Lately, Samsung's Android tablet nomenclature reminds me of ASUS's Eee PC netbook nomenclature during its heyday: many models, slightly different from each other, and all the same - with hard-to-remember names. Galaxy Tab 7.7, Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus, Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 10.1, Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1... Anyway, today we will tell you about the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet, which is one of the most inexpensive 10 inch Android tablets in our market.
The appearance of the second generation of Galaxy Tab tablets in our market was marked by a new tactic to promote these devices to the market. If the Galaxy Tab 8.9 and 10.1 were an attempt to compete directly with the iPad 2, then the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 are moving forward in the traditional Samsung way - they offer users about the same features as competing tablets, but at the same time for less money. Indeed, if you compare the cost and technical equipment of the Galaxy Tab with its closest competitors, then the Samsung tablet begins to look very profitable.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 | |
|---|---|
| operating system | Google Android 4.0.4 |
| Display | 10.1 inches, PLS, 1280x800 dots, 16 million colors, touch (capacitive matrix) |
| CPU | TI OMAP 4430, two ARM Cortex-A9 cores, 1 GHz; integrated video accelerator PowerVR SGX540 (300 MHz) |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Flash memory | 16 GB + microSDXC card slot (up to 64 GB) |
| Camera | 3 MP, no autofocus, 720p video recording; front camera for video calls |
| Wireless technologies | Wi-Fi a/b/g/n (2.4/5 GHz), Bluetooth 3.0, GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, HSPA 850/900/1900/2100 |
| Interfaces | Samsung Dock, 3.5 mm headphone output |
| GPS | Yes |
| Dimensions and weight | 257x175x10 mm, 588 grams |
In person, the Samsung tablet looks quite interesting. In particular, I like the solution with two speakers located on the sides of the screen. By the way, these speakers produce excellent (by tablet standards) sound - loud and legible. If you look at the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 movie, lying on the couch and holding the tablet on your stomach, you can even feel some semblance of a stereo effect.
Alas, this cannot be said about the back side: the simplest and most inexpensive plastic, painted silver, is used here.
There is nothing special to tell about the ends of the tablet. On the top side there are slots for a SIM card and a memory card, as well as lock and volume buttons. There is nothing on the bottom except for the Samsung Dock connector, which is used for charging and connecting to a computer.
The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 uses an excellent PLS-screen with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels. It provides good viewing angles and nice soft color reproduction. The visibility of the screen in the sun is good, better than that of the iPad 2. True, the automatic brightness control behaves, to put it mildly, not quite adequately, so on a sunny day it is better to set the brightness to maximum manually.
Personally, after a year and a half of using the iPad, the 16:10 aspect ratio in the tablet jars a little. Because of this, the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is narrower, but at the same time significantly longer than the iPad, and in portrait mode it looks (and feels in the hands) unbalanced. In general, in my opinion, the iPad is better for reading and surfing the web, while the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is better for watching videos.
In terms of functionality, we have a typical Android tablet running Android 4.0.4 (ICS). Samsung puts its own shell on its tablets, which I personally don't really like, but it's a matter of taste. Of the useful programs, one can note the office suite Polaris Office, a pre-installed file manager, the Samsung ChatON messenger (an analogue of the popular WhatsApp program).
The bundled video player deserves special attention. Traditionally, Samsung tablets come with a full set of video codecs and allow you to watch videos in any format and resolution, including FullHD. Given the good screen quality and excellent speakers, this makes the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 a great candidate for a portable media player. If you have a relatively new Samsung Smart TV, you can bring your video player to the big screen with just the push of a button (via Wi-Fi).
The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 features two cameras - a 3-megapixel non-AF camera on the back and a VGA video calling camera on the front. The main camera takes decent pictures of distant objects, but close-up shooting is not available to it. In addition, photos often come out overexposed. However, all this does not matter in the slightest: to paraphrase the immortal words of Leo Tolstoy, “taking pictures with a tablet is like squatting behind a plow.” From the side, shooting with a tablet looks extremely funny (in a bad sense of the word), so we recommend avoiding such situations.
In addition to photos, the tablet records good video in 1280x720 resolution and MP4 format.
The performance of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 does not look the best today and is more in line with a year-old tablet than a modern flagship model with 4-core processors. This is especially true for the PowerVR SGX540 graphics core, which was used in the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone, released in 2010. As a result, the tablet is not suitable for graphically rich games, and in everyday use, unpleasant slowdowns are noticeable (not least the rather heavy TouchWiz shell is to blame for this). We usually use three benchmarks for testing Android devices (Vellamo, AnTuTu and NenaMark2), however, Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 consistently failed Vellamo (failed WebGL tests), so we do not provide the corresponding results.
The tablet showed good autonomy: 9 hours of continuous HD video playback at 50 percent screen brightness. From the included charger, the battery is fully charged in 4.5 hours.
Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is interesting primarily for its low price - it is the cheapest "branded" 10-inch tablet equipped with a GPRS/EDGE/3G modem. The advantages of the device can also include an excellent screen, loud stereo speakers and the ability to play any video without any problems. Yes, its performance today can hardly be called a record, but the cost is much lower than its closest competitors (in particular, iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G and ASUS Transformer TF300T 3G). So, in general, the tablet can be recommended to zealous users who do not really want to play mobile games. 4 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1:
1 reason not to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1:
As you know, Samsung has updated a couple of its base 7-inch and 10-inch tablets, focusing on redesigning and lowering their cost, expectedly saving on the hardware platform (TI OMAP 4430 was used in last year's Amazon Kindle Fire). Thus, those who want to get the most productive solution and additional functionality should pay attention to, while the considered Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (P5100) more suitable for those who are looking for a solution with a balanced price/equipment ratio.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 has typical dimensions for 10-inch models, a thickness of 9.7 mm and a weight of less than 600 grams. The tablet comes with a typical package consisting of an instruction manual, a proprietary cable, and a mains charger with a detachable plug.
The front panel of the tablet is almost completely covered with tempered glass, which protects the 10-inch PLS-matrix from damage. The lower part of the glass is decorated with the manufacturer's logo, the upper one hides one of the two cameras and the light sensor.
In contrast to the traditionally minimalistic design of the main panel of tablets, here you can find side inserts made of gray glossy plastic and a pair of multimedia speakers hidden under metal false grilles. As a result, confuse Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with any other tablet, when viewed from the front, it will no longer work.
Front panel trim Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 made of gray glossy plastic smoothly passes to the sidewalls of the case, and in the area of the upper edge it “wraps” even on the back panel with a characteristic valve.
The short edges of the case are completely free, only a microphone and a proprietary connector are placed on the bottom edge, but the top edge is literally littered with useful elements. Here you can find the power button, volume rocker, standard audio output, as well as slots for SIM-cards and MicroSD memory cards.
Back panel Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 It is made of silvery plastic with a matte surface, which is practically indistinguishable from aluminum. However, upon closer acquaintance, plastic gives itself out as less rigid and lacks the coolness characteristic of metal. On the rear panel you can find only the company logo, service data and the simplest 3.2 megapixel main camera without autofocus and flash.
Tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 equipped with a 10-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels, made using PLS technology, which provides a fairly high-quality image from any viewing angle. Capacitive multi-touch recognizes up to 10 simultaneous touches on the screen.
Display brightness Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 adjustable from 5 to 270 cd/m2, the “half” value of the adjustment slider gives a brightness level of 160 cd/m2. The operation of the automatic brightness adjustment system pleased with the high reaction speed.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 built on a dual-core gigahertz platform TI OMAP 4430 and equipped with 1 GB of RAM. The tablet is running Android OS 4.0, supplemented by proprietary add-on Samsung TouchWiz.
The amount of internal memory is 16 GB, of which less than 12 GB is available to the user. You can expand the storage capacity by another 32 GB using microSD cards. From a 7000 mAh battery, the tablet can work for about 8 hours with a mixed load. The presence of not only Wi-Fi, but also a built-in 3G module allows you to use Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 for voice communication.
Tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 runs on Android OS 4.0.4 with proprietary add-on Samsung TouchWiz. In addition to the redesigned interface, this shell adds a convenient rotating panel with a set of useful utilities.
The speed of the system is satisfactory, but during active work, the interface sometimes “thinks” for a moment. The system comes pre-installed with several very useful applications and several games, so for full use Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 you can start right after unpacking it.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is an updated version of the 10-inch Android tablet, which boasts a redesigned design, a high-quality PLS screen, a microSD card slot and support for voice communication using a built-in 3G module.
Liked
+ built-in 3G module for voice calls and data transfer
+ the presence of a slot for memory cards MicroSD
+ minimum thickness and weight
+ pair of stereo speakers
+ proprietary software shell TouchWiz UI
Did not like
- not the most productive platform TI OMAP 4430
- durable plastic body
- does not charge from the USB-connector of the PC
The product was provided for testing by Samsung, www.samsung.ua
 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 16GB P5100 White Notify when available |
| Type | Tablet |
| Screen diagonal, inches | 10,1 |
| Matrix | pls |
| Screen cover type | glossy |
| Screen resolution | 1280×800 |
| Touchpad Type | capacitive |
| multi touch | + |
| Processor type | Samsung |
| Frequency, GHz | 1 |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| Graphic arts | PowerVR SGX 540 |
| Preinstalled OS | Android 4.0 |
| The amount of RAM, MB | 1024 |
| Built-in memory, GB | 16 |
| External ports | micro USB |
| card reader | micro SD |
| Front-camera | 0.3 MP |
| rear camera | 3 MP |
| Light sensor | + |
| Orientation sensor | + |
| ethernet | — |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 3.0 |
| GSM/3G | +, HSPA+ 21Mbps 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| WiMAX | — |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| Battery capacity, mAh | 7000 |
| Battery voltage, V | n.a. |
| Weight, g | 588 |
| Dimensions, mm | 256.6×175.3×9.7 |
About a year ago, Samsung introduced its "iPad 2 answer" with new models in the Galaxy lineup. Unlike the Apple tablet, the first "tabs" were offered with two different screen sizes - 8.9 and 10.1 inches. In addition, modifications with diagonals of 7 and 7.7 inches appeared a little later. The models were equipped with different amounts of memory. A year later, it's time to update the line. New items are offered only in two screen sizes - with diagonals of 10.1 or 7 inches. They differ from their predecessors in a lower price, a fixed amount of internal memory (16 GB for all versions) and support for flash memory cards up to 32 GB. In addition, there are changes in the appearance of tablets and innovations in functionality.
The prospects of the Android OS in comparison with iOS as a more "open" platform are beyond doubt, but will Samsung be able to compete with Apple on an equal footing in the struggle for the "tablet" market segment already now? We mentioned a couple of advantages of the new tabs. We will try to go over the rest of the strengths and weaknesses of the tablets in our review.
The appearance of the new generation models has undergone minor changes, but they are still present. Speakers appeared on the front surface. They are located on the sides of the screen at the top of the case. The back side of the device is made of gray matte plastic (the previous model had glossy plastic on the back).
Comparing the dimensions, you can see that the new model has become a little thicker and gained 23 grams in weight, apparently due to the speakers. However, it remains lighter than the new iPad 3 by 34 grams.
The build quality raises no objections. Potential buyers of the device, who feared that in order to reduce the price, the manufacturer uses lower-quality case materials or will bring build quality for the sake of cheapness, we will reassure. The model is perfectly assembled from the same materials as its predecessor.
Above the screen on the right is a camera and a light sensor. There is also a camera on the back. The power button, volume control, a slot for a flash memory card, an audio output for headphones and a SIM card slot are located on the top end. At the bottom you will find a microphone and a connector for connecting a charging cable.
The new model received virtually the same display as its predecessor. Samsung did not please with anything new and revolutionary. Screen resolution with a diagonal of 10.1 inches is 1280x800 pixels, PLS-LCD technology is used, which is one of the varieties of IPS-matrix. Sensor type - traditional, capacitive. There is support for 10 simultaneous gestures. The screen is covered with Gorilla Glass - it will be difficult to scratch it, and this pleases.
Viewing angles are quite decent, and only at the maximum tilt the image acquires some purple tint. Brightness is adjusted not only automatically using a light sensor, but also manually. It is impossible to say unequivocally that the Tab is brighter or dimmer than the new iPad. The displays of competing tablets are quite comparable in terms of brightness.
Performance
If the screen of the tablet remained practically the same, then Samsung made changes to the "stuffing" of the tablet. The company has replaced the previous NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with the Texas Instruments OMAP 4430 chipset, which is used in devices such as Amazon Kindle Fire, Blackberry Playbook, LG Prada 3.0. There is also a PowerVR SGX540 graphics chip and 1 GB of RAM - almost all modern powerful toys will go with a bang. Compared to the Galaxy Tab 7.7, which stands alone, in terms of performance, the second "tabs" look a little worse, but in a number of indicators they surpass the previous model on NVIDIA Tegra 2, in particular, due to the use of the ARM-Cortex A9 core with a SIMD command processing unit, allowing to increase the performance of the dual-channel LPDDR2 memory controller (as opposed to the single-channel used on NVIDIA Tegra 2).
Battery
The tablet uses a 7000 mAh lithium polymer battery. According to the manufacturer, in standby mode, the device will hold a charge of 2000 hours. In the operating mode, it turned out that the tablet is "enough" for 7 hours of operation with the maximum display brightness and the 3G module turned on. In the mode of occasional use of 3G or Wi-Fi, average screen brightness, watching one movie and a couple of hours of listening to music, the tablet worked for 8 hours. That is, roughly speaking, the battery allows you to actively use the device for one day. Not a bad result, although not outstanding.
The tablet computer is charged only from the network, which is understandable. Charging with a small current from a computer would stretch for a whole day, while from an outlet the device is fully charged in 3.5 hours.
The tablet has a power saving mode that allows you to change the processor and screen settings to reduce power consumption. But as it turned out after a week of testing, using the mode does not give any tangible results, and practically does not increase the operating time on a single charge.
Mobile Internet and Data Transfer
Unlike the first "tab", the new device allows you to make calls, as they say, "out of the box". That is, you do not need to install any additional software. The conversation can be carried out both with the help of a wireless headset and without it.
The device works in 2G networks (GSM 850/900/1800/1900 standards), as well as 3G using HSDPA + technology (data transfer rate up to 21 Mbps) and HSUPA (up to 5.76 Mbps).
There is support for Bluetooth 3.0 with support for the extended A2DP profile for transmitting stereo sound, for example, to wireless headphones. And of course, from the tablet you can also access the Internet via Wi-Fi or "distribute" the Internet using this wireless module as a Wi-Fi Hotspot access point.
We also mention the presence of a proprietary USB 2.0 connector. It is used only for transferring files from a computer or charging from the network. To connect a USB flash drive, mouse or keyboard, you need to use a special adapter, which you will have to buy separately.
cameras
The device has two cameras. The front camera has a resolution of 0.3 megapixels for video calls and the main one on the back cover is 3.2 megapixels. It doesn't have autofocus or flash. On the previous device, the front camera was equipped with a resolution of 2 megapixels, and the main one had an autofocus function and LED backlight.
And although the camera performance looks worse in comparison with its predecessor, the rear camera has proven itself well in operation. In good lighting conditions, there is practically no noise in the photo, the automatic white balance works decently. Clarity and color reproduction for a resolution of 2048x1536 (the maximum resolution of the camera) are satisfactory.
The camera interface is intuitive. At the top of the screen on the right is a photo / video switch, as well as activating the shutter and going to the gallery. On the left - front / external camera switch, shooting mode selection, timer, brightness (from -2 to +2), settings. The location of all these icons can be changed.
Videos can be shot in 720p (1280x720) resolution at 30 frames per second.
Interface
The tablet runs on Android Ice cream Sandwich 4.0.3. Of the differences from the interface from the previous version of the software, Honeycomb 3.2, which was installed on the first "tab", you can select widgets, the size of which the user can change at his discretion (stretch to size), a more "transparent" design of wallpapers and working words (dark colors were replaced with lighter colors that are easier to perceive) and an increased number of all kinds of S-services (Samsung branded applications).
The tablet has a lot of useful widgets, and not so much. For inexperienced users, let's say that widgets are interfaces that deliver information to the device from some network resource (weather forecast, news feed, mail client), and which displays some brief information (news headlines or notifications about new letters).
There are a lot of pre-installed Samsung software. These are numerous S-services: a branded application store (Samsung Apps), a game hub (Game Hub), pre-installed games. It is unlikely that they will be of interest to most users, because all of them have much more convenient and popular counterparts. In general, the installation of such programs looks like a clear marketing ploy for the promotion of services - there will be little real benefit to the user.
There is also pre-installed third-party software: Yandex services and a number of useful programs, such as the office application Polaris Office, the application for paying for online services Ubank, as well as a simple video and photo editor.
As we have said, unlike the first "tab", the current model allows you to make calls. Of course, few people will put a 10-inch tablet to their ear, but with the help of a headset, the device may well act as a replacement for a phone, and in some cases it will allow you to get by with only one device, especially since the user-friendly application interface allows the user, among other things, to send SMS . It is possible to use both voice and handwriting input.
In the continuation of the review, we will separately go through the functions that will be most in demand among the user, and their corresponding applications.
Reading books
For reading books, newspapers and magazines, an already installed application "Books and Press" was found. The reader integrated into it was developed based on the popular application FBReader.
A set of free books is available that can be downloaded in one click, and in addition, you can purchase works in EPUB, PDF, and other formats by paying for purchases from the account of the mobile Internet SIM card that you use in your tablet, or by SMS messages.
In the "Newspapers" subsection, you can get 7 free issues of the most popular Russian publications as a gift, and then, if you wish, subscribe to them for a fee.
Naturally, other programs can be used to read e-books. A great option among many popular applications is the favorite of many users, Cool Reader, which can be downloaded for free from Google Play. The advantages of the application are a user-friendly interface and support for all the most common e-book formats.
Thanks to the excellent performance, there are no problems in enjoying video games. All toys (including AngryBirds, beloved by Russian deputies) work stably. The entertainment function of the tablet is enhanced by a special Game Hub application.
Samsung calls it "Game Portal". The Game Hub lets you connect to popular social media games and play 3D HD video games.
Internet browser
The tablet, as usual, has its own browser, which, in comparison with the previous version of the device, has not undergone almost any changes. But he is so good. The set of settings has slightly expanded (there are such items as "Save for offline reading", for example).
The browser is fast, supports tabs, and scales web pages well. There is a function to display the sites you frequently visit (they are visible when you create a new tab).
MailThe email client looks and works the same as the previous version of the tablet. It is very convenient to attach photos from the camera or screenshots saved in the gallery to emails.
You can configure the client to work with any personal address, not just a Google account. There is a separate application for Gmail.
Youtube
The tablet has a convenient application for quick access to the Youtube video service. Relevant videos are sorted by topics listed on the left side of the screen. There is a convenient search for videos.
Video
A basic video player is installed with support for a decent number of formats. MPEG4, H.263, H.264, VC-1, DivX, WMV7, WMV8, WMV9, VP codecs and 3GP, ASF, AVI, MP4, WMV, FLV, MKV, WebM video formats are supported.
According to user reviews, not all formats are played without problems (there is video, but there is no sound, the video slows down), but the standard player plays movies in AVI, MP4, FLV and 3GP perfectly. Therefore, if you watch videos in the most popular extensions, it is quite possible to get by with the basic player. Fastidious users can choose an alternative to the pre-installed player, since there are a great many of them.
Movies are selected with the ability to preview the video, by lists or by folders (the default is to view the "Video" folder).
Music
Pleases and a standard music player. Various playback modes, sorting and selection of music tracks are offered.
Navigation
The device has a GPS navigator. Several applications "Addresses", "Maps", "Locator", "Navigator" are installed, which work with the help of GPS.
Keyboard
The keyboard is used in many applications, the layout is comfortable and has not changed much compared to the previous version of the device.
On each of the keys with symbols, a long press calls up the full catalog of symbols. There is a separate button with a smiley, which can also be held down to call up a full set of smileys.
The settings are made in almost the same way as in the iPad. And this is a plus, since the Apple design looks like the most convenient option for a section like this. The only difference from the previous version of the Galaxy Tab is that the settings are divided into subsections "Network", "Device", "Personal" and "System". Previously, they were displayed as a simple long list. Our opinion, with subsections it has become visually more convenient.
And since almost all the leading manufacturers of the mobile direction decided to try a new direction, then, to be sure, the competition in this segment broke out serious. Even at the Android platform level, the stakes in the competition are extremely high. Many manufacturers have interesting models that can attract a buyer. But as in the "wild west" the revolver acted as the final argument, so in the spring-summer 2012 season, this role is played by the price. This argument will make any hothead think again.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
If the changes in the characteristics of the new generation of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 family are rather evolutionary indicators, then the cost of the device is precisely the real revolution from Samsung. As you remember, the first Tab entered the market at a very inhumane price, which naturally scared away many potential buyers. The cost exceeded even the price tag of the actual at that time. Now the version without 3G module costs 14,990, and with a cellular modem - 19,990. This is impressive! This is explained by the fact that the first version of the tablet was a “touchstone”, a lot of engineering resources were spent on the development and refinement of the software and the shell. But when the devices began to be sold in significant volumes, the price changed in a way that was pleasant for us, the buyers.
Dimensions are 256.6 x 175.3 x 9.7mm. Weight - only 588 grams, which is very little for such a modern and advanced device. And although it is not made of aluminum, it weighs almost 75 grams less than its direct competitor. For some, pardon the pun, this can be a significant factor.
The back of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is no longer made of smooth material, but of a rough, pleasant to the touch. It is convenient, especially when gripping with one hand. In addition, the plastic is very resistant to scratches and dirt, so with sufficient care, a case may not even be needed. The color of the back is rather not just gray, but rather imitates metal. And although the manufacturer’s website presents a white model, on the test we had a copy with a black frame and a gray back. Along the edges of the black frame is a gray outline with speaker grilles. It looks very attractive, however, we saw a similar design on the (tablet with stylus) that was presented in Barcelona at this year's exhibition.
The screen quality of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is more than decent
The resolution is, usual for such a diagonal, 1280 x 800. It is not clear whether it is worth striving for higher performance at the moment of technology development? Most applications work with this resolution. Video 720 p is reproduced, as you understand, pixel by pixel and even with a margin. It may not always be logical to drive even larger movies on a tablet, given that such files weigh more, and the processor is loaded so much that it becomes critical for overall performance.
Matrix Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is made using PLS TFT technology. This, of course, is not AMOLED or IPS. But you can’t really find fault with the viewing angles. Everything is on the level. However, the screen becomes very blind in the sun. A glossy glass surface can act as a mirror. Therefore, the brightness has to be slightly “lifted up”. In principle, auto-brightness does its job well. But because of the resolution, I want to sharpen the picture a little and make it a little more contrast. Since we do not have such settings, we can only compensate for this by increasing the brightness. This is not always convenient, especially when you are in a darkened room.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1: the strongest player in the Android tablet market
Responsible for performance dual-core processor TI OMAP 4430, frequency 1 GHz (ARM Cortex A9), which operates at a frequency of 1 GHz. The modern PowerVR SGX 540 chip is responsible for the operation of graphics in both two- and three-dimensional modes. The RAM is 1 GB. The tablet has a fairly capacious battery of 7000 mAh. So the filling is very modern.
Performance we would call normal, but the stock is not observed. If more greedy applications appear in the near future, then, most likely, we will meet with constant slowdowns.
In principle, we managed to run video at 1080p, which was undoubtedly excessive, given the display resolution. It was evident that the device, although it copes, works at the upper limit of its capabilities, in especially dynamic scenes, frame drops could be noticed. With a resolution of 720p, we have not met with "brakes". So Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 can become a full-fledged video companion for travel and short trips.
Wireless interfaces include Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct for pairing with other devices, Bluetooth third version, 3G (HSPA + 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps) and voice communication in the GSM network. A-GPS and GLONASS navigation is supported.
The main menu of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 looks familiar
Given the presence of a slot for a SIM card and the ability of the tablet to act as a 3G-WiFi router, the role of an Internet access point can be assigned to the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.
Still, it has a 7000 mAh battery, more than any smartphone. On average, with intensive work with the device, it asked for charging after 6 hours, in a more gentle mode, the figures increased to 7 hours.
The device already ships with Android Ice Cream Sandwih version 4.0.3. As you know, all navigation there is arranged through "soft" keys, there are no hardware buttons, except for turning on and controlling the volume.
On the top side there is a slot for a microSD memory card (supports up to 32 Gb inclusive), a standard 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and a SIM card slot. At the bottom is a proprietary power/charge/data connector. As we have already said, the speakers are located on the front of the tablet. Geometrically, they look very large, but in terms of sound quality, it seems that they are even slightly inferior to the audio solution installed on a seven-inch colleague. The sound quality does not shine, but as a speakerphone and a speaker for scoring games and films (series) with a lot of dialogues, it is quite. At maximum volume, the speakers definitely "choke". So, it is worth using a headset or external speakers in order to arrange a disco or group video viewing.
The main part of the interfaces on the top edge of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
As we said, the device is equipped with a SIM card slot. But in this case, the GSM module supports not only data transmission. can also act as a phone.
The conversation can be conducted through the headset. And also, we mentioned that the tablet has a perfectly implemented speaker system to work as a hands-free system. In this mode, we really liked the device. The sound is clear and loud. If necessary, you can use a wired or Bluetooth headset. The interface of the phone application is no different from that installed in top Samsung smartphones. The Phone app icon has also been moved to the TouchWiz panel.
Again, TouchWiz is a great addition to the Android operating system. Engineers spent a lot of time to fix the noticeable flaws of the authors of the operating system from Google. So, for example, on the line of the main menu, next to the standard buttons "Home", "Back" and "Options", there is a button for taking instant screenshots. Believe me, it's very convenient!
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 battery capacity is amazing
Also, the tray contains several applications that may be needed at any moment. These are note-taking programs, a calculator, a player management utility, a calendar, a task manager, world clock. All these programs are called on top of working windows, it is pleasant to work with them. For example, notes can be made in the form of small drawings, or typing passages of text. With the help of the task manager, with just one click, you can close all running background programs. This really makes it easier to use a tablet, considering how many programs and utilities a modern user might need.
Previously, the lack of applications and interesting games was the reason for numerous complaints. Especially considering the number of programs, user-friendly interface and billing in the App Store. However, it is clear that the Android platform and the Android Play app store are evolving. And more and more leading software developers are paying close attention to the owners of devices in the womb of which a cheerful green Android robot works. Now, decent game titles have finally appeared on the Android platform, the lack of which we spoke about earlier. The situation with game consoles is repeated. There also, decent games appear in a year and a half after the launch of the console. Now almost all interesting games available for Apple tablets are available to users.
The main programs and applications for the operation of services that are necessary in everyday work (we are talking about average tasks) are almost always presented in several versions. The nice thing is that many useful apps are free.
The rear camera of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 ceases to be a mandatory, but useless "spill"
So far, the Market still cannot boast of ease of navigation and application categorization. It also affects the wide coverage of platforms. So, an application written for a smartphone will look very unsuccessful on a tablet, or it will not start at all or close without recording the results.
It should be noted right away that in terms of work, Samsung tablets have a significant advantage - they come with a set of useful programs. Initially, the Touch Wiz add-on, which we already wrote about, is preinstalled in the device. And also - a convenient video editor, photo editor, which starts immediately after taking a screenshot: you can cut and send the desired image. In the "starter" software package, we find a file manager, a note-taking program, a chat, a task scheduler and others.
The tablet computers of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 family are equipped with the Polaris Office package for working with documents. You can try to install other programs, but we get this for free, so we can stop using it.
There are two cameras. Front - standard VGA camera to support video calls. Rear - three-megapixel. Unlike the previous version, now the tablet is not equipped with a flash. In our opinion, nothing terrible happened. Both photo solutions do not represent anything outstanding. The main camera, at the moment, can be used as a secondary one during a video call, when there is a need to show the situation of a telephone conversation.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 test results
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At the same time, the interface of the program for shooting is thought out to the smallest detail. All settings are presented and in addition to the built-in filters, even such advanced modes as waiting for a smile or taking a panorama are provided. But noise, low resolution and the lack of a flash preclude comfortable use of the camera for serious purposes. Also, the function of automatic binding of coordinates to photos and video clips could be useful - a good solution for compiling a photo / video trip report. But do you want to shoot with your tablet all the time? Moreover, do not forget how much the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 weighs!
The tablet ships with a power adapter and a USB to Samsung proprietary connector. Since such a wire is not very common, in the beginning, in order to synchronize, you will need to constantly pull the cable out of the adapter case. So, perhaps, when purchasing a tablet, if you plan to download a lot of content not “over the air”, you should think about buying an additional data cable at the same time. The most interesting thing is that such a wire has become not so difficult to find in kiosks selling electronics and accessories for it. This is another indicator that Samsung tablets have become widespread in the Russian market. Fully charging the device takes more than 3 hours. Unfortunately, the device does not charge from the USB port.
Touch Wiz gives you access to the most popular apps on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 with a single tap
Probably, the conclusion in an article about a modern tablet is the most difficult. These devices are too similar, and it is not possible to say something special. Most of the leading manufacturers began to produce balanced, interesting solutions that are most often not to be criticized for. However, this time, the manufacturer made our task easier, for which many thanks to him.
Competitor Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
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| Model |
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| System | Android 4.0 | Android 4.0 | iOS5 |
| CPU | ARM Cortex A9; 1GHz |
nVidia Tegra 3; 1.3 GHz | Apple A5; 1GHz |
| Memory | RAM 1024 MB; 16 GB microSD | RAM 1024 MB; 32 GB microSD | RAM 1024 MB; 16 GB |
| Screen | 10.1"; 1280x800 WXGA 16:10 | 10.1" 1280x800 WXGA 16:10 | 9.7" 1024 x 768 QXGA 4:3 |
| cameras | Front 1.3 MP; Rear 3 MP |
Front 1.3 MP; Rear 5 MP |
Front 0.3 MP; Rear 5 MP |
| Connection | Bluetooth V3.0; WiFi; 3G |
WiFi; Bluetooth V2.1+EDR | Bluetooth V2.0; WiFi; 3G |
| Dimensions WxHxD | 25.6x17.5x0.9 cm; Weight 588 gr. |
26x17.5 x1 cm; Weight 685 gr. | 18.5;24.1;0.9 cm; Weight 600 gr. |
| Price |
20 000 rub |
21 000 rub |
22 000 rub |
website
Since the device has not received a significant upgrade, from the point of view of hardware (everything is at the level and no more), the camera has even lost its flash, and the tablet itself has become a little heavier, it is most likely worth buying it for those who buy their first tablet. The price of an entrance ticket to this area of the world of mobile electronics is extremely attractive. If you're not after certain "chips" like a camera or a certain screen technology, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is a great candidate for your work and play companions.
Statistical data provided by the Media Markt chain of stores. According to the tradition of the "Bestsellers" project and for the convenience of perceiving the material, the models that have become sales leaders are divided into three groups - depending on their cost. In the first group, we placed tablets with an average price of 8 to 12 thousand rubles - they belong to the budget segment. The second group consists of tablets priced from 13,000 to 20,000 rubles. This is the middle segment, and it can be considered the most massive.
Finally, the third group of tablets - those that cost more than 20 thousand rubles, and there is no upper ceiling - this group includes the most innovative models with the best technical characteristics. Separately, we note that today we do not consider tablets that cost less than 8 thousand rubles - the world has changed, and the market for portable equipment too, and tablets cheaper than this amount, in principle, do not represent anything special: they are almost completely identical in their functions.
The list of each group consists of five positions. We traditionally start the presentation with the model in fifth place, and finish first. Since there are nearly a dozen tablets today, we tried to fit information about each one as compactly as possible. Another point concerns the diagonal: many of the models presented in the lists have both their own younger and older brothers, differing in screen diagonal, the presence of wireless interfaces and the amount of built-in memory. The difference in price usually amounts to several thousand rubles, but these several thousand fit both nerves and incomparably different experience of working convenience.
Well, the last remark concerns the brands themselves. The descendant of the world's first tablet Apple iPad mini is present in all three price categories, not to mention the "big brother".
The tablet is a relatively young product on the market as a whole, but both rather serious manufacturers like Samsung, not very well-known ones like 3Q, and completely Russian ones like Prestigio have already become interested in it. For a couple of thousand rubles, you can find both models with a resistive and low-quality screen at a completely bargain price, as well as quite high-quality devices and even with an IPS screen, if you buy them directly in China. Of course, the concept of "quality" in this case directly correlates with the price, because if the same model cost twice as much, it would not even be awarded a "two" in the overall standings.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 - a long-liver of the tablet market
Such tablets usually have most of the characteristics of their more expensive and advanced counterparts, but all this is implemented at a slightly lower quality level. The screen is worse, the memory is smaller, the camera is not the best, and the shell sometimes causes a sad smile. Their design is almost the same as most tablets in general: black "rectangles" without buttons on the front panel - since they work mainly on Android 4.0 / 4.1.
Therefore, we cut off tablets at a price below eight thousand rubles, and our budget niche starts from this mark.
And we will begin our journey through budget models with This is a long-liver of the market and charts in the traditional form of the “black frame” type with a silver back cover and an unremarkable case. But with us he meets as many as three times, occupying, in addition to fifth place in the "state employees", the last two places among the "middle peasants". Their differences are minimal, but anyway, first let's talk about the model from the budget fifth place. Its screen, as the name implies, has a diagonal of 10.1 inches, while its resolution is 1280x800 pixels, but the type of matrix for everyone's joy is PLS. As for the actual filling, the Tab 2 is based on the good old TI OMAP 4430 processor with two GHz cores, it has 1 GB of memory and 16 GB of internal memory. There is also support for all the necessary wireless standards, including Wi-Fi 802.11b / g / n, Bluetooth 3.0 + HS, aGPS and two cameras: a 2 MP front camera and a 3 MP rear camera.
According to its characteristics, Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is now quite successful in the lower price segment.
Dimensions inspire respect not only with a thin body (257x176x97 mm) and weight less than average (565 grams), but also with a capacious 7000 mAh battery, which, according to the manufacturer, provides up to ten hours of operation. The operating system on the tablet is standard, Google Android 4.0.
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 P5110 has dropped to 12,000 rubles today, and compared to what it was a year ago, we can say that the premium tablet just jumped into the budget category. However, we repeat, it is also in the middle segment, and even in two copies.
It occupies the fourth line of the Media Markt hit parade, and it is rather difficult to compare it with something else. Compared to the "adult iPad" we are dealing with a very modest model in terms of technical equipment. But, nevertheless, popular - which once again proves its presence in the rankings in each of the three segments. It's just that the models are slightly different. And since the iPad mini appears now in our rating for the first time, let's designate its configuration in more detail.
Apple iPad mini also features the classic 4:3 aspect ratio
In general, if you do not know that this is Apple, it will seem that the configuration is very, very weak. But in fact, everything is quite enough. And a dual-core Apple A5 processor with gigahertz cores, and 1 GB of RAM, and a 7.9-inch IPS screen with 162 ppi. Although the last figure is really small, because the screen resolution is only 1024x768 pixels (the aspect ratio, respectively, is 4:3). The cameras are ordinary, with five megapixels for the rear, and 1.2 MP for the front. There is also Bluetooth 4.0.
Of course, the tablet also has a number of interesting chips and innovations. For example, a new high-speed Lightning port or FullHD video recording with a rear camera (even despite the “budget” solution).
The main difference between the three models (that is, one in each segment) lies in the wireless interfaces and body color. The one that occupies the fourth line in the Media Markt lists has a white body color and supports only Wi-Fi (no mobile connection). By the way, the price of a small iPad is around 12 thousand rubles.
The Apple founder was wrong to distrust the seven-inch version of the iPad, it became a hit
The third and second place is occupied by a seven-inch modification. The differences between the two places come down to exactly one parameter - color. In third place we see a gray gadget (well, or silver), and in the second - white.
And in all other respects - this is the same Galaxy Tab 2 that was in fifth place on the list of "budget employees", with only minor differences. Well, not quite small - for example, the screen diagonal is seven inches with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. But the matrix type is the same - PLS. The amount of built-in memory for the owners of both positions is 8 GB, and plus there is support for microSD memory cards up to 32 GB. And in the "younger brother" there is also 3G, which is very convenient, and with support for protocols up to HSPA +. The front camera is worse - only 0.3 MP, and the rear one - by the same three megapixels. And in addition to GPS/aGPS, the GLONASS satellite system is supported.
The seven-inch version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 is almost the same as the ten-inch version
The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, dimensions - 194x122x11 mm, weight - 344 grams. The average price at the end of July 2013 is about 10.5 thousand rubles for both colors.
And, finally, the semi-domestic product, the Prestigio Multipad PMP7100D3G tablet, is in the first place.
The best-selling budget tablet was the device from Prestigio
To date, the average price of the model is 11 thousand rubles, and this gadget has really gained good popularity. It has a screen diagonal of 10.1 inches, a capacitive screen with a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, but the number of pixels per inch is correspondingly very low - 149 ppi units. Inside it lives a powerful dual-core RockChip RK3066 processor with a frequency of 1600 MHz for the Cortex A9 core, 1 GB of RAM, 16 GB of integrated flash memory (plus the ability to expand it using microSD cards up to 32 GB), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth modules , 3G and two cameras: rear 2 MP and front with VGA resolution. Plus, the tablet is equipped with a Mali MP-400 gaming graphics adapter, an ambient light sensor and an accelerometer. The dimensions of the device are 257x175x10 mm, weight - 680 grams. The battery capacity is an impressive 6400 mAh, and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is used as the operating system.
List of bestsellers among tablets in the budget group
The middle segment is considered the most massive, and here we see devices that a year ago would definitely belong to premium ones. They have powerful platforms and support for 3G and 4G mobile Internet, and they are already suitable not only for watching movies on the plane, but also for productive games and other resource-intensive tasks.
It’s worth starting a review of mid-range devices from the same participant with whom we started the previous segment - of course, we are talking about. In Media Markt's "middle class" it occupies two places at once - fifth and fourth - and the differences again lie in the color of the case. In fifth place is a black unit, in fourth place is a white one.
Still the same Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, but this time with a 3G module
These differences are visual, and the technical ones are in the presence of a slot for SIM cards with 3G support, which is where the differences end, however, for this small addition, sellers are begging buyers to give them 3,000 rubles more than for a unit with only Wi-Fi. You can also add that these models have the same amount of permanent memory - 16 GB.
Otherwise, all three devices are identical, which gives us a reason to move on to the next reviewer.
This time it's finally someone new: . This relative, in principle, can also be partly classified as “budget”, since it balances on the verge of models in the middle price range and costs an average of 13.4 thousand rubles.
All tablets are characterized by several parameters. This, of course, is the screen diagonal (10.1 inches), the type of matrix (here is a simple TFT), resolution (1280x800) and pixel density per inch - there are only 149 ppi. The A211 has Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, a 3G SIM card slot, stereo speakers and a very modest 3260 mAh battery. Alas, you won’t work with such a tablet for a particularly long time.
But otherwise, it is more than worthy of pleasant words. Let's say he has a decent "fiery engine": a quad-core NVidia Tegra 3 with a frequency of 1200 MHz per core (and an NVIDIA GeForce ULP graphics processor), 1 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. Micro SD cards up to 32 GB are also supported.
Acer Iconia Tab A211 opens the top three in the middle segment
Particular attention should be paid to the 2 MP front camera. If only because she is here alone, Acer decided to abandon the rear camera, which can undoubtedly be considered a plus for a mid-range tablet: there is little use for it.
But the dimensions of the brainchild of Acer are not the smallest: 260x175x12 mm, and the weight is slightly more than that of competitors: as much as 711 grams. And the last interesting fact is the almost absent fluctuation in the price of the A211. From the very moment of appearance in February to this day, the device costs an average of 15.5 thousand rubles, which, obviously, is an adequate price and indicates a good price / quality balance.
Acer's brainchild is built on the powerful NVIDIA Tegra 3 platform, but is equipped with a less capacious battery
Well, the first two places are occupied by an old friend - Apple iPad mini, only this time "cooler" and more expensive. No, this does not mean that it has more RAM or cores in the processor - here, like the previous test subjects, the main difference comes down to one thing - the presence of a 3G modem. Actually, this description can be considered complete (everything else is identical to position number 4 in the list of budget “pills”), it only remains to say that the black copy is in second place in the Media Markt list, and white is in the first.
List of tablet sales leaders in the "middle" group
| Place, model |
CPU, Frequency |
The amount of RAM, Drive capacity |
Screen (diagonal), Permission
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Price (thousand rubles) |
| 1. Apple iPad mini 3G (white) |
1024 x 768 XGA |
17 000
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| 2.
Apple iPad mini 3G (black) |
1024 x 768 XGA |
17 000
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| 3. Acer Iconia Tab A211 | 13 500
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| 4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 3G (white) | 1 GB | 10.1 " | 15 000 | |
| 5.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 3G (black)
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15 000
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And now it's time to move on to those who have been waiting for so long - the premium segment of tablets. Although there are no special surprises there, and don’t expect diversity devices either.
Tablets costing more than 20 thousand rubles can already be called the top class. They embody the latest technology, they offer high-quality screens, the most convenient operation and the greatest possible number of innovations. True, the figure of "20 thousand" is rather arbitrary here. The device can cost both 20, 25, and 30 thousand.
In fifth place in the list of tops "Media Markt" got, quite expectedly, which has recently been updated, and is still the best-selling tablet in principle. As proof, it is enough to mention only the fact that the fourth iPad is not only in last place in this chart, but also in third and second. That is, out of five possible places, the brainchild of Jobs took three.
Apple iPad 4 ranked 3 out of 5 on our premium device chart
And all because Apple. This, as you understand, is the only non-Android device on our list (did you notice that there are no Windows models in the Media Markt lists? And then they are too), and it’s quite difficult to specify its exact price, since models with variable parameters in slender There are quite a lot in the ranks of the iPad: from the 16 GB Wi-Fi model to the 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G. But since we have specific devices in specific positions, it will be a little easier.
The main difference between the new iPad 4 and the old iPad 2 and iPad mini is the screen: a new type of matrix and a resolution of 2048x1536 for the new one versus 1024x768 for the old one. Modifications in the second and third places differ slightly, but about them - a little later.
The Apple iPad 4 display is still rightfully considered the best
So, the processor of the Apple iPad 4 is a dual-core Apple A6X with 1.4 GHz per core, with 1 GB of RAM. The screen is made using Retina technology with an aspect ratio of 4:3, a gorgeous resolution of 2048x1536 pixels and a diagonal of 9.7 inches with multi-touch support. All models have rear and front cameras of 5 MP and 1.2 MP, respectively. Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and GPS/aGPS with GLONASS are also available. There are models both with 3G or 4G, and without them with built-in memory sizes from 16 to 64 GB, but specifically in fifth place is the MD522 modification with 16 GB of internal memory and a 3G modem.
Apple iPad 4 measures 241x186x9 mm and weighs 662 grams. It is curious that with equal dimensions to the iPad 2, the novelty weighs more. And it costs an average of 23 thousand rubles.
In fourth place, the Apple product again got into the lists of the federal electronics network, only this time it is already familiar to us. Which is surprising, since, of course, there are no improvements in technical characteristics here. It just appeared mobile communication via the 4G protocol, and the amount of internal memory has become a maximum of 32 GB. The average price for the "top iPad mini" is close to the lower limit and amounts to 21 thousand rubles. In general, he is mostly there, but one foot is already there.
The seven-inch version of the Apple iPad is back on the list, but this time with a 3G module and 32 GB of memory
In the middle of the list and in second place, as we wrote above, there are two other iPad 4s that have the same basic technical characteristics and differ only in two aspects: color and internal memory. Both devices are white (a black iPad sits in fifth place), and the one in third place has 32 GB of internal memory and a price of 26 thousand rubles, and in second place is an Apple tablet with 16 GB of memory and an average price of 22 thousand rubles. All three have the ability to connect to the Internet via 4G mobile communications.
The best-selling tablet was the model Sony Xperia Z
And who will lead the hit parade? This lucky one turned out to be one of the most interesting gadgets - Sony Xperia Tablet Z. And this is not just a tablet, but the thinnest and lightest tablet in the world (its thickness is 6.9 mm and its weight is 495 grams). In addition to this, he also has a whole set of impressive advantages.
Let's say that the screen is made using the Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology, and although the pixel density of the device is only 224 ppi (at 10.1 inches diagonally), the first ones who got acquainted with the device note a very good picture quality.
And the platform in Sony Xperia Tablet Z is the most modern, it is Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 (APQ8064) with Adreno 320 graphics coprocessor, and four cores of the central processor operate at a frequency of 1.5 GHz each. The tablet has more than enough RAM to run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean: it's 2 GB. Permanent memory - 16 or 32 GB (in the Media Markt charts - 16 GB modification), you can use micro-SDXC memory cards to increase the space up to 64 GB.
The tablet from Sony boasts a record low thickness and weight, as well as dust and moisture protection
It is impossible not to say about the two new cameras. The rear camera uses a proprietary Exmor R BSI sensor, and the resolution is 8.1 MP. The front camera has a decent resolution of 2.2 MP.
Wireless interfaces are also presented in full, despite the record-breaking thinness of the device. Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth latest version 4.0, 4G LTE modem and NFC chip.
But all this is boring technical characteristics, the tablet is not interesting at all for this. And at least the fact that it was made waterproof and dustproof, and not just like that, but in accordance with IPX5 / IPX7 and IP5X standards; which means, respectively, protection up to short-term immersion in water to a depth of 1 meter (and you can not be afraid to get caught in the rain with it), and almost complete protection against dust with complete protection from user contact with the insides of the device.
Sony Tablet Z combines beauty and functionality
Even outwardly, this simple "black rectangle" looks very stylish and is available in black and white, although it was only in the first list in Media Markt. defiantly flat, the ends are made slightly convex and made of plastic, but this does not give it a "thick" look. Yes, even the speakers of the new tablet are also not simple, but supporting S-Force Front Surround 3D standards, including headphones (virtual surround sound technology).
List of bestsellers among tablets in the "No Compromises" group
| Place, model |
CPU, Frequency |
The amount of RAM, Drive capacity |
Screen (diagonal), Permission
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Price (thousand rubles) |
| 1. Sony Xperia Tablet Z 16 GB
|
Qualcomm Snapdragon |
1920 x 1200 WUXGA |
25 000
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| 2. Apple iPad 4 |
2048 x 1536 QXGA |
22 000
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| 3. Apple iPad 4 |
2048 x 1536 QXGA |
25 000
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| 4. Apple iPad mini 3G | 1 GB 32 GB |
1024 x 768 XGA |
20 000 | |
| 5. Apple iPad 4 3G (black)
|
2048 x 1536 QXGA |
27 000
|
This miracle costs around 25 thousand rubles. A lot, but for all these - and this time necessary - "bells and whistles" it is quite possible to give such money.
Last year, the South Korean company introduced to the market two models of tablets on the Android operating system from the Galaxy line - Tab 8.9 and Tab 10.1. This year the Tab 2 7.0 and Tab 2 10.1 were shown. At the presentation of tablets, almost all journalists were interested in the main differences between “old” devices and “new” ones. I think the same question will arise from potential buyers of Samsung products. Therefore, I will try to briefly explain the difference between Tab 10.1 and Tab 2 10.1.
First, in order not to conflict with Apple once again, Samsung has slightly changed the design: this time, speakers appeared on the front panel, on the right and left. Secondly, the "second" Tab got a slot for a memory card, which was clearly not enough in the previous model. Thirdly, instead of a chipset from NVIDIA, they installed a chipset from Texas Instruments - from my point of view, the decision is correct. Fourth, both Tab 2 7.0 and Tab 2 10.1 can make calls out of the box. What I didn't like was the lack of autofocus on the camera. "First Tab" with Wi-Fi costs from 16,000 rubles, with 3G - from 20,000 rubles. "Second Tab" with Wi-Fi - 15,000 rubles, with 3G - 20,000 rubles.
I think that whatever one may say, the new models look a little better, if only because of the slightly lower price and the presence of a microSD slot.
Unlike the previous version, which looked a lot like an “apple” gadget, the appearance of the front side of Taba 2 was slightly altered: now a thin semi-gloss strip of dark gray runs along the edge, and speakers are located on the sides, covered with a metal mesh. The back side is made of matte light gray plastic.
Tab dimensions - 256x175x8.6 mm, and weight 565 grams; Tab 2 - 256x175x9.7 mm, and weight - 588. As you can see, the novelty has become a little thicker and heavier. It is possible that this is due to the installation of two speakers on the front. For example, iPad3 measures 241x185x9.4 mm and weighs 662 grams.
The build quality, as always, is on top: there is no backlash, no creaks, the back cover does not bend. Since the materials are generally non-marking, fingerprints and other marks remain only on the screen, and they are relatively easy to erase. Unfortunately, I haven't noticed any cases among accessories for P5100 yet, as P7500 most likely won't fit - there are no cutouts for speakers.
On the front panel are the front camera and light sensor. The latter reacts quickly and smoothly adjusts the brightness level of the screen backlight. The power button, volume rocker, microSD slot, standard 3.5 mm audio output and a slot for a regular SIM card are located on the top end. On the bottom there is a microphone and a proprietary Samsung connector. On the back of the device is a camera.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and iPad2
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, Samsung Galaxy S 3 and LG 3D Max
The screen diagonal is 10.1 inches (physical size 217x127 mm), the resolution is the same as on Tab 10.1 - 1280x800 pixels (150 pixels per inch), displays 16 million shades of color, matrix type - PLS-LCD (one of the varieties of IPS-matrices - Plane to Line Switching), sensor type - capacitive with support for up to 10 simultaneous touches. The sensitivity of the touch layer is excellent. The screen is almost impossible to scratch with sharp objects thanks to the coating made of tempered glass (not Gorilla Glass).
The viewing angles are maximum, but when the P5100's display is tilted, the image takes on a slight purple tint, and the brightness drops a little. It can be adjusted either manually or switched to automatic mode, since the light sensor is located on the front of the tablet. It is tall, but somewhat loses to the tablet from Apple. The brightness control range is large: you can set it to a very low one, at which it is comfortable to watch a movie or read a book at night.
Unlike previous models, the Tab 2 10.1 settings do not have a Screen Mode option. But there is a choice of style and font size (small, small, regular, large, huge).
In the sun, the display fades by about 50%.
Displays at maximum brightness Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (top), teXet TM-9720 and Ritmix RMD-1030 (bottom):
At minimum brightness:
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 equipped with a 7000 mAh lithium polymer battery. The manufacturer claims that a full charge should last up to 10 hours of talk time and up to 2000 hours of standby time. These numbers are close to what I got in practice. For example, when playing movies at maximum brightness and outputting sound to headphones, the battery lasted 7 hours. In general, the battery life of the tablet is quite good: in the “normal” use mode (automatic backlight brightness, 3G Internet for about 3 hours and the same amount of Wi-Fi, watching an hour and a half movie and two hours of listening to music on the speakers, as well as taking pictures for about one hour) P5100 has been running for almost 8 hours. Even at maximum load (high backlight brightness, games, performance tests, etc.), the battery ran out after 6.5 hours.
The tablet does not charge from USB (a red cross is drawn on the battery indicator icon), and this is logically understandable: you can “fill” the huge battery capacity with a small current all day, and it will take about 3.5 hours from the network.
There are several items in the energy saving section:
Below is a brief description of each item. For a couple of weeks of using the tablet in this mode, I found out that there is not much difference between the power saving function turned on and off.
The tablet works in 2G (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G networks (HSDPA 850/900/1900/2100). HSDPA+ speeds up to 21 Mbps, HSUPA up to 5.76 Mbps. From the "box" it became possible to make calls. The sound can be transferred to a wireless headset.
A complete “gentleman's” set is available: Bluetooth version 3.0 with support for the A2DP stereo profile, Wi-Fi standards a / b / g / n (Dual-band) with the ability to “distribute” the Internet (“Wi-Fi Hotspot” access point) and USB 2.0 (proprietary connector).
For additional accessories, such as a USB hub, keyboard or mouse, special adapters are sold. Yes, not very convenient, but Samsung, alas, followed in the footsteps of Apple.
For all the time of testing, there were no problems with the networks.
The device has 1 GB of RAM, about 700 MB are available, of which about 400 MB are free. Internal Flash memory - 16 GB (only 4.6 GB is displayed in the settings). The write speed on it reaches 15 MB / s. There is a slot for a microSD memory card (up to 32 GB).
The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 has two camera modules: front - 0.3 MP with a large depth of field, main - 3.2 MP without autofocus and flash. Let me remind you that in the previous model, the front camera was 2 MP, the main one had autofocus, and there was also an LED backlight.
The main camera is good. The maximum resolution is up to 2048x1536 pixels. The color rendition is natural, the white balance is almost perfect, the picture clarity is satisfactory. The photographed text from A4 sheet can be disassembled.
Movies are recorded in 720p resolution (1280x720 pixels) at 30 frames per second.
Photo Mode Interface: on the right - switching photo / video, activating the shutter, entering the gallery; on the left - switching to the front camera, shooting mode (single shot, smile shot, panorama), timer (off, 2 - 10 seconds), brightness (from -2 to +2), settings. Now you can change the location of the icons.
Photo mode settings:
Video mode interface: on the right - switching photo / video, activating the shutter, entering the gallery; switching to the front camera, recording mode (normal, video for MMS), timer (off, 2 - 10 seconds), brightness (from -2 to +2), effects, settings.
Video mode settings:
You can get full EXIF information from a photo file:
Video file characteristic:
Album:
Sample photos on the main camera:
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Sample photos on the front camera:
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This is where major changes have taken place. Samsung abandoned the NVIDIA Tegra 2 chipset and installed the chipset of the American company Texas Instruments - OMAP 4430. The technical process is 45 nm, the CPU instruction set is ARMv7, the graphics accelerator is PowerVR SGX540. The processor is a dual-core Cortex-A9 with a clock frequency of 1 GHz. The chipset belongs to the fourth generation of OMAP, which contains an IVA3 hardware multimedia accelerator with a programmable DSP, which allows you to encode / decode 1080p Full HD video.
The tablet runs on one of the latest versions of Android ICS - 4.0.4. The firmware version is P5100XXLE3, the kernel version is 3.0.8-583334-user, the build number is IMM76D.P5100XXBLE3. You can read more about Google Android Ice Cream Sandwich. As the design of the shell, the proprietary "Samsung" TouchWIZ is used. It must be said that the UI has not yet been "cured" of small slowdowns while flipping through virtual screens. Frankly, it’s not funny anymore - this has been going on since the first versions of TouchViz on tablets, and they still can’t fix an obvious bug. Interestingly, any other shell behaves perfectly, be it Yandex.Shell or Go launcher.
The tablet is equipped with a GPS-navigator. Its characteristics are the same as those of most "tablets". For all the time he worked with him, there were no problems. As applications for joint functioning with GPS, "Addresses", "Maps", "Locator" and "Navigator" are installed.
From the device, you can send messages and make calls in the same way as with a regular smartphone. To enter text, a standard keyboard from Samsung is used. The language is switched by pressing the globe icon. Voice and handwriting inputs are available. There is a separate clipboard start button on the keyboard.
The dialer is huge, appears from the bottom when the tablet is in a vertical position and to the right when landscape. The telephone part contains several tabs: "Keyboard", "Journal", "Favorites" and "Contacts". Almost all items contain the same functions as in the "old tablets". By the way, the slot for a SIM card is normal, i.e. not now fashionable microSIM. There is a vibration signal.
