Review of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and 7.0 tablets

Review of external characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablet computer

The new product has a height of 256.6 mm and a width of 175.3 mm. In turn, the thickness of the device is only 9.7 mm. Despite its impressive size, the tablet is quite lightweight, weighing only 588 grams.

The gray plastic body has an elegant design with clear and, at the same time, smooth contours. It should be noted that the case is made of a special material that gives a unique tactile sensation. The device has completely smooth edges and a complete absence of right angles. This design helped the manufacturer avoid replicating Apple devices exactly.

The manufacturer's logo is installed on the back side, which suggests vertical use of the tablet computer. On the right side of the case there are all the device navigation buttons - the volume key and the lock button. In turn, on the left side of the computer there are: a hole for microSD, a hole for a SIM card. These outputs are masked with a special valve that protects the functional openings from dirt and dust.

On the bottom side there is a socket for the charger, which in parallel serves as a connector for connecting to a personal computer. In the same part of the Galaxy Tab 2 there are speakers covered with a special mesh.

Most of the surface of the computer is occupied by the display. There is a camera on the back side.

Cameras

The front camera resolution of the Tab A 10.1 is 5 MP. It is capable of taking decent photos in good lighting. The aperture is quite narrow f/2.2, the sensor is relatively small, so in low light there may be problems. Video recording up to 1080p is supported, but you need to hold the device firmly as there is no image stabilization.

There is also a rear camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels. The sensor here is larger, the aperture is f/1.9. Accordingly, in low light the photos are of better quality. Despite this, it is advisable to also use the rear camera in good lighting, otherwise the results will be quite noisy. In general, the photos here are normal, the dynamic range is surprisingly good. Upon closer inspection, you can see some blurry detail, but there are no such problems with macro photography. It's a shame that Samsung didn't include an LED flash here, which would have helped make photos in the dark less blurry and underexposed.

The rear camera can also record video up to 1080p and there is no image stabilization here either. Videos are about the same level as photos.

Device operating system overview

The basis of the Galaxy Tab 2 is a dual-core TI OMAP 4430 processor, which has a clock speed of 1 GHz. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. The manufacturer announced two models of the device. They will differ only in the amount of built-in memory (16 and 32 GB). The device is equipped with a slot for micro SD memory cards, with which you can increase the memory capacity of the device.

The tablet computer has an operating system based on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The developers believe that it is thanks to this that the computer will have high technical productivity. Unfortunately, the size of the operating system will not exceed 1 GB. This capacity is enough for basic surfing the Internet or for watching videos. If you plan to use more demanding applications, it's worth considering an additional memory card.

For 2012, such tablet characteristics were a significant achievement in technical terms, however, today, you can find a more productive device for less money.

In addition, the two new models will differ in support for 3G networks. A tablet computer will be released with or without support for this feature.

Galaxy Tab 2 supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB. The latest development is equipped with a GPS system and GLONASS navigation program. In addition, the device is equipped with standard applications that allow you to use the tablet as a personal computer.

Second approach to the projectile. Review of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (GT-P5100)

Lately, the nomenclature of Samsung's Android tablets reminds me of the nomenclature of ASUS's Eee PC netbooks during their heyday: many models, slightly different from each other, and all of them 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 on our market.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (GT-P5100)

The appearance of the second generation of Galaxy Tab tablets on our market was marked by new tactics to promote these devices on 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 promoted using the traditional Samsung method - they offer users approximately the same capabilities as competing tablets, but for less money. Indeed, if you compare the cost and technical equipment of the Galaxy Tab with its closest competitors, the Samsung tablet begins to look very profitable.

Appearance and design

In person, the Samsung tablet looks quite interesting. In particular, I like the solution with two speakers located on either side of the screen. By the way, these speakers produce excellent (by tablet standards) sound - loud and intelligible. If you watch a movie on the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 while lying on the couch and holding the tablet on your stomach, you can even feel some semblance of a stereo effect.

Alas, the same cannot be said about the back side: the simplest and most inexpensive plastic, painted silver, is used here.

There’s not much to say about the ends of the tablet. On the top edge there are slots for a SIM card and a memory card, as well as lock and volume buttons. There is nothing at the bottom except the Samsung Dock connector, which is used for charging and connecting to a computer.

Screen

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. However, the automatic brightness adjustment does not behave quite adequately, to put it mildly, so on a sunny day it is better to set the brightness to maximum with your hands.

Personally, after using the iPad for a year and a half, I am somewhat offended by the 16:10 aspect ratio on the tablet. 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) unbalanced in the hands. Overall, in my opinion, the iPad is better for reading and web surfing, while the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is better for watching videos.

Software and functionality

In terms of functionality, we have a typical Android tablet running Android 4.0.4 (ICS). Samsung installs its own shell on its tablets, which I personally don’t really like, but it’s a matter of taste. Useful programs include the Polaris Office office suite, a pre-installed file manager, and the Samsung ChatON messenger (analogous to the popular WhatsApp program).

The included video player deserves special attention. According to good tradition, 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 an excellent candidate for a portable media player. If you have a relatively new Samsung Smart TV, you can literally display the video player on the big screen with the press of a button (via Wi-Fi).

Camera

The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 comes with two cameras - a 3-megapixel non-autofocus camera at the rear and a VGA camera for video calling at the front. The main camera takes decent pictures of distant objects, but it can't take close-up shots. In addition, photographs often come out overexposed. However, all this does not matter in the slightest: to paraphrase the immortal words of Leo Tolstoy, “taking photographs with a tablet is like squatting behind a plow.” From the outside, shooting with a tablet looks extremely funny (in the bad sense of the word), so we recommend avoiding such situations.

Go to gallery with full-size photos

In addition to photos, the tablet records good video in 1280x720 resolution and MP4 format.

Performance and autonomy

The performance of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 today does not look the best and is more in line with tablets from a year ago than modern flagship models with 4-core processors. This especially applies to the PowerVR SGX540 graphics core, which was used in the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone, released in 2010. As a result, the tablet is not the best suited for graphically intensive games, and in everyday use unpleasant slowdowns can be noticeable (not least of all, the rather heavy TouchWiz shell is to blame for this). We usually use three benchmarks to test Android devices (Vellamo, AnTuTu and NenaMark2), but the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 consistently failed Vellamo (failed to pass WebGL tests), so we do not present the corresponding results.

The tablet demonstrated good battery life: 9 hours of continuous HD video playback at 50% screen brightness. Using the included charger, the battery is fully charged in 4.5 hours.

Bottom line

Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is interesting primarily due to its low price - it is the cheapest “branded” 10-inch tablet equipped with a GPRS/EDGE/3G modem. The advantages of the device 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 thrifty users who do not particularly want to play mobile games. 4 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1:

• excellent PLS screen with wide viewing angles;
• loud stereo speakers;
• presence of a 3G module;
• playback of all video formats out of the box.

1 reason not to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1:

• low, by today's standards, productivity.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 screen characteristics

The screen takes up most of the tablet computer. Manufacturers installed a display on the Galaxy Tab 2 that operates on a PLS matrix. Such models have softer colors and smoother tones. However, based on this, there are some disadvantages. The fact is that devices operating on the basis of such matrices blur colors in sunlight. Therefore, users should be prepared for the fact that in bright sunshine, pictures on a tablet computer will be practically indistinguishable. This situation can only be corrected by setting the maximum screen brightness.

The screen resolution is 1024:600 pixels, which indicates a relatively low image density. The display works with a multi-touch function that can recognize up to ten simultaneous touches on the screen.

The tablet has an automatic light sensor that allows the computer to adjust the brightness level. Although many users claim that this function does not work correctly. The most optimal option would be to set the brightness level manually.

Camera Specifications

If we talk about the functionality of the camera in a tablet computer, it can be noted that this device is not suitable for shooting video and taking high-resolution pictures. However, manufacturers are desperately trying to improve the characteristics and parameters of this device. Samsung has a 3 megapixel main camera, which allows you to take pictures with a resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels. In addition, for the video format the maximum is 720 rubles.

In addition, the device is equipped with a front camera that allows you to take popular “selfies”. Its resolution is 0.3 megapixels.

Multimedia and communication in the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablet

Based on user reviews, we can say that both functions are presented in the best possible way. The device software allows you to recognize most of the formats that currently exist.

• As for communication, it is practically no different from most models on the market. The device is equipped with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a GSM module, which allows you to send text messages and make calls. Variations of models offer a choice of 3G function, which allows you to connect to the Internet.

Connection

In terms of communication capabilities, the tablet we are describing is not much different from most gadgets on the market. If you go into the settings presented on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, you will notice that there is Bluetooth support for sending and receiving files, there is WiFi for working with wireless landline networks, and a GSM module is installed, which allows you to make calls and send messages as if from a phone. In addition, the buyer can choose a package that will include a module for 3G - then the device will gain even greater mobility, having the ability to work in networks.

Reviews of the Samsung Galaxy Tab2 tablet

Reviews of the Galaxy Tab 2 are extremely positive. Among the positive aspects, users note:

• modern appearance;
• high build quality at an affordable price;
• high battery capacity, which allows you to work without recharging for a whole day;
• high quality of communication;
• wide viewing angle due to screen size;
• picture and video clarity;
• fast synchronization with a personal computer;
• a large number of useful applications installed by the manufacturer.

However, like all modern devices, the Samsung tablet has some disadvantages:

• small operating system volume;
• expensive accessories.

From all of the above, we can conclude that the sumsung tab 2 10.1 tablet is a fairly multifunctional device that has both its advantages and some disadvantages, but there are clearly more advantages. The device is used by people who watch videos and also surf the Internet.

CPU

In terms of performance, there can be no complaints about the device - the tablet, according to the owners, works perfectly even under heavy loads. This is facilitated by the TI OMAP 4430 processor stated in the characteristics of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2, which has a clock frequency of 1 GHz and operates on two cores. The device operates with 1 GB of RAM, which, in principle, is enough to perform standard tasks. Although, of course, there are reviews in which people expressed wishes that the manufacturer increase this figure to at least 2 GB.

According to tests, the web browser on the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (to which we devoted a review) works faster than other tablets with a 7-inch screen released in 2012. The developers achieved this precisely due to more productive filling.