Samsung galaxy tab s2 description. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: the thinnest flagship tablet in the world
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We analyze the shortcomings of the "sweet couple" from the Korean brand
In 2015, Samsung brought to market two tablets of the second series at once. Galaxy Tab S: with 8 and 9.7-inch diagonals. Huge footcloths are written about the advantages of new products. We offer you honest review cons samsung galaxy Tab S2.
MINUSES WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN REVIEWS AND TESTS
Inconvenient screen aspect ratio for watching movies
In a review on Hi-tech.mail.ru it is noted that the tablet is completely sharpened for Internet content: social networks, YouTube and so on. Alas, watching large-format films on it has become inconvenient. This is due to the screen aspect ratio of 4:3, due to which part of the film either goes beyond the visible zone, or, conversely, remains empty place causing visual discomfort. Stretching the image helps, but distorts the original proportions somewhat.
Low power battery
Photo: skymarket.ua
This is especially true of the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. A 4000 mAh battery is installed here. According to Hi-tech.mail.ru, its full charge is enough for an average of 4 hours of games or 7 hours of Full HD video at maximum screen brightness. In a review on w3bsit3-dns.com games are given no more than three hours. In normal operation (surfing the Internet, office applications, a few photos), the battery lasts up to 12 hours. Energy consumption can be reduced by special treatment tablet, but the list of applications that can be used is noticeably reduced.
Difficult to use and expensive case
Photo: www.rde.ee
This accessory is discussed in detail in the review on Keddr.com. TO new Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (at least 8.0, at least 9.7) a universal cover will not work (even if you choose the right size, the working buttons will be closed), you need a branded one. It is of high quality, nice, but figuring out how to install the tablet in the stand position is not easy. A special magnetic strip, which fixes the case, blocks the screen in some positions. It is impossible to get it out of this state even with a key, you have to change the position of the tablet. Why such difficulties - it is not clear. At the same time, the original case costs from 2000 to 6000 rubles.
Camera without flash
This is a step backwards compared to many other modern devices from the Korean company. Yes, a tablet is not a camera, but since there is an 8-megapixel camera, why not make it fully functional? And it turns out that during the day the tablet can take good photos, but even with good lighting, blurry frames periodically slip through. And even more so at dusk. The front camera is not impressive at all - 2.1 megapixels - this is not enough even for a selfie.
There are also restrictions on video recording. As noted in the review of the portal w3bsit3-dns.com, in maximum video recording resolution mode (2560x1440), you cannot use electronic stabilization, video effects and take photos during video recording. And the shooting time is limited to five minutes. Handheld more or less high-quality shooting can be obtained in Full HD mode with stabilization turned on.
Weak performance in "heavy" games
Photo: keddr.com
According to this parameter, as they write on HowTablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 seriously loses to its main competitors - Nexus 9 and iPad Air 2. On the GFXBench Manhattan test, the Samsung tablet only scored 959 at native resolution, a far cry from the Nexus' 1942 and the iPad Air 2's 2331. The popular HeartStone went great on the Tab S2, but the game exhibited a brief twitch from time to time. Nothing like this was observed for Google and Apple tablets.
MINUSES WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN REVIEWS
No fast charging
Unlike many other tablets, the Galaxy Tab S2 does not have this feature. The battery charges in about 4 hours (for some users, according to their reviews on Yandex.Market, slightly longer).
Too "acidic" colors
Photo: blog.khojle.in
Users find that the screen, especially at factory settings, is too contrasty and sharp in colors. Therefore, the owners of the Galaxy Tab S2 have to "chemise" over its modes so that their eyes do not get tired.
Uncomfortable to hold the tablet with one hand
Photo: i-cdn.phonearena.com
Due to the design features (thin side rails), you have to be very careful when holding the tablet with one hand. If you put your thumb on the screen, its sensor will stop responding to touch. Otherwise, the device will simply slip out and fall.
Poor speaker placement
Both speakers (not bad quality, I must say) are located on the bottom end of the tablet. Therefore, while playing games or watching a movie, holding the tablet with two hands, it is very easy to accidentally block one of them. The sound immediately becomes much quieter. It seems to be a small problem, but it causes inconvenience to the owners of the Galaxy Tab S2.
Is it all that bad?
Photo: www.iguides.ru
"Sweet couple" Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 - really technically advanced devices with a nice design. The 8-inch screen version is generally the thinnest tablet in the world. The eight-core processor allows you to solve the vast majority of tasks without any slowdowns. The high quality of the AMOLED screen is noted by all reviewers. Even the dialer, which seems to be optional for tablets, looks useful application to the already wide functionality of the Galaxy Tab S2. But, given the shortcomings described in the reviews, tests and reviews, we can say that the second series of S-tablets turned out to be not as revolutionary as they might have expected from it. Therefore, the purchase of Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 can be recommended primarily to connoisseurs of the brand, as well as to those who do not have enough money for latest iPad, but I want to have something similar in quality and functionality.
Links to reviews mentioned in the text
- https://hi-tech.mail.ru/review/Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_S2/
- http://keddr.com/2015/09/samsung-galaxy-tab-s2-8-0-i-9-7/
- http://4pda.ru/2015/09/05/243065/
- http://www.howtablet.ru/obzor-samsung-galaxy-tab-s2-9-7/
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of a particular device, if any.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Used materials, suggested colors, certificates.
| Width Width information refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 237.3 mm (millimeters) 23.73 cm (centimeters) 0.78 ft 9.34in |
| Height Height information refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 169 mm (millimeters) 16.9 cm (centimeters) 0.55 ft 6.65in |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units measurements. | 5.6 mm (millimeters) 0.56 cm (centimeters) 0.02 ft 0.22in |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 392 g (grams) 0.86 lbs 13.83oz |
| Volume Approximate volume of the device, calculated from dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 224.58 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 13.64 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black White |
| Housing materials The materials used to make the body of the device. | Metal Plastic |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often referred to as a 2G mobile network. It is enhanced by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is short for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on GSM standard and refers to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is to provide more speed and spectral efficiency with W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent development of technologies is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE 700 MHz |
Mobile technologies and data rates
Communication between devices in mobile networks is carried out through technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
The operating system is the system software that manages and coordinates the operation of the hardware components in the device.
SoC (System on a Chip)
System on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device in one chip.
| SoC (System on a Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5433 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is made. The value in nanometers measures half the distance between the elements in the processor. | 20 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The main function of the processor (CPU) of a mobile device is the interpretation and execution of instructions contained in software applications. | 4x 1.9 GHz ARM Cortex-A57, 4x 1.3 GHz ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Processor bit depth The bit depth (bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance than 32-bit processors, which, in turn, are more productive than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands by which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| First level cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently accessed data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small and much faster than system memory, and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for them in the L2 cache. With some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Second level cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1, but instead has a larger capacity to allow caching more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or RAM. | 2048 KB (kilobytes) 2 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes program instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing many instructions to be executed in parallel. | 8 |
| Processor clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1900 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphic applications. In mobile devices, it is used most often by games, consumer interface, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-T760 MP6 |
| Number of GPU cores Like the CPU, the GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle the graphical calculations of different applications. | 6 |
| GPU clock speed Speed is the clock speed of the GPU and is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 700 MHz (megahertz) |
| Volume random access memory(RAM) Random access memory (RAM) used operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost when the device is turned off or restarted. | 3 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels means more high speeds data transmission. | dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its speed, more specifically, the speed of reading / writing data. | 825 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has a built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed amount.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the image quality of information directly depends. | Super AMOLED |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, the screen size is expressed in terms of its diagonal length, measured in inches. | 9.7in 246.38 mm (millimeters) 24.64 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate Screen Width | 7.76in 197.1 mm (millimeters) 19.71 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate Screen Height | 5.82in 147.83 mm (millimeters) 14.78 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.333:1 4:3 |
| Permission Screen resolution indicates the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. More a high resolution means sharper image detail. | 2048 x 1536 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. More high density allows you to display information on the screen with clearer details. | 264 ppi (pixels per inch) 103 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for the color components in a single pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen space on the front of the device. | 72.89% (percentage) |
| Other characteristics Information about other functions and features of the screen. | capacitive Multitouch |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that are recognized by the mobile device.
rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its rear panel and can be combined with one or more additional cameras.
| Sensor Model | Samsung S5K4H5 |
| Sensor type Information about the type of camera sensor. Some of the most widely used sensor types in mobile device cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, etc. | CMOS BSI (backside illumination) |
| Sensor size | 3.6 x 2.7 mm (millimeters) 0.18in |
| Pixel size | 1.103 µm (micrometers) 0.001103 mm (millimeters) |
| crop factor | 9.61 |
| Svetlosila | f/1.9 |
| Focal length | 3.23 mm (millimeters) 31.02 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Image Resolution | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video Resolution | 2560 x 1440 pixels 3.69 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about top speed recording (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30 fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | autofocus digital zoom Self-timer Scene Selection Mode |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a PTZ camera, a cutout or hole in the display, a camera under the display.
| Sensor Model Information about the manufacturer and model of the sensor used by the camera. | Samsung S5K6B2 |
| Sensor size Information about the size of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with a larger sensor and lower pixel density offer more high quality images despite the lower resolution. | 2.4 x 1.8 mm (millimeters) 0.12in |
| Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are capable of capturing more light and therefore provide better low-light shooting and a wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size. | 1.25 µm (micrometers) 0.001250 mm (millimeters) |
| crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the size of a full-frame sensor (36 x 24mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35mm film) and the size of the device's photosensor. The number shown is the diagonal ratio of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor specific device. | 14.42 |
| Svetlosila Luminosity (also known as f-stop, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens aperture that determines the amount of light that enters the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Usually, the number f is indicated, which corresponds to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f/2.2 |
| Focal length Focal length indicates the distance in millimeters from the sensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length (35mm) is the focal length of a mobile device camera that is equal to the focal length of a 35mm full-frame sensor that would achieve the same angle of view. It is calculated by multiplying the actual focal length of the mobile device's camera by the crop factor of its sensor. The crop factor can be defined as the ratio between the 35mm diagonals of a full-frame sensor and a mobile device sensor. | 1.87 mm (millimeters) 26.97 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, giving an approximate number of pixels in millions. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video Resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about navigation and location technologies supported by the device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for short distance data transmission between different devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between different types of devices over short distances.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to communicate.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, which is also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by the device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support various video file formats and codecs, which store and encode/decode digital video data, respectively.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge they need to function.
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
SAR levels refer to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| SAR level body (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum number electromagnetic radiation, which the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device at the level of the hips. The maximum allowed SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard established by CENELEC following the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998 and IEC standards. | 0.885 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest acceptable SAR value in the US is 1.6 W/kg per gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA controls whether mobile devices comply with this standard. | 1.585 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
Early 2017 years of samsung showed the third updated version line of tablets Galaxy Tab 3. The main competitor for it was and remains the model of the previous generation. And this is not a problem of the company, but of the entire tablet market. Therefore, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE 32GB is still an excellent choice in quality Android devices and the main one, in many ways superior to the analogue of the Apple iPad.
The S line is considered the flagship for smartphones and tablets from Samsung. Therefore, even obsolete components after two years do not affect the performance of devices. Central and GPUs, which were installed in top smartphones and tablets two or three years ago, is enough even for complex modern programs.
Appearance
The Tab S2 looks standard by Samsung standards and not bad compared to other tablets on the market. It has narrow bezels on the sides, and wide top and bottom just enough to make it comfortable to hold while watching a movie or playing.
At the bottom of the hardware button "home", touch "back", "list of recent applications." Obviously, they migrated from smartphones, but on such a wide body I would like to have more noticeable indents.
The back of the tablet is made of soft-touch plastic. This is done for ease of grip. At the top is the main camera, which protrudes slightly above the body. When using a cover, this is fully compensated. closer to right side two small holes that are used for branded protection.
Dimensions are almost standard: 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm. Weighs 272 grams. So thin and light, it is almost not felt when worn.
On the bottom, there are two speakers hidden behind bars, micro-USB, and a microphone. On the right is the power button, volume rocker, nano-SIM and memory card slot.
Sold in the usual black, white colors.
Performance
Some versions of this model used a processor from Samsung - Exynos 5433, but it was in the SM-T719 that the Qualcomm MSM8976 chip - Snapdragon 652 was installed. For a simple user, these names mean little. But both options will confidently run games, work with multiple processes at the same time, play 4K video. Moreover, in the tablet 3 GB RAM.
Antutu shows 47000 points. Although the figure may vary slightly.
As the name suggests, here 32 GB internal memory . 24 is available to the user, but memory cards up to 128 can also be installed. Since the tablet has been updated to 6th android versions , it will be used as system partition, including for installing applications.
Display
The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet at the time of release was the best on the market. Two years later, he will give odds to most tablets, losing only to new models from the same company.
Display with diagonal 7.9 inches made using SuperAMOLED technology. Resolution - 2048x1536 pixels. This gives 326 dpi, which is high for tablets. The aspect ratio is 4:3.
The device has an automatic brightness control. The sensor helps in bright sunlight. A system utility has been installed to change the screen mode. It can be used to increase saturation when watching movies, games, or vice versa to decrease if AMOLED colors are repulsive.
Battery
Surprising battery capacity - only 4000 mAh. But it is worth remembering about the energy-efficient chipset and AMOLED, which greatly saves battery by turning off unnecessary pixels.
If cellular communication do not use, and turn on the Internet only via Wi-Fi, then with an average load it will be enough for a day. If you insert a SIM card, then the operating time will noticeably decrease, and the screen will last 2-3 hours.
There is an extreme power saving mode in which the background turns black. This means that most of the screen turns off. Data transfer is limited. When fully charged in this mode, the tablet will work for 4-5 days.
Wireless interfaces
This tablet model supports latest versions WiFi, LTE. Bluetooth 4.1. Navigation using GPS, GLONASS.
Frustrates the lack of infrared ports, NFC and, accordingly, Samsung Pay. The tablet does not need them much, but given its positioning as a flagship, this fact is frustrating. Still, Samsung made a thin device that you can always carry with you, but did not provide for modern features, such as contactless payments.
Camera
In this direction Samsung act wisely. In their smartphones, one of best cameras on the market, and in tablets - such that can be useful on a device 20 cm long. Nevertheless, they are still the best among tablets.
In Tab S2 8 megapixel main, 2.1-megapixel front. There are no flashes.
There are enough opportunities to shoot if necessary, to photograph documents and selfies, especially in good weather conditions.
The program has seven modes at once:
- auto;
- panorama;
- virtual shooting;
- rich tones (HDR);
- post-effect;
- double chamber.
Three deserve special attention.
In the virtual shooting mode, the user can, moving around the object, create its full-fledged 3D model.
Although HDR makes pictures brighter and more saturated, the process takes place programmatically, so you should not expect particularly high quality.
The post-effect allows you to change some photo settings after shooting. Dual camera creates 2 photos from the main and front cameras on one image at once.
operating system
Initially, the Galaxy Tab S2 ran on Android 5.0, but over time it was updated to version 6. Above is the familiar TouchWiz. Unfortunately, it's still pretty much changed from what it was before. standard Android. Not everyone will like and suit such an overly bright design, but in terms of functionality, there are no problems. All built-in programs voice control- at a very high level.
As always, Samsung offers its users many different gifts: OneDrive internal storage, Bookmate subscription, Amediateka.
A fingerprint sensor is installed in the hardware button for unlocking with a fingerprint.
Advantages and disadvantages
pros
- display;
- new OS version;
- Samsung partner offers;
- dimensions.
Minuses
- battery.
Conclusion
The review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 shows that this is an excellent continuation of the line, which replaced the previous generation and can become an alternative to the next one.
It has one of the best screens, decent camera specs, and a quality build. The battery is one of the main drawbacks. It may be enough for movies, but in games and programs, the tablet will run out quickly.
The most frustrating thing is the price. Although Samsung hasn't added all the features of a truly flagship device to the tablet, as it does with smartphones, the cost has set the top. Paying for an imperfect tablet over $500 worth it only if you like a particular manufacturer. And given the noticeably fallen attention of users to this category of devices, it is surprising that even with such a high price, it sells very well.
I've tested quite a few Android tablets, but every time I put them on the shelf after a few days. The situation changed dramatically when I received the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 for testing. This is the first Android tablet I want to buy.
Tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 — Reviews
Prior to this review, I've been happy with the second generation iPad mini. The equipment perfectly suited my needs - it was very mobile and had a Retina screen with good quality. So I thought until it fell into my hands new tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. I'm not exaggerating, it's like moving from an old car to a new Volvo or Volkswagen.
What Samsung has been doing with the screens of its mobile devices lately deserves the highest praise. The first time I noticed this was Samsung testing Galaxy S6. The Quad HD Super AMOLED panels used just fascinated me. Incredible sharpness, combined with fantastic (and indescribable) colors that looked phenomenal. History repeated itself with Samsung release Galaxy Note 5, the screen covers the full range of not only sRGB gamuts, but also the much more demanding AdobeRGB. Independent tests have shown that this best screen among all mobile devices at the time of the tests.
After testing the Galaxy S6 with short adventures on the Note 5 - I thought it would be great to use the same screen on large area. Fortunately, I won't have to wait long because I have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 in my hands. Already after the first few minutes spent with this device, I knew that this time Samsung did their best.
What's new in Samsung Galaxy Tab S2?
In the case of new smartphones and tablets, the technical specification is not what interests me the most. I assume that in this price segment, the equipment simply cannot be bad. So is the case with the Galaxy Tab S2, which has an updated Exynos 5433 processor supported by 3GB of RAM. The tablet runs on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Built-in memory (32 or 64 GB), which can be expanded with micro card SD. The tablet features a Super AMOLED screen with a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels (4:3 aspect ratio) and is available in 8" and 9.7" versions.
When choosing a mobile device, many are much more interested in other characteristics, namely quality (ie, look, touch and feel), as well as the screen. In these two categories, the S2 Samsung Galaxy Tab is a premium product. The tablet has a very impressive quality of materials used, beautiful elements and details. You can see here that the developers really approached their work with a soul.
The metal body of the tablet is almost impossibly thin. Thickness 5.6 mm, on this moment record low thickness among tablets. The device is also the lightest in its class, with the 8-inch version I tested weighing just 265 grams. I never thought I'd say this, but compared to my Retina-equipped iPad mini, Samsung's new tablet looks like a device from a much higher shelf.
Aspect ratio is a 'game changer'
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is a completely new approach to the philosophy of Samsung tablets, as well as all Android tablets. What has always puzzled me is why almost all tablets come with a 16:9 or 16:10 screen ratio. But in practice, the 4:3 aspect ratio, which for a long time was offered only by Apple, is much better suited. Some time ago, Google also went this route, introducing the Nexus 9 with much more comfortable proportions. Now Samsung has also joined the 4:3 Club.
Let's agree that the 16:9 aspect ratio is only suitable for a tablet when watching TV shows. Most movies have a wider screen and aspect ratio, so black bars are inevitable anyway. It is clear to everyone that a tablet is not a TV, and even more so there is a cinema. Undoubtedly, there are those who love to watch soap operas passionately on a tablet? I can’t say that I don’t sin with this, but the daily consumption of content from the Internet is more important for me, and it looks completely different here.
A tablet is a phenomenal device for navigating the Internet to read books or magazines, and the 4:3 ratio wins here. I don't know what to say to convince you of the convenience of 4:3, but it's like sheets of A4 paper. After all, we are all used to reading books, documents, magazines and newspapers in the same format.
Orientation is another important aspect of the screen.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 has a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels. In a meaningful way, this gives a pixel density of 320 dpi, and in 9.7" it is 264 dpi.
When reading the text, I did not have any comments on sharpness. The edges of the fonts are cutting, regardless of the font size. This is important because it allows you to make content and reading very enjoyable. I also like to read Tablet Tab S2 popular magazines.
Another important aspect for me is images. I really like it when they are crisp and clear. The S2's colorful screen measures about 16.5 x 12.5 cm, which is slightly larger than a standard print. Photos are printed at 300 dpi, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2's pixel density is even higher at 320 dpi. Do you have something better? I never complained about the 300dpi print quality, so the device's screen is perfect for viewing photos. Moreover, in some respects better than paper. I remember looking through old photographs through a magnifying glass to see the details. 300 dpi unfortunately didn't stand up to magnifying glass testing, while this problem doesn't exist on a tablet. After all, here any fragment of photos can be enlarged with a finger gesture, without losing detail.
New Galaxy The Tab S2 is slightly smaller than last year's predecessor. It should be remembered that the first Galaxy Tab S in both versions was larger (8.4 and 10.5 inches), and had an aspect ratio of 16:10. This makes resolution changes invisible to the naked eye (359 vs 320 dpi). A further increase in the number of pixels would not be wise. The higher resolution comes at a cost, and the battery in the new Tab S2 is sadly smaller than its predecessor. We are dealing here with an endless struggle between the uncompromising thickness of the device, and the duration of the work. Everyone should evaluate what he cares more about.
Vibrant colors of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
The Galaxy Tab S2 uses a Super AMOLED screen. One of the biggest advantages of OLED technology is the deep blacks that are hard to distinguish from the bezel surrounding the device. As a result, the screen contrast is at a very high level. Another plus is the quality of the displayed colors, which is a key aspect for the photographer.
Samsung's new tablet screen boasts 100% SRGB color gamut, and up to 94% Adobe RGB. These are results at the levels characteristic of professional solutions, but this is a rarity in the world of mobile devices.
Out of curiosity, I tested how the tablet would perform in an online color vision test. I took a look at it, in a very interesting web application available at igame.com. This is a lot of fun, and the result confirms to some extent the quality of the color reproduction.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 - I also use as a mobile imaging companion. I used the device to do this in Adobe Lightroom Mobile. Here, I met a pleasant surprise. My previous tablet only served me to select and rate photos, which could then be synced to desktop Lightroom. In the case of the Galaxy Tab S2. I could do photo editing, including white balance and color adjustments. Color fidelity was high enough that I could continue editing in full version programs on an external, calibrated computer monitor.
Outcome
Samsung has finally created a device for demanding customers who are looking for not only good performance but also high quality. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the first Android tablet I'm considering buying. At the moment, it's just the rather mediocre battery life and price that's holding me back from buying it. But the screen, you just have to see it to appreciate the quality of the display. With a clear conscience, I can recommend it not only for home use, but also for photographers who want to use it in their work, mobile devices.
The image quality on the screen is really good, I would not hesitate to use the Galaxy Tab S2 in professional photo applications. I see no reason not to use the Tab S2 as a mobile briefcase to brag about in a client meeting.
To everything, one more aspect should be added. Many pay attention to the package, and judge the device only by appearance. In this respect, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 has absolutely no reason to be ashamed. Even for a complete amateur, the device will look like a premium product that commands respect.
Today we are looking at a new generation of tablets from Samsung - Tab S2, namely 8.0 and 9.7. Last year I did, but then the diagonals were 8.4 and 10.5 ″. This is because the aspect ratio of the display has changed in the new models, now it is 4:3. Here I will briefly talk about my impressions of the devices and what else has changed.
Devices now compete very directly with iPad mini and iPad Air, as they have completely identical display sizes and resolutions. Moreover, the devices also have similar shapes and dimensions. I tried putting both the larger and smaller models into the iPad Air and mini cases respectively and the result was interesting. The Tab S 9.7 turned out to be slightly lower than the Air, and thinner, so it fit into the case but didn't stay in it. But the smaller model didn't just fit in the iPad mini case, it snapped into it perfectly. And this despite a significantly smaller thickness. True, the case simultaneously clamps the lock and volume keys, so the tablet immediately enters recovery mode.
Otherwise, except for the dimensions and general shape, the tablets are outwardly not associated with Apple in any way, they are different and I like them more tactilely. In addition, Samsung is more confident in the hand due to the soft touch coating on the back. Tab S2 is thinner by 2mm, the models are only 5.6mm thick, but at the same time, the devices are not subject to torsion. The metal frame holds the structure well, even with prolonged use this should not be a problem.
Compared with previous generation here the main orientation of the larger model has changed. Previously, it was horizontally oriented, small - vertically. Now both have become vertical, as evidenced by the block of control keys below.
The MicroUSB and headset connectors are located at the bottom, along with the speakers. The Tab S2 8.0 also has a microphone, as the tablet can be used as a ceiling lamp. And above the display there is a conversational speaker.
The ergonomics of the devices are all right, I like them both visually and tactilely. Yes, and I did not see any problems in use. But, like last year, there is a caveat. On the back side there are fastenings for standard flip cases. These are holes that will be there whether you buy an accessory or not.
Everything is fixed with a magnetic strip, but there are nuances with it. For example, in the bent back state, this magnet blocks the screen and it cannot be unlocked even with a key. Also, the display is blocked by this magnet and in one of the standard stand positions indicated in the instructions. This is a shortcoming. Well, it is very difficult to insert / get tablets into standard case mounts. They are difficult to snap into place and even more difficult to snap off, it constantly seems that the device will break.
Well, okay, back to the pleasant moments. One of the nicest is the display. Samsung has always been proud of Super Amoled, and these matrices have become very good. Last year we even did a blind comparison with . The last one won. This year the display has become even more beautiful. The resolution is now 2048×1536 pixels, the pixel density of the smaller model is 320 dpi. The structure of the matrix according to the pen tile scheme and this is visible, but if you look closely. Viewing angles, as you would expect, are maximum, there is an anti-glare coating, different picture display modes and one of the best brightness on the market.
Cameras in a tablet, in my opinion, do not have to compete with smartphones, but here they are very good. The main one is 8 MP, the front one is 2.1 MP. Given the aperture ratio of 1.9, they are probably the best among all the tablets on the market. And considering how rarely you'll go to Instagram with a tablet, it's even more good for documents and home photos.
We have Galaxy Note 4 hardware in front of us. Exynos 5433 processor, 3 GB of RAM, Mali-T760 graphics - everything is already known. Moreover, the display resolution is lower than in Note 4, which is why the same tanks come with high fps. In AnTuTu, tablets score about 53,000 points (you can see other tests on the screenshots), but the most important thing is the real speed of the interface and games.
- Dimensions: 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm (8″) and 237.3 x 169 x 5.6 (9.7″)
- Weight: 272 g and 389
- Operating system: Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.
- Processor: Octa-core, Exynos Octa 5433, 4 x Cortex-A57, 1.9GHz + 4 x Cortex-A53, 1.3GHz
- Graphics: Mali-T760 MP6.
- Display: Super AMOLED, 8.0″ and 9.7″, 2048x1536 pixels
- Memory: 16 GB flash, slot for memory cards up to 128 GB
- RAM: 3 GB.
- Camera: main - 8 MP, - 2.1 MP.
- Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
- Interface connectors: 3.5 mm headphone jack, Micro USB 2.0.
- Battery: Li-Pol battery 4000 and 5870 mAh.
With the interface, everything is fine, with games in two ways. I tested Dead Trigger 2 at maximum settings, it plays smoothly and is generally cool. Things are a little worse with Real Racing 3, ladders are visible, but I think it's a matter of optimization. But with World of Tanks Blitz, everything is really bad. The game produces 60 fps only at low graphics settings, at medium and high we will get an average of 15-20 frames per second. In principle, achieving 10 fps is not a problem.
Despite the similarity of the hardware with the Galaxy Note 4, it's very good that they put a new scanner. That is, you don’t need to fiddle with your finger on it, you just need to touch it and it works well. And in a tablet used for work purposes, data safety is important.
Everything will be stored in the cloud, on 32 GB of built-in space and on a memory card up to 128 GB. But the battery capacity of the 8″ model is 4000 mAh. Like a long-lived smartphone, only a tablet. This is perhaps the only drawback of the model that I found. In the game, the device lives a little more than 3 hours, the video will scroll for about 7. The older model has similar autonomy figures, with a larger display there is a capacity of 5870 mAh.
Android OS version 5.0.2, on top of it is a fresh touchscreen with all the features.
I am glad that the standard keyboard here is made for productive work, it is better than in the iPad. There is a cursor, not only backspace, but also cases, as well as combinations of actions with the control key.
For myself, I would settle for a smaller model, it is more versatile. The larger one is even suitable for solving some work issues, especially in a standard case with a BT keyboard.
Given the presence of OTG, here you can also connect a mouse and work fully for some time, like with a laptop. But for myself, I settled on 8 ″ models, they are much more convenient to manage on the road, you can hold them in one hand, and here you can also insert a SIM card if necessary. For example, in another country.
In general, the models are cool, among android tablets, without a twinge of conscience I will say - the best. And you can compare with the iPad forever, these are two different camps and, often, two models of use. For games better iPad, for work - Tab S2. For creating music and video - iPad, for communication and watching videos - Samsung. In general, here everyone is free to decide. There is one thing left - the cost. A 9.7″ model will cost $430, and an 8″ model will cost about $560. We already have it, so the prices are quite normal, even when compared with the same iPads.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and 9.7
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