Samsung Galaxy Tab S2: Taking a page from Apple's winning handbook
But that’s not the case.
Ditching the features we rarely use means the 2015 tablet only packs those that are relevant. It focuses on meeting two specific needs: multimedia and productivity.
Mobility must’ve been of paramount concern to Samsung’s engineers. The 32GB, LTE Tab S2 we’re reviewing is thin at 6mm and weighs 392 grams, making it easier to carry than the iPad Air 2 and putting it on par with Sony’s Xperia Z4 Tablet.
Of all the Samsung tablets, it is the Tab S2 that commands the least attention with a design that is understated. Older Samsung slates would compete against the Android OS for attention. The design of the Tab S2 differs by diverting eyes towards the display.
Last year’s model has a better screen, but the difference is small enough to be negligible. The Tab S2 formats a 2048x1536 resolution to a 9.7-inch screen. Each inch of the display packs 264 pixels, which is only 24 pixels shy of its predecessor.
The display specifications of Samsung’s tablet mirrors that of Apple’s iPad Air 2. The screens share the same size, the same aspect ratio, the same resolution and the same pixel density. Only one specification separates the two and it is one that makes all the difference.
Beneath the Gorilla Glass coating is a Super-AMOLED display; screen technology that negates the need for a backlit panel because it can switch individual pixels on and off. A rivalling tablet shines enough light on black pixels for it to be used as a makeshift torch. The Tab S2 differs completely. Trying to figure out where it stops and the night starts is difficult. Press play on a Netflix video and everything in a darkened bedroom will go black, the tablet disappearing into the emptiness, sans for the red loading wheel leading up to video playback. Then it is followed by bold strokes of bright colours.
Screens rate among the most energy demanding features and a Super-AMOLED panel bodes well for economy. Following suit is the octa-core processor powering the slate, which alternates between two quad-core CPUs — one running at 1.9GHz and another at 1.3GHz — in an effort to balance performance with efficiency.
Joining the processor is 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage and a microSD slot that’ll take cards up to 128GB in size.
The Tab S2 has an 8MP rear camera and a 2.1MP front camera
The battery in this tablet has shrunk a little in size. Built into the tablet is a non-removable 5870 milliamp-hour battery. Samsung claims shaving power use from here-and-there allows the Tab S2 to playback video for 12 hours straight.
Holding the original Tab S back was its cumbersome TouchWiz software and a finger scanner best described as temperamental. Both of these shortcomings have been addressed.
Pricing for the Tab S2 competes against that of Apple’s iPad Air2. Often it undercuts everybody’s favourite tablet by twenty or thirty dollars, depending on the variant.
Making a tablet as good as Apple’s iPad won’t win customers over. The Tab S2 has to be better, and we endeavour to find that out in our upcoming review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 pricing
9.7-inch model
8-inch model