Database Users

SGT 7.7 vs SGN 5.3

I have a dilemma...
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4136&idPhone2=4135
i want the Galaxy Note because of it's newer features, but i want the 7.7 size of the Galaxy Tablet, actually i want 10.1 but it's not SAMOLED HD, the Note is only 5.3 not big enough as a tablet, yet not small enough as a phone
i've seen and used the Gnote in person and it's big. way bigger than my SGS2. but not big enough to see games in a bigger screen
so the 7.7 is as good as it gets until the release a 10.1 SAMOLED HD version
the spec on the 7.7 seems a little bit dated vs the Note 5.3 (camera MP, resolution 720 vs 1080, and many many others)
so i'm really unsure about the purchase
if i got for the 7.7 i'll probably go for the 64 GB version or at least 32 GB like on the Note
ideally i'd like to use 3G on either of the two, but both are not compatible with Tmo AWS 1700
it'd have been a simple purchase if the 7.7 had the same spec as the 5.3 except for the better screen

The Note and the 7.7 both have the same resolution.
http://www.samsung.com/global/microsite/galaxynote/note/spec.html?type=find
Really, the Note's strengths are in its digitizer pen and pocket-ability. I can't see keeping both a Galaxy 2 and the Note. It's kind of odd how many niches Samsung is trying to fill, but they're all pretty solid products so there can be a dilemma when choosing. If you just want a larger SAMOLED screen then you may have to wait.

SGT7.7 is using the better screen SAMOLED+ = RGB matrix
while the Note is only using the SAMOLED HD = Pentile matrix

I have a Note, and I have a Tab 8.9 LTE (not Tegra!) and an SGS2.
I haven't touched the SGS2 in three weeks. I rarely use the Tab now. I use the hell out of my Note. I also have a 1st-gen Tab 7" 3G, which is now a very expensive alarm clock.
That said, I'm still going to buy a 7.7 3G. It's just too sexy to resist that big SAMOLED HD Plus display combined with Exynos, in a thin, mostly metal case.
Don't know how much real use I'll get out of it if I keep the Note though.

GT-P6800 vs GT-N7000: FIGHT!!!
Since I currently have both devices, I'll give you my take on them in their own right. Bear in mind, this is my own personal review based on my own experiences with each. So whichever one I favour in the end is really just my own opinion; your experiences may favour a different opinion, and as such, it's really down to the individual as to which one is ultimately better for you. That said, the Galaxy Tab 7.7 and the Galaxy Note are absolutely fantastic devices, and I love them both.
By now, most of us know that these devices are very similar on the inside, so I'm going to break this down by their differences instead. Mainly I'm going to focus on the most obvious differences like screen, battery, camera, form factor, and x-factor (like things which can't really be put on a spec sheet).
So let's begin!
Screen:
Let me just start this section by saying that both screens are absolutely gorgeous! Both have a 1280x800 resolution but that's about where the similarities end. The Note features Samsung's HD SAMOLED display technology vs the 7.7's HD SAMOLED Plus technology. Now, there's a lot of hoo-ha going on about the inferiority of the PenTile subpixel arrangement that the Note uses, and that it would have been just that much better had it been the same kind of RGB subpixel matrix used in the Galaxy S2 (and the 7.7 for that matter!). To this is say in the most respectful manner possible, QUIT YOUR MOANING!!! It makes complete sense as to why Samsung chose to use the PenTile pixel arrangement with the Note due to its smaller size; you can achieve a higher resolution with fewer subpixels. If Samsung had gone with an RGB arrangement instead, with today's current technology, either the screen would have had to have been bigger, or the resolution lower (maybe qHD or something). On top of that, I actually kinda like the way that the PenTile display seems to dither and/or anti-alias images. So oblique angles appear sharper and less pixelated. Text on the Note is crisp and easy to read, even without having to zoom in. On top of that, since PenTile uses more green subpixels than either red or blue, and since human eyes are more sensitive to green, the Note's display appears to be noticeably brighter than the 7.7
Now for the 7.7's display, and oh what a great display this is! If you've ever seen or used the SAMOLED Plus displays found on the Galaxy S2 or other Samsung products using the same technology, you'll feel right at home with the 7.7; it's the same exact thing, only bigger and more of it! What's not to like? Not much really. The only thing I find worth noting when comparing the 7.7's display to the Note, apart from the difference in the subpixel design which I have already talked about, is the brightness. The 7.7 doesn't really appear to be as bright as one might expect. However, what the 7.7 lacks in brightness, it more than makes up for in colour accuracy. The 7.7 reproduces colours which are warmer and more natural looking than what you might see on the Note. Even when I compared my 7.7 to my 8.9 side by side, the 7.7 wasn't as bright as the IPS panel in that device, though there was no competition with the 7.7's contrast levels or colour reproduction. All in all, the 7.7's screen is absolutely brilliant. Its refinement means that it focuses on being the best it can be in all areas rather than having to exaggerate one strength in order to distract the user from any would-be downfalls.
EDGE: Draw.
At the end of the day, both screens are winners because they are best suited to the respective sizes of the devices they're on, which leads me to the next category.
Form factor:
Which do you prefer: A small, slim, lightweight tablet that can double as your phone? Or do you prefer a jumbo sized phone which packs the power and versatility of being able to play the role of a tablet?
This one really comes down to the individual and their lifestyle, so it's very hard to remain objective here.
As a phone, the Note is massive. Once I had become used to the sheer size of it, my old Galaxy S2 felt utterly tiny in my hand for comparison. It's a really strange feeling which you have to experience yourself in order to fully understand. Having said that though, once you get used to it, it feels just like any other smartphone, only better. As someone with pretty big hands, having the extra real estate makes texting a breeze. Viewing web pages is also a much more pleasant experience than on any smartphone I have ever used, period. As large as the Note is for a phone, it was surprisingly pocketable. I rarely had an issue where it didn't comfortably slip right into my everyday trousers or jeans without a fuss. Finally, I never found it to be as awkward as I had expected when it came to the times I had to hold it up to my ear to take the occasional phone call either. I was half expecting to look like a fool holding something so massive as the Note up to my head, but it's really not an issue. It felt obvious to me that Samsung took a lot of care into making sure that the Note would push, but not exceed, the boundaries of what is the best and most comfortable fit for everyday people in most situations, and that's what makes it great.
On the other hand, the 7.7 feels amazing! When I first picked it up out of the box, I was almost startled by how thin and light it is! If Samsung had announced that the 7.7 could double as your razor blade, and you could effectively use it to shave, I could totally see that being a real possibility. Yeah, it's like that. Perhaps it's a good thing that the 7.7 is encased in lovely brushed aluminium to weight it down lest I'd be worried that it would simply float away in a light breeze. For me, the 7.7 hits the sweet spot as a tablet. I have owned both the original Galaxy Tab as well as the 8.9. With the original, I loved how portable it was, but the screen size and resolution left me wanting just a little bit more. For a while I had the 8.9, but compared to the original, it felt just a little too cumbersome and unwieldy for me. With the 7.7, I think Samsung has finally cracked it! It's just big enough that I can still have a full tablet experience, yet it's still just small enough that I can very easily slip it into a vest or coat pocket, with no ill effect. It's nice not having to carry it around in a separate man-purse. Absolutely brilliant! I will say however, that holding it up to your head to take the occasional phone call does look quite ridiculous... However, this embarrassment can easily be avoided by using either the included earphones or bluetooth. Problem solved. I should mention that I have a Samsung HM5000 on its way, so we'll see how that changes or improves the overall experience. Overall though, the 7.7 is still fantastic as both tablet and phone.
EDGE: Draw.
Again, this all comes down to the individual, so in an effort to remain objective on a very subjective category, I can't really award an edge to either device.
Camera:
I'll be completely honest here: The 7.7's 3mp shooter can't even touch the 8mp beauty packed into the Note. To say that the 7.7's main camera is adequate, is about the nicest thing I can say for it overall. Though both units can record 720p video (with the Note being able to take it a step further by doing 1080p as well), the pictures and video captured by the 7.7 are very grainy in comparison. Why Samsung chose to forego a better shooter with 7.7 is beyond my understanding. Perhaps size and/or cost restrictions. Who knows?
So, if you take a lot of pictures, and camera quality is a big issue for you, then you're best off going with the Note on this one. However, if a stellar camera is more of a bonus than a selling point for you, the 7.7's shooter is, as I said, adequate. Either way, the Note's camera is the clear winner here.
EDGE: Note.
Battery:
The Note features a whopping 2500mah battery compared to a stellar 5000mah battery found in the 7.7
Though the 7.7's battery is literally twice as powerful as the Note's, it is having to power a much larger screen. Obviously, battery performance all depends on your usage, so your own experience could vary considerably. Having said that, with both devices I rarely had any issues with getting through a whole day of moderate to heavy usage and still having some power to spare. Now this is moderate to heavy usage with the screens both set to full brightness levels mind you. If you take advantage of the built-in power management features and reduce your screen brightness, I have little doubt in my mind that you can very easily go a couple days of moderate usage without having to worry about charging.
In my experience, I would say that both devices are about equal when it comes to battery performance.
EDGE: Draw.
X-Factor:
This is the category to describe what makes each of these devices special in their own way.
For the Note, the obvious x-factor is the s-pen. For some people, this is a huge selling point. Steve Jobs once said that if you're using a stylus, you're doing it wrong. As much as it pains me to admit, I think he was right... to an extent. The fact that there are a plethora of after-market capacitive styli available for use on our modern touch-screen devices is evidence to the fact that a lot of people still want something to hold in their hands as a way of interacting with their equipment. Anyone who has tried to take handwritten notes using their fingers alone knows this truth; the pen was invented for a reason. Fortunately, Samsung had the creative vision to pose the question, "Why not not have the best of both worlds?" Thus the Note was born. It's important to remember that the s-pen is no ordinary stylus. In fact, Samsung prefers not to even call it that, and no wonder! It would be virtually insulting to call the s-pen a mere stylus, because in many ways, it's really much much more. The s-pen isn't actually capacitive at all in fact. Instead, it uses the very same industry leading technology found in Wacom tablets used by many artists today. To have that same technology in the palm of your hand is truly a worthy x-factor for the Note.
For the 7.7, the x-factor is its very own design and build quality. I'm not sure how to accurately put into words just how well built the 7.7 is and, in turn, just how much of a difference that makes for how it feels in your hands. You really have to hold it to fully comprehend what I mean. Every inch of it feels so well thought out and crafted to perfection. The thought of putting it in an after-market case of some sort, or slapping some screen protector on it just feels sacrilegious in some way; kinda like with what George Lucas has done in his Star Wars remakes. Leave it as it is and appreciate it for its own magnificence. It's rare to see Samsung use this level of quality in the materials it chooses for making its devices. In this particular case, the 7.7 has "premium" written all over it. In short, it's a work of art. Well done Samsung!
EDGE: Draw
Other thoughts and conclusion:
It's incredible to realize just how much we are able to do with our mobile devices today compared to 2 years ago, or 5, or 10, etc. The idea of bringing single device with you which could fill the roles of a phone, GPS, media player, camera, laptop, etc. is something that, at one point, seemed nearly impossible. Yet here we are. We have come to a point where we expect and demand that our devices be capable of doing all these things effortlessly, on-demand, on the go, untethered, and unlimited. So, with regard to the Note and the 7.7 (and indeed any mobile device), the question is: how well can these devices live up to our demands and expectations?
For me, the overall winner here is the Galaxy Tab 7.7
Don't get me wrong, I love the Note. It is a fantastic device, and I feel that it really does what few others do: live up to its very own concept. However, for me anyway, it just doesn't quite fit into my lifestyle quite as well at the 7.7 does. The s-pen is a brilliant idea, but for an IT guy with terrible hand writing who doesn't really spend a whole lot of time sketching or doodling, the s-pen x-factor is somewhat lost on me. At the end of the day, with the s-pen safely nestled away, the Note is just a really big Galaxy S2 to me. That's not a bad thing at all by any right, however, I already have a Galaxy S2, and it does what it does very well. Also, despite the virtually identical internals, the 7.7 does feel much snappier, smoother, and generally more responsive. If the Alpha build of CM9 is anything to go by, I'm sure ICS will all change the user experience for the better on the Note. However, as it stands, the overall fluidity of the 7.7 is something that, frankly, puts even the iPad 2 to shame, and that's saying something! Also, as I mentioned earlier, I have the HM-5000 bluetooth handset on order. I suspect when that gets paired up to the 7.7 it will prove to be a deadly combo by merging a full tablet experience with a practical phone experience, all in a nice neat package.
In closing, here's a little food for thought.
I had posted on the Note forum what I think would be the ultimate device for me:
Imagine an upgraded 7.7 that more-or-less keeps the existing form factor but with subtle refinements. Maybe include a better screen and camera. Perhaps include Samsung's upcoming 5 series Exynos chip as well.
Now imagine an upgraded HM-5000 with a sleeker design which includes s-pen technology on one end, a 3.5mm jack on the other end, and maybe a monochrome OLED display in the middle for things like caller-ID, message info, and media playback info.
Now pair those two together...
Holy hell...
Samsung, I hope you're listening!
Hope you've enjoyed this guys! Thanks!

I have an SGN 5.3 and an SGT10.1V
I sold my SGT 7. Its to small for home use an to big for mobile use.
There is no need for an new SGT 7.7.
An new Tab with 10.1 Amoled and full hd screen compatible with google tv resolution would be great.

Good Read
Nice job of evaluating the two products. I have both the Note and the Tab 7.7. I concur both are extremely good products. The only negative I have found is the font size with the 7.7 appears to be half of the Note size. I wish Tab 7.7 font size would at least match the size of the smaller Note, then a toss up on which is best. Then it becomes per user's needs and interests. Currently, unless something can be done (ICS 4.2?) then readability becomes a real issue, and I would have to select the Note. perhaps all the available software has to catch up with the increased resolutions of the screens. Maybe most software programs are written to work on a 5.3" screen, but lose it when you go to a tablet with 1280X800 resolution. I read the next Prime will be 1920X1200. If true, and if font small now due to increased resolution, or whatever the reasons, how would you even see print with this resolution?
I did have a Tab 7 Plus for a month late last year, with 1024 X 600 resolution, and all software seemed to be readable, not anymore.

I have gone by two Notes by now!
I'm waiting for my 7.7 to get home!
for me, Note requires me to stop doing what ever im doing and use both hands to do it (unlike my 4.2" DHD). so if i have to use both hands, i rather have a bigger screen (and bigger bat).
i do take a lot of photos for internet posting. shame the sensor is worse

I'd say wait for a quad core galaxy tab if you can, if not the note is the way to go.

Thanks Jade Eyed Wolf very good info & more food for thoughts before making the final purchase
... i still can't make up my mind ! LOL i like them both
FernandoMiguel said:
I have gone by two Notes by now!
I'm waiting for my 7.7 to get home!
for me, Note requires me to stop doing what ever im doing and use both hands to do it (unlike my 4.2" DHD). so if i have to use both hands, i rather have a bigger screen (and bigger bat).
i do take a lot of photos for internet posting. shame the sensor is worse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See, this is EXACTLY one of the points that is bothering the most about the Note, i really like the Note, but being only 5.3 is a really odd and weird side, which i need to use both hands to use it, but the screen readability is not better than those on 4.5"
the resolution is larger, but everything else it seems like compressed due the size of the 5.3 screen
nascar24usa said:
Maybe most software programs are written to work on a 5.3" screen, but lose it when you go to a tablet with 1280X800 resolution. I read the next Prime will be 1920X1200. If true, and if font small now due to increased resolution, or whatever the reasons, how would you even see print with this resolution?
I did have a Tab 7 Plus for a month late last year, with 1024 X 600 resolution, and all software seemed to be readable, not anymore.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
now this is the thing that is not really what you believe
both Note and 7.7 runs at the same resolution, so naturally on the 7.7 every thing looks enlarged and easier to read, while both occupaying the same space in relation to the resolution, all these will become more obvious when everything runs 4.x, instead of 3.x vs 2.3.x and all showing different things.
the truth is most of the apps are designed for the old "HD" resolution which was 800x480 the new "HD v2.0" is 1280x800, so anything that you see blurry are probably old 800x480 apps/games displayed (enlarged) on the 1280x800 screen
as Apps/Games maker updates their graphics and fonts to match the 1280x800 resolution screens, you'll see better and crispier text & picture quality
Personally my dilemma is that, i want to see bigger pictures and text on the same 1280x800 scale, that's why i like the 7.7 more it's less of a strain for my eyes, but the lower quality Camera and lack of the Pen and other nice features from the Note, makes is a real hard decision to lock on to either one
if it's all pure like like as in good package of everything i want, i'd have to default to the Note, but... the only turn down on the Note is it's 5.3" screen size
aaaaarrrrrrgggghhhhhhhh.... i'm torn between the two, can't make up my mind
maybe i should wait for the 10.1" SAMOLED version to come out before i revisit my purchase options
Sleek69 said:
I'd say wait for a quad core galaxy tab if you can, if not the note is the way to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
currently that's the last thing that concerns me
once you hit dual core, any extra core are just bonus
all i use my phone/tablet most for is webbing, emails, text, phone calls, games, apps, videos and music, the any extra core will only benefit heavy 3D Games, which i don't have that much luxury of time to play with
as the only times i'll be playing any game is in a bus/subway, bus stop, waiting room, doctor office, restaurant waiting for food or people to arrive, and stuff like that
any good heavy 3D game will usually require you to sit there and play for a good 30 min before you archive progress or able to reach to the next Save Point... so no, not worth it

SpenZerX said:
I have an SGN 5.3 and an SGT10.1V
I sold my SGT 7. Its to small for home use an to big for mobile use.
There is no need for an new SGT 7.7.
An new Tab with 10.1 Amoled and full hd screen compatible with google tv resolution would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Note is too big to be an allday phone, the 10.1 is far too big and heavy to be used as a mobile device. The perfect size would be the one of the old 7" but of course the 7.7 is almost the same size and still extremely portable. I can chat on it, use video calls, browse, read my RSS feeds, emails and a lot more. It's my daily companion as the 7" was before and I'm absolutely addicted to either of them.
As you can see, opinions and favours differ very much.
Sent from my GT-P6800 using XDA App

@Jade Eyed Wolf
re: screen
i totally agree with you there, i actually have both pentile on my older SGS i9000 and Nexus S an the normal RGB on my SGS2 T989
i don't mind the pentile that much as other people exaggerate, but at times it's obvious the green line / blue line on the side of the screen but only noticeable on a white screen otherwise not noticeable at all, the only draw back on the pentile readability is white text seems coloured
the RGB SAMOLED+ as mentioned it does definitely produces a much more natural warmer colours, that what makes me want the 7.7 the most knowing it also uses the SAMOLED+ but in HD
re: camera
same view, if Samsung at least included a 5 MP camera, i wouldn't have had a 2nd though about picking up the 7.7 right away, but having a 3 MP camera is like going back to the dark ages of quick shot cameras...
that's one of the factors i could ignore, as i'd most likely hang on to my SGS2 as the main Phone/Camera/WiFi hot spot/GPS
while off loading all the work & entertainment functions to the 7.7 (assuming i go for it)
but it'll always be hanging as a after though in the back of my mind, if i do make the purchase, i wouldn't be completely be happy with the purchase.
re: battery
based on my own personal usage, i'll definitely like the larger battery capacity of the 7.7 that will allow for more action time, my preference on SAMOLED screen is always 30% that is a sweet spot that brings out all its best while not draining the battery too fast, except unless i'm outdoors then i set it to auto and it will go to 100%
battery should last pretty long since the 2G/3G radio will be off (not compatible in Tmobile AWS 1700), and only using the WiFi
re: x-factor
indeed what attracts me the most of the Note is the pen, i'm actually from the old time Palm, the original inventors per-say of the style, obviously the S pen is not a style but my main reason for wanting a pen again is for Hand written notes, as people says, it's natural and faster than texting
and the OCR tech they included in the note is just fantastic, it felt almost like Palm Pilot devices re-invented all over again
for the 7.7 i'll say the X-factor is more on the perfect screen size is just large enough for me (and maybe most other people) to type with full fingers and both hands on the QWERTY keyboard, which makes texting and forum browsing interation much more of a breeze, that's actually one of the biggest factor why i'm not convinced of the size of the Note, but as its name suggest it's meant for Notes with 1 hand on the pen, and one of the device.
I'm sure once upgraded to ICS both devices, and the software for the S pen is ported over to 7.7 i can pretty sure buy the Spen after market and use it on the 7.7, while still able to use both hands to type on the keyboard, so it's a Win-Win for the 7.7 in that regard
re: other
seems like we both reached to pretty much the same conclusion
although i wont be able to shed off the S2 unless they release a version of 7.7 that can run on AWS
having the S2 already i don't really want the Note, as it's just a larger version of the same with upgraded internals
i really liked how i was able to do full Qwerty with 2 hands on the 7.7 or larger tablets, it feels totally natural to use it as a replacement laptop
in fact my last Duo 2 Core high end gaming laptop that i use for work has been sitting on the shelf for the last 2~3 years collecting dust since i moved to the SGS1 ~ SGS2 that replaced all of its functions
but now that i'm so used to Android, i want to be able to type faster or write notes down faster than having to use only 2 fingers to type stuff in a relatively small screen while easily mistyping another letter cuz of the close proximity of the buttons

AllGamer said:
@Jade Eyed Wolf
re: screen
i totally agree with you there, i actually have both pentile on my older SGS i9000 and Nexus S an the normal RGB on my SGS2 T989
i don't mind the pentile that much as other people exaggerate, but at times it's obvious the green line / blue line on the side of the screen but only noticeable on a white screen otherwise not noticeable at all, the only draw back on the pentile readability is white text seems coloured
the RGB SAMOLED+ as mentioned it does definitely produces a much more natural warmer colours, that what makes me want the 7.7 the most knowing it also uses the SAMOLED+ but in HD
re: camera
same view, if Samsung at least included a 5 MP camera, i wouldn't have had a 2nd though about picking up the 7.7 right away, but having a 3 MP camera is like going back to the dark ages of quick shot cameras...
that's one of the factors i could ignore, as i'd most likely hang on to my SGS2 as the main Phone/Camera/WiFi hot spot/GPS
while off loading all the work & entertainment functions to the 7.7 (assuming i go for it)
but it'll always be hanging as a after though in the back of my mind, if i do make the purchase, i wouldn't be completely be happy with the purchase.
re: battery
based on my own personal usage, i'll definitely like the larger battery capacity of the 7.7 that will allow for more action time, my preference on SAMOLED screen is always 30% that is a sweet spot that brings out all its best while not draining the battery too fast, except unless i'm outdoors then i set it to auto and it will go to 100%
battery should last pretty long since the 2G/3G radio will be off (not compatible in Tmobile AWS 1700), and only using the WiFi
re: x-factor
indeed what attracts me the most of the Note is the pen, i'm actually from the old time Palm, the original inventors per-say of the style, obviously the S pen is not a style but my main reason for wanting a pen again is for Hand written notes, as people says, it's natural and faster than texting
and the OCR tech they included in the note is just fantastic, it felt almost like Palm Pilot devices re-invented all over again
for the 7.7 i'll say the X-factor is more on the perfect screen size is just large enough for me (and maybe most other people) to type with full fingers and both hands on the QWERTY keyboard, which makes texting and forum browsing interation much more of a breeze, that's actually one of the biggest factor why i'm not convinced of the size of the Note, but as its name suggest it's meant for Notes with 1 hand on the pen, and one of the device.
I'm sure once upgraded to ICS both devices, and the software for the S pen is ported over to 7.7 i can pretty sure buy the Spen after market and use it on the 7.7, while still able to use both hands to type on the keyboard, so it's a Win-Win for the 7.7 in that regard
re: other
seems like we both reached to pretty much the same conclusion
although i wont be able to shed off the S2 unless they release a version of 7.7 that can run on AWS
having the S2 already i don't really want the Note, as it's just a larger version of the same with upgraded internals
i really liked how i was able to do full Qwerty with 2 hands on the 7.7 or larger tablets, it feels totally natural to use it as a replacement laptop
in fact my last Duo 2 Core high end gaming laptop that i use for work has been sitting on the shelf for the last 2~3 years collecting dust since i moved to the SGS1 ~ SGS2 that replaced all of its functions
but now that i'm so used to Android, i want to be able to type faster or write notes down faster than having to use only 2 fingers to type stuff in a relatively small screen while easily mistyping another letter cuz of the close proximity of the buttons
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your comments AllGamer!
Might I suggest that if you're planning on keeping your SGS2 with you as your main camera and phone device, perhaps you might be more interested in the P6810 instead (wifi-only 7.7)? Seems a bit of a waste having a 3G radio if you're just going to keep it off all the time anyway. Main reason I sold my 3G 8.9 actually.
Pairing up a P6810 with an SGS2, along with a very useful app called Tablet Talk would be a very mean combination indeed! I used to do that with my 8.9 and SGS2, and it was fantastic!
Also, I totally agree with you on the 7.7 inch screen being the perfect sweet spot. I should mention as well that thumb-typing in portrait has never been easier!
---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 PM ----------
AllGamer said:
@Jade Eyed Wolf
and the software for the S pen is ported over to 7.7 i can pretty sure buy the Spen after market and use it on the 7.7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wasn't aware that the 7.7 had the necessary hardware built-in to support s-pen functionality. Can you show me a source which claims this?

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
I wasn't aware that the 7.7 had the necessary hardware built-in to support s-pen functionality. Can you show me a source which claims this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't this involve having a Wacom digitizer overlay across the screen? I need proof as well.
That reminds... I just bought the galaxy Note and now I'm comtemplating on the Galaxy Tab 7.7 as well.... But as this thread points out, I don't think there is a point of having both the Note and the Tab 7.7 right?

ckyllr said:
Doesn't this involve having a Wacom digitizer overlay across the screen? I need proof as well.
That reminds... I just bought the galaxy Note and now I'm comtemplating on the Galaxy Tab 7.7 as well.... But as this thread points out, I don't think there is a point of having both the Note and the Tab 7.7 right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not? Note goes in my pocket and is everywhere I am....Tab 7.7 is not so portable, but still awesome.
TL;DR, if you can make a case for a smaller smartphone and a Tab, you can make a case for a Note and a Tab 7.7 too.

Jade Eyed Wolf said:
Since I currently have both devices, I'll give you my take on them in their own right
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the review and the YouTube video, and fcuk me an hour later I've got one. $21,000NT I hate you

ckyllr said:
Doesn't this involve having a Wacom digitizer overlay across the screen? I need proof as well.
That reminds... I just bought the galaxy Note and now I'm comtemplating on the Galaxy Tab 7.7 as well.... But as this thread points out, I don't think there is a point of having both the Note and the Tab 7.7 right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing how Wacom Digitizer from the note doesn't work on my S2, spen from my note won't work on 7.7 either
---------- Post added at 07:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:24 AM ----------
AllGamer said:
@Jade Eyed Wolf
i totally agree with you there, i actually have both pentile on my older SGS i9000 and Nexus S an the normal RGB on my SGS2 T989
i don't mind the pentile that much as other people exaggerate, but at times it's obvious the green line / blue line on the side of the screen but only noticeable on a white screen otherwise not noticeable at all, the only draw back on the pentile readability is white text seems coloured
the RGB SAMOLED+ as mentioned it does definitely produces a much more natural warmer colours, that what makes me want the 7.7 the most knowing it also uses the SAMOLED+ but in HD
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's really not the same comparison as the SGS vs SGS II since the pentile issue is being made up by the higher resolution and pixel density
I wouldn't call the SGS pentile usage worries as an exaggerated concern. There was a huge jump in pic quality when i moved up to S2's 4.3" from the captivate's 4" screen
in terms of color tone, Note seems to be showing more natural tone than my S2
AllGamer said:
@Jade Eyed Wolf
I'm sure once upgraded to ICS both devices, and the software for the S pen is ported over to 7.7 i can pretty sure buy the Spen after market and use it on the 7.7, while still able to use both hands to type on the keyboard, so it's a Win-Win for the 7.7 in that regard
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like i said earlier, wacom digitizer stylus requires hardware support since it's not based on capacitive

Jimmy34742 said:
Read the review and the YouTube video, and fcuk me an hour later I've got one. $21,000NT I hate you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LMAO!! Well, you're welcome! Spread the hate bro! But enjoy that 7.7 when it arrives
---------- Post added at 12:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:40 PM ----------
ph00ny said:
Like i said earlier, wacom digitizer stylus requires hardware support since it's not based on capacitive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree. However, there's another thread here about how the display controller used in the 7.7 supposedly has active digitizer hardware capabilities. That's why I was saying that perhaps all that is needed is the software support.

ph00ny said:
Like i said earlier, wacom digitizer stylus requires hardware support since it's not based on capacitive
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Jade Eyed Wolf said:
I agree. However, there's another thread here about how the display controller used in the 7.7 supposedly has active digitizer hardware capabilities. That's why I was saying that perhaps all that is needed is the software support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as both of you have pointed out at the moment this is still a theory, we need a coder/hacker that have access to both devices and figure out how to enable it in the 7.7
knowing Samsung they always take the easy route in the assembly lane, they always have goodies hidden under the hood, and just need a good coder to unlock the hidden features.
i wouldn't be surprised if it can be done, yet i wouldn't be disappointed even if it can not be done, but it's worth a try
either case we are slightly off topic here, we should open another topic to discuss about that possibility
so going back on topic about Note vs 7.7 ... i still have not yet made up my mind
i like them both the 7.7 is winning my vote for the larger size alone, but i still would prefer the features and specs of the note, but there's no point upgrading to the Note when i already have a SGS2

AllGamer said:
so going back on topic about Note vs 7.7 ... i still have not yet made up my mind
i like them both the 7.7 is winning my vote for the larger size alone, but i still would prefer the features and specs of the note, but there's no point upgrading to the Note when i already have a SGS2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just recently updated my Note to its latest available firmware (LA4) to see what that would do, but honestly, it still feels VERY laggy compared to my 7.7
I mean, it's not so bad to the point that it isn't functional or anything like that, but still, for a 1.4ghz dual core? Come on... I blame Gingerbread. Can't wait to see what both devices are like once they get official ICS!
In the mean time, I think I'll probably be making a couple more videos on YouTube. I know I at least want to make a short video showing how well my cheapo velcro car mount for the 7.7 works! Maybe I'll make another short one comparing the Note and the 7.7 side by side so you all can see what I mean by the lag on the Note...

Why I chose the Galaxy Note... one mans journey

I had been in the market for a tablet for a few weeks, having not owned one before, I felt it was time to take the plunge. The main purpose was for evening internet browsing, maybe accompanied by a pint of beer. I'd previously purchased a galaxy Note phone for this very purpose, but I found even that was too much of a compromise screen wise, 5" just wasn't doing it for me, I had to go large. And if I had a tablet I could downgrade to a smaller size phone in future.
After extensive research on the net I narrowed the choice down. A 7” tab would be too small a leap in screen real estate for my needs, so the Nexus was ruled out, which left the front runner been the Transformer TF300, I though a keyboard would be nice for my very basic needs of Word and Excel, and of course it had the Tegra 3, which I had convinced myself I needed. I was aware the 300 could have a few ‘issues’ after reading the xda forums.
I resisted the urge to purchase as the Berlin IFA was about to commence, and Samsung and others would be releasing their latest tech there. Along comes the Note 10.1. And with that comes more frantic Googling for the latest internet reviews ( I ain’t gonna let go of £400 without knowing exactly what I’m buying!).
After reading the review at Android Police the Note seemed a pile of crap. A turd in the bath. A stink in a cesspool. However, my research goes further than that and I started reading user reviews and of course the review from Lisa Gade on youtube. All these seemed to counter what android Police had stated. With my head spinning I had to put some rational thought to my purchasing decision, and my thoughts were…
Do I need a keyboard – would be nice, but given my very limited use of work related stuff, and a large onscreen keyboard on tablets anyway, it would be possible to manage without, I shouldn’t compromise other factors just to have a keyboard.
Front facing stereo speakers – basic design principles tell me this is the way it should be done.
S pen – never really used it on my phone, but I was intrigued by the ‘hover’ function when viewing the web.
Charging cord – Another bummer mentioned at Android Police, its only 3 feet long, no way I could use the Note when its charging. Solution, charge it overnight.
Build quality – now that review at AP had a lot to say about flexing, squeaking and poor fitting. I saw the videos on that site and I agree with what the reviewer was showing us there. But I can only conclude that the unit he had must have been either pre production or had been subjected to some fairly vigorous tear downs.
I have my Note here and I must say it has very high build quality, absolutely no squeaking, all panels are flush fitting, and the only flex is right in the middle of the back panel, which incidentally is where I never hold it anyway. Also I’ve never had an issue with lightweight back panels, right from my first Samsung Galaxy phone. The technology is there to make things like that these days, it just makes sense, lightweight and no signal interference.
Tegra 3 – The reason I was after a Tegra device was so that I could ‘enter the tegra gaming zone’. It seems a nice place. But then again I don’t spend much of my life playing games and I can easily get my fix from whats available on Google Play.
Now that I have a Note I’m very happy in the knowledge that I have an even better processor, preloaded with masses of codec support and developed hand in hand with the Note to give a great browsing performance.
Cameras – I have no need for cameras on a tablet, waste of time. Oh hang on though, what have Samsung got here, this thing watches my eyes and doesn’t dim the screen unless I fall asleep, clever b******s.
GPS – I’ll only want this if I use Google Sky maps, I usually know where I am if I’m in my own house.
But it’s good to know that Glonass is included on the Note, another thumbs up in the high quality components list.
Audio quality. - Note has a Wolfson DAC. Nothing more to add here.
A note about resolution. One tablet I considered was the transformer Tf700 for its high res screen. Much talked about and much coveted. I wouldn’t turn it down. But when people are buying a tablet they need to consider what device they will be replacing. For me it will be primarily replacing my laptop, which has a 17” screen with a resolution of 1600 x 900. So just by downgrading to a 10” size screen with 1280 x 800 I’m getting higher res anyway, and given that it’s a PLS screen its higher quality to boot. So I’ve already gone ‘high res’ just by getting the note.
I’ve only wrote this review because I’m so impressed with my Note. I hope many others buy it and it gets the success it deserves.

Nice review, enjoyed reading it and hopefully teaches people not to be in haste at knocking a device without seeing real world usage user reports.
I think you have made a good choice and am happy that you are enjoying your note as it is out of the box, hopefully with the Jelly Bean update around the corner it will get even better.
Also love Lisa's reviews because her reviews do not seem to be biased unlike a number of other 'professional' reviewers.

same things i considered and bought note on its day of launch in india..
btw u forgot multiscreens and an extensive battery life
Sent from my GT-N8000 using XDA Premium HD app

Here's my bottom line. If I could have bought a 10.1 inch tablet with a 1920 x 1200 screen and a wacom digitizer and pen along with a 1.4 ghz quad core CPU and zero lag for $500 instead of this I would have.
Doesn't exist.
So I bought this.
** The problem I have with reviewers who have slammed this tablet is that they are comparing it either to tablets that do far less or simply do not and cannot exist at this price point. The lowest price for a pen based Windows RT tablet from Samsung will start at $150 more. And that will have worse dpi than this.
Sent from my GT-N8013 using Tapatalk 2

mitchellvii said:
Here's my bottom line. If I could have bought a 10.1 inch tablet with a 1920 x 1200 screen and a wacom digitizer and pen along with a 1.4 ghz quad core CPU and zero lag for $500 instead of this I would have.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe, +1.
mitchellvii said:
Doesn't exist.
So I bought this.
** The problem I have with reviewers who have slammed this tablet is that they are comparing it either to tablets that do far less or simply do not and cannot exist at this price point. The lowest price for a pen based Windows RT tablet from Samsung will start at $150 more. And that will have worse dpi than this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get a sense that what the OP and I need is more like Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 with GN 10.1 specs less s pen + better screen / premium quality. I don't really care that much for the s pen. I do need everything else you mentioned out of the tab though. So, I feel that some of the low points of this tab, screen resolution and lack of premium build feel, could've been mitigated had Samsung saved the money on S Pen and associated hardware and software expenses.

SM05 said:
Hehe, +1.
I get a sense that what the OP and I need is more like Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 with GN 10.1 specs less s pen + better screen / premium quality. I don't really care that much for the s pen. I do need everything else you mentioned out of the tab though. So, I feel that some of the low points of this tab, screen resolution and lack of premium build feel, could've been mitigated had Samsung saved the money on S Pen and associated hardware and software expenses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol, yeah that crazy Samsung with their crazy s-pen.
It's simple, if you don't need or use pen input, why the hell are you buying this tablet? Buy an iPad or an Infinity that are pure consumption devices. The SGN 10.1 is for people that want to do WORK with their tablet.

mitchellvii said:
It's simple, if you don't need or use pen input, why the hell are you buying this tablet? Buy an iPad or an Infinity that are pure consumption devices. The SGN 10.1 is for people that want to do WORK with their tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If it were that simple I wouldn't be replying on my GN 10.1. I posted this before but yeah, consumption device is what I mostly need. I don't plan on buying any Apple devices, don't wanna say ever but for a long time. That leaves android, which I prefer anyways (GS2 is my current phone). There aren't that many stable, fast and well built android tabs out there. Build quality + specs is why I went with GN. S pen is just an appendix as far ad I'm concerned. Lol
So, if you're listening Samsung, give us galaxy tab 10.1 with the same specs as GN, premium/better finish and improved screen dpi, if possible, and no s pen. All under 500 please. Lol

SM05 said:
If it were that simple I wouldn't be replying on my GN 10.1. I posted this before but yeah, consumption device is what I mostly need. I don't plan on buying any Apple devices, don't wanna say ever but for a long time. That leaves android, which I prefer anyways (GS2 is my current phone). There aren't that many stable, fast and well built android tabs out there. Build quality + specs is why I went with GN. S pen is just an appendix as far ad I'm concerned. Lol
So, if you're listening Samsung, give us galaxy tab 10.1 with the same specs as GN, premium/better finish and improved screen dpi, if possible, and no s pen. All under 500 please. Lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, they need 2 models. Consumer - $400, without the pen. Creator / Producer - $500 includes pen . Display on both needs to be the same (highest resolution and quality they can manage without slowing the system down.)

mitchellvii said:
Lol, yeah that crazy Samsung with their crazy s-pen.
It's simple, if you don't need or use pen input, why the hell are you buying this tablet? Buy an iPad or an Infinity that are pure consumption devices. The SGN 10.1 is for people that want to do WORK with their tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't say the infinity is a pure consumption device. I like my note a lot more then the prime I owned but with the keyboard dock it really does move it out of a pure consumption device.

nice review. exactly what i went thru lols

I mentioned it elsewhere, but the first review I read was from Lisa. Always unbias and as someone that knows about stylus's and wiacoms, she was very to the point about the device. Most if not all the others, reviewed the device as a competitor to the iPad, Transformer etc, when in reality those devices do not do what the Note does. After reading that stupid review from AndroidPolice, and I say stupid since no journalist/writer would make such a headline or put in stupid comments of the device giving them cancer, I went to the store to test it myself. It was nothing like what the reviews mentioned and right then and there I knew this was the tablet to get. A few days later I got it.
Haven't regretted it since.
is it the perfect device, No. nothing is, no matter what any one says, including Apple. Each and every device has its pro and cons, but this device runs circles around my previous Lenovo and overall, its one awesome device.
TS

As has been noted, I did not buy the Note for its pen, this was low on my list of needs as I had never found much use for it on my Galaxy Note phone (I found it just too cramped a space for my liking). I was instead drawn more by its quality and cutting edge components. However, given that the pen was there I’ve been giving it a go anyway, and I’ve found it a much better experience on this larger screen, infact I’m now beginning to use it all the time, it just seems easier and quicker for most things.
Websites are not designed to be prodded at with fingers, but to be used by a precise pointing device, so navigating using the pen feels quicker and more natural. When playing games (Air Attack HD) its easier to slide the pen around the screen and fingers are not blocking out the action.
Oh, I forgot about another reason that swayed me towards buying the Note, and that was to do my own little bit to support Samsung against the dark forces of crApple and its abuse of the (broken) patent system. Or as someone else on the net succinctly put it – the American patent system is a pile of ****, and Apple is sitting on top of that pile.
I’ve been listening to the sound quality of this thing, I’m going to put up a new post about it so its easier for people to find.

Samsung deleted my review

I posted a review at Samsung.ca for the Tab Pro 8.4.
And of course Samsung deleted it...
The irony was, I gave it 4/5 stars and praised its features. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned any of the minor issues with it.
When manufacturer's provide a space for the public to post a review and then delete those they don't like (and mine was pretty positive), what exactly is the point?

RobilarOCN said:
I posted a review at Samsung.ca for the Tab Pro 8.4.
And of course Samsung deleted it...
The irony was, I gave it 4/5 stars and praised its features. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned any of the minor issues with it.
When manufacturer's provide a space for the public to post a review and then delete those they don't like (and mine was pretty positive), what exactly is the point?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They only want super positive?
Why did you knock a star btw?
This is the first Sammy that I would rate 5 stars to.

Goes to show how dishonest Samsung can be. The reviews are not real and are rigged. To me Amazon has the best review system. You have to own and bought the product from their website and they don't filter the negative feedback except profanity.

scrosler said:
They only want super positive?
Why did you knock a star btw?
This is the first Sammy that I would rate 5 stars to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only decked it a point for a couple of reasons.
Price. To me it's not overpriced but realistically it should be a $300 - $350 range tablet. With the N7 sitting at $250, the LG G Pad sitting at $250 and the Mini Retina sitting at $400, it should have been somewhere in the middle. Don't get me wrong, I have the Mini Retina and much prefer the Samsung but for those who know nothing about tablets (my mother for example), it is very hard to sell against the Mini retina at the same price point. I showed it to my mother and she was asking why it was the same price as the Mini (which I bought her, sigh) was so much nicer...
Also I mentioned battery life compared to the Mini (that's what probably got the review deleted). Battery life is pretty good for an Android tablet (Better for sure than my G Pad) but compared to the Apple tablets, it's about 5 hours short. That's a big delta.
I also mentioned that the black version was not available in Canada. Why would they launch both colors in the US but only give Canada the god awful ugly white version? I hate white tablets and I'm stuck with one.
I also suggested that for the price point, the Tab Pro should have mini HDMI out. There are plenty of much cheaper tablets (like the Dell) that have this feature. This is being touted as a "Pro" device. Why do I have to hunt around for an MHL HDMI adapter (I've already bought and returned 2 that do not work) so that I can connect this device to a display? It would be great for powerpoint decks at clients (which I currently do with a Surface Pro). For $400, this feature should be a no brainer.
Despite the above, they are all minor concerns as I emphasized that it was the best Android tablet I have owned.
I guess I provided too much accurate info...

I think it's pretty obvious why they deleted your review, you mentioned your a Canadian
Sent from my Nexus 10 using XDA Premium HD app in Toronto

I think I'd probably go with a 3.5 for as it comes out of the box, pre loaded with lots of uninstallable crap, iffy/average build quality and poor battery life.
Once the bloat is removed, its a different beast, but then you have no warranty, so 3.5 stars is fair I reckon.
If they did a google play version, on the other hand, it'd be a 4.5 :good:

RobilarOCN said:
Despite the above, they are all minor concerns as I emphasized that it was the best Android tablet I have owned.
I guess I provided too much accurate info...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough! I agree with your statements!

Monkey Chops said:
I think I'd probably go with a 3.5 for as it comes out of the box, pre loaded with lots of uninstallable crap, iffy/average build quality and poor battery life.
Once the bloat is removed, its a different beast, but then you have no warranty, so 3.5 stars is fair I reckon.
If they did a google play version, on the other hand, it'd be a 4.5 :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A google play version, black 32GB, would be an instant buy for me (despite already having one).
It's a fantastic tablet, just a few minor things keep it from being perfect.
I also own a Mini Retina 128GB and the battery between the two isn't even close. That is one area that would make a big difference.

If I wrote a review it'd probably never going to be published on Samsung's website so I will do a review here.
I got the 12.2" and used it out for a week now, I would give it a 2.5. The only thing I like about it is the large screen and the clarity of the display. Other then that I too think it's overpriced compared to hundreds of other Android devices out there.
It's heavy and holding it with 2 hands for 30 min my wrist starts to feel uncomfortable. The bloatware is annoying and some of them you can't even be disabled. Of course I could do the root it and delete method it but that would void my warranty. That's a risk I'm not going to take cause I'm not sure if I'm keeping this. There should be a law like in Korea that a user should have the option to remove bloatware easily as they wish.
For a 9500 mAH battery, it sucked bad. Samsung claim you can watch 8 hours of continues movies but the most I've gotten is 3.5 hours. The sound and speaker is horrid because half the video I played has cracking and popping noises in the background. Also some 1080p videos I tested jitters and motion lags at times. For clarification, these videos I tested have no problem playing on my 6 years old MacBook at all. Magazine UI looks cool back in January when they demoed it but once you get to it, it feels incomplete and it is an awful experience. Couldn't remove it either.
Also I got the Black version and it came with an odd white usb cable and charger. Little missed details like that could annoy owners.
The next tablet I'm going to try is the Sony Xperia Z2. In the mean time, this isn't a winner for me so I'm probably going to return it soon. I really tried hard to like this tablet and was anxious when Samsung announce it but it is big let down for me.

NixxonExxo said:
If I wrote a review it'd probably never going to be published on Samsung's website so I will do a review here.
I got the 12.2" and used it out for a week now, I would give it a 2.5. The only thing I like about it is the large screen and the clarity of the display. Other then that I too think it's overpriced compared to hundreds of other Android devices out there.
It's heavy and holding it with 2 hands for 30 min my wrist starts to feel uncomfortable. The bloatware is annoying and some of them you can't even be disabled. Of course I could do the root it and delete method it but that would void my warranty. That's a risk I'm not going to take cause I'm not sure if I'm keeping this. There should be a law like in Korea that a user should have the option to remove bloatware easily as they wish.
For a 9500 mAH battery, it sucked bad. Samsung claim you can watch 8 hours of continues movies but the most I've gotten is 3.5 hours. The sound and speaker is horrid because half the video I played has cracking and popping noises in the background. Also some 1080p videos I tested jitters and motion lags at times. For clarification, these videos I tested have no problem playing on my 6 years old MacBook at all. Magazine UI looks cool back in January when they demoed it but once you get to it, it feels incomplete and it is an awful experience. Couldn't remove it either.
Also I got the Black version and it came with an odd white usb cable and charger. Little missed details like that could annoy owners.
The next tablet I'm going to try is the Sony Xperia Z2. In the mean time, this isn't a winner for me so I'm probably going to return it soon. I really tried hard to like this tablet and was anxious when Samsung announce it but it is big let down for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You raise some good points.However, you can't really complain about the size and weight. It is thinner and lighter than anything else in its size class. If it's too heavy, you should have bought a smaller tablet. I mean, how can you complain about the weight when you chose that size? The 10.1 Pro weighs almost 300 grams less.
I am surprised at your battery results. The 8.4 is good for about 7 hours of video (I've tested it several times on flights). I expected the bigger versions to be better given the higher rated battery.

RobilarOCN said:
You raise some good points.However, you can't really complain about the size and weight. It is thinner and lighter than anything else in its size class. If it's too heavy, you should have bought a smaller tablet. I mean, how can you complain about the weight when you chose that size? The 10.1 Pro weighs almost 300 grams less.
I am surprised at your battery results. The 8.4 is good for about 7 hours of video (I've tested it several times on flights). I expected the bigger versions to be better given the higher rated battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not complaining about size, it's perfect and I enjoy the large screen estate. I'm complaining about the weight. It feels super light when you carry it around but supporting it long term with your wrists are two different things. Maybe I will wait for the 2nd or 3rd generation to see if Samsung improves the weight and hopefully to be under 1 pound is ideal.
My battery result is what it is. I have it on auto brightness and it's not even that bright at all. The videos I played are standard avi, 720p and 1080p.

RobilarOCN said:
You raise some good points.However, you can't really complain about the size and weight. It is thinner and lighter than anything else in its size class. If it's too heavy, you should have bought a smaller tablet. I mean, how can you complain about the weight when you chose that size? The 10.1 Pro weighs almost 300 grams less.
I am surprised at your battery results. The 8.4 is good for about 7 hours of video (I've tested it several times on flights). I expected the bigger versions to be better given the higher rated battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bigger screen easily offsets the bigger battery compares to 8.4, because (in normal cases) the screen is always the biggest consumer of battery, the size of the screen is huge on 12.2, so I'm not surprised by the poor battery life it has.

RobilarOCN said:
You raise some good points.However, you can't really complain about the size and weight. It is thinner and lighter than anything else in its size class. If it's too heavy, you should have bought a smaller tablet. I mean, how can you complain about the weight when you chose that size? The 10.1 Pro weighs almost 300 grams less.
I am surprised at your battery results. The 8.4 is good for about 7 hours of video (I've tested it several times on flights). I expected the bigger versions to be better given the higher rated battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree 100% with everything nixxon said about the 12.2, I got it a few days ago and will be returning it soon.
The screen is gorgeous but it sucks battery like crazy even on low brightness, also the weight becomes uncomfortable quickly when you rest it on your chest (ie reading in bed).
The weight issue is tricky because I have laptops which are heavier but still comfortable to use in bed, what makes the 12.2 so uncomfortable is that all its weight gets exerted on a small area of your body vs a laptop where it's more spread out.
CPU bound tasks seem very quick but graphics intensive tasks feel sluggish compared to my note 10.1, I'm sure that could be improved with an optimized kernel/rom.
Still on the fence over whether to trade for a note pro 10.1 or wait for something else

sefstrat said:
Still on the fence over whether to trade for a note pro 10.1 or wait for something else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh boy, when it comes to Samsung software, waiting is the most traitorous thing ever. They have a very poor track record of OS and in house apps update ever. Take for example, the Note 10.1 2014 edition has been out since October, has the exact same identical internal spec as the Note pro 12.2 and it hasn't gotten the latest KitKat upgrade yet. They could have easily and inexpensively take the Note Pro 12.2 software and tweak it to work on the Note 10.1 but they still haven't done so.
Samsung doesn't take care of their customers after. They just want to make a quick buck on the hardware moving forward. They don't look back on supporting older devices because it's not profitable.

Haw dare you impede on Samsung's marketing scheme! Shame on you. Aren't you aware their devices are immaculate and faultless in every way?
Those looking at 10 inch you might want to wait for the SM T800.

All Bets Are Off

So...the Samsung weenies blinked. We now have the Samsung TabPro S...a....wait for it...Windows 10 tablet. I have a little throw up in the back of my mouth. 12 inch screen, lower resolution screen than the note 12.2. A little more ram. Thats it. But saddled with windows 10....more throw up.
So that pretty much tells the story. We are orphaned. Let the rooting begin.

To tell you the truth I would love to have Windows 10 on my Note Pro now. Perfect size, excellent screen, hardware isn't too shabby, and fantastic Wacom digitizer.
Anyone else feels the same?

If you want a true laptop replacement I can see W10 being more what you want. For my uses, reading comics, surfing the web, and maybe taking a note or two, Android is almost certainly a better OS. Just wish the verizon version was rootable on 5.1.1.

It was never abour "a laptop replacement" ....it was about having instant access to the net and usefull apps, with no wait and no weight. It was about having information and entertainment access available any time, any where, with enough power away from a wall plug to do useful things. It was about evolving from the keyboard/screen clamshell that needed a flat surface or fire resistant thighs to fully function. It was about freedom.

I was thinking of buying the new one once it's on sale and I see the pen. Then loading Remix OS on it.

globalsearch said:
It was never abour "a laptop replacement" ....it was about having instant access to the net and usefull apps, with no wait and no weight. It was about having information and entertainment access available any time, any where, with enough power away from a wall plug to do useful things. It was about evolving from the keyboard/screen clamshell that needed a flat surface or fire resistant thighs to fully function. It was about freedom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're absolutely right. The Note Pro is all those things. My needs for the device just simply change after two years, that's all. This was the perfect device then, but not anymore. It would have been perfect for me if this exact same hardware suddenly can run Windows 10, but that's not the case.
I understand that I'm going to have to sell this and buy something else (possibly one of those 2-in-1 Windows 10 devices, which are pretty popular), but the Note Pro is such a sweet device that I love so much that I don't really want to let it go.

globalsearch said:
It was never abour "a laptop replacement" ....it was about having instant access to the net and usefull apps, with no wait and no weight. It was about having information and entertainment access available any time, any where, with enough power away from a wall plug to do useful things. It was about evolving from the keyboard/screen clamshell that needed a flat surface or fire resistant thighs to fully function. It was about freedom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use mine as a full laptop/desktop/tv replacement. (Picture attached)
At home I actually haven't had access to an OS besides android for a few years now.
I agree its not for everyone and probably not even for most people.
but it works pretty well once you get used to it.
on a side note I will admit they make us use windows primarily at work, so some of my work from home is done through teamviewer as one of our customers uses a VPN that only allows connections from my work network.
but even with that issue 50% of my work can be done naively and even if I was using another OS I would still have the same limitation.
In my case its more about flexibility.
when I'm not working I can use it as a tablet and browse 9gag or watch netflix etc.
I can connect a controller to it and play games. (this is also fun to do when in the car waiting for people. it plays playstation and N64 games flawlessly)
when working I can set it up in full desktop mode and work just as well as if I was at the office.
Anyways I really agree with you in a majority scenario but I thought someone might benefit from knowing there is a fringe minority like me that use it for everything.

I would have loved the TabPro S if it didn't have the crappy AMOLED screen and had 3G/LTE with SMS and phone call support.

fvig2001 said:
I would have loved the TabPro S if it didn't have the crappy AMOLED screen and had 3G/LTE with SMS and phone call support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes you wonder what the defective thinking is in management. The Note Pro 12.2 set a high bar for screen resolution. Why for goodness sake would you come out with a new iteration, TWO years later, and put in a screen with LOWER resolution. Its like making 8 or 16gb phones today. Really?
Yesterday I was cleaning out some things in the back room. CAME ACROSS MY FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA I EVER BOUGHT. It is a Fuji MX-700. Paid like 500 for it in early 1999. Still works. It used these small flat memory cards called Smart Media. I pulled the card out. It was 16MB. They where expensive then. My first IBM PC clone in 1982 had a 10mb full sized Shugart drive. It weighed almost 12 pounds. Here is this card with 1.5x more memory the size of a 1inch piece or cardboard, some 17 years later. Today, we have 200GB micro sd cards the size of my pinky finger's tip. My point is that technology is ever increasing and miniaturizing and improving. That is why it is becoming more integrated into our lives. Why did Samsung hire marketing department pinheads to not only hold back but reverse progress on their products?
I remember all the negative reviews that the note pro received. Oh it's too heavy. It's too big. Stick with the 9 inch model. Oh and the Apple pinheads. It' crap, too big, yada yada yada. Now, today, look at the ipad pro. Since its an apple product, it must be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Of course. So much for unbiased reporting and product review.
And the switch to the privacy robbing win10, wow. I would have thrown a little development into a reliable wine like portal for the must-have windows legacy applications.
Terrible thinking.
Hey, the heck with the 60" 4k flat screen in the living. I got a 9" black and white tv here thats been the cats meow since 1975. Hello Samsung, hire me.!!!!

fvig2001 said:
I would have loved the TabPro S if it didn't have the crappy AMOLED screen and had 3G/LTE with SMS and phone call support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
globalsearch said:
It makes you wonder what the defective thinking is in management. The Note Pro 12.2 set a high bar for screen resolution. Why for goodness sake would you come out with a new iteration, TWO years later, and put in a screen with LOWER resolution. Its like making 8 or 16gb phones today. Really?
Yesterday I was cleaning out some things in the back room. CAME ACROSS MY FIRST DIGITAL CAMERA I EVER BOUGHT. It is a Fuji MX-700. Paid like 500 for it in early 1999. Still works. It used these small flat memory cards called Smart Media. I pulled the card out. It was 16MB. They where expensive then. My first IBM PC clone in 1982 had a 10mb full sized Shugart drive. It weighed almost 12 pounds. Here is this card with 1.5x more memory the size of a 1inch piece or cardboard, some 17 years later. Today, we have 200GB micro sd cards the size of my pinky finger's tip. My point is that technology is ever increasing and miniaturizing and improving. That is why it is becoming more integrated into our lives. Why did Samsung hire marketing department pinheads to not only hold back but reverse progress on their products?
I remember all the negative reviews that the note pro received. Oh it's too heavy. It's too big. Stick with the 9 inch model. Oh and the Apple pinheads. It' crap, too big, yada yada yada. Now, today, look at the ipad pro. Since its an apple product, it must be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Of course. So much for unbiased reporting and product review.
And the switch to the privacy robbing win10, wow. I would have thrown a little development into a reliable wine like portal for the must-have windows legacy applications.
Terrible thinking.
Hey, the heck with the 60" 4k flat screen in the living. I got a 9" black and white tv here thats been the cats meow since 1975. Hello Samsung, hire me.!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is the screen crappy? It is well-reviewed. The Galaxy Note 12.2 Pro has a pentile screen which has only 20% more subpixels than an equivalent size 1080p normal RGB submatrix screen ...
As for the windows tablet, whatever; I wouldn't buy it simply because they only have 4 gb of ram which is not enough for a windows device in this day and age.
Samsung always tries to achieve scale with its technologies which is why it sometimes puts its underperforming phone SOC's into their tablets instead of giving us an upscale version like Apple does.
I'm guessing there's a good chance they use the screen in an Android tablet release later this year or another manufacturer uses the screen in a device.
I like my note pro 12.2 but the android tablet market sucks and Samsung is still the best of a very short list of android tablet makers.

Diogenes5 said:
How is the screen crappy? It is well-reviewed. The Galaxy Note 12.2 Pro has a pentile screen which has only 20% more subpixels than an equivalent size 1080p normal RGB submatrix screen ...
Yes the screen may be better in due to the AMOLED setup but it is still AMOLED. The screen quality will diminish quickly since it is using Windows due to static screen elements. Have you been to stores with AMOLED displays? The demo units that use them tend to degrade so badly. It's literally just used so that it would save battery and make sure you buy a replacement in 1-2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

fvig2001 said:
Diogenes5 said:
How is the screen crappy? It is well-reviewed. The Galaxy Note 12.2 Pro has a pentile screen which has only 20% more subpixels than an equivalent size 1080p normal RGB submatrix screen ...
Yes the screen may be better in due to the AMOLED setup but it is still AMOLED. The screen quality will diminish quickly since it is using Windows due to static screen elements. Have you been to stores with AMOLED displays? The demo units that use them tend to degrade so badly. It's literally just used so that it would save battery and make sure you buy a replacement in 1-2 years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look at my signature, I have a galaxy tab s 10.5 that I use very heavily as my main e-reader and movie/tv-show viewer. It has no ghosting no image retention. I bought it heavily used too. Yeah, an oled that's left on the same wallpaper for basically 24 hours a day for a year at a store kiosk will have terrible burn-in. And the oled wears down from heavy use and gets lesser luminosity.
The timeline for this happening in normal use, even heavy normal use, is probably in the timeline of 5 years or more. In the meantime, an amoled display will have infinite contrast, near-perfect color accuracy or eye-popping saturation in cinema mode and better battery life if you use night themes.
Overall amoleds have such good color quality and performance charactertistics now that their drawbacks are minor in comparison. The note pro 12.2 has a nice screen but it's impossible for me to use it at night because of the backlight being too bright even with programs like twilight to dim it. An amoled screen is amazing and far superior.
Now windows getting stuck and making you have image retention might be a problem, but Samsung dealt with the issue according to all reviews.
I am hoping that they come out with an amoled note android tablet this year. I was hoping for this to be the case last year after their first-gen tab s devices but alas, there was nothing. I'm guessing the 12.2 pro didn't sell that well. I can live without windows, there's too much bloat that limits battery life and the interface still sucks donkey balls for a tablet. I'm hoping apple opened a new market up with the 12" ipad and samsung feels confident enough to release an amoled Note 12.2 successor.
I just remote access on my note pro right now if I need windows for the most part. The only upside is having a more powerful version of one-note. Otherwise, I could care less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Diogenes5 said:
fvig2001 said:
If you look at my signature, I have a galaxy tab s 10.5 that I use very heavily as my main e-reader and movie/tv-show viewer. It has no ghosting no image retention. I bought it heavily used too. Yeah, an oled that's left on the same wallpaper for basically 24 hours a day for a year at a store kiosk will have terrible burn-in. And the oled wears down from heavy use and gets lesser luminosity.
The timeline for this happening in normal use, even heavy normal use, is probably in the timeline of 5 years or more. In the meantime, an amoled display will have infinite contrast, near-perfect color accuracy or eye-popping saturation in cinema mode and better battery life if you use night themes.
Overall amoleds have such good color quality and performance charactertistics now that their drawbacks are minor in comparison. The note pro 12.2 has a nice screen but it's impossible for me to use it at night because of the backlight being too bright even with programs like twilight to dim it. An amoled screen is amazing and far superior.
Now windows getting stuck and making you have image retention might be a problem, but Samsung dealt with the issue according to all reviews.
I am hoping that they come out with an amoled note android tablet this year. I was hoping for this to be the case last year after their first-gen tab s devices but alas, there was nothing. I'm guessing the 12.2 pro didn't sell that well. I can live without windows, there's too much bloat that limits battery life and the interface still sucks donkey balls for a tablet. I'm hoping apple opened a new market up with the 12" ipad and samsung feels confident enough to release an amoled Note 12.2 successor.
I just remote access on my note pro right now if I need windows for the most part. The only upside is having a more powerful version of one-note. Otherwise, I could care less.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I concur wholeheartedly with this.
I have a samsung vibrant that I used very heavily for 5 years and only saw minor ghosting in the notification area towards the end of the 4th year.
even then it was only noticeable if you were in landscape with a blank white screen.
A note tablet in the 12 inch range with an amoled screen would be absolutely amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Do not upgrade to Tab S3!

Folks if you are thinking of upgrading to the Tab S3: do not do it, it has a massive power drain bug that is likely a hardware issue at this point:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-tab-s3/how-to/wifi-power-drain-bug-please-report-to-t3624872
I miss my good old S2.

Wouldn't touch it - don't like the available sizes. Happy with my 8" Tab S2.

...........
I wasn't interested in it either. The breakable glass back totally turned me off, as well as the unimpressive processor. I don't think Samsung put the proper effort into it, except for designing the price tag, and my two Tab S2's are going good, and if the screen didn't break my older Google Nexus 7 would be too. What I have been ogling is the new Ipad Pro 12 or 10, tho I never owned an Apple product before.

penguinjoe said:
Wouldn't touch it - don't like the available sizes. Happy with my 8" Tab S2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Totally agree penguin. Battery isn't great, but ergonomically, the 8" is the best tablet you can get. You can hold this for ages and your wrist doesn't get tired.

Masteryates said:
Totally agree penguin. Battery isn't great, but ergonomically, the 8" is the best tablet you can get. You can hold this for ages and your wrist doesn't get tired.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two Tab S2's, the 8 and the 9.7. For my purposes I now prefer the 9.7. The easiest to hold tho was my old Google Nexus 7, even though it was heavier it was narrower and my hand could grip it.

Bullwinkle J. Moose said:
I have two Tab S2's, the 8 and the 9.7. For my purposes I now prefer the 9.7. The easiest to hold tho was my old Google Nexus 7, even though it was heavier it was narrower and my hand could grip it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that you could get your hand around a Nexus 7 but that was at the expense of screen. On websites, this was a pain. That's why I think the Tab S2 8" is the best of both worlds.

Masteryates said:
I agree that you could get your hand around a Nexus 7 but that was at the expense of screen. On websites, this was a pain. That's why I think the Tab S2 8" is the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both the gen 1 and gen 2 Nexus 7's and agree that while the size was nice for gripping, I much prefer the additional real estate and general quality of the 8" S2 display. I use a Moko case that has a handle to facilitate holding the S2 - I don't have big hands and I also kept hitting the screen with my fingers and palm when holding with one hand.

sparksd said:
I have both the gen 1 and gen 2 Nexus 7's and agree that while the size was nice for gripping, I much prefer the additional real estate and general quality of the 8" S2 display. I use a Moko case that has a handle to facilitate holding the S2 - I don't have big hands and I also kept hitting the screen with my fingers and palm when holding with one hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sparks. I find that because the S2 is so light, I don't need to hold as much of it to feel secure in my hand. I'd say I've medium sized hands. I think the 9.7" version would be a different proposition all together.

...............
sparksd said:
I have both the gen 1 and gen 2 Nexus 7's and agree that while the size was nice for gripping, I much prefer the additional real estate and general quality of the 8" S2 display. I use a Moko case that has a handle to facilitate holding the S2 - I don't have big hands and I also kept hitting the screen with my fingers and palm when holding with one hand.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, and I like the real estate on the 9.7 even more. I've even been ogling the new 12" Ipad, but like I said I don't even know how to work them. I'll have to look into the Moko case. What I do now is use no case at all except for transport, but a glass shield to protect the screen. Seems to me that the added weight of a case defeats the purpose of these ultralight devices, but a case with a convenient gripping handle might be good...
PS It's a hassle posting on here: "the string you entered for image verification doesn't match"......huh? what string? It just says check box if you're not a robot and I did (and so would a clever robot!)

Bullwinkle J. Moose said:
I agree, and I like the real estate on the 9.7 even more. I've even been ogling the new 12" Ipad, but like I said I don't even know how to work them. I'll have to look into the Moko case. What I do now is use no case at all except for transport, but a glass shield to protect the screen. Seems to me that the added weight of a case defeats the purpose of these ultralight devices, but a case with a convenient gripping handle might be good...
PS It's a hassle posting on here: "the string you entered for image verification doesn't match"......huh? what string? It just says check box if you're not a robot and I did (and so would a clever robot!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Two years ago I bought an iPad Air 2 even though I've never been a fan of Apple products - I've had a lot of Android devices and my home PCs/laptops are Windows. But I must admit I am very impressed with the iPad- very polished and very stable. The iOS ecosystem has a lot I don't like - the sandbox approach to file management for one - but a lot of the apps available are extremely well done and sophisticated. Look at "Complete Anatomy" for one - I tried it out of curiosity and didn't buy the full edition but it is absolutely amazing. My doctor saw it and said he wished he had it in med school. My last large Android tablet - an Asus TF700T - was a PoS that I only used for screwing around with custom ROMs; it was pretty but it's performance was terrible. My brother has the 12" iPad and it is very nice and could make a good work machine. But I'm a retired S/W Systems Engineer (started in '71!) so work is foreign to me ...

Sparksd - Was it hard to learn to work the Ipad coming over from Windows and Android? I'm lazy and don't want to put a lot of effort into learning a whole new system...besides I' m already all tuckered out just from reading that 4-letter word you so rudely wrote...eek!...work! I don't see anyone else putting together such a nice tablet as Apple, though.

Bullwinkle J. Moose said:
Sparksd - Was it hard to learn to work the Ipad coming over from Windows and Android? I'm lazy and don't want to put a lot of effort into learning a whole new system...besides I' m already all tuckered out just from reading that 4-letter word you so rudely wrote...eek!...work! I don't see anyone else putting together such a nice tablet as Apple, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was quite easy. In fact, what originally got me interested was when my 94 year-old Mom was given an older iPad by my nephew and she was able to use it on her own. I don't think I would have left her with an Android device or PC. The most difficult aspect to get used to and understand was the iOS file management philosophy but once I read up on it and got a couple of file management apps (FileBrowser, GoodReader, and Documents) I could deal with it.
And apologies for using the word for That Which Should Not be Spoken Of. Retirement is great!

I may give it a try, Spark. If I do I'll buy it at Costco. I'll have 90 days to decide if I want to keep it then. Plus Costco extends the warranty by a year.

To be honest, unless you have an existing investment in Android or Android apps, or have a specific need that Apple doesn't support, the iPads are better tablets. They are built better, work smoother, and have much better battery life over all. I am the lone hold out in my family with a Nexus 7 and a Galaxy Tab S2 (because the N7 is starting to get creaky)
The only issues I get from my family, who are uniformly Apple users, are that printing directly from apps doesn't work right (generally solveable by using the Brother print app), occasionally the bluetooth will glitch and cause the music player to start automatically, and Safari will crash under moderate load. Dolphin generally solves that latter issue, though I'm not sure how. Oh, and there are no obvious ways to block ads outside of the web browser. That's it - really. Otherwise, they love the things. We have upgraded through the iPad 2 to the iPad Air and now my wife is on an iPad Air 2.
Given Google's lack of interest in tablets and tablet software, the only thing keeping me on Android tablets is the fact that I own a lot of Android apps and games for them, and several reasonable firewall and privacy apps are available for it. Obviously, as an XDA member, I tend to prefer a higher level of control and modification of my devices, but if I were suggesting something for a non-technical user, I would point them at the new iPad 5. (unless they want to do art or technical work, then an iPad Pro 9.7")

jshamlet said:
To be honest, unless you have an existing investment in Android or Android apps, or have a specific need that Apple doesn't support, the iPads are better tablets. They are built better, work smoother, and have much better battery life over all. I am the lone hold out in my family with a Nexus 7 and a Galaxy Tab S2 (because the N7 is starting to get creaky)
The only issues I get from my family, who are uniformly Apple users, are that printing directly from apps doesn't work right (generally solveable by using the Brother print app), occasionally the bluetooth will glitch and cause the music player to start automatically, and Safari will crash under moderate load. Dolphin generally solves that latter issue, though I'm not sure how. Oh, and there are no obvious ways to block ads outside of the web browser. That's it - really. Otherwise, they love the things. We have upgraded through the iPad 2 to the iPad Air and now my wife is on an iPad Air 2.
Given Google's lack of interest in tablets and tablet software, the only thing keeping me on Android tablets is the fact that I own a lot of Android apps and games for them, and several reasonable firewall and privacy apps are available for it. Obviously, as an XDA member, I tend to prefer a higher level of control and modification of my devices, but if I were suggesting something for a non-technical user, I would point them at the new iPad 5. (unless they want to do art or technical work, then an iPad Pro 9.7")
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I completely agree with your assessment. I do like the level of control and modification that Android gives but that's the engineer in me who likes to really play around with the settings, ROMs, etc. As a "tablet user" though, give me my Air 2. It just plain works well and as I mentioned earlier, the level of polish and sophistication in a lot of available apps is outstanding. I'll always have Android devices but my next tablet upgrade would be another iPad. The S2 is a big upgrade from my Nexus 7 (and it blows my Asus Transformer Pad Infinity TF700T away) and is fun to use but my Air 2 is a better tablet. And this is from a guy who never thought he would buy an Apple device.

Yeah, I've been deeply disappointed by Google's lack of interest in tablets. I was hoping that after all the effort that went into Honeycomb they might actually reach parity with iOS, but nope. It is all still phone centric.
What is more baffling is that Samsung hasn't picked up the slack either, and despite being "Galaxy" devices, the Galaxy Tabs aren't really being treated that way. I still like my Tab S2, and it is at least as good as my wife's iPad Air 2 in terms of performance, but it isn't anywhere near it in terms of battery life. That last one is frustrating because it's a tablet. Make the thing a millimeter thicker and put a real battery in it. Our old iPad 2, despite being practically geriatric at this point, outlasts my Tab S2! (I keep it around as a Facetime client)
Same with my phone - I could tolerate an extra few millimeters if it meant the battery lasted longer. I really hope this thin fetish ends at some point...

jshamlet said:
Yeah, I've been deeply disappointed by Google's lack of interest in tablets. I was hoping that after all the effort that went into Honeycomb they might actually reach parity with iOS, but nope. It is all still phone centric.
What is more baffling is that Samsung hasn't picked up the slack either, and despite being "Galaxy" devices, the Galaxy Tabs aren't really being treated that way. I still like my Tab S2, and it is at least as good as my wife's iPad Air 2 in terms of performance, but it isn't anywhere near it in terms of battery life. That last one is frustrating because it's a tablet. Make the thing a millimeter thicker and put a real battery in it. Our old iPad 2, despite being practically geriatric at this point, outlasts my Tab S2! (I keep it around as a Facetime client)
Same with my phone - I could tolerate an extra few millimeters if it meant the battery lasted longer. I really hope this thin fetish ends at some point...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't look good these days for the overall tablet-only market, with a greater emphasis on hybrid and detachable devices - look at the Surface and where Apple is going with their Pro line. I think Google sees their niche in Chromebooks, which leaves Samsung as the big Android player. And if I'm an app developer, I'd be focused on either targeting phones (Android or Apple) or Apple tablets, not Android tablets, making Android tablets even less desirable as an end-user device. (Regarding battery - charged my Air 2 last night and this morning it was still at 100% with Bluetooth, WiFi, and location all enabled. Usage drain is also better than any other device I've owned.)

jshamlet said:
Yeah, I've been deeply disappointed by Google's lack of interest in tablets. I was hoping that after all the effort that went into Honeycomb they might actually reach parity with iOS, but nope. It is all still phone centric.
What is more baffling is that Samsung hasn't picked up the slack either, and despite being "Galaxy" devices, the Galaxy Tabs aren't really being treated that way. I still like my Tab S2, and it is at least as good as my wife's iPad Air 2 in terms of performance, but it isn't anywhere near it in terms of battery life. That last one is frustrating because it's a tablet. Make the thing a millimeter thicker and put a real battery in it. Our old iPad 2, despite being practically geriatric at this point, outlasts my Tab S2! (I keep it around as a Facetime client)
Same with my phone - I could tolerate an extra few millimeters if it meant the battery lasted longer. I really hope this thin fetish ends at some point...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree Jshamlet. The thing that made me buy this tablet was the weight, and I notice how heavy any other tablet is when I holding. Maybe Samsung could attempt something like last years Motorola phones where there is a back plate which includes a battery, giving the best of both worlds?
---------- Post added at 11:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 AM ----------
jshamlet said:
Yeah, I've been deeply disappointed by Google's lack of interest in tablets. I was hoping that after all the effort that went into Honeycomb they might actually reach parity with iOS, but nope. It is all still phone centric.
What is more baffling is that Samsung hasn't picked up the slack either, and despite being "Galaxy" devices, the Galaxy Tabs aren't really being treated that way. I still like my Tab S2, and it is at least as good as my wife's iPad Air 2 in terms of performance, but it isn't anywhere near it in terms of battery life. That last one is frustrating because it's a tablet. Make the thing a millimeter thicker and put a real battery in it. Our old iPad 2, despite being practically geriatric at this point, outlasts my Tab S2! (I keep it around as a Facetime client)
Same with my phone - I could tolerate an extra few millimeters if it meant the battery lasted longer. I really hope this thin fetish ends at some point...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to disagree Jshamlet. The thing that made me buy this tablet was the weight, and I notice how heavy any other tablet is when I holding. Maybe Samsung could attempt something like last years Motorola phones where there is a back plate which includes a battery, giving the best of both worlds?
Talking of picking up the slack, I'd love One Plus to put there foot in the door. Samsung have had there chance......

Hi folks.
I was close to buy an iPad air 2 also, but:
- no GPS
- expensive
were the two reasons that I preferred the tab s2 instead. Also, I found it for a very good price.
I agree that for general usage the iPads are better tablets, I would never buy my mother an android, but for an engineer like me, with low budget, this was a better choice.
The alternative for me was to an even cheaper tablet, like Amazon fire, but the quality is even lower.
And I think the screen of the Tab S2 is amazing.

mauricempc74 said:
Hi folks.
I was close to buy an iPad air 2 also, but:
- no GPS
- expensive
were the two reasons that I preferred the tab s2 instead. Also, I found it for a very good price.
I agree that for general usage the iPads are better tablets, I would never buy my mother an android, but for an engineer like me, with low budget, this was a better choice.
The alternative for me was to an even cheaper tablet, like Amazon fire, but the quality is even lower.
And I think the screen of the Tab S2 is amazing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its funny that I bought my 65 year old mother a Nexus 4 back in 2012, thinking it would be too complex. She loved that phone and took an even bigger risk by replacing it with a Huawei P9 Lite. She's now an Android FanGranny and snaps at my sister whenever she suggests getting her an iOS device.