[Review] Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1

Samsung has started shipping its Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet from 13 May. The new Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 contests directly with Apple iPad . From the entry-level iPad, it is almost $100 cheaper. The $399.99 tablet is now center of interest for tablet buyers. Its special design will improve your entertainment on the road and at home. Through Galaxy Tab 2 10.1, you can watch thousand of movies music and TV shows. Its Smart Remote and built-in IR Blaster also gives you an option to control your TV from your tablet.

Hardware

The Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 has 1 GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage (till now highest), 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS. It also includes gyroscope, accelerometer, and digital compass support. Its speaker delivers quality sound and supports MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+WMA, RA etc.

Software

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is the second tablet after the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 which is shipping with Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0.3) installed. If you see its preloaded software you will be pleased.

Core apps: Contacts, Alarm/Clock, S Planner, Camera, Gallery, Photo Editor, Video Maker, Web Browser, My Files, Email, Calculator, World Clock, Task Manager, Music Player, Video Player, Navigation.
Google services: Google Search, Google Talk, Gmail, YouTube, Latitude, Places, Google Maps, Google +, Google + Messenger, Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Play Music, Google Play Videos.
Samsung apps: AllShare (DLNA), ChatON, S-Memo, Smart Remote.
Samsung Hub widgets: Media Hub, Game Hub, Music Hub, Readers Hub (Kobo, Zinio, NPD).
Additional apps and services: Amazon Kindle, Polaris Office, Dropbox, Netflix.

Performance

The Tab 2 10.1 is uses PLS (Plane to Line Switching) panel technology, and it runs with 1,280×800 pixel screen resolution, typical for most 10-inch tablets.

Tested spec	Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1	Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1	iPad 3
Maximum brightness (Super IPS)	380 cd/m2	336 cd/m2	455 cd/m2
Default brightness	213 cd/m2	336 cd/m2	160 cd/m2
Maximum black level (Super IPS)	0.39 cd/m2	0.30 cd/m2	0.49 cd/m2
Default black level	0.22 cd/m2	0.30 cd/m2	0.17 cd/m2
Default contrast ratio	974:1	1,120:1	941:1
Maximum contrast ratio (Super IPS)	968:1	1,120:1	928:1

Design

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (10.1) is pretty-silky. The tablet feels comfortable when you touch or catch it, but sometimes you may feel awkward because of its wide screen. From left to right there are a power/sleep button, a volume rocker, a 32GB capacity microSD slot, an IR blaster and a headphone jack. In addition, two 2-inch-long speakers stretched vertically along the left and right bezel. A dock connector and microphone pin-hole sits along the bottom edge.

	Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1	Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1	iPad 3
Weight in pounds	1.28	1.24	1.44
Height in inches	10.1	10.1	9.5
Width in inches	6.9	6.9	7.3
Depth in inches	0.38	0.34	0.37
Side bezel width in inches	0.74	0.8	–