Title tablets comparative characteristics. Choosing a tablet
Comparing tablets is always useful and new knowledge, which can later help in choosing a particular device. The test itself is a very exciting, but at the same time labor-intensive process, during which tablets are compared with each other based on various factors: size, OS, display and others.
Such review tests help identify the shortcomings and strengths of each individual device, for example:
- Samsung Galaxy Tab Active;
- ASUS Transformer Book T90 Chi;
- Lenovo Tab 2 A7-30.
Design and general outline
Let's start with the appearance, because many users still prefer to choose a device by design.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active
At the first cursory glance, you understand that it is very difficult for the Korean manufacturer to break away from its habits. That’s why very familiar features of other flagship devices are visible, but at the same time it retains its own, clearly constructed design line.
The tablet is made in accordance with the IP67 standard, which provides protection from moisture and dust. But at the same time, the presence of unclosed ports, at least with plugs, remains very strange. The placement of elements is standard for the Galaxy line.
The gadget itself is in a protective case, which is made in an aggressive and uncharacteristic style for Samsung. I was very pleased with the presence of a magnetic charging connector - this is, so to speak, a building block for the future.
At the top of the case you can find a stylus, which does not carry any functional load, but is used for normal interaction.
The battery is removable, under the cover there is also a slot for a flash card and SIM card. This is a tablet with a good margin of safety and at an affordable average price.
Hybrid from Asus
The test of this device showed that Asus loves to experiment and it does it well. The non-standard dimensions of the device and the pre-installed Windows 8.1 OS created an extraordinary sensation.
The display of the gadget is protected by glass and has a fairly wide border, especially in the upper and lower parts. In principle, the tablet is very comfortable to hold even with one hand. On the reverse side we have a typical “tablet”, but with a metal body, which is emphasized by a chamfer.
The presence of a docking station and additional connectors significantly expands the capabilities of the device. Modern design, excellent equipment - everything you need for a successful businessman. However, the viewing angle test failed due to the strange weight distribution (350 gram station and 400 gram device).
Practical Lenovo
Lenovo is also trying its hand at different form factors. If you look at the tests of previous lines, you can see how creative the manufacturer’s designers are. This time they decided to go with a smooth rectangular shape with slightly rounded corners.
The back panel is covered with a black matte cover, which, unfortunately, collects all the fingerprints. In principle, the assembly is at a high level, but occasionally you can hear a slight creaking.
The placement of controls for Lenovo is, in principle, standard, and even if the ports are not in the right place, this does not affect the overall ergonomics of the tablet.
Software
Now let’s compare tablet computers by operating systems, because they represent two of the most popular platforms on the world market. What will the test show?
Lenovo software
Gone are the days when large manufacturers used pure Android without any additions. Recently, so-called launchers have been gaining rapid popularity.
Launcher is a graphical shell that is designed to improve the user interface and significantly expand the capabilities of the device. Lenovo comes pre-installed with Android 4.4 OS with the proprietary Launcher HD shell, with an update to version 1.4.5.
Settings menu
The shell works quickly, without brakes, and most importantly, it pleases the user with an abundance of various settings. Numerous tests by third-party experts have shown that this is one of the most successful launchers at the moment.
Windows tablet
Much has already been said and described about the Windows 8.1 operating system, which became a logical continuation of the eight, but with bugs already corrected and various additions.
The advantages of tablets running full Windows over Android gadgets are obvious. Despite the rapid development of the Android platform, most powerful programs that are used in all areas of human activity are released specifically for Windows.
Therefore, you can launch popular and already familiar applications without any problems, the main thing is that they are optimized for touch control. Unfortunately, a rushed system sometimes crashes, and poorly optimized processors don't perform well in preliminary tests.
Samsung shell
The South Korean manufacturer, like many other companies, decided to promote its own custom shell, starting with version 4 of Android.
Let us remind you that the Galaxy Tab Active comes pre-installed with Android 4.4 with a proprietary interface – TouchWiz, which supports working with two active programs at once. Moreover, the size of the windows can be changed depending on the user's needs.
It is worth noting the rare but noticeable slowdown of the shell; unfortunately, this is a characteristic drawback of Samsung products, which for some reason is not eliminated.
The tablet does not have the same software variety as flagships, despite the presence of a stylus. Therefore, such a device is more suitable for industrial use:
- Create a note and a pivot table;
- Calculate dimensions on the go;
- Read technical literature, etc.
Display
A high-quality matrix with excellent resolution is the key to comfortable work with a tablet. After all, it has long been no secret that computer radiation, especially from displays, negatively affects the eyes, and they need to be protected.
Unchangeable principles
Samsung has received a huge amount of unflattering feedback regarding the use of outdated matrices. Many manufacturers are already moving to a higher quality resolution, but the South Koreans remain faithful to the 1280x800 resolution.
There is no air gap between the 8-inch matrix and the glass itself, due to this, greater brightness and clarity of the displayed image is achieved. The automatic brightness control sensor is intact and works correctly.
The tablet has excellent viewing angles, i.e. a PLS or IPS matrix is used - the manufacturer did not specify. The picture looks natural, colors are reproduced well, and the test shows that the matrix has been thoroughly calibrated.
Bad choice
Lenovo surprised even more and installed an IPS matrix with a resolution of 1024x600 on the 7-inch device. For the current year it is considered not only bad, but very bad. But at the same time there is no air gap, which is insignificant, but compensates for such a poor choice.
The pixel grid is visible to the naked eye, there is no light sensor, and when used outdoors the colors fade dramatically, as shown in the image above. When comparing tablets, this fact turned out to be the biggest drawback: not all users will like the low resolution.
Standard solution
The Asus Book T90 Chi tablet is equipped with an 8.9-inch matrix with a standard, but unfortunately low resolution of 1280×800, which fades very much compared to flagship devices. As in previous models, there is no air gap, due to this, excellent viewing angles and good color rendition are achieved.
The owner can independently adjust the brightness or rely entirely on the preinstalled sensor and auto-detection system.
As practice shows, the sensors operate normally in constant light; if you move, a slight flicker will be noticeable.
Specifications
This is one of the most exciting stages of reviewing and comparing devices, during which all the functionality of the tablet is revealed. It immediately becomes clear how long the tablet will remain relevant.
Average performance
Despite its security, the Galaxy Tab Active lags significantly behind its closest competitors, and this is a big disadvantage.
| RAM | Non-standard 1.5 GB |
| CPU | Snapdragon 400, 4 cores at 1.2 GHz |
| Cameras | 3.1 MP main (flash and autofocus) and 1.2 MP front |
| Main memory | 16 GB |
| Internet access | Wi-Fi (b/g/n) and 2G/3G/LTE |
| Navigation | GLONASS/GPS |
| Data transfer | Bluetooth, NFC |
| Dimensions | 213x126x10 |
| Weight | 393 grams |
Lucky combination
Only top Windows tablets can boast outstanding technical parameters, for example, Microsoft SurfPad. The rest occupy an intermediate place between budget and flagship.
| Memory | SSD 64 GB |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Microprocessor | 4 cores, Intel Atom Z3775 from 1.46 to 2.39 GHz |
| Wireless interfaces | Wi-Fi (a/b/g/n standards) |
| Graphics controller | Intel HD |
| Cameras | 5 MP main and 2 MP additional |
| Dimensions | 241x137x7.5 |
| Weight | 400 grams, without docking station |
Excellent battery life, a lightweight and comfortable body, and a well-chosen screen diagonal make the tablet an ideal model for versatile use.
Smartphone or tablet?
Having quickly familiarized yourself with the parameters of the device from Lenovo, it becomes clear that the manufacturer until recently doubted which segment of touch devices to classify its gadget into and settled on the optimal one.
| Video controller | Mali-400MP2 |
| CPU | MediaTek MT8382, 4 cores 1.3 GHz |
| RAM | 1 GB |
| Cameras | Very weak: 2 MP rear and 0.3 MP front |
| 3G and Wi-Fi (b/g/n), GPS, Bluetooth | |
| Memory | 16 GB |
| Working hours | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 269 grams |
| Dimensions | 105x191x8.9 |
Flagships of 2014
We continue our series of guides on choosing mobile devices. After articles about fitness bracelets and smart watches, we decided to summarize our experience in testing tablets in one material. We will periodically update the article and re-publish it, so you can always find here up-to-date information, a description of the best models at the moment and current prices for them.
The fashion for tablets revolutionized the IT industry in 2010 thanks to the appearance of the Apple iPad (everything that was before cannot be called a mass phenomenon), reached its peak in 2012-2013 and has since begun to fade away. Already in 2015, there was a clear feeling that everyone was tired of tablets - both manufacturers and the public. And even the release of the iPad Pro could not reverse the trend.
However, fashion is fashion, and no one has canceled everyday needs and tasks. Over the few years during which almost all families acquired tablets, users have become accustomed to the fact that such devices are convenient for reading books, surfing the Internet, scrolling through social networks and email (especially while lying on the sofa or in bed), watching videos and films, playing games. some types of games... It is worth noting that tablets turned out to be an ideal device for children: it is with them that the majority of those born at the end of the 2000s begin their acquaintance with technology.
In general, whatever one may say, the tablet is a useful and pleasant thing. It may not be as necessary as a smartphone, and not as versatile as a laptop, but if you have the opportunity to get at least one tablet for your family, it’s worth doing. And therefore, the question of choice arises. Yes, and existing tablet users sooner or later find themselves faced with the need to update the device - either due to the breakdown of the old one, or due to its obsolescence (which, however, occurs more slowly than in the case of smartphones).
So, if you decide to buy a tablet, you need to answer the main question: what and where will you use it first (or are these two questions?..). The answer depends on the answer to two other fundamental questions: what operating system will the tablet be on and with what screen diagonal.
Separate large articles could be written about the nuances of choosing between different operating systems and screen diagonals, but we will not go into detail here and will try to highlight the main thing. With operating systems, it all comes down to whether you plan to use the tablet as a full-featured laptop replacement or not. That is, if you are going to go on business trips with it, open and edit MS Office documents, run some professional programs like Adobe Photoshop or 1C Accounting (at least occasionally), then it makes sense to purchase a Windows tablet.
But if the tablet is intended to be used for entertainment (games, especially for children, videos, reading books and magazines, social networks...), then in this case you should look towards iOS/Android devices.
As for the diagonal, the key point here is the place of use. For home use, especially if the tablet is purchased for children or elderly people, a diagonal of about 10 inches is optimal. For constantly carrying with you, smaller devices are more convenient (for example, if you get to work by train or travel for a long time by subway, then it is most convenient to read from a tablet with a screen diagonal of about 8 inches). Well, diagonals of more than 11 inches are designed for that rather narrow category of users who use the tablet for professional tasks, but need a tablet rather than a laptop. These could be artists, lecturers, etc. Finally, if you buy a tablet on the principle of “let it be, but a use will be found” and cannot decide in advance on the format of use, then take a device with a diagonal of about 10 inches, this is the most universal option.
Now, having decided on the diagonal and the operating system, we can proceed directly to the choice. We decided to categorize it precisely along the diagonal, while placing Windows tablets in a separate category, since it has its own specifics, which are even more significant than the diagonal itself.
Let us immediately warn you that we did not include in the article the products of little-known Chinese brands and their Russian “avatars”, because we cannot vouch for their reliability and durability, and, besides, there are a huge number of them, and they replace each other rapidly, so if you really want to save money, choose at your own risk, based on the characteristics and reviews.
Tablets 8 inches or smaller
The most famous compact tablet is, of course, the iPad mini. Although Apple for quite a long time did not recognize diagonals smaller than 9.7 inches (it was what Jobs considered ideal), Tim Cook did not want to hand over the market for compact tablets to competitors. This is how the iPad mini appeared, and if the first model turned out to be inferior in all respects to the large iPad, then already in the second generation the iPad mini acquired a Retina screen and very powerful hardware.
Since then, two more updates have been released: one is cosmetic (iPad mini 3), and the second (that is, iPad mini 4) is more serious. But still, the iPad mini 2 remains a completely relevant option, optimal in terms of price and quality. So, the cheapest version (with 16 GB of internal memory and without LTE) can be found for less than 20 thousand rubles.
Of course, if you plan to actively use the tablet for taking photos/videos, then 16 GB is not enough, but as a portable e-reader and a compact gaming console, this is enough (again, if the games are not several gigabytes or tens, but smaller). The best option is perhaps 64 GB. But in the case of the iPad mini 2, a 32-gigabyte version could be a good compromise (newer generations no longer have this option).
Among Apple's competitors, Samsung has the widest range of compact tablets. There are models for every taste and budget, although most of them, of course, occupy the lower segment. In this article, we will not recommend tablets with screen resolutions lower than Full HD, since, in our opinion, in 2016 you can only give up normal image clarity if you simply cannot afford to buy more expensive models. And if, in principle, you have money and you want to choose some reasonable option, then you can save on everything except the quality of the screen. And although a high resolution does not always mean that the screen is really good, the inverse relationship is undeniable: 1280x800 or 1024x768 clearly indicate that they saved money on the screen.
So, coming back to Samsung models, we would recommend the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0. The option is not the cheapest, but interesting, first of all, with a Super AMOLED screen (which means that there will be bright rich colors and high energy efficiency when reading on a black background), which competitors cannot boast of, as well as a fingerprint scanner and the current version of Android ( 6.0 Marshmallow).
Another interesting alternative to the iPad mini is the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact. What attracts attention here is its water resistance (of course, we don’t recommend using it underwater, but lying on the beach with it without fear of sand and sea spray is quite possible. Let’s add to this the minimum weight (270 grams) and a fairly powerful filling (Qualcomm Snapdragon 801, 3 GB of RAM) - and we’ll get an excellent option, especially for fans of the Sony brand.
By the way, an important nuance: the iPad mini and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 have a 4:3 aspect ratio screen. And the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact has 16:9. The first is more convenient for the Internet, the second for watching movies.
An interesting solution (primarily in the field of design) is the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2. This tablet has a stand along the long side of the body, and the center of gravity of the device is shifted towards it. Therefore, without additional accessories, you can install the tablet in a comfortable position for watching movies or reading, or place it on the table so that its side farthest from you rises slightly above the table. This is a convenient option for typing on the virtual keyboard.
The technical characteristics of the Lenovo Yoga Tablet 8 2 are not bad, but the Android version is old (4.4), and this, of course, is a minus. But the price is low.
As you have already noticed, all the models that we talked about in this section have a screen diagonal of about 8 inches. What about the seven-inch models? Of course, they are also on the market, especially in the budget segment. But today it seems to us inappropriate to purchase them, since their display is not much larger than that of tablet phones with a 5.5-5.7-inch screen, but using them as a smartphone is no longer convenient. That is, neither here nor there.
Tablets with a diagonal of 9 to 10 inches
Of course, we start with the iPad - over the six years since the release of the first iPad, Apple has never relinquished its leadership in the tablet market (as opposed to the smartphone market). And the 9.7″ iPad remains the de facto standard.
True, among the current models, Apple has two options: iPad Air 2 and iPad Pro 9.7″. The Pro's trump cards include support for a keyboard cover and a stylus (but they must be purchased additionally, and they are expensive), a more powerful SoC, stereo speakers and a better camera.
But the iPad Air 2 remains an excellent choice even without all this, while its price is significantly lower. Overall, we recommend the iPad Air 2, and only if you firmly believe that you need the above features, then go for the iPad Pro. In our opinion, the price/feature ratio of the iPad Air 2 is significantly better.
The competitors are the same: Sony, Samsung, Lenovo, as well as Huawei, whose MediaPad M2 10.0 seemed to us a good alternative to the iPad Pro 9.7″. Let's start with it. Like the iPad Pro, the Huawei tablet allows you to use a pressure-sensitive stylus (there are versions of the tablet available with and without a stylus). In addition, the tablet has a fingerprint scanner and stereo speakers. And in general the design is very decent.
We can’t say that the Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0 surprised us with anything; it doesn’t have any unique or outstanding features, but the balance of features and price is quite good.
The flagship solutions from Sony and Samsung are somewhat more expensive, but they are also more interesting. In principle, their key features are identical to the eight-inch models described above: Samsung has a Super AMOLED Plus display, and Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet has water resistance.
The Sony, however, has a higher resolution (2560x1600) and a better aspect ratio for watching movies (16:9). And both tablets are very thin and light.
Lenovo offers a very interesting model. Yoga Tablet 3 Pro has not only an original design, similar in concept to the Yoga Tablet 8 2 described above, but also a built-in projector, four JBL speakers and a very capacious battery (10200 mAh).
The tablet's screen has a resolution of 2560×1600, and an Intel Atom x5 Z8500 processor is installed inside. True, the dimensions and weight of the Yoga Tablet 3 Pro are significantly less attractive than those of the flagships Samsung and Sony, and the feasibility of having a projector (naturally, a rather weak one) is questionable.
Windows tablets and/or tablets larger than 11 inches
Interesting fact: there are practically no Android tablets with a diagonal of 11 inches or larger. Previously, Samsung Galaxy NotePro 12.2 was on sale, but now it is also unavailable. In fact, the only player in the niche of large-format tablets with a mobile operating system is the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
What can I say? The highest performance among mobile ARM platforms, an excellent screen, stereo speakers, support for the Apple Pencil stylus, which is quite suitable for the work of professional artists, an attached keyboard cover on which you can touch-type... Naturally, the limiting factor when purchasing will be the price - right let's say biting. But there is one more problem: for all its advantages, the iPad Pro cannot be called a universal device - precisely because of the mobile OS (and therefore the lack of traditional ports and access to the file system). Therefore, the iPad Pro cannot replace a laptop.
Realizing this, Apple's competitors placed their bets on Windows 10, which, in general, is quite logical. After all, such devices, which are close in size to laptops, already require not only entertainment, but also professional use, and for professional tasks, a full-fledged operating system is, of course, better.
The range of Windows tablet brands is different from what we've seen with Android. Here Dell, Lenovo, HP, that is, manufacturers of business laptops, come to the fore. This is understandable: such tablets are, in fact, laptops without a keyboard (more precisely, with a detachable keyboard). Here, for example, is the Dell XPS 12.
12.5-inch screen with 4K resolution (3840×2160), sixth generation Intel Core m processors (as in the MacBook 12″), up to 8 GB of RAM, 64-bit Windows 10 Pro, Thunderbolt interface... Impressive! As does the price.
A simpler and cheaper option: Lenovo ThinkPad 10 2. 10.1″ Full HD screen, Intel Atom x7 Z8700 processor, 4 GB of RAM, stylus support, USB 3.0 and Micro-HDMI ports.
An important nuance: such tablets can be connected, using hubs and adapters, to an external monitor and peripherals, using them as a full-fledged Windows computer. It is clear that on such a computer you cannot particularly work with Adobe Photoshop or Premier, much less play. But for demonstrating presentations, working with documents and other professional tasks that do not require high productivity, they are perfect.
One of the top options (alas, not officially sold in Russia, but available from many resellers) is Microsoft Surface Pro 4. It is based on a full-fledged laptop configuration - Intel Core-i generation Skylake, SSD drive from 128 GB, from 4 GB random access memory. Plus, there is an impressive screen resolution: 2736×1824 with a diagonal of 12.3″.
True, in the case of Windows, it’s not always worth pursuing an ultra-high screen resolution, because the interface of not all Windows programs is optimized to use 150-200% scaling. And without scaling, all the icons and icons will be tiny on the small tablet screen. So here you can save on resolution by taking, for example, the HP Elite X2 (with an 11.6″ display and a resolution of 1366×768) or something similar.
Note that when purchasing such devices, you should pay attention to whether a keyboard is included or not, because if it is not, then the cost of the keyboard must be added to the price. Using a Windows tablet without a keyboard seems strange to us, to say the least.
We have listed here only products from the most famous brands. If you wish, you can pick up something similar from less titled companies. Of course, it will be cheaper. You can also wait for two new players to appear on the market: Huawei with the MateBook model (it will be released the other day) and Asus with the new Transformer line. Judging by our acquaintance with them at presentations, these are very powerful devices that can correct the situation in the market.
conclusions
Having studied the modern tablet market, we can draw several conclusions, which will also be advice for buyers.
First of all, it's worth keeping in mind that the Android tablet market is in severe decline. Firstly, over the past year there has not been a single really major announcement. That is, the manufacturers themselves do not really believe in the prospects of this direction. Secondly, many very good models from 2013-2014 are already difficult to find on sale. For example, Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet and Z3 Tablet or Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 / 8.4. There is no significant progress here, so you can safely buy tablets that are two or three years old, including at online flea markets and sales. But if you want to keep up with the times and expect to get a truly up-to-date device, then look at either iOS or Windows models.
The second point: there is practically no point in purchasing tablets smaller than 8 inches - only something very cheap for a specific task (for example, for employees of taxi services). But among the 8-inch models there are already good options, including those on Android (although this does not change what was said above about Android tablets in general). But you shouldn’t take Windows tablets smaller than 10 inches, since there won’t be much point in it.
But among models larger than 11 inches, Windows tablets seem to us the most interesting solution. The choice here is quite large, and the price range is huge (although the top brands do not have very cheap options). True, here you need to think carefully: do you really need a tablet, and isn’t it worth spending the same money on a compact laptop if you plan to use the device for work, or on a 10-inch iOS/Android tablet if you have fun? Still, no matter how Microsoft promotes its tiled interface and Windows Store, for entertainment and pure tablet use, iOS and Android with their huge selection of applications are more convenient.
And the third point. If you bought a tablet two or three years ago, and you are generally satisfied with it, that is, it does not slow down, does not bother you with external defects, etc., then there is no point in buying a new tablet. You won't get anything qualitatively new.
Samsung is one of the leading manufacturers of high-tech tablets with cutting-edge capabilities and stylish design. Being among the best, the popular brand originally from South Korea is considered the brightest representative of the most advanced and innovative tablet manufacturers, because it, along with its main competitor, also occupying a leading position, has a significant influence on the entire industry and often creates new trends that eventually become in large-scale directions.
Samsung tablets are not just fashionable accessories in a beautiful shell. The best of them are very productive and multifunctional, working successfully with most popular formats. At the same time, Samsung's developments are an order of magnitude cheaper than iPads, which also occupy a prominent place in the tablet market. Although the hero of our rating is somewhat inferior to Apple flagships in durability, some innovations and the amount of built-in memory, it has many advantages in addition to affordability. Indeed, for the most part, Samsung models, when working with devices and software from a variety of manufacturers, are much more versatile and practical than the iPad. At the same time, the memory of these devices, which at first glance is not always the largest, can be easily increased by connecting a memory card, which is not available for the closed Apple system.
The advantages of the South Korean company’s tablets are even more obvious when compared with Huawei, in contrast to which Samsung’s developments are thought out to the smallest detail. After all, their functions are polished, stable and almost always fully correspond to the declared characteristics both in premium and mid-price segment models, and in budget devices. Also, the tablets of this brand differ from Huawei in better performance and higher pixel density per inch, which provides a clearer and more detailed image on the screen. Thus, Samsung gadgets have absorbed many advantages, thanks to which they are especially popular and often receive flattering reviews.
The best Samsung tablets with a display diagonal of 7-8 inches
Although compact tablets are relatively rare, they are in great demand. Somewhat inferior to weighty variations with a large screen in processor power, display resolution and camera quality, miniature Samsungs, however, outperform them in a number of other aspects. Their small dimensions and lightness make them extremely mobile, which means they are convenient to take on a trip and carry even in a very small handbag. Many people when traveling and outdoors are very worried about the safety of the tablet, but the creators of Samsung have provided for this too. Therefore, some models are protected from shock and moisture.
At the same time, despite not the largest battery capacity, Galaxy with a diagonal of up to 8 inches are economical and hold a charge very well. After all, the smaller the screen, the lower the energy consumption. They are also relatively inexpensive. All this makes representatives of this category a good choice for active people who are not too demanding on display size.
3 Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 8.0 SM-T360 16GB
NFC support. Shockproof, waterproof and splashproof housing
A country:
Average price: RUB 28,090.
Rating (2019): 4.2
The three finalists are opened by the most practical and unpretentious development of the South Korean brand. This version of the Samsung Galaxy is simply created for energetic adventurers, connoisseurs of sports, outdoor recreation and an active lifestyle in every sense. The rapid development of events and spontaneous decisions often lead to chaos, in which it is easy to drop your favorite tablet, not have time to hide it from the rain, or spill water on it. For most mobile devices this is fatal, but this model is ready for such tests. The shockproof case with a special protective coating is resistant to chipping and is able to soften the impact, preventing damage to critical parts. IP67 waterproof rating prevents splashes or small amounts of moisture from entering.
According to reviews, the tablet is convenient to use outdoors and on the go. Also, thanks to NFC support, it is suitable for instant contactless payments, which is very convenient.
2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 SM-T385 16Gb
Good value for money. Best selfie camera and phone mode
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: RUB 14,335.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Surprisingly, the most inexpensive tablet differs from its neighbor in the rating not only in accessibility, but also in richer functionality, although it does not include NFC. The ability to work in cell phone mode allows you to insert a SIM card into the device and make calls from it as from a smartphone. The tablet also supports 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi Direct, which opens up a lot of possibilities for the user. Selfie lovers will definitely love the 5MP front camera, which is the best in the category. A separate advantage of the model was the fairly new operating system - Android 7.1. After all, most competitors are content with older versions.
Good quality at an adequate price could not go unnoticed - the inexpensive Samsung managed to get a lot of positive reviews. Buyers praise it for its high level of assembly, a fairly capacious battery for an 8-inch diagonal, and good performance.
Not many companies are developing tablets, and even fewer produce worthwhile models. It is all the more interesting to compare different approaches to creating a device using the example of such world leaders as Samsung, Lenovo and Apple.
“+” – excellent
“±” – satisfactory
"-" - Badly
1 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 SM-T719 LTE 32Gb
Maximum pixel density. Powerful processor and functionality
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: RUB 23,433.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The best representative of the 8-inch diagonal category is the most multifunctional and productive tablet from the famous South Korean brand. A fast 8-core processor with a frequency of 1800 MHz and real 3 GB RAM set the compact Samsung Galaxy apart from all others. The image of an ideal device with a small diagonal is complemented by a bright screen with the best resolution in the category, which reaches 2048 by 1536 pixels. These advantages make the productive participant in the rating suitable even for many heavy applications, including quite serious games. At the same time, the tablet is multifunctional and is equipped with a finger scanner, a gyroscope, a compass, proximity and light sensors, and also supports many wireless communication standards.
According to reviews, Samsung holds a charge well, is productive, and well built. Everyone also notes the lightness and thin body, the thickness of which is only 5.6 millimeters.
The best Samsung tablets with a display diagonal of 10 inches
Models with a screen diagonal of about 10 inches are the most common type of tablet devices. Unlike their relatively inexpensive and compact counterparts, these gadgets are ideal for watching movies in good quality, thorough office work, and many other long-term activities with a tablet. Also, the best characteristics of most devices with a 10-inch display include a fairly fast processor. Therefore, some of the most powerful Samsung models with large displays are suitable even for moderately demanding games.
Representatives of this category, for the most part, also boast improved front and main cameras. At the same time, a special advantage of large tablets is their high screen resolution, in most cases an order of magnitude higher than the resolution of miniature models.
5 Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 SM-T561N 8Gb
The most affordable. Convenient, intuitive interface
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: 10,860 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.0
Despite the lowest price in the category, even more affordable than many miniature Samsungs, the inexpensive tablet with a 10-inch screen has a decent resolution and even a SIM card slot. Thanks to it, the user gets access to 3G Internet and Wi-Fi Direct communications, which makes the Galaxy a worthy competitor to more expensive models. At the same time, it is more compact than many analogues and does not weigh too much. Deprived of rare innovative capabilities and not always necessary bells and whistles, a tablet with basic functionality is incredibly popular.
It is often bought for children and all those who are just starting to get acquainted with mobile devices, because it is very easy to use. It is not for nothing that in reviews, buyers note among the advantages the intuitive interface, pleasant ergonomics and ease of working with office applications. However, the tablet is only good as a basic budget option, because it is not suitable for heavy software and watching high-definition movies.
4 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T580 16Gb
High build quality at a low price. Capacious battery
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: RUB 15,320.
Rating (2019): 4.6
Many call this Samsung the optimal combination of cost and level of performance. After all, a stylish tablet at a relatively low price boasts a fast 8-core processor with a frequency of up to 1600 MHz, decent 2 GB RAM and support for all common file formats. At the same time, the Galaxy battery capacity reaches a record level of 7300 mAh. Therefore, the development of a world-famous company holds a charge excellently, despite the large bright screen, which is considered to be one of the most energy-consuming elements of a tablet, or indeed any mobile device.
Thanks to such a capacious battery, the model successfully holds a charge for up to 13 hours, which means it can easily withstand a working day even with intensive use. This is confirmed by numerous reviews, in which buyers consider excellent battery life, as well as high build quality, to be the strengths of Samsung.
3 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 SM-T585 16Gb
Bright screen and good battery life
Country: South Korea
Average price: RUB 19,850.
Rating (2019): 4.6
The category opens with a representative of the mid-budget line of tablets. The model cannot compete with flagships, but it can easily compete with Lenovo or Huawei devices. The Korean has slightly more productive hardware on its side. The 8-core Samsung Exynos 7870 produces about 60 thousand points in the popular AnTuTu benchmark, which is quite enough for a tablet. RAM 2 GB. The screen is good: 10.1’ diagonal, resolution 1920x1200 pixels. The colors are rich and the brightness is sufficient. Professional designers and photographers in reviews claim that the screen is a little “yellow,” but the average user is unlikely to notice. Everything is fine with the connection: there is 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS, GLONASS. The only disappointment is the lack of NFC. But the battery is as much as 7300 mAh - the device will last 3-4 days with moderate use without problems.
Advantages:
- Low cost
- Good performance
- Modern communication modules
- Capacious battery
Flaws:
- The speakers are located on the bottom side - in horizontal orientation they are often blocked by hands
- A bit heavy
2 Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7 SM-T825 LTE 32Gb
Better performance
Country: South Korea
Average price: RUB 45,503.
Rating (2019): 4.7
The 2017 newcomer is the company's flagship tablet and is designed to compete for consumers with last year's iPad Pro. The silver medalist has a 9.7’ SuperAMOLED screen with a resolution of 2048x1536 pixels. It is somewhat inferior in quality to the iPad, but the brightness is higher, which is especially noticeable under the scorching sun. The heart of the tablet is the time-tested Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, which, coupled with 4 GB of RAM, is enough even for demanding gamers, not to mention the average user. There are all the necessary communication modules: 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.2, DLNA, Wi-Fi 802.11ac. Another plus is the included S Pen stylus, which seriously expands the tablet’s range of uses—artists will definitely appreciate it. The cameras have also been updated - the pictures are not ideal, but both the main (13 megapixel) and front (5 megapixel) shoot just fine for a tablet.
But there were some downsides. The body is now made of glass - it looks nice, but is not practical. And I'm not happy with the cost.
Advantages:
- Better performance
- Modern communication modules
- Good cameras
- S Pen included
- 4 speakers from AKG – excellent sound quality
- Android 7.1 – latest OS version
Flaws:
- High price
1 Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 SM-T819 LTE 32Gb
Best price/performance ratio
Country: South Korea
Average price: RUB 32,625.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The leader of the rating is a model... two years ago. The predecessor of the Tab S3 is not much different from the newcomer. A screen with the same characteristics, the same amount of built-in memory, and the same communication modules are used (with the exception of the older version of Bluetooth 4.1). Even the dimensions are similar. The differences lie in a simpler processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 652), less RAM (3 GB), simpler cameras, different body materials and the absence of some features.
But are these chips necessary? The USB Type-C connector is of interest only to geeks. Few people take photographs with a tablet. The lack of an S Pen is a pity, of course, but few people need it. Even the performance is enough for most users. So it turns out that the buyer loses almost nothing, but saves about 12 thousand rubles.
Advantages:
- Great display
- Sufficient performance
- Relatively low cost
- Practical body
The best new Samsung tablets of 2018
Often, the newer the device, the more innovative and technologically advanced it is, especially today, when new devices appear almost every day. It is not surprising that many buyers first of all consider the developments of the current year. The Samsung brand, as befits one of the leading technology manufacturers, has something to offer even the most demanding users.
The latest Samsung Galaxy tablets are diverse and are presented both in the mid-price segment and in the premium class of devices. At the same time, they are all very productive, some are even an order of magnitude more productive than the developments of previous years, are equipped with the eighth version of Android and higher, boast better battery capacity, and a large contrast display. All this allows us to call them not only the present, but also the future of the South Korean company, because such developments indicate the improvement of the brand.
2 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 SM-T595 32Gb
New Android system. Functionality at an affordable price
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: RUB 21,990.
Rating (2019): 4.7
Only slightly inferior to the leader of the review in terms of price and capabilities, the silver medalist nevertheless established itself as a very worthy opponent even for elite tablets. Having appeared quite recently, this Samsung has already earned positive reviews and love from users. One of the key advantages of the model is the latest Android 8.1, for which most of the top applications on Google Play are optimized. Thus, the tablet is ultra-modern and does not require any upgrades or special system settings. While the best inexpensive new product doesn't have cell phone capabilities, it's very capable for its price and adds a gyroscope, face unlock, and a few other features.
In addition to good functionality, owners especially note the high build quality, battery life and a bright screen with rich colors. The tablet also has four speakers, which makes it sound quite powerful.
1 Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5 SM-T835 64Gb
The most powerful processor. Maximum screen resolution and thin frames
A country: South Korea (manufactured in China)
Average price: 48,490 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8
The 2018 elite model instantly attracts the eye with a large 10.5-inch display, minimal bezels and a unique resolution reaching 2560 by 1600 pixels. This is an absolute record for Samsung tablets, which makes the Galaxy S4 the best creation of the company. However, the device is good not only at first, but also at second glance. The impressive appearance of the device is also matched by the filling of the device. The processor with 8 cores and a frequency of 2350 MHz also became the best result in the history of Samsung and is among the top five most powerful in the entire field, thanks to which this tablet can even be called a gaming tablet.
Buyers often compare the power of the S4 with the capabilities of a laptop and even connect a keyboard and mouse to it, transforming it into a serious universal device for work and heavy graphics software. Many also value the tablet for its multitasking, fast charging, sophisticated system and DeX mode, thanks to which the device can function in PC format.
Text: Natalya Grishina
Photo: manufacturing companies
The times when the only thing that came to mind when thinking about tablets were expensive Apple iPads are long gone. Today, buyers can make a profitable purchase without fear of losing the functionality of the device.
Offers of various shapes and sizes attract with unusual capabilities (for example, a 3D camera) or stand out with a capacious battery, the charge of which will last for a whole day of web surfing.
CHIP has selected and tested high-quality models of tablet computers costing from 12,000 to 30,000 rubles, which in general or in certain important parameters can compete with expensive flagships such as the iPad Air 2, whose price in Russian retail often exceeds 50,000 rubles.
Thanks to good hardware, affordable mid-range tablets run just as smoothly as expensive flagships. And in terms of battery life, top models are sometimes even inferior to them. The operating system of most of these devices can be updated to the new version.
Devices with unusual abilities
When choosing a mid-priced tablet, buyers usually follow two strategies. The first is to purchase a top-end model with reduced equipment, possibly from previous generations. For Apple devices, this means limiting storage to 16GB and returning to the first generation iPad Air and iPad mini 3.
At the same time, you have to give up the maximum performance and higher-quality display inherent in the latest generation of iPad. The advantage is a long-lasting battery.
As for tablets running the Android operating system, the situation is similar, but there are exceptions. For example, the Google Nexus 9 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, which appeared on the market last year, are not inferior in performance even to new expensive models.
Strategy two is to choose a device from a less famous manufacturer. Thus, Huawei MediaPad X2 and Dell Venue 8 are among the best tablets running Android. Windows tablets have also found their place in the sun in the form of transformers. These gadgets have a detachable keyboard - if you connect it to the device itself, you can work on it like a laptop.
No restrictions
For tablets with Full HD resolution and higher, we have set a budget of 25,000–30,000 rubles. The buyer has a choice of which matrix to prefer - AMOLED or IPS. The 2560 x 1600 pixel AMOLED displays of the Venue 8 and Galaxy Tab S display rich colors, but the IPS panels of the MediaPad X2 and Nexus 9 look even better with their high brightness.
It is worth noting that according to test results, the Nexus 9 has the best display to date. In terms of performance, low-cost tablet PCs also rank at the top. The Nexus 9 especially stands out. The Google device runs on the Tegra K1 chip, which can also be found in the NVIDIA Shield gaming model.
Our benchmarks show that the K1 is significantly ahead of all gadgets in terms of graphics performance, leaving behind even the leader, the iPad Air 2. The Dell Venue 8 tablet with the PowerVR G6430 graphics core is far ahead. This video core was also used in Apple devices before the first generation iPad Air.
In the AnTuTu test package, the Nexus 9 tablet could not beat the Air 2, however, the results were almost equal. With some reservations, this also applies to all devices included in the top half of our rating, right up to the ZenPad from ASUS.
When choosing tablets of previous generations, you do not necessarily have to give up the latest versions of operating systems - in the table we have indicated the latest available version. So, both iPads run on iOS 9.1. Windows tablets made by Toshiba and Acer can handle the “ten” quite well.
The situation is more complicated with Android - version 6.0 is provided only for Google Nexus 9. Tablets from other manufacturers will receive an update to 6.0 later, and many devices will not get the turn at all.
Installing the latest OS version
Nevertheless, the picture from this point of view is not at all bad. All gadgets, except Acer Iconia Talk S, run on Android version 5 and higher, which, compared to 6.0, does not support some features, for example, full encryption of all data and the ability to use an SD card as internal memory.
Otherwise, the changes are cosmetic: Google has simplified management and added the ability to customize the interface at your discretion. In iOS 9, Apple optimized performance and added a power saving mode. Overall, iOS, Android and Windows are at a comparable level.
The mobility of tablets depends on the battery capacity, the total weight and dimensions of the product, as well as the power consumption of the chip and display. Compared to top-end devices, the best tablets in our selection were clearly in the lead: expensive ten-inch models like the iPad Air 2 or Sony Xperia Z4, while thin, light and powerful, boast only average scores for portability. But compact and relatively fast tablets like the Venue 8 or MediaPad X2 can withstand ten hours of operation without recharging.
Tablet as a laptop or smartphone
In addition to the Click Mini, the Acer Aspire Switch 10 comes with a keyboard dock. Both devices can be used instead of a laptop in cases where particularly high performance is not required. But just like on laptops, I was disappointed by a lot of unnecessary pre-installed software.
Compact seven-inch tablets, due to their size barely exceeding the diagonal of smartphones, are multifunctional devices of a different kind. MediaPad X2 and Acer Iconia Talk S are equipped with dual SIM card slots and LTE support.
ASUS follows a completely different trend with the ZenPad S 8.0: it is equipped with a new USB Type-C connector. USB-C is a future standard, but for now its availability means you need to use an adapter every time.
The internal memory of the ZenPad is quite impressive - as much as 64 GB. Other manufacturers, due to memory of this size, significantly increase the cost of the tablet or do not provide the possibility of expanding it at all. Among the entertainment options, it is worth noting the RealSense camera in Venue 8, which allows you to determine the distance between two objects.
It is worth noting that the issue of size plays an important role. Thus, in the category from seven to eight inches, for 30,000 rubles you can now purchase the best models on the market.
The choice in the category from nine inches is already limited to devices that were in the lead more than a year ago - Nexus 9 and iPad Air. But their aging is so slow that for at least two more years they will remain classed as high-end tablets.
Test results
Present to your attention catalog tablets- the best virtual guide in Runet and the most competent consultant in the world of high-quality tablet computers of the latest generation! Find a tablet here computer for communication, entertainment or work - it couldn't be easier. By using catalog you will be able to get as close as possible to the most productive and fashionable, as well as inexpensive and popular tablets, make a choice by brand, according to the technical characteristics of interest, find out prices on tablets in different stores and much more. It is important to note that here you can view the current collection tablets not only from the world's leading manufacturers, but also from their direct competitors, who are not yet very well known, but are already making tablets no worse, and sometimes even better than branded ones.
Possibility of obtaining information on manufacturers, models
The catalog tablets designed specifically for users who want to buy a new modern device, having first studied its parameters in detail. To do this, we have not only collected a huge number of offers in one place, but also provided comprehensive information about each product. All tablets computers on the pages catalog compiled by brand. For each brand, the main page contains the logo of the manufacturing company, its name and a button to go to the page where they are presented. prices for all tablets specific brand available. For a more detailed search, on the right side of the page there is a “selection by parameters” panel, where you can set search options tablet by price, brand, and all desired characteristics, from the size of the built-in memory and processor frequency, right down to dimensions and weight.
Study characteristics and prices online stores
Wide functionality catalog on the page of each brand they allow you to “try on” any tablet computer to suit your style, pace of life and of course wallet. You can choose the most comfortable display mode, sort products by popularity, as well as by newness. This page is a complete catalog tablets a specific brand, which shows the appearance with a brief description for each of them. Just click on the selected tablet to go to its “personal” page, where the most detailed technical information, user reviews, video reviews, and accessories are presented. Concerning prices on tablets in the catalog, then under each image the minimum cost of a particular model is indicated. By clicking on the “prices” tab below, you can see all the current prices for a specific model in leading online stores on the Runet.
Comparison of models and parameters
The “compare” option allows you, by checking two or several devices at once, to compare all the main parameters and prices on tablets in a split second. In comparison mode catalog tablets for each of the models indicates a list of characteristics, including the OS, parameters of the processor, RAM, display, number and format of interfaces, wireless communication capabilities, multimedia, the presence of cameras and additional features such as GPS, various sensors, etc. It should be noted that each tablet computer accompanied only by the most reliable information, similar to that published on the manufacturer’s website. If you are or have been a user of any of the tablet models, you can rate the model on a five-point scale or leave your review, which will provide invaluable help to other visitors to the catalog, who will no doubt be very grateful to you.
