Tablet computer galaxy tab s2. Review and testing of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet

Specifications

• Android 5.0.2, update to 5.1.1 soon, TouchWiz skin like on Samsung Galaxy S6/Note 5
• Screen 9.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (264 ppi), 4:3 geometry, automatic backlight control, maximum brightness outdoors for text readability (auto mode), additional screen settings modes
• Chipset Exynos 5433 (as in Note 4), 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz, MALI T760
• 3 GB RAM, 16 GB built-in, 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 5870 mAh battery, HD video playback time - up to 12 hours (maximum brightness), in games - about 6 hours
• Weight - 389/392 grams (Wi-Fi / LTE), dimensions - 169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm

Contents of delivery

• Tablet
• Charger with USB cable
• Instruction

Positioning

In many ways, this review will repeat what was written for the Tab S2 8 inches. The reason is the complete identity of the filling, but it would be wrong to make one material - the size and perception of these devices, battery size, screen size and operating time differ. Therefore, those who read the Tab S2 8-inch review can probably safely move on to the design section and then to the conclusions. But if you haven't read that material, then welcome and let's get started.

The Tab S line is Samsung's flagships, designed to compete directly with the iPad. The company has never hidden this, moreover, when introducing the first generation of Tab S in the US, they put up the iPad so that anyone can 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 iPad more technology and features for the price, to present the most technologically rich device. Not forgetting its convenience. In the Tab S2, history repeats itself completely with one difference - the tablet market has dipped dramatically over the past year, and this applies to all major manufacturers, including Apple. Therefore, Samsung focused on updating the line without introducing any new, sensational features. The task was to make flagship tablets that are comfortable in daily use, become the most powerful devices on the market in terms of performance (in the Android segment as a minimum), and at the same time offer high-quality cameras and good battery life.

The positioning of this device is typical for flagships - everything is without compromise, there are 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, overtook the market by 1.5-2 years. 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 definitely be among the options. And it will be one of the priority options.

Design, dimensions, controls

Externally, the tablet turned out to be different from the first Tab S: a different screen geometry, a 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 behind the plastic - the tablet is comfortable to hold in your hands, it does not slip.

The thickness of the tablet is 5.6 mm, the same in the younger model. But due to the size, this tablet can no longer be put in your pocket, you can only carry it in a bag. And this is typical for such devices, pockets for 10-inch tablets have not yet been invented, if you do not take into account clothes specially designed for them.

Weight - 389/392 grams (Wi-Fi / LTE), dimensions - 169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm. Compared to the same iPad Air, it is noticeably lighter, this is the merit of the very plastic that someone dislikes, while someone, on the contrary, considers it a good material.

The back wall is made of soft-touch plastic, it almost does not get 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, they may seem superfluous to someone, like me, I don’t wear cases on tablets, preferring to wear them like that.

On the bottom end you can see two speakers, this is not a snag, there are physically two of them, and they sound loud enough. The location of the speakers on one side of the case is not indisputable, I would like them to be blown apart. But the sound in most situations does not suffer, 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 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 a regular phone, with or without a headset.

On the left side are a paired volume rocker, a power button, a little lower - a slot for a nanoSIM card (the choice of such a card format is surprising and doubtful), as well as a slot for memory cards.

On the front panel under the screen, exactly in the middle, there is a physical key, on the sides there are two touch keys. Due to the size, working with the keys is not very convenient, noticeably worse than on the Tab S2 8, but there are no problems.

The build quality of the device is five plus, there are no problems. The disadvantages include the fact that, due to the thickness of the model, I had to sacrifice the usual Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating, there is a “lightweight” version with a thinner outer layer. As a result, the screen is quickly covered with small scratches. You can see them only in the off state, of course, it is impossible to feel them with your fingers.

The tablet can be purchased 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 had in the review.

Screen

In order to understand how high-quality the screen in the Tab S2 is, you need to look at it in life. This is perhaps the best tablet screen that exists today. Here are its specifications: 9.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (264 dpi), 4:3 geometry. Now let's talk about what he can do in practice.

In the sun, this is one of the best screens, in the settings you need to set automatic brightness control, then the maximum brightness of the backlight will double from the standard one when the tablet realizes that it is outside. Under direct sunlight, the picture remained fully readable, there was no need to look for a shadow.

Now let's talk about what SuperAMOLED is criticized for, saying that it has too bright colors. In the settings, you can choose one of five operating modes (adaptive is the default, AMOLED Movie, AMOLED Photo, Basic, Reader).

In principle, it is worth stopping at the adaptive mode, it perfectly adjusts the image to the displayed content, plus it handles external lighting conditions. That is, the adaptive mode will turn on the settings for reading itself, realizing that you are reading a book or a page in the browser.

But if you do not want to trust this mode, then 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, in the same iPad, the ability to adjust the font size has only recently appeared, and nothing like the technology described simply exists. You cannot select a screen color temperature on the iPad. Someone can quite rightly say that this is not necessary on the iPad. Perhaps that is the case for you. Most likely, you just haven't seen what a quality screen is, and therefore continue to consider the iPad's faded 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 Tab S, then in the second version it became amazing. Good, clean 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 black bars right there, like on the iPad. But, on the other hand, the quality of the picture covers everything. This is a tablet with the best screen on the market, which even the ardent critics of all Samsung products admit (grudgingly or through gritted teeth).

Battery

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 5870 mAh (only 4000 mAh in the 8-inch model). Given that it uses an energy-efficient chipset and a new version of the screen, which consumes less than in previous models, the operating time in different modes has increased.

For example, when playing video in HD resolution (MX Player, hardware acceleration, AVI, maximum brightness), the operating time is almost 12 hours (half an hour less than the younger model). If you enable automatic backlight adjustment or reduce the brightness, then the operating time will increase to 13-14 hours. This is noticeably more than any tablet in this class. And if we take into account the weight and dimensions of the tablet, then we can consider it a kind of record.

When using a SIM card in a tablet, when you call and write SMS, everything is not so rosy. It will last a day or more with an average load (2 hours of screen, about an hour of calls). The cellular module eats up the battery quickly enough. If we limit ourselves to data transfer, then everything will be typical for such devices, comparable to the same iPad - about 7-8 hours of work.

In games, you can achieve a maximum of 7-7.5 hours of work, depending 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 to maximize battery life then don't use Chrome, Samsung's browser is much more energy efficient. The difference in operating time will be almost twice! As for me, Google urgently needs to do something with 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 the performance of the processor, turn off the backlight of the touch keys, degrade the animation, and so on. Unfortunately, in this mode, you cannot select individual items, only enable them all at once. From the pleasant - you can set the automatic inclusion of this mode when the battery is discharged to a certain level (5, 15, 20, 50%).

In maximum power saving mode, the display turns gray and background data transfer is limited. This mode is unique from other companies and is directly related to the capabilities of the display.

The full battery charging time is about 4.5 hours (2A), fast charging mode, unlike the same Note 4, is not supported. In total, the Tab S2 is optimal in terms of operating time, if you keep in mind its capabilities and performance.

Memory, memory cards, performance

The tablet uses the same processor that we saw in Note 4 - Exynos 5433. This processor was far 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 in which the screen resolution is lower than in the same Note 4, they decided to use it. Many expected that this would be a new generation of processor, but there is simply no need for it - it could only be needed when using high-resolution screens. The technical characteristics of the processor are as follows: 4 cores 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 amount of internal 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 the applications stored on the card will work just as fast. There are versions of the tablet with 64 GB of internal memory, they will not be delivered 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 options

Samsung is consistently refusing 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, it is not here. As well as the tablet lost support for NFC, which is doubly disappointing, 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 not support Samsung Pay (there is no separate chip for crypto-protection of transactions), but it is pointless to worry about this, since the technology is focused only on the US market in 2015. Using a tablet for payments in the absence of NFC is possible only in the old fashioned way.

Other strengths of Samsung tablets remain here. The antenna for Wi-Fi is dual-band, operates at 2.4 / 5 GHz, 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, traditionally there is Wi-Fi Direct. Version Blue-tooth 4.1.

Support for GPS / GLONASS is implemented well, as a device for navigation, the tablet turned out to be successful. BMW chose him as the standard navigator for their 7 Series.

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

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

Camera

If you 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 - 8 megapixels. But unlike the Tab S, the main camera doesn't have an LED flash. The front camera has become more aperture, as well as the main camera (f = 1.9 versus 2.4 in Tab S).

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

Galaxy Tab S2	iPad Mini

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

Now I want to dwell on one of the chips directly related to the camera and tablet performance. The Samsung app store has a 3D Capture program that allows you to capture 3D images of objects. Press shoot, walk slowly around a stationary object, preferably at the same distance, and in a minute you have a model in front of you that you can twist as you like, export to other programs for editing three-dimensional pictures (file format .OBJ and also .MTL). The built-in editor allows you to clean up the image, remove the background, select individual zones, and it is quite advanced, covering all the possibilities that are needed. For the majority, this program will become a kind of toy, but someone will find it the right use.

With my hands, I managed to make a three-dimensional picture of bread on a plate, it was like a kind of miracle. He immediately twisted the picture, showed his friends what happened. I tried to position the tablet motionless and rotate the plate, the shooting did not happen - the tablet requires that it be rotated around the object.

I have always been amazed by such technologies that are becoming commonplace - ten years ago it was impossible to think that something like this would be in a mass device. This is what can be called high technology, and they are becoming publicly available. This tablet is a cheap way to get 3D models. Of course, here the question arises in their detail, quality. But for the mass consumer, this will definitely be the first encounter with such technology and the possibility of using it.

In no case, you should not assume that 3D shooting will be a feature that will draw 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 dozens of programs for iPad and Android that render 3D objects in .OBJ, but none of them is popular (perhaps they are all niche?), and the quality of the resulting files is not very good by description. I do not presume to judge this, for sure among the readers there will be those who played with such programs and can evaluate their quality better.

Software Features

The model comes with Android 5.0.2, and will be updated to 5.1.1 soon. Inside is a lightweight TouchWiz that is completely or almost completely identical to what we see on the Galaxy S6. In the review of this phone, I analyzed in great detail all the pros and cons of such a solution, dwelling on all the little things. You can read about it in the review text here /review/samsung-galaxy-s6.shtml#s10.

Or watch the video on the Galaxy S6 as an example.

As with other flagship devices, you are offered free services and apps, such as Microsoft's OneDrive, which gives you 100 GB of cloud storage when you sign up. 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 is not supported out of the box due to patent disputes, just install MX Player and everything will work).

I like the fact that you can upload any files to 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.

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

The fingerprint sensor works by touch, there are no problems.

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

There are a lot of such small chips in the system, each of them does not mean anything, but all together they make the device convenient. For the LTE version, nanoSIM and voice calls are supported, as well as SMS, unlike the same iPad, where a SIM card is only needed for data transfer.

Love or hate TouchWiz, but the shell greatly complements the standard An-droid, bringing in handy features, there are plenty of them.

Accessories for Tab S2

A standard set of accessories is available for the tablet, 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 a cover in which the keyboard is built in, it is fastened to the magnets on the back surface. This accessory is not available for the 8-inch model, only for a tablet with a large diagonal, which will seem like enough reason for someone to choose it.

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

Finally, you can purchase the docking station MT800, which has remained unchanged from 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.

Impressions

The key point when choosing between the two diagonals of the Tab S2 is not the performance or screen quality, they are comparable, but the size of the device and how you plan to wear it. If you often use a bag, then the older model will be more interesting. If you need a mobile device in the full sense of the word, then look at the younger model.

The Tab S2 competes in Russia with the first generation of this tablet, primarily due to the fact that the old prices remain on it. However, let's compare. The price of the Wi-Fi version is about 23 thousand rubles (there are almost none, they are over), the LTE version is about 25,000 rubles. Of the minuses - a smaller amount of internal memory (16 GB versus 32 GB), the old version of the OS, without updating to 5.1.1 in the near future, a slightly worse screen with fewer operating modes. The operating time in the first Tab S is slightly lower, but noticeably higher than that of all devices in this class. This line has become a kind of champion in terms of survivability thanks to the technical solutions that the manufacturer uses.

The price for the Wi-Fi version of the 32 GB Tab S2 (SM-T810) is 34,990 rubles, for the 32 GB LTE version (SM-T715) – 39,990 rubles. The difference is simply striking, and the appeal of the first generation Tab S is higher from all points of view. You lose almost nothing by purchasing the previous model, but the savings are noticeable, enough for one or two devices below the class.

Apple's direct competitor to the Tab S2 9.7 is the Apple iPad Air, which is larger and heavier and has a slightly shorter operating time in different modes. Of the benefits - a metal case. The cost of the Wi-Fi version for 16 GB is from 27 thousand rubles, for LTE you will have to pay about 32 thousand. In every sense, the iPad Air 2 is a competitor to the old Tab S, they were created at the same time. The new Tab S2 is better in every way - hardware, screen, and so on, it's just different generations of devices.

In the Android tablet market, you can look at large tablets from Sony, such as the Xperia Z4 Tablet (LTE). But the cost of this tablet is 46,990 rubles! What is completely beyond my understanding, he has no sales. But this is a Tab S2-level model that has the advantage of being water-resistant, has a glass body, and is inferior in other respects.

As you can see, new devices that enter the market from large companies have a very peculiar pricing, you will have to get used to it. With the release of new iPads, you will have to forget about the old prices completely. But while there are still models from the previous season, it's worth looking at them, it will be a bargain. But the time for this is rapidly running out. This is such a paradoxical conclusion when describing the new flagship from Samsung, a good tablet, even an excellent one, but expensive. Price is the only major downside.

A tablet is a reasonable compromise between a smartphone and a full-fledged laptop. The big screen makes it easy to watch movies, and the powerful hardware allows you to play the latest mobile games. In addition, models with LTE modules will provide stable high-speed Internet almost anywhere. And if you wish, you can also connect a keyboard to make it more convenient to work with texts.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S series of tablets is the flagship, which means that it presents the most productive and reliable devices. In 2016, the company updated the lineup by releasing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 in two sizes - with a screen diagonal of 8 and 9.7 inches. Today we are talking about a larger modification - Samsung SM-T819 Galaxy Tab S2 (2016) with LTE support and 32 GB of internal memory on board.

Releasing the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, the manufacturer decided not to reinvent the wheel – the design remained virtually unchanged. The case is made of matte plastic with soft-touch effect, the corners are rounded, the screen is covered with tempered protective glass. An innovation is a metal frame: it looks stylish and increases strength. There are two colors to choose from - black and gold.

At the top of the front panel of the tablet is the Samsung logo, above which is the speaker slot, as well as the front camera and light sensor. Below is an oval physical home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner, as well as two touch buttons (Back and Applications) on the sides of it.

On the rear panel, the main camera is located at the top, and closer to the left edge are small round legs that prevent slipping. On the right side there is a volume rocker and a power button. By the way, the edges are gracefully bevelled - this allows you to more confidently hold a 9.7-inch tablet and more convenient to press the buttons.

- a tablet, in all respects optimized for the Internet. Scientists have found that a person perceives information best on a page with an aspect ratio of 4:3, so Samsung designers chose this aspect ratio for a series of tablets.

The screen matrix is ​​traditionally Super AMOLED: Samsung's proprietary development is getting brighter every year, the colors are richer, the contrast is higher, so the picture looks as realistic as possible. The absence of an air gap between the matrix and the glass provides wide viewing angles - 178 degrees horizontally and vertically, which is very convenient for working together or relaxing on the couch.

The margin of brightness is good - in direct sunlight you can read small text from the screen without straining your eyes. And in low light conditions, the tablet will automatically reduce the brightness to make you comfortable. By the way, you can choose one of several color ranges for different conditions - games, movies, reading, photos. There is also an adaptive mode - it adjusts the brightness of the display to the active application.

The resolution of the 9.7-inch screen is 2048x1536 pixels, there is no graininess, so the picture looks solid. The sensor is very responsive in any conditions, it perceives even weak pressures - and this is one of the key differences between Samsung tablets and the Chinese “noname”.

The bezel of the tablet's screen is relatively wide, but you can't call it a disadvantage. On the contrary: it is convenient to hold the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (2016) 9.7 LTE in your hands, there are no accidental touches on the edges, which is very important in dynamic games. The protective glass has an oleophobic coating - fingerprints and other contaminants remain, but are very easy to erase.

Chipset and Memory

The tablet is based on an 8-core 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor. It includes two quad-core bundles: Cortex-A72 with a frequency of 1.8 GHz and Cortex-A53 with a frequency of 1.2 GHz. In addition, the chipset integrates the Adreno 510 graphics core, X8 LTE modules, dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1. Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0 is supported at the processor level.

In combination with 3 GB of memory, the chipset demonstrates high results in games. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (2016) 9.7 LTE runs Asphalt 8 with ease and runs at maximum settings, you can play Need For Speed: No Limits without dropping frames, other resource-demanding applications also work flawlessly.

The permanent memory in the tablet is 32 GB, of which 25.2 GB is available to the user. There is also a microSD card slot, supports media up to 128 GB.

The resolution of the main camera of the tablet is 8 MP, and it can shoot video in Full HD quality at up to 30 frames per second. The lens is fast (f / 1.9), so there are no special problems with shooting indoors or in the evening on the street. And in the daytime and in well-lit rooms, the photos are simply excellent. True, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 LTE does not have a flash, but, objectively speaking, a tablet is not a device that is convenient for constantly taking pictures quickly.

The resolution of the front camera is 2.1 MP, which is more than enough for Skype and other video chats, however, you will have to try hard for selfies.

The tablet supports Russian LTE networks and voice communication. If your main phone is dead, you can call from your tablet. If you have a headset (wired or Bluetooth), Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (2016) 9.7 LTE may well replace the phone. Without it, of course, constantly calling and talking on the tablet is not so convenient.

Battery

The battery capacity of the tablet is 5870 mAh. Is it a lot or a little? From one charge on the tablet, you can watch videos for up to 12 hours or surf the Internet for up to 8 hours, and listen to music for more than 4 days continuously. Decent score! By the way, the battery is non-removable.

Connectors and sensors

The set of connectors Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 LTE is standard - a 3.5 mm port for headphones and microUSB for charging. There is no NFC module for contactless payments, but in Russia this technology is just beginning to be used.

GPS and GLONASS are supported, the tablet finds satellites quickly enough, so it can be used as a navigator. There is a Hall sensor - you can use the cover, which, when opened, unlocks the screen.

Software

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (2016) 9.7 LTE comes with fresh Android 6.0 and MS Office suite. The operating system allows you to work with two applications at the same time - for example, watch a movie and discuss it with friends in a messenger or edit two documents in different programs in parallel.

In the summer of 2015, Samsung introduced a new top-end tablet - SamsungGalaxyTabS2 , which is available in two versions: with a 9.7-inch and 8.0-inch Super AMOLED screen. Given its flagship status, the device has received an impressive display, advanced hardware configuration for high functionality and multitasking, as well as an elegant, thin and ergonomic body, made in the corporate style. That is, the novelty is perfect for work and entertainment.

How successful the device turned out to be - read in our review. And for starters, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the technical characteristics of the novelty:

Manufacturer and model	Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T710NZKESEK)
CPU	Samsung Exynos 5433 (4 x Cortex-A57 @ 1.9 GHz + 4 x Cortex-A53 @ 1.3 GHz)
Graphics adapter	ARM Mali-T760 MP6
	Super AMOLED, 8", Quad HD (2048 x 1536, 320 ppi), multi-touch (up to 10 touches), protective glass
RAM
Persistent memory
card reader	microSD (up to 128 GB)
SIM card slot
Interfaces	1x micro USB 2.0 1 x 3.5mm audio
Multimedia	Acoustics
	Microphone
	Main	8 MP (f/1.9), autofocus, 1440p video recording
	Frontal	2.1 MP (f/2.0), 1080p video recording
Networking	Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz, VHT80 MIMO), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, GLONASS, Wi-Fi Direct, MHL, ANT+
	Screen rotation sensor, fingerprint scanner, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, RGB sensor
Battery	Lithium polymer, non-replaceable 4000 mAh
Charger	Input: 100~240V AC e.g. at 50/60 Hz Output: 5V DC e.g. 2 A
	198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6mm
	Black/White/Gold
Operating system	Android 5.0.2 Lollipop + TouchWiz 4.0
Official guarantee	12 months
Products webpage	Device page

Appearance, arrangement of elements

DesignSamsung Galaxy Tab S2 is an excellent example of rigor and style, which successfully emphasizes the status and high cost of the device. The novelty looks like an improved and heavily modified version of the first generation Samsung Tab S. The list of changes includes: the aspect ratio is now 4:3 (instead of 16:9 widescreen); additional bevels appeared on the side faces from the back; the base of the body has become metal (as evidenced by the chrome chamfer along the contour of the sidewalls); the front panel is covered with tempered glass with a high-quality oleophobic layer, and the back panel is made of practical soft-touch plastic (instead of a matte panel with a dotted texture).

Due to the almost square shape of the body, the tablet is great for working with documents and surfing the Internet, but less optimized for watching widescreen video. In terms of weight and dimensions, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (265 g and 198.6 x 134.8 x 5.6 mm) confidently outperforms the Apple iPad mini 4 (298.8 g and 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm). The device is light and thin - it is very comfortable to hold on weight (the grip is confident, accidental pressing on the screen is excluded), thanks to modest bezels around the display (6.4 mm on the side, 18 mm on top and bottom).

The arrangement of functional elements is standard and quite successful: light sensor, front camera, mechanical button "Home" and touch "Back" and "Menu" - on the front panel; tray for microSD cards, power key with volume rocker - on the right side; stereo speakers, micro-USB port and 3.5 mm audio port - on the lower sidewall; microphone - on the top; the lens of the main camera and the slots for fixing the tablet in a branded case are on the back panel.

The home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner deserves special attention. Here it is the same as in the top smartphone - very fast (it takes a fraction of a second) and almost always recognizes a print at the slightest touch.

The build quality and the level of rigidity of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 do not cause any remarks. All structural elements are fitted very tightly, and nothing creaks or is pressed through during operation.

Display

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 uses a proprietary 8-inch (there are versions with 9.7-inch) Super AMOLED touchscreen display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels (320 ppi). This is quite enough to display a detailed and clear picture. The subpixels are arranged according to the usual PenTile scheme, which can only be seen in direct comparison with IPS matrices. As a result, the white color has a slightly greenish tint, which is absolutely not noticeable in everyday use.

In general, the screen is characterized by incredible contrast, rich colors and maximum viewing angles.

There is an opportunity to customize the picture to your taste. Several preset profiles are available: Adaptive Screen, AMOLED Cinema, AMOLED Photo, and Basic. Fans of bright, realistic or calmer shades will have plenty to choose from.

The brightness adjustment range is sufficient for comfortable work on a sunny day or in complete darkness. Multi-touch technology correctly and timely processes up to 10 simultaneous touches.

Audio subsystem

The novelty is equipped with stereo speakers that provide quite loud and very high-quality sound with a good frequency range (there is even slight bass) and a high degree of detail, including at maximum volume. In horizontal orientation, the speakers almost do not overlap.

The sound in headphones from third-party manufacturers (gaming and vacuum Vivanco HS 200 WT) is simply excellent in any situation. There is a good volume margin.

The proprietary player has excellent functionality. In addition to ready-made profiles and manual equalizer settings, SoundAlive + and Tube Amp effects are available in it, which allow you to optimize the sound for any headphones.

Camera

The tested model boasts two cameras: the main one (8-megapixel CMOS module with f/1.9 aperture and autofocus) and the front (2.1-megapixel CMOS module with f/2.0 aperture and fixed focus). The former can shoot video at 1440p (1080p with ESI), and the latter at 1080p at 30 fps.

Traditionally for Samsung, both cameras shoot very decently, especially video. Of course, it’s far from the level of flagship smartphones, but for the tablet class it’s very good. The created photo and video materials have good color reproduction, contrast and sufficient sharpness, as well as wide viewing angles. The HDR mode is also well implemented. An unimportant result can be expected only with insufficient lighting. It is worth noting that on the tablet screen, photos and videos look more impressive and interesting than on a PC, due to the features of the display used. In any case, you will not be ashamed of the received photos.

The proprietary camera software is identical to that used in flagship smartphones. It offers extensive customization options and additional functionality by downloading widgets.

Examples of photo and video shooting

An example of daytime shooting from a tabletSamsung Galaxy Tab S2 in 2560 x 1440 resolution at 30 fps

User interface

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is running Android 5.0.2 Lollipop, which is complemented by a proprietary shell TouchWiz 4.0. In general, everything is almost identical: nice appearance (close to stock Android) and high functionality. The tablet is immediately ready to work with both multimedia and office files thanks to pre-installed software.

There are traditional functions: "Split window mode" (work with two applications at the same time); Briefing news aggregator (can be disabled); multifunctional "Smart Manager" (antivirus, energy saving, optimization of operational and permanent memory); support for multiple profiles, etc.

The settings menu has a large number of items. It gives access to almost all the functions and parameters of the novelty. There is the ability to edit the quick settings tab (9 items) and the search for the necessary menu settings by name is implemented.

The shell works quickly and smoothly - no problems were noticed during testing.

Performance and connectivity

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is based on a high-performance processor of its own production - Samsung Exynos 5433, based on the ARM big.LITTLE design. It combines 4 high-performance ARM Cortex-A57 cores with an operating frequency of up to 1.9 GHz and 4 energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A53 cores (up to 1.3 GHz). The ARM Mali-T760 MP6 is responsible for the graphics. The amount of LPDDR3 RAM is 3 GB, and the permanent memory is 32 GB (10.65 GB is available to the user). You can expand this space with microSD memory cards (up to 128 GB). This platform supports OTG mode, which allows you to connect an external USB drive or peripherals.

As expected, the tablet demonstrates excellent performance. There are more than enough opportunities for any basic tasks, working with two applications, surfing the net, watching videos (including 4K Ultra HD), as well as running the most demanding modern games. However, it all depends on the optimization of a particular game for a given hardware platform. For example, WoT Blitz, Unkilled, Modern Combat 5 and GTA San Andreas work without any problems and very smoothly at high graphics settings and in native resolution. But Asphalt 8: Airborne is clearly displayed in a lower resolution than the screen allows - ladders are visible to the eye and strange jerks sometimes appear. During prolonged use, the tablet body becomes only slightly warm.

The built-in video player has support for all modern audio and video formats, as evidenced by the results of the AnTuTu Video Tester benchmark.

The tested model Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T710NZKESEK) does not support the radio module, but it is available in the SM-T715NZKESEK modification. Communication modules are represented by dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, MHL and ANT+.

Searching for Wi-Fi points and connecting to them is fast, and the established connection has the necessary stability and high data exchange speed.

The global geopositioning navigation module supports GPS and GLONASS satellite systems. Cold start takes a matter of seconds.

Offline work

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is powered by a non-replaceable 4000 mAh lithium polymer battery. Under moderate load with 50% display brightness, it will last up to two days of battery life.

As a result of watching HD-video (MPEG-4 / AVC, MKV container, stream 4 Mbps) at 50% display brightness with enabled Wi-Fi and GPS modules, the device was discharged in 12 hours. A game simulation using Asphalt 8: Airborne at 100% display brightness with Wi-Fi and GPS turned on ran out of battery power in 5 hours.

Testing autonomy using the popular PCMark benchmark (text editing, viewing video content, processing photos, etc.) showed a result of 7 hours at 50% display brightness. The estimated operating time of the novelty according to the GFXBench benchmark is 300 minutes.

The charging time from the power supply (5 V at 1.2 A) took approximately 3.5 hours. It was not possible to check the charging from the native PSU due to its banal absence.

Results

SamsungGalaxyTabS2 can be called a business-class car among tablets - a presentable appearance, high computing power and comfort in operation. As usual for a Korean manufacturer, we have one of the most interesting devices on the market. The device combines a record-breaking thin body using high-quality materials, a wonderful Super AMOLED display with high detail and rich colors, good sound quality, a productive and energy-efficient hardware platform for performing any mobile tasks, good photographic capabilities of both camera modules and wide communication capabilities. Do not forget about the updated TouchWiz proprietary shell, which has retained high functionality, but has become less overloaded compared to previous versions.

The features of the device include non-standard display proportions (4:3), which is great for working with documents and surfing the Internet, but less optimized for watching widescreen video. You should also remember about the existence of tablet modifications with a radio module and a 9.7-inch screen.

All in all, if you're looking for a decent alternative to the Apple iPad mini among Android tablets, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 won't hit you in the face.

Advantages:

• stylish appearance;
• high-quality body assembly;
• Fingerprint's scanner;
• wonderful Super AMOLED display with protective glass and oleophobic coating;
• good sound quality built-in stereo speakers;
• high performance and good energy efficiency of the hardware platform;
• quality digital camera modules;
• the presence of Bluetooth 4.1, MHL, ANT + and two-band Wi-Fi with support for the 802.11ac standard;

Samsung has officially announced successors to the Galaxy Tab S line of tablets, although there have been so many leaks that we knew back in May what the new tablets would look like and what specs they would have. And now, a year after the appearance of the original tablets, we were presented with the Galaxy Tab S2, which will be on sale from the end of August.

However, how are the Galaxy Tab S2 series tablets different from the Galaxy Tab S? We offer a detailed comparison of tablets below to understand exactly what is the difference between the two generations of tablets with Super AMOLED screens.

Galaxy Tab S2 thinner and lighter

Tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 are presented in two versions, like Tab S, but the sizes are completely different. The Tab S2 will be available in 8-inch and 9.7-inch versions, while the Tab S came in 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch versions last year.

In terms of numbers, it's clear that the Tab S is smaller at 134.8 x 198.6mm (8-inch version) and 169 x 237.3mm (9.7-inch version), while being 5.6mm thick. Samsung claims that these are the thinnest tablets.

The original Galaxy Tab S measured 125.6 x 212.8mm (8.4-inch version) and 177.3 x 247.3mm. This means that the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 is much wider, but not as long as the original Tab S. By the way, last year's Tab S is 6.6mm thick.

In terms of tablet weight, the Tab S2 8.0 weighs 265g and the Tab S2 9.7 weighs 389g, meaning they are lighter than their predecessors: the Tab S 8.4 is 294g and the Tab S 10.5 is 465g. By the way, the new models also received a fingerprint scanner.

The color of the tablets is the same - these are the standard models of black and white, but last year the Tab S also appeared in versions of Dazzling White (Dazzling white) and Titanium Bronze (Titanium bronze). The new models have a smooth back, while last year's Tab S has a textured back.

Galaxy Tab S has a sharper display but a different aspect ratio

Both Galaxy Tab S2 models also have Super AMOLED displays with the same resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is smaller than the resolution of the Galaxy Tab S screens of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

The 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 has a pixel density of 320ppi, while the 9.7-inch model has 264ppi. This is less than the original Galaxy Tab S tablets - 359ppi and 287ppi for 8.4- and 10.5-inch models, respectively.

In addition to the deterioration in resolution, we see the biggest change - the proportions of the sides have become different. Instead of sticking to the standard 16:9 or 16:10 for itself, which was always the case in previous tablets, the new Tab S2 received screens with a 4:3 ratio, that is, this is in line with Apple's iPad tablets.

This means that although the screen resolution has become worse, the new tablets will still be better for reading books and surfing the web. The downside of these changes is the problem of watching movies - in landscape mode there will still be black bars at the top and bottom of the image.

The same cameras, but without flash

Cameras aren't as important on tablets as they are on smartphones, but they're still worth talking about. The Galaxy Tab S2 has an 8-megapixel autofocus main camera and a 2.1-megapixel front camera. Galaxy Tab S tablets also have the same cameras, but with LED flashes additionally, which is more convenient.

More storage in the Galaxy Tab 2, but less battery capacity

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Tab S2 received an eight-core processor - 4 x 1.3GHz and 4 x 1.9GHz, but the processor model itself is not indicated (although it looks like it is Exynos 5433), as well as 3GB of RAM and 32/64 GB memory with MicroSD support (up to 128GB).

Galaxy Tab S tablets also have an octa-core processor - 4 x 1.9GHz and 4 x 1.3GHz, and also with 3GB of RAM. However, they have less internal memory - 16GB is minimal, but still with support for MicroSD cards up to 128GB.

The Galaxy Tab S2 tablets have noticeably less battery capacity: the 8-inch version has a 4000 mAh battery, and the 9.7-inch version has a 5870 mAh battery. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 has a 4900 mAh battery and the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 has a 7900 mAh battery, so the difference isn't just obvious. She is huge.

Same software

The Galaxy Tab S2 tablets will ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is the same version that was installed on last year's Galaxy Tab S models. Whatever Samsung says, it's unlikely we'll notice too much of a difference in interface performance.

The Galaxy Tab S2 also comes with Microsoft Office Solutions preinstalled and two years of free OneDrive cloud storage.

conclusions

Interestingly, even though the Galaxy Tab S2 tablets should be more advanced, they are practically no better than last year's Galaxy Tab S models. In some cases, in our comparison, the 2014 tablets are clearly better.

The Galaxy Tab S2 is thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Tab S, but it also has smaller screens and smaller batteries. The cameras in the tablets are also the same, but the Tab S has an additional LED flash.

In new models, the display resolution has become noticeably worse, but the aspect ratio has changed - instead of 16:9 (16:10), we got 4:3. The Tab S2 also increased the amount of internal memory in the base model - at least 32GB. The rest of the specifications seem to be the same, including the processor.