Samsung Galaxy Tab – Luxury 7 inch tablet with Android

In late autumn, a whole bunch of tablets with Android finally appeared. One of the most anticipated is the Samsung Galaxy Tab, a 7-inch creation that runs Android 2.2 and is capable of playing HD video. The fact that it also has a high-resolution screen with 1024 x 600 pixels makes it really interesting as an iPad competitor.

Well built plate
The Galaxy Tab feels really solid with a well-thought-out design and stable construction, and is reminiscent of a slightly smaller iPad with the fairly strong black frame around the screen. At the top right of the front, there is a camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels for video calls – a function that is, however, quite limited today. The white back has a slightly better camera with three megapixels and autofocus.

The high resolution screen is really good even if it is not an amoled screen. It is noticeable that it does not have the same luster and intensity as what we find in, for example, Samsung’s own mobile Galaxy S, but it does its job and does it well.

Slimmed down. The Galaxy Tab is at most 1.2 centimeters in width.

When we try to surf, which is one of the basic ideas of this type of gadget, we notice a rather noticeable toughness. First, we tried the full version of Aftonbladet and thought that it might be too large a page, but even the mobile version of Aftonbladet involves a slow scrolling where the screen does not feel as if it is keeping up.

We also tried another browser, the popular Dolphin Browser HD – and experienced the same problem there. But in that browser we could at least turn off Flash, which made the browsing experience somewhat better. When we tested with Firefox beta for Android, it was significantly faster. So it’s not the processor and graphics that are the problem. This is a bug that we hope Samsung can fix with a software update in the future, because right now it’s a pretty dull browsing experience.

Capable of HD movies
Another main function is of course the ability to play movies, and this is also where the Galaxy Tab comes into its own. With support for HD playback and a built-in and really good movie player, it actually shines in this area. We tried playing 720p resolution mkv movies with superb results. We experienced no lags or sync issues with the audio, and subtitles are also supported.

Perhaps the picture will be a bit dark as the screen is not quite as bright as we are spoiled with in amoled screens, but it was fine to watch movies and series in indoor light. In the dark, of course, there are no problems at all.

The video player also remembers where you are in the movie if you end it, so you can quickly stop watching a movie or series and resume watching right where you left off.

Unlike, for example, the iPad, it is also possible to make calls with the Galaxy Tab. Either you put it on the table and use it as a speakerphone, or you connect the included
the headset or a bluetooth headset if you wish. As a speakerphone, it works really well.

Another built-in feature is the e-book reader which looks really nice, but here too we get major performance issues. Browsing the book requires a small page-turning animation to appear each time, and this is something the Galaxy Tab struggles to display without stuttering. Fortunately, it does not affect readability.

Bu for special contact!
A seven-inch tablet becomes something of a middle ground between a normal phone and a larger tablet such as an iPad. Especially since the Tab has a ring function. But the handling goes well and the keyboard actually works really well to type with. It doesn’t replace a laptop in our eyes, but it’s fine to write emails and edit documents without cramping.

We give a minus because it does not use micro-usb for charging and transfer but Samsung’s own connector. If you want to transfer movies, we recommend a card reader because the micro-sd card is easily accessible from the side without you even having to turn off the device.

We have some question marks about the performance of the browser, and at this price we at least hope for a solution in a future software update. The recommended price of around SEK 9,000 is really juicy, but you can find it at cheap retailers for just under SEK 7,000.

On the whole, the Galaxy Tab is a pleasant acquaintance that gets the appetite kicking in, and if you want an all-in-one tablet for movies, surfing and the phone, it is a very good alternative, which hopefully can get even better in the future.

Samsung Galaxy Tab
Manufacturer: Samsung, www.samsung.se
Processor: Cortex A8 1GHz
Memory: 16 GB and micro sd card slot
Screen: 7 inch, 1024 x 600 pixels multitouch
Connections: Mini usb, 3.5 mm audio,
Wireless connection: 802.11abgn, bBluetooth 3.0+edr, 3G (hsdpa 7.2/hsupa5.6 Mbit/s), gps
Battery: Up to 7 hours of video playback
Camera: 3 megapixel autofocus and 1.3 megapixel
Size: 19 x 12 x 1.2 cm
Weight: 380 grams
Other: Dlna
Approx price: SEK 9,000

Plus: The movie screening. High resolution screen.
Minus: Slow browser. No regular micro-usb. Expensive.
Grade: (7 out of 10)

Samsung Galaxy Tab