Xperia Z4 Tablet Ultra Release Date, Specs: Features to Include 12.9-Inch Display

Sony is reportedly determined not to be left behind in the tablet race and is speeding up production of its Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet Ultra which it intends to launch in the early part of 2015.

The latest rumor about a large screen tablet from Sony comes hot on the heels of reports of a similarly sized device from leading tablet manufacturer Apple. Amid these rumors, tablet makers appear to have set their sights on creating larger devices in an attempt to boost flagging sales.

The display on the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet Ultra is going to be huge compared to upcoming tablets and even those in Sony's own tablet line. A recent leak indicated that it could come with a 12.9-inch display with a resolution of 3840 x 2400 pixels. As for specs, it will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, an 8 megapixel camera, and a body that is around 8.6mm thin.

As for its price, it will reportedly cost around $1,000 or more, which is considered as too pricey given that the current iPad model retails for $699.

With the tablet marketplace becoming highly competitive, Sony could time the release of its tablet to coincide with the release of the rumored big screen tablets from Apple, Samsung and Microsoft.

Sony has also reportedly hired Pegatron Technology, which manufactures Apple tablet line, to churn out its newest tablet model.

However, whatever tablet Sony and Apple churn out this year will have to compete with the new Surface Pro that Microsoft is planning to launch. It is also rumored to be around 12.9 inches or bigger and will be modeled on the immensely popular Surface Pro 3. When it debuted last year it drove the sales of the line higher by 127 percent compared to the Surface Pro 2, which was released in 2013. Since the Surface Pro 3 already has a 12-inch display, Microsoft will be looking to increase its size considerably.