Samsung galaxy tab s2 dimensions. Review and testing of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet. Productivity and Gaming

I've tested quite a few Android tablets, but each time I put them on the shelf after a few days. The situation changed dramatically when I received a Samsung for testing Galaxy Tab S2. This is the first Android tablet that I want to buy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet - Reviews

Before this review, I was pleased with the use of the second iPad generation mini. The equipment suited my needs perfectly - it was very mobile and had a good quality Retina screen. That's what I thought until I got my hands on a new tablet. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. I'm not exaggerating, it's like switching from an old car to a new Volvo or Volkswagen.

What Samsung is doing in Lately with their screens mobile devices, deserves the highest praise. The first time I noticed this was when testing the Samsung Galaxy S6. Quad HD panels used Super AMOLED just fascinated me. Incredible sharpness, combined with fantastic (and unrealistic) colors that looked phenomenal. History repeated itself with the release of Samsung Galaxy Note 5, the screen covers the full spectrum of not only SRGB gamuts, but also the much more demanding AdobeRGB. Independent tests have shown that this is the best screen among all mobile devices at the time of testing.

After testing the Galaxy S6 with short adventures on the Note 5, I thought how great it would be to use the same screen over a large area. Fortunately, I won't have to wait long because in my Samsung hands Galaxy Tab S2. After the first few minutes spent with this device, I knew that Samsung had done their best this time.

What's new in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2?

In cases with new smartphones and tablets - data sheet, that's not what interests me most. I assume that in this price segment, the equipment simply cannot be bad. The same is the case with the Galaxy Tab S2, which has an updated Exynos 5433 processor, supported by 3 GB random access memory. The tablet runs on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Built-in memory (32 or 64 GB), which can be expanded using Micro cards 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-inch versions.

When choosing a mobile device, many are much more interested in other characteristics, namely quality (that is, 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 put their hearts into their work.

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 something from a much higher shelf.

Aspect ratio 'will be 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 only offered by Apple, is much better suited. Some time ago, Google also went this route, introducing the Nexus 9 with much more convenient 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 series. Most films have a wider screen and aspect ratio, so black bars are still inevitable. It’s clear to everyone that a tablet is not a TV, much less a cinema. Surely there are those who love to passionately watch soap operas on their tablet? I can’t say that I’m not guilty of this, but everyday consumption of content from the Internet is more important to me, and it looks completely different here.

A tablet is a phenomenal device for surfing the Internet or reading 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 looks like A4 sheets of paper. After all, we are all already accustomed to reading books, documents, magazines and newspapers in the same format.

Another important aspect of the screen is the orientation.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet has a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels. In a meaningful version, this gives a pixel density of 320 ppi, and in 9.7" it is 264 ppi.

When reading the text, I did not have any comments about the sharpness. The edges of fonts are cut, regardless of font size. This is important because it makes the content and reading experience very enjoyable. I also enjoy reading popular magazines on the Tab S2.

Another important aspect for me is the images. I really like them to be crisp and clear. The S2's colorful screen measures around 16.5 x 12.5cm, which is slightly larger than a standard print. Photos are printed at 300 dpi, and the pixel density in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is even higher, at 320 dpi. Do you have something better? I've never complained about the 300 dpi print quality, so the device's screen is ideal for viewing photos. Moreover, in some respects it is better than paper. I remember looking through old photographs through a magnifying glass to see the details. 300 dpi, unfortunately, did not stand up to the magnifying glass test, while this problem does not exist on the tablet. After all, here any fragment of photographs can be enlarged using a finger gesture, without loss of detail.

New Galaxy The Tab S2 is slightly smaller than last year's predecessor. It should be remembered that the first Galaxy Tab S was larger in both variants (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). Further increasing the number of pixels would not be wise. Higher resolution means higher power costs, and the new Tab S2's battery is unfortunately smaller than its predecessor's. We are dealing here with an endless struggle between the uncompromising thickness of the device and the duration of operation. Everyone should evaluate what they care about most.

Vivid colors of Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

Galaxy Tab S2 uses a Super AMOLED screen. One of the biggest advantages of OLED technology is the deep blacks that are difficult 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 a photographer.

New screen Samsung tablet boasts 100% SRGB color gamut display, and up to 94% Adobe RGB. These are results at levels typical of professional solutions, but this is very rare in the world of mobile devices.

Out of curiosity, I checked how the tablet would perform in an online color vision test. I looked at it, in a very interesting web application available on igame.com. It's a lot of fun, and the result goes some way to proving the quality of the color reproduction.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 - I also use it as a companion for mobile image processing. I used the device to do this in Adobe Lightroom Mobile. This is where I encountered a pleasant surprise. My previous tablet only served me to select and grade photos, which could then sync with desktop Lightroom. In the case of the Galaxy Tab S2. I was able to process photos, 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.

Bottom line

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 would consider purchasing. At the moment, only the rather mediocre battery life and price are holding me back from purchasing. 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 mobile devices in their work.

The screen image quality is really good and I wouldn't 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 that you can show off at a meeting with a client.

To everything, one more aspect should be added. Many people pay attention to the package and judge the device only by appearance. In this regard, 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.

Contents of delivery:

Tablet
Charger with USB cable
Instructions

Specifications

Android 5.0.2, update to 5.1.1 soon, TouchWiz shell, like on Samsung Galaxy S6/Note 5
Screen 7.9 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (326 ppi), 4:3 geometry, automatic adjustment backlight, maximum brightness outdoors for text readability (auto mode), additional screen adjustment modes;
Chipset Exynos 5433 (as in Note 4), 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz, MALI T760
3 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory, memory cards up to 128 GB
Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
LTE support
Fingerprint sensor
GPS/GLONASS
Li-Ion battery 4000 mAh, HD video playback time up to 12 hours (maximum brightness), gaming about 6 hours
Weight – 265/272 grams (Wi-Fi/LTE), dimensions – 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm

Positioning

The Tab S line is the flagships from Samsung, which were created to directly compete with the iPad, the company never hid this, moreover, when introducing the first generation of Tab S in the USA, they presented the iPad so that anyone could compare the quality of the screens and their differences. It is clear that the screen is not the only parameter for choosing such a device, but they differ like heaven and earth, the difference is visible to the naked eye, we even had a detailed analysis of the differences between these devices and their screens.

Samsung's ideology has always been to give the iPad more technology and capabilities for the price, to present the most technologically rich device possible. Not forgetting its convenience. In Tab S2, history repeats itself completely with one difference - the tablet market for last year dropped significantly, and this applies to all major manufacturers, including Apple. Therefore, Samsung focused on updating the line without introducing any new, sensational features. The goal was to make flagship tablets that would be convenient for daily use, become the most powerful devices on the market in terms of performance (in the Android segment at least), and at the same time offer high-quality cameras plus good operating time.

The positioning of this device is typical for flagships - everything is without compromise, it contains the best components, the most productive solutions. For geeks, it’s a shame that the tablet is built on the same platform as the Note 4; with some stretch, they can be called twin brothers. But we must remember that Note 4, which appeared almost a year ago, was 1.5-2 years ahead of the market. Even today, there are no similar solutions from other companies, which makes this device the best in its segment. In short, if you are looking for the most powerful tablet, with the best screen and camera, without regard to its cost, then the Galaxy Tab S2 will certainly be among your options. And this will be one of the priority options.

Design, dimensions, control elements

Externally, the tablet turned out to be different from the first Tab S. The screen geometry is different, the frame, like in Note 4, around the body, it is made of metal, with a polished edge. Moreover, the edge is only on the front surface, and the back is plastic - the tablet is comfortable to hold in your hands, it does not slip.

For most consumers, a flagship must be made of metal, although this is not always convenient or correct. When struck, the metal hits the glass that protects the screen, but the plastic does not deform the body in this way. The question of what a manufacturer should use, plastic or metal, has long turned into a philosophical one. But in practice, the difference is noticeable with constant use of devices - for example, the Tab S2 weighs only 272 grams (for the LTE version, the version with Wi-Fi weighs even less - 265 grams), while iPad Mini weighs 341 grams. Minimal difference? How to look. If you pick up the tablet from time to time, you won’t see any differences. But if you play or watch a movie, then the Tab S2 will be more comfortable; it does not pull on your hand and does not feel in it. A child can easily hold it.

The thickness of the device is a parameter in which every manufacturer exercises, in Tab S2 the thickness is 5.6 mm (iPad 7.5 mm). It is very thin, but this parameter does not affect the characteristics in any way. Thin and delicate, after all, thinness is visually pleasing, in the hands it does not make a big difference. The dimensions of 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm are excellent for this type of device.

During the trip, I got so used to the fact that the tablet was light and small that I became addicted to carrying it in the side pocket of my shorts, where I couldn’t feel it at all. An attempt to put the iPad there failed; it was noticeably heavier and hit my leg when moving.

The back wall is made of soft-touch plastic, it hardly gets dirty, does not scratch, and is pleasant. The camera lens protrudes, but this is normal for such models. There are two “buttons” on the case for installing a branded case, some may find them superfluous, like me, I don’t wear cases on tablets, preferring to wear them that way.

At the bottom end you can see two speakers, this is not a scam, there are physically two of them, and they sound quite loud. The location of the speakers on one side of the body is not indisputable; I would like to see them spaced apart. But the sound does not suffer in most situations; it is impossible to cover both speakers with your hand. In terms of volume, the tablet clearly outperforms the iPad, however, the sound quality is higher.

At the same end there is a microUSB connector, as well as a microphone. The tablet has two microphones, they are needed for the noise reduction system to work. Let me remind you that the tablet can be used as regular phone, both with and without a headset.

On the left side there is a paired volume key, a power button, just below there is a slot for a nanoSIM card (the choice of this card format is surprising and questionable), as well as a slot for memory cards.

On the front panel, under the screen, there is a physical key exactly in the middle, and two touch keys on the sides. Due to the size, it is convenient to work with the keys, no problems arise.

The build quality of the device is a plus, there are no problems. The downside is that due to the thickness of the model, it was necessary to sacrifice the usual Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating; here there is a “light” version with a thinner outer layer. As a result, the screen quickly becomes covered with small scratches. You can only see them when they are turned off; it is, of course, impossible to feel them with your fingers.

The tablet can be bought in black or white, below you can see what the white device looks like, it is no less interesting than the black one that I reviewed.

Screen

In order to understand how high-quality the screen is on the Tab S2, you need to look at it in real life. This is perhaps the best tablet screen that exists today. Here are its technical characteristics - 7.9 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (326 ppi), 4:3 geometry. Now let's talk about what he can do in practice.

Let me start with the fact that these weeks I often flew a DJI Phantom 3 quadcopter, and in order to watch video from it in real time (transmits at a distance of up to 2 kilometers in HD quality), I installed a Galaxy Tab S2. A little trick, in the settings you need to set automatic brightness adjustment, then the maximum backlight brightness will increase twice as much as the standard one when the tablet realizes that it is outside. Under straight lines sun rays the picture remained fully readable, there was no need to look for a shadow. The photograph does not convey this; it seems that the screen has faded, but in real life it is readable.

Now let's talk about why SuperAMOLED is criticized for having too bright colors. In the settings, you can choose one of five operating modes (adaptive is the default, Movie AMOLED, Photo AMOLED, basic, for reading).

In principle, it’s worth choosing the adaptive mode; it perfectly adjusts the picture to the displayed content, plus it processes external lighting conditions. That is, the adaptive mode itself will turn on the reading settings, realizing that you are reading a book or page in the browser.

But if you don’t want to trust this mode, you can customize everything for yourself. And then the colors will not be so aggressive or become muted, it all depends on you. Other tablets do not have such technologies or they are in their infancy; the iPad, for example, only recently became able to adjust the font size, and nothing similar to the technology described simply does not exist. You can't choose the screen color temperature on the iPad. Some may quite rightly say that this is not necessary on the iPad. This may be true for you. Most likely, you simply have not seen what a quality screen is, and therefore continue to consider the faded iPad screen to be acceptable. He is not bad in his class, but has long become average, nothing more.

I repeat that if the display was excellent in the Tab S, then in the second version it became amazing. Good, clear picture, high brightness in the sun, pleasant viewing of photos and videos.

The screen geometry has become the same as in the iPad - 4:3. I like it less than 16:10, because I like to watch videos on my tablet. There are still black bars, just like on the iPad. But on the other hand, the picture quality overshadows everything. This is a tablet with the best screen on the market, as even ardent critics of all Samsung products admit (reluctantly or through gritted teeth).

Battery

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 4000 mAh. At first glance, this is not much for a tablet; we are used to seeing batteries with a capacity of 5000-6000 mAh in such devices. But given that it uses an energy-efficient chipset and a new screen option that consumes less than in previous models, the operating time is different modes has increased.

For example, when playing video in HD resolution (MX Player, hardware acceleration, AVI, maximum brightness), the operating time is about 12 hours. If you turn on automatic backlight adjustment or reduce the brightness, the operating time will increase to 13-14 hours. This is noticeably more than any tablet in this class. And if you take into account the weight and dimensions of the tablet, it can be considered a kind of record.

When using a SIM card in a tablet, when you make calls and write SMS, everything is not so rosy. It will work for a day or more with an average load (2 hours of screen, about an hour of calls). The cellular module eats up the battery quite quickly. If we limit ourselves only to data transfer, then everything will be typical for such devices, comparable to the same iPad - about 7-8 hours of operation. Here, for example, is how long my device worked when watching three episodes of a series (2 hours 15 minutes), working in other applications (half backlight brightness, automatic mode).

In games, you can achieve a maximum of 7-7.5 hours of work, which depends on the screen settings. But in games, the maximum number of cores is used, which negatively affects the operating time, the tablet noticeably warms up.

If you want maximum battery life, don't use Chrome; Samsung's browser is much more energy efficient. The difference in operating time will be almost double! As for me, Google urgently needs to do something about the energy efficiency of Chrome; it eats up the battery of mobile devices too quickly, although it is convenient in other aspects.

Traditionally, there is a power saving mode when you can limit processor performance, remove the backlight of touch keys, degrade animation, and so on. Unfortunately, in this mode you cannot select individual items, you can only enable them all at once. The best part is that you can install automatic switching on this mode when the battery is discharged to a certain level (5, 15, 20, 50%).

In maximum power saving mode, the display turns gray, limited background transfer data. This mode has no analogues from other companies and is directly related to the capabilities of the display.

Full battery charging time is about 3.5 hours (2A), mode fast charging, unlike Note 4, is not supported. Overall, the Tab S2 is optimal in terms of operating time, if you remember its capabilities and performance.

Memory, memory cards, performance

The tablet uses the same processor that we saw in the Note 4 - Exynos 5433. This processor was way ahead of its time and offered a very high performance bar, it remains one of the best on the market. They don’t look for good from good, and for a tablet whose screen resolution is lower than that of Note 4, they decided to use it. Many expected that this would be a new generation of processor, but there was simply no need for it - it could only be needed when using high-resolution screens. Specifications The processors are as follows - 4 cores with a frequency of up to 1.3 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz. Fast RAM (1066 MHz). However, look at the results of synthetic tests.

The built-in memory is 32 GB, you have about 24 GB of space available for your programs and data. You can install a memory card up to 128 GB, there is almost no difference in access speed, so applications stored on the card will work just as fast. There are versions of the tablet with 64 GB of internal memory, but they will not be supplied to Russia.

The amount of RAM is 3 GB, which is quite enough for any task. In the interface, the device works very quickly, there are simply no slowdowns.

Communication capabilities

Samsung consistently refuses to use the infrared port to control household appliances; it was installed on most top models in 2014, including it can be found on the Tab S, but it is not here. Likewise, the tablet has lost NFC support, which is doubly offensive, since for most, the presence of this technology makes using the device more convenient (quick pairing with other phones or tablets with one touch).

Surprisingly, the Tab S2 will lack support Samsung Pay(there is no separate chip for crypto-protection of transactions), but there is no point in worrying about this, since the technology is focused only on the US market in 2015. You can only use a tablet for payments in the absence of NFC the old fashioned way.

Other strengths Samsung tablets are still here, the Wi-Fi antenna is dual-band, works at 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, traditionally available Wi-Fi Direct. Bluetooth version 4.1.

GPS/GLONASS support is implemented well; the tablet turned out to be successful as a navigation device. BMW chose it as a standard navigator for its 7 Series model.

The radio module supports the following frequencies:

LTE: 700/ 800/ 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900/ 2100/ 2600
3G: 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100
2G: 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900

Here is a device that will easily work in LTE around the world.

Camera

If we approach it formally, the cameras have not changed in any way compared to the Tab S; the front one also has a resolution of 2.1 megapixels, the main one has 8 megapixels. But unlike the Tab S, the main camera doesn't have an LED flash. Front-camera has become faster, as has the main camera (f=1.9 versus 2.4 in the Tab S).

Look at sample images and the camera interface. I think you can see the similarities with the Galaxy S6. Photos look great on a tablet screen, noticeably better than their actual quality on a PC screen. The reason is the outstanding characteristics of the display, but not the camera; it is quite ordinary and inferior to most top-end smartphones on the market. On the other hand, this camera is one of the best for tablets, as you can easily see by looking at the comparison with the iPad Mini (right).

And this is how the tablet films in the evening and during the day, and also records video. It won’t be able to replace a top-end smartphone, but it’s quite good for everyday tasks.

Photo examples

Now I want to dwell on one of the features directly related to the camera and tablet performance. In the shop Samsung applications there is a 3D Capture program, it allows you to get 3D images objects. You press shoot, slowly walk around a stationary object, preferably at the same distance, and in a minute you have a model in front of you that can be rotated as you please, exported to other programs for editing three-dimensional images (file format .OBJ and also .MTL). The built-in editor allows you to clean up the image, remove the background, highlight individual zones, and it is quite advanced, covering all the possibilities that are needed. For most, this program will become a kind of toy, but someone will find the right use for it.

I was able to make a three-dimensional picture of the bread on a plate with my hands, it was like some kind of miracle. I immediately rotated the picture and showed my friends what happened. I tried to position the tablet motionless and rotate the plate, but no shooting happened - the tablet requires that it be rotated around the object.

I have always been amazed by technologies that become commonplace - ten years ago it was impossible to imagine that something like this would be in a mass device. This is what can be called high technology, and it is becoming publicly available. This tablet is a cheap way to produce 3D models. Of course, this raises the question of their detailing and quality. But for the mass consumer, this will definitely be the first encounter with such technology and the opportunity to use it.

Under no circumstances should you assume that 3D photography will be a feature that will attract attention to this product. It’s hard to believe, but this feature is unique, and other companies don’t have it (I haven’t seen it in any product). Of course, there are a dozen programs for iPad and Android that do three dimensional objects in.OBJ, but none of them are popular (maybe they are all niche?), and according to the description, the quality of the resulting files is not very good. I don’t presume to judge this; there will probably be those among the readers who have played with such programs and can evaluate their quality better.

Software Features

The model comes with Android 5.0.2, with an update to 5.1.1 coming soon. Inside is a lightweight TouchWiz that is completely or almost identical to what we see on the Galaxy S6. In the review of this phone, I examined in great detail all the pros and cons of this solution, focusing on all the little things. You can read about this in the review text.

Or watch a video using the Galaxy S6 as an example.

Just like with other flagship devices, you are offered free services and applications, for example, OneDrive from Microsoft gives 100 GB upon registration cloud storage. You can get a free subscription to various magazines, navigation and the like.

The multimedia capabilities of the tablet are excellent, it is omnivorous and digests most video formats (AC3 out of the box is not supported due to patent disputes, just install MX Player and everything will work).

I like the fact that you can download any files onto this tablet and immediately start watching and listening to them. As usual, maximum omnivorousness, no need to convert or download anything through a computer, everything is done from the device, it is completely independent.

IN file manager Bookmarks have appeared, you can open different pages and copy files from one page to another.

The fingerprint sensor works by touch, no problems.

Among the interesting features, I note that when working with Bluetooth, you can add “trusted devices” to the list. For example, this could be a speakerphone in a car. Then, when connected to such a device, the tablet will remain unlocked. At home I set it up in this quality wireless speaker, and there is no need to put your finger on the sensor every time, the tablet is open.

There are quite a lot of such small features in the system, each of them means nothing, but together they make the device convenient. The LTE version supports nanoSIM and voice calls, as well as SMS, unlike the iPad, where a SIM card is needed only for data transfer.

You can love or hate TouchWiz, but the shell greatly complements standard Android, introducing convenient features, of which there are many.

Accessories for Tab S2

The tablet is available with a standard set of accessories, including various wired and wireless headsets, but I would like to draw your attention to three accessories that are different from other models and are only suitable for this tablet.

Let's start with the Keyboard Cover, this is the cover in which the keyboard is built in, it is attached to magnets on the back surface. This accessory is not available for the 8-inch model, only for a tablet with a large diagonal, which may seem to some to be a sufficient reason to choose it.

At the same time, you can simply choose Book Cover, this is a regular cover that allows you to place a tablet to watch videos.

Finally, you can purchase the MT800 docking station, which has remained unchanged since the first generation of tablets and is familiar to us. This station has an HDMI connector with support for 4K video, two full-fledged USB connectors, microUSB, Ethernet - you can turn your tablet into a full-fledged computer.

Impression

I didn’t like the Tab S2 at all; it seemed like the tablet didn’t bring anything new, and its thinness was a tribute to fashion. In life, I changed my opinion to the opposite - it’s convenient to work with, and the screen is excellent, no one else has anything like it. I was especially pleased with the work outdoors, however, the ultra-bright backlight eats up the battery quickly, but on the same DJI quadcopter you can fly even on a summer afternoon, when the sun burns everything around and nothing is visible on the screens of other devices.

Even if you watch movies all day, your battery will last until the evening, in mine normal mode The tablet worked for about 2 days, which is not bad (the iPad goes out in a day). In a word, I liked the device, but not its price. It is clear that we need to stay on course, but still the flagship turned out to be expensive and not accessible to everyone - but should flagships be accessible to many? Question.

The Tab S2's competitor in Russia is the first generation of this tablet, primarily due to the fact that its old prices remain the same. However, let's compare. The price for the Wi-Fi version is about 21 thousand rubles, for the LTE version – about 23,000 rubles. Of the minuses - less internal memory (16 GB versus 32 GB), old version OS, no update to 5.1.1 in the near future, slightly worse screen with fewer operating modes. The operating time of the first Tab S is a little lower, but noticeably higher than that of all devices in this class. This line has become a kind of record holder for survivability thanks to technical solutions, which are used by the manufacturer.

The price for the Wi-Fi version of the 32 GB Tab S2 (SM-T710) is 31,990 rubles, for the 32 GB LTE version (SM-T715) – 35,990 rubles. The difference is simply radical, and the appeal of the first generation Tab S is greater from all points of view. You lose almost nothing by purchasing the previous model, but the savings are noticeable, enough for one or two more devices of a lower class.

Apple has no direct competitors to the Tab S2 yet. new model didn’t come out, so we’ll have to compare it with the best offer that exists now, which is the iPad Mini 3. It would have to be compared with the Tab S, they are classmates, but let’s compare it with the Tab S2. The initial memory configuration for the iPad is 16 GB, it costs official store 26,990 and 35,990 rubles (Wi-Fi/LTE). There is no 32 GB version, so it’s not possible to compare directly; the next 64 GB version costs 33,490 and 42,490 rubles. It turns out to be quite an interesting picture, if the LTE versions cost the same, but the Tab S2 has twice as much memory, plus there are memory cards, then Wi-Fi looks a little more expensive. The quality of the screens is incomparable; the Samsung model is a big winner. As well as in terms of operating time, weight and size, but many may like the fact that the iPad body is made of metal. As an owner of an iPad Mini, I can note that the Tab S2 is noticeably more convenient in everyday life; it wins in all respects. Anticipating the question of why I didn’t choose it or its predecessor - I’m not so wasteful as to change tablets every year, the old one does the job quite well. But the battery is starting to die a little, it’s possible that I’ll replace the old one with a new one in the coming months. When choosing a new tablet today, I would definitely compare the iPad Mini 3 and Tab S2, and then focus on the amount that I have.

In real life, the Tab S2 and iPad Mini 3 are completely different; they differ radically from each other. The aesthetics, the feel in the hand, the way you use these devices. In a word, look for yourself and decide what you like; no one can be your advisor here. An attempt to compare the Tab S2 with Android flagships from other companies is obviously doomed to failure. What other companies call flagships does not in any way technically correspond to this name - the models are weaker, just look at their screens and performance, they play in a different league. However, here it is quite fair to ask the question whether you need everything that the Tab S2 offers, or is it better to save money and buy something simpler rather than a flagship, but the answer to this question is again up to you.

I especially highlighted the review of the 8- and 9.7-inch model in different materials, as I said above. The difference between these models is fundamental: one is mobile and always accompanies you, the second is suitable for those who spend more time at home or carry a bag with them that can accommodate a folder for papers and, accordingly, the Tab S2 9.7. Functionally, these models are identical, only their perception, price and positioning differ, we’ll talk about this in the review of the older device. As for me, Samsung has turned out to be an excellent model, which has, perhaps, everything you expect from a flagship - the best screen on the market, excellent operating time, the ability to make and receive calls, SMS support and full-fledged LTE in any country in the world. The price is steep, but the previous generation of the device is even more attractive. This is a flagship without any discounts, we just have to wait for the fall and the next iPad Mini to see what Apple can do with this device. I'm afraid that the answer will only be iOS9 and an increase in RAM; there are no fundamental differences to be expected. This means that the Tab S2 will remain the most interesting device in terms of the combination of characteristics it has. But here the question is how committed you are to this or that platform, and this can be argued for a long time and without much result.

We analyze the shortcomings of the “sweet couple” from the Korean brand

In 2015, Samsung brought to the market two tablets of the second Galaxy Tab S series: with 8 and 9.7-inch diagonals. Huge foot wraps have been written about the advantages of new products. We offer you an honest review of the disadvantages of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.

DISADVANTAGES WHICH ARE WRITTEN ABOUT IN REVIEWS AND TESTS

Screen aspect ratio is inconvenient for watching movies

In a review on Hi-tech.mail.ru It is noted that the tablet is completely tailored for Internet content: social networks, YouTube, and so on. Unfortunately, it became inconvenient to watch widescreen films on it. This is due to the screen aspect ratio of 4:3, which is why part of the film either moves beyond the visible area, or, conversely, leaves empty space, causing visual discomfort. Stretching the image helps, but somewhat distorts the original proportions.

Low power battery

Photo: skymarket.ua

This is especially true for the ultra-thin Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. There is a 4000 mAh battery installed here. According to Hi-tech.mail.ru, its full charge lasts for an average of 4 hours of gaming or 7 hours of video in Full HD at maximum screen brightness. In a review on 4pda.ru Games are given no more than three hours. In normal operation (surfing the Internet, office applications, several photos), the battery lasts up to 12 hours. Energy consumption can be reduced by using a special tablet operating mode, but in this mode 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 case will not work (even if you choose the right one, the working buttons will be covered), a branded one is required. It is high quality and attractive, but figuring out how to install the tablet in the stand position is not easy. A special magnetic strip that secures the case locks 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 is unclear. Wherein original case costs from 2000 to 6000 rubles.

Camera without flash

This is a step back compared to many other modern devices from the Korean company. Yes, the 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 in 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 selfies.

There are also limitations when shooting video. As noted in the portal review 4pda.ru, in the maximum video recording resolution mode (2560x1440), you cannot use electronic stabilization, video effects, or take photos while recording video. And the shooting time is limited to five minutes. More or less high-quality shooting can be obtained handheld 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.ru, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 seriously loses to its main competitors - Nexus 9 and iPad Air 2. On GFXBench Manhattan tests, the Samsung tablet scored only 959 at native resolution, a far cry from the Nexus's 1,942 points and the iPad Air 2's 2,331. The popular HeartStone ran great on the Tab S2, but the game exhibited brief stuttering from time to time. Nothing like this was observed with Google and Apple tablets.

DISADVANTAGES WHICH ARE WRITTEN ABOUT IN THE REVIEWS

No fast charging

Unlike many other tablets, the Galaxy Tab S2 does not have this feature. The battery charges in approximately 4 hours (for some users, according to their reviews on Yandex.Market, a little longer).

Too “acidic” colors

Photo: blog.khojle.in

Users feel that the screen, especially on factory settings, is too contrasty and harsh in colors. That's why Galaxy owners The Tab S2 has to be tweaked with its modes so that your eyes don't get tired.

It is inconvenient to hold the tablet with one hand

Photo: i-cdn.phonearena.com

Due to the design features (thin side bars), you have to be very careful when holding the tablet with one hand. If you place 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 (of good quality, I must say) are located on the bottom end of the tablet. Therefore, while playing games or watching movies, holding the tablet with both hands, it is very easy to accidentally block one of them. The sound immediately becomes much quieter. It seems like a small problem, but it causes inconvenience for Galaxy Tab S2 owners.

Is it really that bad?

Photo: www.iguides.ru

“Sweet couple” Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 are truly technically advanced devices with a pleasant design. The 8-inch version is generally the thinnest tablet in the world. The eight-core processor allows you to solve the vast majority of tasks without any slowdown. The high quality of the AMOLED screen is noted by all review authors. Even the dialer, which seems to be optional for tablets, looks useful application to the already wide Galaxy functionality Tab S2. But, taking into account the shortcomings described in 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. Therefore, the purchase of the 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 newest 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/

At the beginning of 2017, Samsung showed the third updated version rulers Galaxy tablets Tab 3. Its main competitor was and remains the previous generation model. And this is not a problem for the company, but for the entire tablet market. Therefore, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE 32GB is still an excellent choice Android devices and the main one, in many ways superior to its analogue Apple iPad.

The S line is considered the flagship line for Samsung smartphones and tablets. Therefore, even outdated components after two years do not affect the performance of the devices. Central and GPUs, which were installed in top smartphones and tablets two or three years ago, are 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 frames on the sides, and wide enough at the top and bottom to make it comfortable to hold while watching a movie or playing games.

At the bottom there is a hardware “home” button, a touch “back” button, and a “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 completely compensated for. Closer to the right side are two small holes that are used for proprietary 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 edge there are two speakers hidden behind grilles, 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 and 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. simple user these names mean little. But both options will confidently run games, work with several processes simultaneously, and play 4K video. Moreover, the tablet still 3 GB RAM.

Antutu shows 47000 points. Although the figure may vary slightly.

As the name suggests, here 32 GB internal memory . The user has access to 24, but you can install memory cards up to 128. Since the tablet was updated to 6th Android versions , it will be used as a system partition, including for installing applications.

Display

The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet was the best on the market at the time of its release. Two years later, it will give odds to most tablets, second only to new models from the same company.

Display with 7.9 inches diagonal made using SuperAMOLED technology. Resolution – 2048x1536 pixels. This gives 326 ppi, high for tablets. Aspect ratio – 4:3.

The device has automatic brightness adjustment. The sensor helps in bright sunshine. Installed system utility to change the screen mode. It can be used to increase saturation when watching movies, games, or, conversely, to decrease it if AMOLED colors are off-putting.

Battery

The battery capacity is surprising - only 4000 mAh. But it’s worth remembering about the energy-efficient chipset and AMOLED, which greatly saves battery by turning off unnecessary pixels.

If cellular communication If you don’t use it and turn on the Internet only via Wi-Fi, then with an average load it will last for a day. If you insert a SIM card, then the operating time will noticeably decrease, and the screen will last for 2-3 hours.

There is an extreme power saving mode in which the background turns black. This means that most of the screen is turned off. Data transfer is limited. When fully charged in this mode, the tablet will last 4-5 days.

Wireless interfaces

This tablet model supports latest versions Wi-Fi, LTE. Bluetooth 4.1. Navigation using GPS, GLONASS.

The lack of infrared ports, NFC and, accordingly, Samsung Pay is frustrating. The tablet doesn’t really need them, but given its positioning as a flagship, this fact is frustrating. After all, Samsung made a thin device that you can always carry with you, but they did not provide modern features such as contactless payments.

Camera

Samsung is doing wisely in this direction. Their smartphones have some of the best cameras on the market, and in tablets - those that can be useful on a device 20 cm long. However, they are still the best among tablets.

In Tab S2 8 megapixel main, 2.1 megapixel front. There are no flashes.

There are plenty of possibilities for shooting if necessary, for photographing documents and selfies, especially in good weather conditions.

The program has seven modes at once:

auto;
panorama;
virtual shooting;
rich tones (HDR);
post effect;
dual camera.

Three deserve special attention.

In virtual shooting mode, the user can move around an object and create a full 3D model of it.

Although HDR makes pictures brighter and more saturated, the process is done in software, so it’s especially High Quality It's not worth the wait.

The post effect allows you to change some photo settings after shooting. Dual camera creates 2 photos from the main and front cameras in 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. On top is the usual TouchWiz. Unfortunately, it's still quite modified from stock Android. Not everyone will like or suit such an overly bright design, but in terms of functionality there are no problems. All built-in programs and voice control are at a very high level.

As always, Samsung offers its users many different gifts: internal storage in OneDrive, subscription to Bookmate, Amediateka.

The hardware button has a fingerprint sensor for unlocking using a fingerprint.

Advantages and disadvantages

pros

display;
new OS version;
Samsung partner offers;
dimensions.

Minuses

battery.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 review demonstrates that this is an excellent continuation of the line, which replaced the previous generation and can become an alternative to the next one.

He has one of best screens, decent characteristics cameras, high-quality housing. 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 disappointing thing is the price. Although Samsung has not added all the features of truly flagship devices to the tablet, as it does with smartphones, the price has been set at the top. Paying for an imperfect tablet more than $500 It's only worth it if you like a specific manufacturer. And given the noticeably decreased attention of users to this category of devices, it is surprising that even with such at a high price, it sells very well.

Galaxy Tab S2 is the second generation of Samsung flagship tablets. And I don’t even know what else to say in the introduction, read the review.

What is this?

An Android tablet from Samsung's flagship line, the thinnest and with one of the coolest displays on the market at the time of preparation of the review. Productive. Works under Android control 5.0.2 and in terms of hardware it corresponds to last year’s Galaxy Note 4 (with differences in display diagonal, battery capacity and cameras). It comes in two diagonals - 9.7 inches and 8 (more precisely like the iPad Mini), aspect ratio - 4:3.

Appearance

The appearance of the tablet can be described in four words: thin, black, stylish. It sinks in water and doesn’t get scratched in a bag (once I accidentally put it in the same compartment with a nail file, which has “killed” more than one case, including laptops, the tablet eventually survived and looks more decent than I expected when I found such oversight). The back side has a SoftTouch coating, so it does not slip in your hands, the ends are packed in metal. It doesn’t bend under your fingers the way some iPad Air 2 models did (remember those waves on the screen from your fingers?). Both models have an aspect ratio of 4:3 - in my opinion, optimally convenient for different tasks. I never understood all these 7 and 10 inch tablets.

The camera eye protrudes above the body, and there is no flash at all.

These small holes that look like screws are where the case snaps in, although they look fine without it.

The models look like twin brothers, both are oriented vertically (Samsung's have a hardware Home key, so all the company's devices have an orientation).

At the bottom end they have speakers that are so good that compared to them, most people nervously smoke on the sidelines.

The 9.7-inch model, with its almost 400 grams (the weight is small, but you can’t play around with the accelerometer), seems to be more suitable for those who choose a tablet for work, the 8-inch, with its 265 grams, is a cool option for portable use and games , although, in general, these are not gaming models in terms of hardware, although they are very powerful. The cases are compact not only in thickness, but also in the ratio of screen area to front panel. Because of this, there is one nuance associated with a large tablet. In landscape orientation, the margins around the screen are large enough to comfortably grip with your hand. Vertical lightweight and compact 8-inch Galaxy version The Tab S2 allows you to hold yourself up without much difficulty, but its 9.7-inch brother is large and, so that it does not outweigh you, you need to hold it with two hands or grab the screen with your fingers.

Screen

Both models are equipped with QuadHD displays, with pixel densities of 264 and 320 ppi for the 9.7-inch and 8-inch devices, respectively. Everything is like the latest generations of iPad and iPad Mini. The image on the display is smooth and bright (up to 394 cd/m2), although the color rendition is again a little disappointing. The display has several color modes, the default is Adaptive, but lovers of warm colors and a more accurate color gamut can switch to Basic or Photo AMOLED.

In addition to color control, Samsung's flagship Android devices also have other software for controlling the screen. There is also automatic adjustment of the backlight brightness (which works well), and turning off the alarm clock by applying the palm of your hand, and screenshots using gestures. The display “understands” the gloves and quickly responds to touches. There is an oleophobic coating (although the photos above will probably make you think otherwise, it’s just that I didn’t really try to get my gadgets in order before shooting).

Job

Let's start with performance. For my tasks, which include everything except hardcore games (and any games, to be honest, especially when the tablet is 9.7-inch), the model’s performance was more than enough and, perhaps, there was even a little left. I used office applications, watched videos, surfed the web, chatted on Skype, all this happened literally at the same time. The hardware in the tablet corresponds to what was in last year's flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 4, so the geeky part of the audience may refuse to consider the model flagship and cutting-edge. But if you start not from bare numbers, but from real experience, then there are no questions about performance. The only people who are at a loss with this tablet are hardcore gamers; they will need something advanced and beyond the pale. For the rest of the Galaxy Tab S2, the hardware will last for years to come. Especially considering the 3 GB of RAM.

Software Galaxy provisioning Tab S2 repeats this in the new flagship Galaxy smartphone S6 edge+. Here is the Microsoft office out of the box with a gift space in OneDrive, and the same Samsung software, except that there is no S Health, the same energy saving settings and other things of the Android device, even the camera is almost the same. And the fingerprint scanner is also modern and works perfectly.

There are literally a couple of differences. The tablet allows you to work in multi-window mode. And he also has one of best keyboards for Android - there are symbols, options for customizing sizes, in general, it has not only initially good data, but also a good chance of being perfectly customized to your habits.

Camera

Nothing special, just a very high-quality camera by tablet standards. Eight megapixel, with autofocus, video recording in 1080p, but without flash (didn’t fit?). But it takes better pictures than other smartphones with a 16-megapixel module. Fast, with an interface familiar to Samsung smartphones, several operating modes, a bunch of settings options and everything that few people use in life, and at the same time with the ability to download additional filters and modes from the Galaxy Apps store. Among them there are paid ones.

And, of course, examples of photographs. This time without radiant Berlin (Berlin will be in the LG G4s review, wait for it soon gg). They can be viewed in original resolution in a separate gallery on Torba. The pictures were taken during the day: on the street or in a poorly lit room.

Autonomy

Measurements were taken on a 9.7-inch model. Ten hours of playback streaming video with a screen whose backlight brightness is in the middle. If someone is not impressed by this figure, then I advise you to look again at the thickness of the tablet and the battery capacity. 5870 mAh, neatly packaged in a 5.6mm case. The 8-inch tablet has a 4000 mAh battery, which means the result will be about the same. In standby mode, the device discharges at a rate of several percent per day. In real-life operating conditions, unless you are an avid gamer or fly on a long-distance plane every two days, you will need to charge the device once every few days. The battery life test discharged the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 to 20% in just over 7 hours. And this is with a processor made using a 20nm process technology (let me remind you, in top smartphones Samsung has a more energy efficient Exynos, made using a 14nm process technology) and a 10-inch QuadHD display.

Alternatives

At the moment, there are not many competitors to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, given that the tablet is not just a flagship, but also incredibly compact. This Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet and Z3 Tablet since previous Sony flagship not very outdated yet, as well as Apple iPad in two similar sizes latest generation. But given the fact that I don’t really believe that any experienced tablet users will switch from one platform to another, the iPad should be dismissed out of hand. Only the Sony line remains. Screen with similar high resolution the company appeared only in latest version its legendary line of tablets, the Z4 Tablet, but that's not a big deal. The Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet is clearly superior to Samsung in terms of performance (it has the top-end Snapdragon 810), costs a little more, but offers protection from moisture. Honestly, just for the sake of the 810 and QHD display, I wouldn’t overpay for a tablet and would recommend that those whose sympathies lean toward Sony choose last year’s model. What to choose between Sony and Samsung? Both tablets are incredibly good and similar in characteristics. Samsung flaunts a camera and 100 GB of OneDrive space ahead of its Japanese competitor. All these details and bells and whistles can certainly influence your decision as a consumer. But I would advise proceeding from brand preferences, if you have them. If not, consider what kind of camera, waterproofing, and software capabilities you're interested in. But remember, whatever choice you make, it will be great. Yes, and if you are looking at 8-inch models, then keep in mind that the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will cost significantly less than its competitor.

Bottom line

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is one of the devices that keeps the entire market on edge. And competitors who will find it difficult to compete with this model (besides price). And Samsung, which in a year will have to come up with something else that will force users to change this tablet, perfect in all aspects, to a new one. Only Sony with its latest flagship can sleep peacefully in this situation, because Samsung did not dare to encroach on its sacred thing - a waterproof case, Apple, whose users live in a parallel, no less technologically advanced interesting world, as well as the “Chinese” who know how to crush any advantages of expensive competitors at a price. But with the current crisis of ideas in the market for tablets and mobile devices, in another year, or maybe two, it will be difficult for companies to surpass their own achievements so that users feel the need to change their old gadget to a new one. Thin ice, very thin.

4 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S2:

high performance;
impressive display;
good software and 100 GB of OneDrive as a gift;
The thinnest case on the market.

2 reasons not to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S2:

expensive pleasure;
Do you prefer flagship ones? Sony tablets with moisture protection and the ability to play remotely on PlayStation or even iPad.

Technical Samsung specifications Galaxy Tab S2
Display	Super AMOLED, 9.7 or 8 inches, 1536 x 2048 pixels, (264 or 320 ppi respectively)
Dimensions and weight	dimensions 237x169x6 mm, weight 389 g for the version with Wi-Fi only and 392 g with LTE or dimensions 197x135x6 mm, weight 265 g for the version with Wi-Fi only and 272 g with LTE
operating system	Android 5.0
CPU	64-bit Exynos 5433, 20nm process technology, 4 Cortex-A57 cores (1.9 GHz) and 4 Cortex-A53 cores (1.3 GHz), Mali-T760MP graphics
RAM	3 GB
Storage device	32/64 GB+cards microSD memory up to 128 GB
Camera	8 MP, video 1080p; autofocus, front 2 MP
Communications	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac,Wi-Fi Direct, MHL, Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP, LE), a-GPS+GLONASS, LTE (optional), NFC
Connectors	microUSB (with OTG support)
Battery	5870 mAh or 4000 mAh