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Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: the thinnest flagship tablet in the world. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: the world's thinnest flagship tablet Productivity and gaming

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 backlight adjustment, 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 4000 mAh battery, 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 the Tab S2, the story is completely repeated with one difference - the tablet market has dropped significantly 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 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 the 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 the 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 the 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 like a regular phone, with or 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, we had to sacrifice the usual Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating; 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. In direct sunlight, 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 quality of the picture covers 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 the fact that it uses an energy-efficient chipset and a new screen option that 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 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 nice thing is that you can set this mode to automatically turn on 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 has no analogues from other companies and is directly related to the capabilities of the display.


The full battery charging time is about 3.5 hours (2A); fast charging mode, unlike the 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. The technical characteristics of the processor 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 for 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 aimed only at the US market in 2015. You can only use a tablet for payments in the absence of NFC the old fashioned way.

Other strengths of Samsung tablets remain here: the Wi-Fi antenna is dual-band, works at 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, traditionally there is 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. The front camera has become faster, as well as 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. There is a 3D Capture program in the Samsung app store, it allows you to get three-dimensional images of 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 make 3D 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 you 100 GB of cloud storage upon registration. 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.

Bookmarks have appeared in the file manager, 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 up a wireless speaker as such, and there is no need to put my 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

There is a standard set of accessories 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 suitable only 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, you will have enough battery power until the evening; in my normal mode, the tablet worked for about 2 days, which is not bad (the iPad runs 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. The downsides are a smaller amount of internal memory (16 GB versus 32 GB), an older OS version, no update to 5.1.1 in the near future, a 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 the technical solutions 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, the new model has not been released, so we will have to compare it with the best offer that is now, this 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 26,990 and 35,990 rubles (Wi-Fi/LTE) in the official store. 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 models 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.

This is the flagship tablet of the Korean company. Compared to its older brother Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, the screen diagonal is reduced here, but the “filling” of the device remains the same. So this is an ideal option for those who want a premium tablet with a compact screen.

A fingerprint scanner will not only allow you to unlock your device with a light touch, but also protect it. Using your fingerprint, you can even restrict access to individual applications and accounts, thereby increasing the security of your personal data.


Enjoy the image on Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T710N 32Gb Wi-Fi Black A rich and bright 8-inch Super AMOLED screen will allow you. It has a QXGA resolution, that is, 2048 x 1536 pixels. The 4:3 display height-to-width ratio, combined with a lightweight and thin body, allows you to carry your tablet with you anywhere. And thanks to the improved multitasking mode, you no longer have to constantly minimize applications. You can use the browser and work with text files at the same time, simply by dividing the screen into two parts, and you determine the size of these parts yourself.


With 3 GB of RAM, paired with an eight-core processor, four high-performance cores operating at 1.9 GHz and four at 1.3 GHz, you don’t have to worry about the smooth operation of the interface and applications. During everyday tasks, maximum performance is not used, allowing you to use battery power more economically, which, with a capacity of 4000 mAh, allows you to work on the Internet for up to 9 hours in a row. And you can watch videos for up to 14 hours straight without recharging. The built-in memory capacity is 32 GB, of which the user can use 25.2 GB for data storage, expandable with MicroSD cards up to 128 GB.


To tablet computer Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T710N 32Gb Wi-Fi Black supports the following data transfer methods - Wi-Fi (standards a/b/g/n) with support for Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth version 4.1. Thanks to support for GPS and GLONASS, the device can be used as a navigator, and the size of the display will allow you to not have to look closely to see the desired route.


The main camera with a resolution of 8 megapixels with a fast lens provides decent quality photos and makes it possible to record video in a resolution of 2560 x 1440, even in low light conditions. And for making video calls, the 2.1 megapixel front camera is perfect.

At the beginning of 2017, Samsung showed the third updated version of the Galaxy Tab 3 line of tablets. 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, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE ​​32GB is still an excellent choice as an Android device and the main one, in many ways superior to its Apple iPad counterpart.

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. The central and graphic processors that were installed in top smartphones and tablets two or three years ago are sufficient 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 the SM-T719 that installed the Qualcomm MSM8976 chip - Snapdragon 652. For the average 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 Android version 6, 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. A system utility has been installed 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 you don’t use a cellular connection 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 work for 4-5 days.

Wireless interfaces

This tablet model supports the latest versions of Wi-Fi and 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 area. Their smartphones have some of the best cameras on the market, and their tablets have the kind of cameras that can be useful on a 20cm-long device. 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 you shouldn’t expect particularly high quality.

The post effect allows you to change some photo settings after shooting. The dual camera creates 2 photos from the main and front cameras in one image.

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.

It has one of the best screens, decent camera characteristics, and a high-quality body. 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 a high price, it sells very well.

After Samsung revised the code names of its devices, the flagship models received the S index. Everyone knows smartphones in this series, and not so long ago the company began producing tablets. The first sign was the Samsung Galaxy Tab S devices, which received the best that the compositor had at that time and became a full-fledged competitor to the iPad.

One of the main competitors for the Apple iPad

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 was a continuation of the series. The tablet has an almost standard display, a powerful processor, and a modern 4:3 screen format. Recent studies have shown that while previously users mostly watched movies, now they mostly read books and browse websites. This is what prompted the developer to create just such a format. So, we present to your attention a review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet.

Specifications

operating system Android 5 Lollipop
Screen: 8 or 9.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048 x 1536, 320 ppi, capacitive, multi-touch, glossy
CPU: Samsung Exynos 5433, 8-core: 4 × 1.9 GHz + 4 × 1.3 GHz
GPU: Mali-T760 MP6
RAM: 3 GB
Flash memory: 32 GB
Memory card support: microSD (up to 128 GB)
Connectors: microUSB + OTG, nano-SIM, 3.5 mm stereo
Camera: rear (8 MP) and front (2.1 MP)
Communication: Wi-Fi 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth 4.1, 3G/LTE, GPS, GLONASS
Battery: 9.7” - 5870 mAh

8.0” - 4000 mAh
Additionally: accelerometer, fingerprint sensor, light sensor, proximity sensor, gyroscope, compass
Dimensions: 8.0” - 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm

9.7” - 169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm
Weight: 8.0” - 265 g (Wi-Fi), 272 g (LTE)

9.7” - 389 g (Wi-Fi), 392 g (LTE)
Price: from 26690 rubles

Contents of delivery

The manufacturer only supplies its flagship with a charger, a USB-microUSB cable for connecting to a computer, and a set of documents.

Design

The appearance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 has one recognizable feature that makes it impossible to confuse it with a device from another company: the physical buttons on the front panel. One of them is a mechanical Home button with a built-in fingerprint sensor, while the other two are touch-sensitive. Otherwise, the tablet is similar to other models. However, it is difficult not to pay attention to the desire to inherit its main rival - the Apple iPad.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is available in two screen sizes - 8 and 9.7 inches. As already mentioned, the aspect ratio is 4:3, since the tablet is primarily positioned for business use and browsing. Samsung thought that this would be better, because compared to previous years, the recycling model for such devices has changed, and fewer users are viewing multimedia. And the new format adds 20% more space. By the way, the first tablet with such a screen was the Galaxy Tab A (read it).

In addition to the buttons, which are located on the narrow part of the tablet, there is a camera and a brightness adjustment sensor on the front surface. The display of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is framed by narrow frames, and in the 8-inch model they are somewhat narrower, which makes the device more similar to smartphones. There is a metal frame around the display, giving the tablet a serious look. Moreover, at the back it turns into plastic. The back is covered with soft-touch plastic and has a . It houses the rear camera, which protrudes above the body, the Samsung inscription and some kind of buttons for a branded case. All connectors are located on the sides: on the right are the volume and lock/power buttons, as well as two tightly closed slots for nano-SIM and microSD; at the top is a microphone; and at the bottom there are two stereo speakers, a headphone jack and a microUSB port. The left side remained completely free. And the 8-inch modification of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 with a cellular module has an additional speaker above the display and a microphone on the bottom edge, since you can make calls through it, just like through a regular phone.

The case itself is plastic and very thin, only 5.6 mm. This is the thinnest tablet in the world. Despite its thinness, the device is very durable and well-built. The parts fit very tightly together, and the body at times seems completely monolithic. Thanks to the refusal to use metal, the weight is only about 390 g for the 9.7-inch device and about 270 g for the 8-inch. Therefore, you can work much longer without stress.

Screen

In this component, Samsung has surpassed everyone, because the display of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the best on the market. The SuperAMOLED matrix with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 and a pixel density of 320 ppi has the highest brightness and incredibly realistic colors, and the highest contrast helps to display all the smallest details. Indeed, the color gamut of the sRGB palette has reached 100%, making viewing photos and watching videos very comfortable for the eyes.

Thanks to this resolution, the screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 has no grain; it can only be seen when looking at the matrix under a magnifying glass. Even small letters are readable clearly and smoothly. Viewing angles are the highest, so you can comfortably show some content even in a group. If you are not satisfied with the too bright colors of the matrix, it is possible to customize the screen operation profile. There are four profiles available: Main, AMOLED Movie, AMOLED Photo and Reading Mode, as well as Adaptive Display, which automatically launches the desired profile depending on the content and conditions of use. You can select any profile manually. Each one is significantly different in terms of color display, white balance and brightness.

About brightness. The standard indicators of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 are about 375 cd/m2 and depend on the number of light colors. But as soon as you activate automatic control and go out into direct sunlight, the brightness easily increases to 700 cd/m2. Almost no one has such indicators. In combination with an anti-glare filter, picture clarity and screen readability remain at the highest level in any case.

In addition, there is a coating against grease stains, as well as protective glass. Due to the small thickness, we had to install a thinner coating instead of Gorilla Glass 4. So over time, the screen becomes covered with small scratches, visible only in the light when the tablet is turned off. They do not affect the work in any way and do not spoil the overall pleasant impression. Indeed, the screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the best in quality not only by the standards of tablets, but also of most smartphones.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is powered by the most powerful Samsung Exynos 5433 processor, first used on the Galaxy Note 4 and significantly leapfrogging its time. It has a huge reserve of power and performance, since the chipset, manufactured using 20 nm technology, has 4 cores at 1.9 GHz, more economical 4 cores at 1.3 GHz, a Mali-T760 MP6 video adapter and 3 GB of RAM. In addition, the hardware supports special technology that allows you to use all 8 cores simultaneously. The whole question is which applications will utilize this feature. Maybe someone was waiting for a new generation processor, but you are unlikely to use its full resource.

Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 device functions simply exceptionally, there is not even the slightest hint of slowdown. The menu simply flies, the tablet easily reads video files with a resolution of 2K (3840 x 2160), opens documents, and allows you to play all modern games at maximum settings. Various performance tests show results on par with the best smartphones, although they don't always reach them. But its parameters are already sufficient for the most demanding user.

Multimedia capabilities

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 easily plays the highest bitrate media files and supports a variety of music and video formats. True, the standard player may not appeal to everyone. But you can download and install any one from the application store.

The two speakers reproduce all frequencies quite accurately and have a good volume reserve, so the sound quality is excellent. So you can watch videos even in a noisy place. Unfortunately, the square format will force you to put up with black bars when watching modern films on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, since most of them are recorded in 16:10 format. In headphones, the audio sounds very spacious and deep, music lovers will be happy. Although it is unlikely that anyone will buy such a tablet, focusing purely on sound quality.

Battery and operating time

The larger modification of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is equipped with a 5870 mAh battery, and the smaller one is equipped with a 4000 mAh battery. This is a very good indicator for such a thin device. In addition, the power saving mode, screen technology and auto brightness extend the operating time up to 14 hours. Average performance with the 3G module turned on is 7–8 hours of continuous operation. In turn, the numbers may differ from the frequency of use, the type of wireless connection and its stability, the profile of the screen, its brightness level, and the temperature environment. So the performance may vary for each device. Games, in general, are the most voracious energy absorbers; you can achieve a maximum of 7–7.5 hours at minimum brightness. But in general, a tablet will be enough for a day, and if mobile communications are turned off, even two.

In the settings of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2, you can activate a special power saving mode. It regulates running processes, reduces processor power, disables wireless modules, and at maximum savings, generally makes the screen black and white. This useful feature will extend the life of the device in desperate moments.

Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet is equipped with an 8-megapixel main camera and a 2.1-megapixel secondary camera. They are not much different from those in the previous model. The only difference is improved aperture, and therefore there is no flash. The secondary camera has a fixed focus and performs quite well. It also shows a good picture during video calls.

The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 does not demonstrate anything super-outstanding, compared to many smartphones, which are still significantly ahead of tablets. The improved aperture and f/1.9 aperture do not compensate for the lack of flash when shooting in the evening. Noise appears in the photo, the white balance may be off, and autofocus may not work properly. During the day, the camera boasts good detail and sharpness. White balance works correctly, colors are not distorted, and the camera focuses instantly. Its settings menu is very reminiscent of the settings of the smartphone of the same series. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2's camera is not yet comparable to phone cameras, but it is one of the best among tablets.

There is an interesting 3D Capture program in the Samsung app store. With its help you can create three-dimensional images. Just launch the application and, following the instructions, slowly rotate the device around the object, then save. Only a few devices have this capability.

Operating system and programs

The device is equipped with the Android 5.0.2 operating system with the traditional Samsung TouchWiz shell, which is almost completely identical to the telephone one. The set of programs is almost like that of bare Android, although some proprietary applications are still present. Therefore, you won’t have to spend a long time cleaning your tablet from software debris.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 system has a large number of settings, including several proprietary features. For example, a device search engine S Finder was added, which allows you to find the desired file, application or setting, or Smart Manager - a junk file cleaner and accelerator. In addition, it has its own application store, Samsung Apps. The Microsoft Office Android office suite is also pre-installed, allowing you to quickly edit the desired document on the go.

The fingerprint sensor built into the Home button keeps your data safe. When you use the feature for the first time, the setup wizard will ask you to place your finger on the sensor several times until the drawn fingerprint is filled. Up to 4 prints can be programmed. After this, recognition occurs instantly, just touch the sensor with your finger. You cannot configure multiple user profiles through the fingerprint scanner, but the device does have this option. This is very convenient if there is only one tablet for the whole family.

In a word, the system interface has been redesigned very cool. Samsung promises to release regular Android updates, and Android 6.0 Marshmallow is expected to be released in the second quarter.

Competitors

Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet - Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor with Adreno 430 video chip installed; the device has the best front camera resolution - 2.1 MP, widescreen 10.1-inch screen 2560 x 1600; memory volumes are the same; The tablet is protected from dust and water.

Apple iPad Air 2 - lower screen pixel density (264 ppi), 2-core processor, front camera only 1.2 Megapixels.

Considering that Sony's tablet was released later, it is not surprising that its screen resolution is slightly higher. Although we should not forget about the larger diagonal and wide format. The iPad loses in almost all characteristics. We can safely say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is perhaps the best flagship device today.

Advantages and disadvantages

To bring this review to a close, let us note the strengths and weaknesses of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.

  • Almost perfect screen.
  • Outstanding performance.
  • High-quality assembly, body dimensions.
  • menu.
  • Fingerprint sensor.
  • Inconvenient screen format for watching movies.
  • No NFC module.
  • Overcharge.

Conclusion

Surely everyone will agree that Samsung managed to set the tone in tablet fashion and the bar that many will strive to jump over. The price, however, is beyond the means of many, but that’s why it’s a flagship. Its highest performance, high-quality screen and strong battery will delight both game lovers and those who buy the device for work.

Are you planning to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2? Are you satisfied with everything about it? We will be glad to see your comments after reading the article.