lets you whitelist specific apps and set watch time limits for kids, or for a simplified interface with only certain apps.
Pro Most powerful set top box
Even though it's only $99, it's far more powerful than its competitors, with a quad core processor and 2GB of ram, and that power really shows in the fluidity of the UI.
Pro Bluetooth Remote
The Fire TV remote doesn't require line of sight, and has a microphone for voice search, thanks to bluetooth support.
Pro 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor
Pro Micro SD slot
There is a built in micro SD slot that is expandable up to 128GB.
Pro 4,500mAh battery
For being so thin it is remarkable that a 4,500mAh battery is being used.
Pro 3GB RAM
The device has built in 3GB of RAM.
Pro Native PS3 controller support
The Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact offers native PS3 Dual Shock controller support.
Pro PS4 remote play
As of November 2014 the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact offers remote play with the Sony PS4.
Pro Thin
At 6.4mm this device is extremely thin.
Pro Waterproof
The Zperia Z3 is completely waterproof
Cons
Con Lots of Amazon advertisement
The Fire TV prefers Amazon services, and is tailored to purchasing shows and movies through Amazon. The voice search does not clearly expose if it's already available on a non amazon service.
Con Inconsistent UI between apps
Each app has a unique UI making it harder to jump between each app, and requires you to learn a slightly different UI for every app.
Con Expensive
At $499.99 the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact is overpriced when compared to tablets with similar specs. The term "Sony Tax" comes to mind.
Con No camera flash
There is no flash for the rear camera which will make low light photos difficult to take.
Con Only 1200p
For the premium price Sony is charging for this tablet to see that the screen is only 1200p when cheaper competing devices offer higher resolutions is a bit disappointing.