With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S the South Korean company is launching a new flagship of the tablets, in which the end user in two sizes – must decide – 8.4 inches and 10.5 inches. It also runs Android 4.4.2 with Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface. In contrast to the old Samsung tablets, which, with a few exceptions such as the estimated Galaxy Note 10.1, their expectations were not consistently reflected in, you do with the Galaxy Tab S now, especially thanks to the impressive display, a great leap forward.
Design
really innovative design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S is not, but it lines up again in the known tablet models Samsung. It continues to have the home button and capacitive buttons are off screen, the menu has been replaced by multi-task. The Galaxy Tab S has almost the same back as the Galaxy S5 consisting of plastic with indicated perforation.
[Left: Nexus 7, 2013, Right: Galaxy Tab S 8.4]
display
Nevertheless, some improvements took place. The edge is, for example, very thin, which Samsung could grab larger displays on the tablet, without exception, from 10.5 to become too great for ordinary hands. This is also underscored the limited 6.6 millimeters, which measures the Galaxy Tab S in its thickness or thinness. Thus, the tablet is between the slightly thinner Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and the iPad Air The two Samsung tablets are of course not only thin, but also easy. The 8.4-inch model weighs 298 grams, the 10.5-inch version 465 grams.
Much more important than tenths of a millimeter and two or three grams, however, are the displays of the new Samsung tablet. Here sat the Koreans for the first time since the Galaxy Tab 7.7 in Super AMOLED display with a resolution of WQXGA 2,560 times 1,600 pixels. This gives the Galaxy Tab S better contrast (100,000:1, that is 100 times higher than LCDs) and color accuracy over the competition. In order to make the resolution comparable: the 8.4-inch model comes at a pixel density of 359 ppi, the 10.5-inch tablet at 288 ppi. That’s a really neat resolution for this screen size. The iPad Mini, however, reached 324 ppi, and the iPad Air 264 ppi.
camera, ports and more
Otherwise, the Galaxy Tab S adds largely to the expectations. Verso filming and photographing with an 8-megapixel camera with LED flash and creates full-HD video recording, front camera 2.1 megapixels on the triggers. On the connectivity options include a microSD card slot, a microUSB port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and an infrared interface to use the tablet as a remote control for televisions or similar products.
In addition, also found the fingerprint scanner in the home button that is known from the Samsung Galaxy S 5, S Tab in use. Sit on the sides of the tablet stereo speakers that you would normally not be covered if you hold the Galaxy Tab S in landscape mode.
Cover
Currently there are two different covers for the Galaxy Tab S available. A thinner, lighter, mainly protects the screen as well as a larger, covering both sides. A Bluetooth keyboard there will be also.
Previously integrated to its Samsung Case by took off the back and a new, together with the envelope, einbaute again. Now the back has forward outset two small buttons, in which one pushes the cover. Anyone At length not a cover, will subsequently have two useless buttons at the back – and still determined gladly and constantly press on it. For mobile devices, we are finally almost all the obsessional neurotic.
[Above: Nexus 7, 2013, Bottom: S Galaxy Tab 8.4 inch]
screen coronation
Back to display the true The main attraction of the Galaxy Tab S. It is simply the best and most beautiful display that you currently find on a tablet – overwhelming. The black is thanks to the Super AMOLED wonderfully powerful and deep, the image is bright enough for outdoor use, although it is not the allerhellste display – but almost
The colors cover a very wide color gamut and scream like from a. fantastic world in the enthusiastic eyes of each viewer. Not to mention the resolution. With this display, Samsung is actually a new benchmark.
feel
The Galaxy Tab S lies well in the hand, although the smaller 8.4-inch model will of course be kept more comfortable can. If you already have that, compared to the pictures, Nexus had 7 (2013), the 8.4-inch Tab S likely than lighter feel, although it is actually little seven grams heavier. Since the Galaxy Tab S but is larger, the already low and well balanced weight distributed better.
The 10.5-inch model is also comfortable to hold, but not quite as impressive as the lightweight Sony Xperia Z2 tablet that weighs only 440 grams.
Sound
When sound is lagging somewhat behind the Galaxy Tab S. Even if the two speakers, as already mentioned, are not so easily concealed, can provide quality items yet to be desired. The unfortunately somewhat thin and tinny sound might like something more convincing and powerful creep. Since even a big gap between picture and sound, but not so bad, the sound finally gets a pinch on headphones pure.
operating system and performance
Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface is similar to the existing Android concerning appearance and behavior significantly more. This is in our opinion the best ever Android Skin by Samsung. Despite all this, on the part of all performance weaknesses have still not been eliminated. The switch between the home screens and the app drawer is still something on stuttering and limp, although the in-house CPU actually can afford better. To see that is in third-party apps. In contrast, however, is that the lag is less than ever before. Interfere seriously thinking will probably hardly anyone.
Apps
Of course, Samsung has once again packed a whole lot of software in its devices. This includes, for example, “Adaptive Display”, which recognizes what you are viewing and the screen adjusts immediately to it. That is, your Tab S detects if you are reading something on a completely white page and adjusted then the white balance to not very to strain the eyes.
In addition, provide GalaxyGifts and Galaxy Essentials with a free year GoGo In-Flight, which provides internet in many aircraft. A trial subscription to the NY Times, Bloomberg and other media is also included. The fingerprint scanner seems to work way better in the Tab S, as in the Galaxy S5. But this can also be because you held the S5 with only one hand.
Preinstalled is also the new Milk Music. The intuitive and attentive designed application also supports the Internet radio service Slacker Radio. The free app is available on Galaxy devices even ad-free.
Other software efforts on the part of Samsung, however, seem less crowned with success. As usual crowded Samsung its devices with more or less superfluous and low-Apps. We include for example Samsung’s “browser”, which, like Chrome pre-installed, but significantly fewer features offers. The many panels that were seen on the home screens and cover all instances, possibly relevant information, are ultimately only small slices of Google Now, this is also preinstalled.
programs such as Side Sync connect your tablet with your Samsung mobile phone and forward calls as well as SMS on a Galaxy Tab S on. Would be nice, but really pay attention to when this feature would work with all Android smartphones.
battery
7,900 (10.5) and 4,900 mAh battery (8.4) made a solid impression, thanks to the economical big.LITTLE technology of the eight-core processor. According to Samsung, are up to eleven hours of video playback in 1080p, so full HD possible. This is probably true for both tablets, eventually, a larger screen and a larger battery in the permanent video playback same again.
Like
The screen
The thinness of the Tablets
Good performance in Apps
Intuitive software such as Milk Music
Dislike
fader Sound
Samsung TouchWiz
number of redundant apps
Little innovative design
Proud Price
price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S offers thanks mainly to his amazing displays great buying incentives. Expected to be at least 400 Euros for the 8.4 and 500 euros for the 10.5 are nevertheless a whole lot of money compared to the price of other top devices, such as the smaller Google Nexus 7 (2013), which is currently 180 euros in stores stands.
The two tablets will be available in early / mid July. During the year, a LTE version
Conclusion
is in both sizes appear at an additional cost of about 100 euros.
The blemishes of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S are largely manageable and partly affable, for example, the use of headphones or uninstalling unnecessary apps. In the end, remains a very powerful tablet with a simple design but the best display that can be found currently. Great, but not perfect. 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Gizrank
Technical Specifications
display : Super AMOLED display (2,560 times 1,600 pixels)
processor : Exynos 5 Octa-Core (5420) with ARM Big . LITTLE (four 1.9GHz Cortex-A15 cores for performance-intensive applications, and four 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 cores for less performance-intensive applications) / In some markets, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with 2.3 GHz
Memory : 3 GByte
Connections : Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac including MIMO and Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0 , UMTS, HSPA +, Glonass, infrared LED (LTE version in the course of the year)
operating system : Android 4.4.2 with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI
camera : 8 MP rear camera with LED flash and full HD video recording / 2.1 MP front camera
Internal Memory : 16 (optional 32 ) GB + microSD card slot for up to 128 GB
battery : 4,900 mAh (8.4) / 7.900 mAh (10.4)
connections : microUSB, microSD, 3.5 mm audio output
dimensions : 8.4: 213 x 125 x 6,6 mm / 10.5: 247 x 177 x 6.6 mm (H x W x D)
weight : 298 grams (8.4) / 465 grams (10.5)
colors : White and Bronze
[Via Gizmodo.com / Samsung / CNET.de, Photos: Gizmodo.com]