Review and testing of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 tablet. Comparison of Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and Galaxy Tab S The operating system is the system software that manages and coordinates the work of the hardware components in the device

Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.

Design

Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.

Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	198.6 mm (millimeters) 19.86 cm (centimeters) 0.65 ft (feet) 7.82 in (inches)
Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use.	134.8 mm (millimeters) 13.48 cm (centimeters) 0.44 ft (feet) 5.31 in (inches)
Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement.	5.6 mm (millimeters) 0.56 cm (centimeters) 0.02 ft (feet) 0.22 in (inches)
Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement.	272 g (grams) 0.6 lbs (pounds) 9.59 oz (ounces)
Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped.	149.92 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 9.1in³ (cubic inches)
Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale.	Black White
Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body.	Metal Plastic

SIM card

The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.

Mobile networks

A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.

GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies.	GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz
UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology.	UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz
LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced.	LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE 700 MHz

Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds

Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.

Operating system

An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.

SoC (System on Chip)

A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.

SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation.	Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5433
Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor.	20 nm (nanometers)
Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications.	4x 1.9 GHz ARM Cortex-A57, 4x 1.3 GHz ARM Cortex-A53
Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors.	64 bit
Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute.	ARMv8-A
Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2.	32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes)
Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory.	2048 kB (kilobytes) 2 MB (megabytes)
Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel.	8
CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	1900 MHz (megahertz)
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc.	ARM Mali-T760 MP6
Number of GPU cores Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications.	6
GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).	700 MHz (megahertz)
Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted.	3 GB (gigabytes)
Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device.	LPDDR3
Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates.	Dual channel
RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data.	825 MHz (megahertz)

Built-in memory

Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.

Memory cards

Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.

Screen

The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.

Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends.	Super AMOLED
Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches.	8 in (inches) 203.2 mm (millimeters) 20.32 cm (centimeters)
Width Approximate screen width	6.4 in (inches) 162.56 mm (millimeters) 16.26 cm (centimeters)
Height Approximate Screen Height	4.8 in (inches) 121.92 mm (millimeters) 12.19 cm (centimeters)
Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side	1.333:1 4:3
Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail.	2048 x 1536 pixels
Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail.	320 ppi (pixels per inch) 125ppcm (pixels per centimeter)
Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display.	24 bit 16777216 flowers
Screen area Approximate percentage of screen space on the front of the device.	74.27% (percentage)
Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics.	capacitive Multi-touch

Sensors

Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.

Rear camera

The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.

Sensor model	Samsung S5K4H5
Sensor type Information about the camera sensor type. Some of the most widely used types of sensors in mobile device cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, etc.	CMOS BSI (backside illumination)
Sensor size	3.6 x 2.7 mm (millimeters) 0.18 in (inches)
Pixel size	1.103 µm (micrometers) 0.001103 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor	9.61
Svetlosila	f/1.9
Focal length	3.23 mm (millimeters) 31.02 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame)
Image resolution	3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels 3.69 MP (megapixels)
Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording speed (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps.	30fps (frames per second)
Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera.	Autofocus Digital zoom Self-timer Scene Selection Mode

Front-camera

Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.

Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the sensor used by the camera.	Samsung S5K6B2
Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution.	2.4 x 1.8 mm (millimeters) 0.12 in (inches)
Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are able to capture more light and therefore provide better low-light photography and wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size.	1.25 µm (micrometers) 0.001250 mm (millimeters)
Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor of a particular device.	14.42
Svetlosila F-stop (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens's aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically the f-number is specified to correspond to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture.	f/2.2
Focal length Focal length indicates the distance in millimeters from the sensor to the optical center of the lens. Equivalent focal length (35mm) is the focal length of a mobile device camera equal to the focal length of a 35mm full-frame sensor, which will achieve the same viewing angle. It is calculated by multiplying the actual focal length of a mobile device's camera by the crop factor of its sensor. Crop factor can be defined as the ratio between the diagonals of a 35 mm full-frame sensor and the sensor of a mobile device.	1.87 mm (millimeters) 26.97 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame)
Image resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions.	1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels)
Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record.	1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels)

Audio

Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.

Radio

The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.

Location determination

Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.

WiFi

Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.

USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.

Headphone jack

This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.

Connecting devices

Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.

Browser

A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.

Video file formats/codecs

Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.

Battery

Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.

Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)

The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.

Head SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998.	0.345 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Body SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum allowed SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC following the 1998 ICNIRP guidelines and IEC standards.	0.472 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values.	0.957 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)
Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard.	1.593 W/kg (Watt per kilogram)

Today we are looking at the new generation of tablets from Samsung - Tab S2, namely 8.0 and 9.7. Last year I did it, but then the diagonals were 8.4 and 10.5″. This is because the display aspect ratio has changed in the new models, now it is 4:3. Here I will briefly talk about my impressions of the devices and what else has changed.

Now the devices compete very directly with the iPad mini and iPad Air, since they have completely identical display diagonals and resolutions. Moreover, the devices also have similar shapes and dimensions. I tried inserting both the larger and smaller models into cases for the iPad Air and mini, respectively, and the result came out interesting. The Tab S 9.7 turned out to be slightly lower than the Air, and thinner, so it fit into the case, but did not stay in it. But the smaller model didn't just fit into the iPad mini case, it snapped into it perfectly. And this despite the significantly smaller thickness. True, the case simultaneously presses the lock and volume keys, so the tablet immediately enters recovery mode.

Otherwise, except for their dimensions and general shape, the tablets are in no way associated with Apple in appearance; they are different and I like them tactilely more. In addition, Samsung fits more confidently in the hand due to the soft touch coating on the back. Tab S2 is 2 mm thinner, the thickness of the models is only 5.6 mm, but at the same time, the devices are not susceptible to torsion. The metal frame holds the structure well, even with long-term use this should not be a problem.

Compared to the previous generation, the basic orientation of the larger model has changed. Previously, it was horizontally oriented, while the small one was vertically oriented. Now both have become vertical, as evidenced by the block of control keys at the bottom.

MicroUSB and headset connectors are located at the bottom, as well as the speakers. The Tab S2 8.0 also has a microphone, since the tablet can be used as a lamp. And above the display there is a speaker.

The ergonomics of the devices are all right; I like them both visually and tactilely. And I didn’t see any problems in using it. But, like last year, there is a nuance. On the back there are mounts for standard flip cases. These are holes that will be there regardless of whether you buy the accessory or not.

Everything is fixed using a magnetic strip, but there are some nuances with it too. For example, when bent back, this magnet blocks the screen and cannot be unlocked even with a key. The display is also blocked by this magnet in one of the standard stand positions indicated in the instructions. This is a flaw. Well, inserting/removing tablets into standard case mounts is very difficult. They snap into place with difficulty and are even more difficult to unlatch; it always seems that the device will break.

Well, okay, let's get back to the pleasant moments. One of the most pleasant is the display. Samsung has always been proud of Super Amoled, and these matrices have become very good. Last year we even did a blind comparison with . The last one won. This year the display is even more beautiful. The resolution is now 2048x1536 pixels, the pixel density of the smaller model is 320 ppi. The structure of the matrix is ​​according to the pen tile scheme and this is visible, but if you look very closely. Viewing angles, as you would expect, are maximum, there is an anti-reflective coating, different picture display modes and one of the best brightnesses on the market.

Cameras in a tablet, in my opinion, do not have to compete with smartphones, but here they are very good. The main one is 8 MP, the front one is 2.1 MP. Considering the aperture ratio of 1.9, they are probably the best among all the tablets on the market. And considering how rarely you will go on Instagram with a tablet, it becomes even better for documents and home photos.

Hardware before us is the Galaxy Note 4. Exynos 5433 processor, 3 GB of RAM, Mali-T760 graphics - everything is already known. Moreover, the display resolution is lower than in Note 4, which is why the same tanks run with higher fps. In AnTuTu, tablets score about 53,000 points (you can see other tests on the screenshots), but the most important thing is the real speed of the interface and games.

• Dimensions: 134.8 x 198.6 x 5.6 mm (8″) and 237.3 x 169 x 5.6 (9.7″)
• Weight: 272 g and 389
• Operating system: Android 5.0.2 Lollipop.
• Processor: eight-core, Exynos Octa 5433, 4 x Cortex-A57, 1.9 GHz + 4 x Cortex-A53, 1.3 GHz
• Graphics: Mali-T760 MP6.
• Display: Super AMOLED, 8.0″ and 9.7″, 2048x1536 pixels
• Memory: 16 GB flash, memory card slot up to 128 GB
• RAM: 3 GB.
• Camera: main - 8 MP, - 2.1 MP.
• Wireless technologies: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1
• Interface connectors: 3.5 mm headphone jack, Micro USB 2.0.
• Battery: Li-Pol battery 4000 and 5870 mAh.

Everything is fine with the interface, but with games it’s twofold. I tested Dead Trigger 2 on maximum settings, it plays smoothly and is generally cool. Things are a little worse with Real Racing 3, ladders are visible, but I think this is a matter of optimization. But with World of Tanks Blitz everything is really bad. The game produces 60 fps only on low graphics settings; on medium and high we get an average of 15-20 frames per second. In principle, achieving 10 fps is not a problem.

Despite the similarity of the hardware with the Galaxy Note 4, it's very good that they put a new scanner. That is, you don’t need to fiddle with your finger on it, you just need to touch it and it works well. And in a tablet used for work purposes, data safety is important.

Everything will be stored in the cloud, on 32 GB of built-in space and on a memory card up to 128 GB. But the battery capacity of the 8″ model is 4000 mAh. Like a long-lived smartphone, only a tablet. This is perhaps the only drawback of the model that I found. In the game, the device lives a little more than 3 hours, the video will scroll for about 7. The older model has similar autonomy figures, with a larger display there is a capacity of 5870 mAh.

Android OS version 5.0.2, on top of it is a fresh touchscreen with all the features.

I am glad that the standard keyboard here is made for productive work, it is better than in the iPad. There is a cursor, not only backspace, but also cases, as well as combinations of actions with the control key.

For myself, I would opt for a smaller model, it is more versatile. The larger one is even suitable for solving some work issues, especially in a standard case with a BT keyboard.

Given the presence of OTG, here you can also connect a mouse and work fully for some time, like with a laptop. But for myself, I settled on 8 ″ models, they are much more convenient to manage on the road, you can hold them in one hand, and here you can also insert a SIM card if necessary. For example, in another country.

In general, the models are cool, among android tablets, without a twinge of conscience I will say - the best. And you can compare with the iPad forever, these are two different camps and, often, two models of use. For games the iPad is better, for work - the Tab S2. For creating music and video - iPad, for communication and watching videos - Samsung. In general, everyone is free to decide for themselves. One thing remains - cost. A 9.7″ model will cost $430, and an 8″ model will cost about $560. We already have it, so the prices are quite normal, even when compared with the same iPads.

Video review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 and 9.7

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Specifications

• Android 5.0.2, update to 5.1.1 soon, TouchWiz skin like on Samsung Galaxy S6/Note 5
• Screen 9.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (264 ppi), 4:3 geometry, automatic backlight adjustment, maximum brightness outdoors for text readability (auto mode), additional screen adjustment modes
• Chipset Exynos 5433 (as in Note 4), 8 cores up to 1.9 GHz, MALI T760
• 3 GB RAM, 16 GB built-in, memory cards up to 128 GB
• Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
• LTE support
• Fingerprint sensor
• GPS/GLONASS
• Li-Ion 5870 mAh battery, HD video playback time – up to 12 hours (maximum brightness), gaming – about 6 hours
• Weight – 389/392 grams (Wi-Fi/LTE), dimensions – 169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm

Contents of delivery

• Tablet
• Charger with USB cable
• Instructions

Positioning

In many ways, this review will repeat what was written for the Tab S2 8 inches. The reason is that the filling is completely identical, but it would be wrong to make one material - the size and perception of these devices, battery size, screen diagonal and operating time are different. Therefore, those who have read the Tab S2 8-inch review can probably safely move on to the design section and then to the conclusions. But if you haven’t read that material, then welcome and let’s begin.

The Tab S line is Samsung's flagships, which were created to directly compete with the iPad. The company never hid this; moreover, when introducing the first generation of Tab S in the USA, they exhibited the iPad so that anyone could compare the quality of the screens and their differences. It is clear that the screen is not the only parameter for choosing such a device, but they differ like heaven and earth, the difference is visible to the naked eye, we even had a detailed analysis of the differences between these devices and their screens.

Samsung's ideology has always been to give more technology and capabilities for the price of the iPad, to present the most technologically rich device possible. Without forgetting its convenience. In the Tab S2, the story is completely repeated with one difference - the tablet market has dropped significantly over the past year, and this applies to all major manufacturers, including Apple. Therefore, Samsung focused on updating the line without introducing any new, sensational features. The goal was to make flagship tablets that would be convenient for daily use, become the most powerful devices on the market in terms of performance (in the Android segment at least), and at the same time offer high-quality cameras plus good operating time.

The positioning of this device is typical for flagships - everything is without compromise, it contains the best components, the most productive solutions. For geeks, it’s a shame that the tablet is built on the same platform as the Note 4; with some stretch, they can be called twin brothers. But we must remember that Note 4, which appeared almost a year ago, was 1.5-2 years ahead of the market. Even today, there are no similar solutions from other companies, which makes this device the best in its segment. In short, if you are looking for the most powerful tablet with the best screen and camera without regard to its cost, then the Galaxy Tab S2 will certainly be among your options. And this will be one of the priority options.

Design, dimensions, control elements

Externally, the tablet turned out to be different from the first Tab S: a different screen geometry, a frame, like in Note 4, around the body, it is made of metal, with a polished edge. Moreover, the edge is only on the front surface, and the back is plastic - the tablet is comfortable to hold in your hands, it does not slip.

The thickness of the tablet is 5.6 mm, the same as in the younger model. But due to its size, you can no longer put this tablet in your pocket; you can only carry it in a bag. And this is typical for such devices; pockets for 10-inch tablets have not yet been invented, unless you take into account clothing specially created for them.

Weight – 389/392 grams (Wi-Fi/LTE), dimensions – 169 x 237.3 x 5.6 mm. Compared to the same iPad Air, it is noticeably lighter, this is the merit of that very plastic, which some people do not like, while others, on the contrary, consider it a good material.

The back wall is made of soft-touch plastic, it hardly gets dirty, does not scratch, and is pleasant. The camera lens protrudes, but this is normal for such models. There are two “buttons” on the case for installing a branded case, some may find them unnecessary, like me, I don’t wear cases on tablets, preferring to wear them that way.

At the bottom end you can see two speakers, this is not a trick, there are physically two of them, and they sound quite loud. The location of the speakers on one side of the body is not indisputable; I would like to see them spaced apart. But the sound does not suffer in most situations; it is impossible to cover both speakers with your hand. In terms of volume, the tablet clearly outperforms the iPad, however, the sound quality is higher.

At the same end there is a microUSB connector, as well as a microphone. The tablet has two microphones, they are needed for the noise reduction system to work. Let me remind you that the tablet can be used like a regular phone, with or without a headset.

On the left side there is a paired volume key, a power button, just below there is a slot for a nanoSIM card (the choice of this card format is surprising and questionable), as well as a slot for memory cards.

On the front panel under the screen, exactly in the middle, there is a physical key, and on the sides there are two touch ones. Due to the size, working with the keys is not very convenient, noticeably worse than on the Tab S2 8, but there are no problems.

The build quality of the device is a plus, there are no problems. The downside is that due to the thickness of the model, it was necessary to sacrifice the usual Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating; here there is a “light” version with a thinner outer layer. As a result, the screen quickly becomes covered with small scratches. You can see them only in the off state, of course, it is impossible to feel them with your fingers.

The tablet can be bought in black or white, below you can see what the white device looks like, it is no less interesting than the black one that I reviewed.

Screen

In order to understand how high-quality the screen is on the Tab S2, you need to look at it in real life. This is perhaps the best tablet screen that exists today. Here are its specifications: 9.7 inches, SuperAMOLED, 2048x1536 pixels (264 dpi), 4:3 geometry. Now let's talk about what he can do in practice.

In the sun this is one of the best screens; in the settings you need to set automatic brightness adjustment, then the maximum backlight brightness will double the standard when the tablet realizes that it is outside. Under direct sunlight, the picture remained fully readable; there was no need to look for a shadow.

Now let's talk about why SuperAMOLED is criticized for having too bright colors. In the settings, you can choose one of five operating modes (adaptive is the default, Movie AMOLED, Photo AMOLED, basic, for reading).

In principle, it’s worth choosing the adaptive mode; it perfectly adjusts the picture to the displayed content, plus it processes external lighting conditions. That is, the adaptive mode itself will turn on the reading settings, realizing that you are reading a book or page in the browser.

But if you don’t want to trust this mode, you can customize everything for yourself. And then the colors will not be so aggressive or become muted, it all depends on you. Other tablets do not have such technologies or they are in their infancy, in the same iPad, the ability to adjust the font size has only recently appeared, and nothing like the technology described simply exists. You can't choose the screen color temperature on the iPad. Some may quite rightly say that this is not necessary on the iPad. This may be true for you. Most likely, you just haven't seen what a quality screen is, and therefore continue to consider the iPad's faded screen to be acceptable. He is not bad in his class, but he has long become average, nothing more.

I repeat that if the display was excellent in the Tab S, then in the second version it became amazing. Good, clear picture, high brightness in the sun, pleasant viewing of photos and videos.

The screen geometry has become the same as in the iPad - 4:3. I like it less than 16:10, because I like to watch videos on my tablet. There are still black bars, just like on the iPad. But, on the other hand, the quality of the picture covers everything. This is a tablet with the best screen on the market, as even ardent critics of all Samsung products admit (reluctantly or through gritted teeth).

Battery

The built-in Li-Ion battery has a capacity of 5870 mAh (in the 8-inch model only 4000 mAh). Considering that it uses an energy-efficient chipset and a new screen version that consumes less than in previous models, the operating time in different modes has increased.

For example, when playing video in HD resolution (MX Player, hardware acceleration, AVI, maximum brightness), the operating time is almost 12 hours (half an hour less than the younger model). If you turn on automatic backlight adjustment or reduce the brightness, the operating time will increase to 13-14 hours. This is noticeably more than any tablet in this class. And if you take into account the weight and dimensions of the tablet, it can be considered a kind of record.

When using a SIM card in a tablet, when you call and write SMS, everything is not so rosy. It will work for a day or more with an average load (2 hours of screen, about an hour of calls). The cellular module eats up the battery quite quickly. If we limit ourselves only to data transfer, then everything will be typical for such devices, comparable to the same iPad - about 7-8 hours of operation.

In games, you can achieve a maximum of 7-7.5 hours of work, which depends on the screen settings. But in games, the maximum number of cores is used, which negatively affects the operating time, the tablet noticeably warms up.

If you want maximum battery life, don't use Chrome; Samsung's browser is much more energy efficient. The difference in operating time will be almost double! As for me, Google urgently needs to do something with the energy efficiency of Chrome, it eats up the battery of mobile devices too quickly, although it is convenient in other aspects.

Traditionally, there is a power-saving mode, when you can limit the performance of the processor, turn off the backlight of the touch keys, degrade the animation, and so on. Unfortunately, in this mode, you cannot select individual items, only enable them all at once. From the pleasant - you can set the automatic inclusion of this mode when the battery is discharged to a certain level (5, 15, 20, 50%).

In maximum power saving mode, the display turns gray and background data transfer is limited. This mode is unique from other companies and is directly related to the capabilities of the display.

The full battery charging time is about 4.5 hours (2A); fast charging mode, unlike the Note 4, is not supported. Overall, the Tab S2's operating time is optimal, if you remember its capabilities and performance.

Memory, memory cards, performance

The tablet uses the same processor that we saw in Note 4 - Exynos 5433. This processor was far ahead of its time and offered a very high performance bar, it remains one of the best on the market. They don’t look for good from good, and for a tablet whose screen resolution is lower than that of Note 4, they decided to use it. Many expected that this would be a new generation of processor, but there was simply no need for it - it could only be needed when using high-resolution screens. The technical characteristics of the processor are as follows: 4 cores up to 1.3 GHz, 4 cores up to 1.9 GHz. Fast RAM (1066 MHz). However, look at the results of synthetic tests.

The built-in memory is 32 GB, you have about 24 GB of space available for your programs and data. You can install a memory card up to 128 GB, there is almost no difference in access speed, so applications stored on the card will work just as fast. There are versions of the tablet with 64 GB of internal memory, but they will not be supplied to Russia.

The amount of RAM is 3 GB, which is quite enough for any task. In the interface, the device works very quickly, there are simply no slowdowns.

Communication capabilities

Samsung consistently refuses to use the infrared port to control household appliances; it was installed on most top models in 2014, including it can be found on the Tab S, but it is not here. Likewise, the tablet has lost NFC support, which is doubly offensive, since for most, the presence of this technology makes using the device more convenient (quick pairing with other phones or tablets with one touch).

Surprisingly, the Tab S2 will not support Samsung Pay (there is no separate chip for crypto-protection of transactions), but it is pointless to worry about this, since the technology is focused only on the US market in 2015. You can only use a tablet for payments in the absence of NFC the old fashioned way.

Other strengths of Samsung tablets remain here. The antenna for Wi-Fi is dual-band, operates in 2.4/5 GHz, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, traditionally there is Wi-Fi Direct. Blue-tooth version 4.1.

GPS/GLONASS support is implemented well; the tablet turned out to be successful as a navigation device. BMW chose it as a standard navigator for its 7 Series model.

The radio module supports the following frequencies:

• LTE: 700/ 800/ 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900/ 2100/ 2600
• 3G: 850/ 900/ 1900/ 2100
• 2G: 850/ 900/ 1800/ 1900

Before us is a device that will easily work in LTE around the world.

Camera

If we approach it formally, the cameras have not changed in any way compared to the Tab S; the front one also has a resolution of 2.1 megapixels, the main one has 8 megapixels. But unlike the Tab S, the main camera does not have an LED flash. The front camera has become faster, as well as the main camera (f=1.9 versus 2.4 in the Tab S).

Look at the sample shots and camera interface, I think you can see the similarities with the Galaxy S6. Photos look great on a tablet screen, noticeably better than their actual quality on a PC screen. The reason is the outstanding characteristics of the display, but not the camera; it is quite ordinary and inferior to most top-end smartphones on the market. On the other hand, this camera is one of the best for tablets, as you can easily see by looking at the comparison with the iPad Mini.

Galaxy Tab S2	iPad Mini

And this is how the tablet shoots in the evening and during the day, and also records video. It will not be able to replace a top-end smartphone, but it is quite good for everyday tasks.

Now I want to dwell on one of the features directly related to the camera and the performance of the tablet. There is a 3D Capture program in the Samsung app store, it allows you to get three-dimensional images of objects. You press shoot, walk around a slowly stationary object, preferably at the same distance, and in a minute you have a model in front of you that you can rotate as you like, export it to other programs for editing three-dimensional images (file format .OBJ and also .MTL). The built-in editor allows you to clean up the image, remove the background, highlight individual zones, and it is quite advanced, covering all the possibilities that are needed. For most people, this program will become a kind of toy, but some will find proper use for it.

I was able to make a three-dimensional picture of bread on a plate with my hands, it was like a kind of miracle. He immediately twisted the picture, showed his friends what happened. I tried to position the tablet motionless and rotate the plate, but no shooting happened - the tablet requires that it be rotated around the object.

I have always been amazed by technologies that become commonplace - ten years ago it was impossible to imagine that something like this would be in a mass device. This is what can be called high technology, and it is becoming publicly available. This tablet is a cheap way to get 3D models. Of course, here the question arises in their detail, quality. But for the mass consumer, this will definitely be the first encounter with such technology and the possibility of using it.

In no case should you assume that 3D shooting will become a feature that will attract attention to this product. It’s hard to believe, but this feature is unique, and other companies don’t have it (I haven’t seen it in any product). Of course, there are a dozen programs for iPad and Android that make 3D objects in .OBJ, but none of them are popular (maybe they are all niche?), and according to the description, the quality of the resulting files is not very good. I don’t presume to judge this; there will probably be those among the readers who have played with such programs and can evaluate their quality better.

Software Features

The model comes with Android 5.0.2, and will be updated to 5.1.1 soon. Inside is a lightweight TouchWiz, which is completely or almost identical to what we see on the Galaxy S6. In the review of this phone, I examined in great detail all the pros and cons of this solution, focusing on all the little things. You can read about this in the review text here /review/samsung-galaxy-s6.shtml#s10.

Or watch the video on the Galaxy S6 as an example.

Just like with other flagship devices, you are offered free services and applications, for example, OneDrive from Microsoft gives you 100 GB of cloud storage upon registration. You can get a free subscription to various magazines, navigation and the like.

The multimedia capabilities of the tablet are excellent, it is omnivorous and digests most video formats (AC3 out of the box is not supported due to patent disputes, just install MX Player and everything will work).

I like the fact that you can download any files onto this tablet and immediately start watching and listening to them. As usual, maximum omnivorousness, no need to convert or download anything through a computer, everything is done from the device, it is completely independent.

Bookmarks have appeared in the file manager, you can open different pages and copy files from one page to another.

The fingerprint sensor works by touch, there are no problems.

Among the interesting features, I note that when working with Bluetooth, you can add “trusted devices” to the list. For example, this could be a speakerphone in a car. Then, when connected to such a device, the tablet will remain unlocked. At home, I set up a wireless speaker as such, and there is no need to put my finger on the sensor every time, the tablet is open.

There are quite a lot of such small features in the system, each of them means nothing, but together they make the device convenient. The LTE version supports nanoSIM and voice calls, as well as SMS, unlike the iPad, where a SIM card is needed only for data transfer.

You can love or hate TouchWiz, but the shell greatly complements the standard An-droid, introducing convenient features, of which there are many.

Accessories for Tab S2

There is a standard set of accessories available for the tablet, including various wired and wireless headsets, but I would like to draw your attention to three accessories that are different from other models and are suitable only for this tablet.

Let's start with the Keyboard Cover, this is the cover in which the keyboard is built in, it is attached to magnets on the back surface. This accessory is not available for the 8-inch model, only for a tablet with a large diagonal, which may seem to some to be a sufficient reason to choose it.

At the same time, you can simply choose Book Cover, this is a regular cover that allows you to place a tablet to watch videos.

Finally, you can purchase the MT800 docking station, which has remained unchanged since the first generation of tablets and is familiar to us. This station has an HDMI connector with support for 4K video, two full-fledged USB connectors, microUSB, Ethernet - you can turn your tablet into a full-fledged computer.

Impression

The key when choosing between the two Tab S2 sizes is not performance or screen quality, they are comparable, but the size of the device and how you plan to carry it. If you use your bag often, then the older model will be more interesting. If you need a mobile device in the full sense of the word, then look at the younger model.

The Tab S2's competitor in Russia is the first generation of this tablet, primarily due to the fact that its old prices remain the same. However, let's compare. The price of the Wi-Fi version is about 23 thousand rubles (there are almost none, they are gone), the LTE version is about 25,000 rubles. The downsides are a smaller amount of internal memory (16 GB versus 32 GB), an old version of the OS, no update to 5.1.1 in the near future, a slightly worse screen with fewer operating modes. The operating time of the first Tab S is a little lower, but noticeably higher than that of all devices in this class. This line has become a kind of record holder for survivability thanks to the technical solutions used by the manufacturer.

The price for the Wi-Fi version of the 32 GB Tab S2 (SM-T810) is 34,990 rubles, for the 32 GB LTE version (SM-T715) – 39,990 rubles. The difference is simply striking, and the appeal of the first generation Tab S is greater from all points of view. You lose almost nothing by purchasing the previous model, but the savings are noticeable, enough for one or two more devices of a lower class.

Apple's direct competitor to the Tab S2 9.7 is the Apple iPad Air; it is larger and heavier, and has a slightly shorter operating time in different modes. One of the advantages is the metal case. The cost of the 16 GB Wi-Fi version is from 27 thousand rubles, for LTE you will have to pay about 32 thousand. In every sense, the iPad Air 2 is a competitor to the old Tab S; they were created at the same time. The new Tab S2 is better in every sense - hardware, screen, and so on, these are just different generations of devices.

In the Android tablet market, you can look at larger tablets from Sony, such as the Xperia Z4 Tablet (LTE). But the cost of this tablet is 46,990 rubles! Which is completely beyond my understanding, he has no sales. But this is a model at the Tab S2 level, which has the advantage of water protection and a glass body, but is inferior in other respects.

As you can see, new devices that are entering the market from large companies have very unique pricing, you will have to get used to it. With the release of new iPads, you will have to completely forget about old prices. But while there are still models from the previous season, it’s worth looking at them, it will be a good buy. But time for this is rapidly running out. This is a paradoxical conclusion when describing the new flagship from Samsung, a good tablet, even excellent, but expensive. The price is the only serious flaw.

Galaxy Tab S2 is the second generation of Samsung flagship tablets. And I don’t even know what else to say in the introduction, read the review.

What is this?

An Android tablet from Samsung's flagship line, the thinnest and with one of the coolest displays on the market at the time of preparation of the review. Productive. It runs Android 5.0.2 and has the same hardware as last year's Galaxy Note 4 (with differences in display diagonal, battery capacity and cameras). It comes in two diagonals - 9.7 inches and 8 (more precisely like the iPad Mini), aspect ratio - 4:3.

Appearance

The appearance of the tablet can be described in four words: thin, black, stylish. It sinks in water and doesn’t get scratched in a bag (once I accidentally put it in the same compartment with a nail file, which has “killed” more than one case, including laptops, the tablet eventually survived and looks more decent than I expected when I found such oversight). The back side has a SoftTouch coating, so it does not slip in your hands, the ends are packed in metal. Doesn't flex under your fingers like some iPad Air 2s did (remember those finger waves on the screen?). Both models have an aspect ratio of 4:3 - in my opinion, optimally convenient for different tasks. I never understood all these 7 and 10 inch tablets.

The camera eye protrudes above the body, and there is no flash at all.

These small holes, which look like screws, are where the case snaps in, although they look fine without it.

The models look like twin brothers, both are oriented vertically (Samsung has a hardware Home key, so all the company's devices are oriented).

At the bottom of the end they have speakers that are so good that in comparison with them, most nervously smoke on the sidelines.

The 9.7-inch model at almost 400 grams (light weight, but you won’t play around with the accelerometer) feels more suitable for those who choose a tablet for work, the 8-inch at 265 grams is a cool option for portable use and games , although, in general, these are not gaming models in terms of hardware, although they are very powerful. The cases are compact not only in terms of thickness, but also in terms of the ratio of the screen area to the front panel. Because of this, there is one nuance associated with a large tablet. In the horizontal orientation, the margins around the screen are enough to securely grab it with your hand. In a vertical light and compact 8-inch version of the Galaxy Tab S2 allows you to easily hold yourself, but the 9.7-inch brother is large and, so that it does not outweigh, you need to hold it with two hands or grab your fingers on the screen.

Screen

Both models are equipped with QuadHD displays, with pixel densities of 264 and 320 ppi for the 9.7-inch and 8-inch devices, respectively. Everything is like the latest generations of iPad and iPad Mini. The image on the display is smooth and bright (up to 394 cd/m2), although the color rendition is again a little disappointing. The display has several color modes, the default is Adaptive, but lovers of warm colors and a more accurate color gamut can switch to Basic or Photo AMOLED.

In addition to color control, Samsung's flagship Android devices also have other software for controlling the screen. There is also automatic adjustment of the backlight brightness (which works well), and turning off the alarm clock by applying the palm of your hand, and screenshots using gestures. The display “understands” the gloves and quickly responds to touches. There is an oleophobic coating (although the photos above will probably make you think otherwise, it’s just that I didn’t really try to get my gadgets in order before shooting).

Job

Let's start with performance. For my tasks, which include everything except hardcore games (and any games, to be honest, especially when the tablet is 9.7-inch), the model’s performance was more than enough and, perhaps, there was even a little left. I used office applications, watched videos, surfed the web, chatted on Skype, all this happened literally at the same time. The hardware in the tablet corresponds to what was in last year's flagship smartphone Samsung Galaxy Note 4, so the geeky part of the audience may refuse to consider the model flagship and cutting-edge. But if you start not from bare numbers, but from real experience, then there are no questions about performance. The only people who are at a loss with this tablet are hardcore gamers; they will need something advanced and beyond the pale. For the rest of the Galaxy Tab S2, the hardware will last for years to come. Especially considering the 3 GB of RAM.

The Galaxy Tab S2 software replicates that of the new flagship smartphone Galaxy S6 edge+. Here is the Microsoft office out of the box with a gift space in OneDrive, and the same Samsung software, except that there is no S Health, the same energy saving settings and other things of the Android device, even the camera is almost the same. And the fingerprint scanner is also modern and works perfectly.

There are literally a couple of differences. The tablet allows you to work in multi-window mode. It also has one of the best keyboards for Android - it has symbols, options for customizing sizes, in general, it not only has good initial data, but also a good chance of being perfectly customized to your habits.

Camera

Nothing special, just a very high-quality camera by tablet standards. Eight megapixel, with autofocus, video recording in 1080p, but without flash (didn’t fit?). But it takes better pictures than other smartphones with a 16-megapixel module. Fast, with an interface familiar to Samsung smartphones, several operating modes, a bunch of settings options and everything that few people use in life, and at the same time with the ability to download additional filters and modes from the Galaxy Apps store. Among them there are paid ones.

And, of course, examples of photographs. This time without radiant Berlin (Berlin will be in the LG G4s review, wait for it soon gg). They can be viewed in original resolution in a separate gallery on Torba. The pictures were taken during the day: on the street or in a poorly lit room.

autonomy

Measurements were taken on a 9.7-inch model. Ten hours of streaming video playback with the screen set to mid-brightness. If someone is not impressed by this figure, then I advise you to look again at the thickness of the tablet and the battery capacity. 5870 mAh, neatly packaged in a 5.6mm case. The 8-inch tablet has a 4000 mAh battery, which means the result will be about the same. In standby mode, the device discharges at a rate of several percent per day. In real-life operating conditions, unless you are an avid gamer or fly on a long-distance plane every two days, you will need to charge the device once every few days. The battery life test discharged the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 to 20% in just over 7 hours. And this is with a processor made using a 20-nm process technology (let me remind you that top-end Samsung smartphones have the more energy-efficient Exynos, made using a 14-nm process technology) and a 10-inch QuadHD display.

Alternatives

At the moment, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 does not have many competitors, given that the tablet is not just a flagship, but also incredibly compact. These are the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet and Z3 Tablet, since Sony's previous flagship is still not very outdated, as well as the Apple iPad in two similar sizes of the latest generation. But given that I don't really believe that any experienced tablet user will switch from one platform to another, the iPad should be dismissed right away. Only the Sony line remains. The company's similarly high-resolution screen only appeared on the latest iteration of its legendary line of tablets, the Z4 Tablet, but that's no big deal. Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet clearly outperforms Samsung in terms of performance (there is a top-end Snapdragon 810), it costs a little more, but it offers moisture protection. To be honest, just for the sake of one 810 and QHD display, I would not overpay for a tablet and recommend that those whose sympathies lean towards Sony should choose last year's model. What to choose between Sony and Samsung? Both tablets are incredibly good and similar in characteristics. Samsung flaunts a camera and 100 GB of OneDrive space ahead of its Japanese competitor. All these details and bells and whistles can certainly influence your decision as a consumer. But I would advise proceeding from brand preferences, if you have them. If not, think about what kind of camera, moisture protection and software features you are interested in. But remember, whatever choice you make, it will be great. Yes, and if you are looking at 8-inch models, then keep in mind that the Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact will cost significantly less than its competitor.

Bottom line

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is one of the devices that keeps the entire market on edge. And competitors who will find it difficult to compete with this model (besides price). And Samsung, which in a year will have to come up with something else that will force users to change this tablet, perfect in all aspects, to a new one. Only Sony with its latest flagship can sleep peacefully in this situation, because Samsung did not dare to encroach on its sacred thing - a waterproof case, Apple, whose users live in a parallel, no less technologically interesting world, as well as the “Chinese” who know how to put pressure on any advantages at the cost expensive competitors. But with the current crisis of ideas in the market for tablets and mobile devices, in another year, or maybe two, it will be difficult for companies to surpass their own achievements so that users feel the need to change their old gadget to a new one. Thin ice, very thin.

4 reasons to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S2:

• high performance;
• impressive display;
• good software and 100 GB of OneDrive as a gift;
• The thinnest case on the market.

2 reasons not to buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S2:

• expensive pleasure;
• You would prefer Sony's flagship tablets with moisture protection and the ability to play remotely on PlayStation or even iPad.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
Display	Super AMOLED, 9.7 or 8 inches, 1536 x 2048 pixels, (264 or 320 ppi respectively)
Dimensions and weight	dimensions 237x169x6 mm, weight 389 g for the version with Wi-Fi only and 392 g with LTE or dimensions 197x135x6 mm, weight 265 g for the version with Wi-Fi only and 272 g with LTE
operating system	Android 5.0
CPU	64-bit Exynos 5433, 20nm process technology, 4 Cortex-A57 cores (1.9 GHz) and 4 Cortex-A53 cores (1.3 GHz), Mali-T760MP graphics
RAM	3 GB
Storage device	32/64 GB+microSD memory cards up to 128 GB
Camera	8 MP, video 1080p; autofocus, front 2 MP
Communications	Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ac,Wi-Fi Direct, MHL, Bluetooth 4.1 (A2DP, LE), a-GPS+GLONASS, LTE (optional), NFC
Connectors	microUSB (with OTG support)
Battery	5870 mAh or 4000 mAh

Samsung has officially announced successors to the Galaxy Tab S line of tablets, although there have been so many leaks that we already knew what the new tablets would look like and what specifications they would have back in May. And now, a year after the appearance of the original tablets, we were presented with the Galaxy Tab S2, which will be on sale from the end of August.

However, how do the Galaxy Tab S2 series tablets differ from the Galaxy Tab S? We offer a detailed comparison of tablets below to understand exactly what is the difference between the two generations of tablets with Super AMOLED screens.

Galaxy Tab S2 is thinner and lighter

Tablets Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 are presented in two versions, like Tab S, but the sizes are completely different. The Tab S2 will be available in 8-inch and 9.7-inch models, while the Tab S came in 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch versions last year.

In terms of numbers, it's clear that the Tab S is smaller at 134.8 x 198.6mm (8-inch version) and 169 x 237.3mm (9.7-inch version), while being 5.6mm thick. Samsung claims these are the thinnest tablets yet.

The original Galaxy Tab S measured 125.6 x 212.8mm (8.4-inch version) and 177.3 x 247.3mm. This means that the 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 is much wider, but not as long as the original Tab S. By the way, last year's Tab S is 6.6mm thin.

In terms of tablet weight, the Tab S2 8.0 weighs 265g and the Tab S2 9.7 weighs 389g, meaning they are lighter than their predecessors: the Tab S 8.4 is 294g and the Tab S 10.5 is 465g. By the way, the new models also received a fingerprint scanner.

The color of the tablets chosen is the same - these are the standard models of black and white, but last year the Tab S also appeared in versions of Dazzling White (Dazzling white) and Titanium Bronze (Titanium bronze). The new models have a smooth back, while last year's Tab S has a textured back.

Galaxy Tab S has a sharper display, but a different aspect ratio

Both Galaxy Tab S2 models also have Super AMOLED displays with the same resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is smaller than the resolution of the Galaxy Tab S screens of 2560 x 1600 pixels.

The 8-inch Galaxy Tab S2 has a pixel density of 320ppi, while the 9.7-inch model has 264ppi. This is less than the original Galaxy Tab S tablets - 359ppi and 287ppi for 8.4- and 10.5-inch models, respectively.

In addition to the deterioration in resolution, we see the biggest change - the proportions of the sides have become different. Instead of sticking to the standard 16:9 or 16:10 that has always been on previous tablets, the new Tab S2 has screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is in line with Apple's iPad tablets.

This means that although the screen resolution has become worse, the new tablets will still be better for reading books and surfing the web. The downside of these changes is the problem of watching movies - in landscape mode there will still be black bars at the top and bottom of the image.

The same cameras, but without flash

Cameras aren't as important on tablets as they are on smartphones, but they're still worth talking about. The Galaxy Tab S2 has an 8-megapixel autofocus main camera and a 2.1-megapixel front camera. Galaxy Tab S tablets also have the same cameras, but with LED flashes additionally, which is more convenient.

Galaxy Tab 2 has more memory, but less battery capacity

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Tab S2 received an eight-core processor - 4 x 1.3GHz and 4 x 1.9GHz, but the processor model itself is not indicated (although it looks like it is Exynos 5433), as well as 3GB of RAM and 32/64 GB memory with MicroSD support (up to 128GB).

Galaxy Tab S tablets also have an octa-core processor - 4 x 1.9GHz and 4 x 1.3GHz, and also with 3GB of RAM. However, they have less internal memory - 16GB is minimal, but still with support for MicroSD cards up to 128GB.

The Galaxy Tab S2 tablets have noticeably less battery capacity: the 8-inch version has a 4000 mAh battery, and the 9.7-inch version has a 5870 mAh battery. The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 has a 4900 mAh battery and the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 has a 7900 mAh battery, so the difference isn't just obvious. She's huge.

Same software

The Galaxy Tab S2 tablets will ship with Android 5.0 Lollipop, which is the same version that was installed on last year's Galaxy Tab S models. Whatever Samsung says, it's unlikely we'll notice too much of a difference in interface performance.

The Galaxy Tab S2 also comes with Microsoft Office Solutions preinstalled and two years of free OneDrive cloud storage.

conclusions

Interestingly, even though the Galaxy Tab S2 tablets should be more advanced, they are practically no better than last year's Galaxy Tab S models. In some cases, in our comparison, the 2014 tablets are clearly better.

The Galaxy Tab S2 is thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Tab S, but it also has smaller screens and smaller batteries. The cameras in the tablets are also the same, but the Tab S has an additional LED flash.

In new models, the display resolution has become noticeably worse, but the aspect ratio has changed - instead of 16:9 (16:10), we got 4:3. The Tab S2 also increased the amount of internal memory in the base model - at least 32GB. Otherwise, the specifications seem to be the same, including the processor.