It might not have the most elegant name
around, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is one of only a few devices (along
with the Kindle Fire) that can give the Nexus 7 any real competition.
Unfortunately, it's not putting up a wholly convincing fight.
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
For example, the tech in the Galaxy Tab 2
7.0 sticks close to the pre-defined lines. It's powered by a 1GHz dual-core CPU
with 1GB of RAM, contains 8GB of storage, and has a lower resolution 1024 x 600
7" screen. On the positive side, it has a 3MP rear facing camera and
microSD port, but these don't make up for an outdated processor and screen. In
pursuit of the same sub $326 price point as the Nexus 7, Samsung has cut so
visibly that it's practically octagonal, and that shows in a direct comparison
with its competitor.
“If you can think of a reason to get a
Galaxy Tab 2 instead of a Nexus 7, we'd love to hear it”
Samsung
Galaxy Tab 2 7.0
Thankfully, Samsung's Android customization
is minimal and unobtrusive, and what additions exist are mostly worth keeping.
The update to Jelly Bean took a long time to arrive, but it finally started
rolling out in Europe in November this year (although at time of writing, no UK
release has been confirmed). Hardly an encouraging wait time, and one that
suggests Jelly Bean's eventual successors probably won't make it to the Galaxy
Tab 2 7.0 even in the long term. Indeed, the update installs Android 4.1, not
4.2, so it's still out of date after the update!
For the two months after its initial
release, there was every reason to buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, but the fact
is that the Nexus 7 has completely dethroned it. Google's device is more
powerful, cheaper, easier to use and has better hardware. If you can think of a
reason to get a Galaxy Tab 2 instead of a Nexus 7, we'd love to hear it and no
doubt, so would Samsung's marketing department, because they're probably just
as stumped as everyone else.
Taken as a device in isolation, it's not
actually a bad entry into the tablet world. Low priced, reasonably powered, and
easy to use but sadly for it, new tablets are anything but isolated in the
current market, and that means it'll never be anything other than second best.
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Details
·
Screen Size: 7"
·
Internet: Wi-Fi only
·
Price: $326 (Black) / $303 (White)
·
OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
·
Release Date: May 2012
Verdict
·
Quality: 8
·
Value: 9
·
Overall: 8
|
Details
·
Screen Size: 7"
·
Internet: Wi-Fi only
·
Price: $326 (Black) / $303 (White)
·
OS: Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
·
UK Release Date: May 2012
Micro Mart
·
Quality: 8
·
Value: 9
·
Overall: 8
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