It would seem that since the release of the line Galaxy Tab It hasn't been long before Samsung has announced the new Tab S line, which is set to become the flagship of all the company's tablets.
Friends, the big and small models of this line are very similar, so some of the text will be borrowed from the Tab S 8.4 review, so as not to describe the same things in the second round.
Equipment
- The tablet
- Charger
- PC cable (also part of the charger)
- Wired headset
Samsung tablets traditionally come to our test without a complete set, so I cannot demonstrate it in photographs.
Appearance, materials, controls, assembly
For many years now Samsung has not paid due attention to the design of its devices, they all look rather boring and are very similar to each other. On the other hand, if you have a Samsung tablet in front of you, you will most likely immediately recognize it by its rounded edges and a physical button below the screen.
The bezel of the tablet is made of golden plastic, such a solution is used by the company for the first time, before the bezel was always silver.
The back of the case is made of perforated plastic, stylized as leather. In terms of tactile sensations, this plastic is more similar to the material used in the Galaxy S5, and not to the plastic from the Galaxy Note 3. You can also find two "buttons" there, they are needed for branded accessories.
On the front side there is a 10.5-inch display, above it there are light and proximity sensors, a front camera, as well as a mesh of the earpiece (in the version of the tablet with 3G).
Below the display you can see a physical Home button with a built-in fingerprint scanner, as well as touch buttons for Recent Apps and Back. It is important to add here that the physical button protrudes slightly above the rest of the tablet surface, so erroneous presses are possible in the backpack. In principle, this is solved by installing fingerprint unlocking, but it was worth noting this problem.
On the top there is a power button, a volume rocker and an infrared port.
On the right, you can see a plug for a microSDHC memory card, a microUSB connector and a mesh for one of the stereo speakers.
And on the left is the 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as the second of the stereo speakers.
The tablet has excellent stereo speakers that produce clear, loud sound, while their placement is optimal: when you hold the tablet, you do not cover them with your hands.
I have no complaints about the assembly of the device, all the parts are tightly fitted to each other, the buttons do not "dangle".
Dimensions (edit)
The dimensions and weight of the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is one of its key benefits... With a diagonal of 10.5 inches, this tablet weighs only 465 grams and is only 6.7 mm thick. It is noticeable that Samsung is desperately chasing Apple tablets and trying to outperform them in size. The Tab S 10.5 example shows that the company does it very well. Although the difference in size is not as impressive here as between iPad Mini Retina and Galaxy Tab S 8.4.
Due to its low weight, the tablet is comfortable to hold even with one hand for a long time, and this is certainly one of its significant advantages.
Screen
Perhaps the main change in the Galaxy Tab S line. Samsung finally managed to make a SuperAMOLED matrix with a large diagonal and high resolution. Screen diagonal - 10.5 inches, matrix type - SuperAMOLED HD, resolution - 2560x1600 pixels, screen is covered protective glass, oleophobic coating is present. Interestingly, Samsung is gradually increasing the screen diagonal without compromising the overall size of the devices, largely due to the decreasing thickness of the side bezels (and this is the advantage of the Tab S line).
Let me remind you that the main advantages of SuperAMOLED matrices are low power consumption (especially when displaying black) and bright, vivid colors. For lovers of calm colors, the tablet has the ability to fine-tune the display. However, I note that even after such a setting, in terms of natural color reproduction, such a screen will be inferior to IPS-matrices.
In First Look, some readers pointed out that the Tab S 10.5 does not have Pentile, citing an authoritative source. Well, I checked this information, there really is no Pentile in the Galaxy Tab S 10.5, it uses the S-Stripe RGB pixel arrangement, the same as in the Galaxy Note II. However, this does not negate the fact that small fonts look loose on this tablet, their clarity is inferior to IPS-matrices.
Actually, the display of small fonts is the only drawback of this display. Otherwise, we have a high-quality screen with ultra-high resolution, excellent behavior in the sun, bright and rich colors and the ability to fine-tune the color gamut.
Operating system
The tablet runs Android 4.4.2 with the latest generation of the proprietary TouchWiz shell. We have a separate article by Eldar Murtazin dedicated to all aspects of this shell, those who wish to familiarize themselves with it can follow the link below.
Below are some screenshots of the shell.
As for updating the tablet to Android L, then on this moment there is no reliable information on this score.
Performance
There will be two modifications of the tablet on sale, differing in chipsets: the first will use its own platform as a chipset Samsung Exynos Octa 5420 (remember that a similar chipset was used in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9000) with big.LITTLE technology (two quad-core processors are used, one on the Cortex A7 architecture with a frequency of 1.3 GHz, the other on the Cortex A15 with a frequency of 1.9 GHz) , Mali-T628 is responsible for the graphics (with support for OpenGL 3.0).
The second modification will be based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a quad-core processor clocked at 2.3 GHz.
Volume random access memory- 3 (!) GB in both versions, the capacity of the internal storage depends on the version (16/32 / GB), there is a slot for a memory card, cards up to 128 GB are supported.
Traditionally, performance information can be divided into two parts: "heavy" games and everyday use. The tablet copes with any games "with a bang", but in terms of normal use it has a number of complaints. First of all, these are the slowdowns when scrolling through desktops, which have already become a Samsung trademark. They are especially visible when switching between Magazine UI and regular desktops. Sometimes you can also see small slowdowns in the application menu.
Autonomous work
The tablet has a non-removable 7900 mAh battery.
In reading mode (brightness 30%, airplane mode on) the tablet was discharged in 12 hours and 18 minutes.
In HD video viewing mode, the battery lasted for 11 hours 3 minutes (maximum brightness, airplane mode is on).
With daily use, you can expect 4-5 days autonomous work, depending on the intensity of use (when using mobile internet this is exactly 2-3 days).
In terms of HD video playback time, this is one of the best tablets, which makes it a very interesting proposition for movie lovers on long trips. Separately, I note that this tablet, like the Galaxy S5, has an emergency power saving mode, in which the screen switches to black and white mode and only the most basic functions are available.
Camera
The tablet has a main 8 MP camera with autofocus and LED flash. Front camera resolution - 2.1 MP. With this tablet, you can easily shoot text or take a couple of pictures of landscapes, however, it is important to understand that this is not a camera, and not even top smartphone with a cool camera, so you shouldn't expect miracles from this camera.
Wireless interfaces
Mobile network - the version with a 3G module works in 2G (GSM / GPRS / EDGE, 850/900/1800/1900 MHz), 3G (900/2100 MHz) and 4G (2600 MHz) cellular networks. In addition to data transfer, you can also make calls from your tablet. There is 4G support even in models with Exynos Octa 5420, apparently, an external modem is used.
Wi-Fi (b / g / n)- in the settings you can enable the "distribution" of the mobile Internet using Wi-Fi, as well as use the transfer of files using Wi-Fi Direct. One of the nice features is support for dual-band Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth 4.0- all popular profiles are supported, including A2DP.
Gps- A cold start takes no more than 10 seconds, there are no complaints about the module's operation.
Infrared port- to use the tablet as a remote control for technology, the device already has a preinstalled program for working with the infrared port.
The fingerprint scanner
This tablet, like the Galaxy S5, has a fingerprint scanner.
To unlock the screen using your fingerprint, you just need to slide your finger from the edge of the screen across the scanner from top to bottom. In my sample, this function did not work as well as in the iPhone 5s, sometimes the device responded to a fingerprint only from the second or third time.
Besides simple unlocking, you can also use the scanner to protect your data and to authorize with PayPal. And a few more words about safety. With fingerprint unlock enabled, you will not be able to reset the tablet without authorization, this is an additional protection against thieves.
Conclusion
The tablet has already appeared on sale at the following price - 23,000 rubles for the version with Wi-Fi and 27,000 rubles for the version of Wi-Fi + 4G.
For this money, you get a thin and light tablet with a huge, high-quality display (and relatively compact dimensions) and long battery life. Disadvantages - slowdowns in TouchWiz.
Competitors
In fact, this is the main competitor of the Tab S 10.5, it is with him that Samsung plans to fight with its new tablet. On the side iPad Air more readable aspect ratio, great design and high quality aluminum body. Among other things, there are tons of cool games and apps for this tablet. Android in this regard is still catching up (although the situation is gradually changing, for example, the same Foursquare is available for Android tablets, but it is still not available for the iPad). The Galaxy Tab S 10.5 has a better screen for watching videos and longer battery life, as well as better dimensions (although the advantage here is less than when comparing the iPad Mini Retina to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4).
Another interesting competitor, this time from Asus. Yes, it came out a long time ago, but at the same time it still has relevant and competitive characteristics: S-IPS-matrix with a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels, NVIDIA Tegra 4 and a docking station with an additional battery. And all this for 20,000 rubles. Among the shortcomings, I note the lack of a 3G version and worse dimensions (this tablet is thicker and heavier).
And finally, let's take a look at the prices (as a "common denominator" I took the prices of one large network, they are similar for most large retailers).
By the way, I note that in the same Svyaznoy the minimum iPad version Air costs 18,000 rubles, which also plays into the hands of Air.
First of all, it is worth noting that the prices for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 are slightly overpriced, they are even higher than those of Apple, although the latter loves to overestimate them (we are talking about Russia).
In my opinion, Samsung has a great big flagship tablet. Of the advantages, I will single out its excellent display with a SuperAMOLED matrix (fans of the brand have been waiting for tablets with such displays for a long time) and ultra-high resolution. The second advantage of the tablet is its light weight and thickness; live Tab S 10.5 feels impressively thin and light. And the last advantage is for a long time work in video viewing mode (coupled with a convenient aspect ratio for viewing, this makes this tablet one of the best for fans of TV series). Only the high price and jams in TouchWiz overshadow this whole picture.
| Specifications | |
| System | |
| Operating system | Android |
| Support | Android 4.4 |
| Processor / Chipset | Samsung Exynos 5420 1900 MHz |
| Number of Cores | 8 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Built-in memory | 16 GB |
| Memory card support | microSDXC, up to 128 GB |
| Screen | |
| Screen | 10.5 ", 2560x1600 |
| Widescreen | Yes |
| Screen type | Super AMOLED Plus, glossy |
| Touch screen | capacitive, multitouch |
| Pixels Per Inch (PPI) | 288 |
| Video processor | Mali-T628 MP6 |
| Wireless connection | |
| Wi-Fi support | yes, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, WiFi Direct |
| Bluetooth support | yes, Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP |
| SIM card type | micro SIM |
| mobile connection | 3G, HSPA +, LTE |
| Infrared port | there is |
| Camera | |
| Rear camera | yes, 8 million pixels. |
| Rear camera features | flash, autofocus |
| Front-camera | yes, 2.1 million pixels. |
| Sound | |
| Built-in speakers | yes, stereo sound |
| Built-in microphone | there is |
| Functionality | |
| Gps | there is |
| GLONASS | there is |
| Automatic screen orientation | there is |
| Sensors | accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, light sensor |
| Format support | |
| Audio | AAC, WMA, WAV, OGG, FLAC, MP3 |
| Video | WMV, MP4 |
| Connection | |
| Connecting to a computer via USB | there is |
| Connecting external devices via USB | optional |
| MHL support | there is |
| Audio / headphone output | yes, 3.5 mm |
| Connecting a headset | there is |
| Food | |
| Working hours | 9 h |
| Opening hours (music) | 80 h |
| Opening hours (video) | 12 h |
| Battery capacity | 7900 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (LxWxD) | 247x177.3x6.7 mm |
| Weight | 465 g |
| Additional Information | |
| Equipment | tablet, USB cable, network adapter, instruction |
| Features of the | support for M4A, 3GA, OGA, AMR, AWB, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, 3GP, 3G2, ASF, AVI, FLV, WEBM formats; Fingerprint's scanner |
15 / 12 / 2011
Samsung can be called the leader in terms of the number of released tablet models. And it doesn't matter that the models differ mainly in screen diagonals, because according to this parameter, the Korean manufacturer can boast that it has covered almost all sizes from three to ten inches. Only now the class of this or that device is more and more incomprehensible, and it's nice that we can honestly call this particular model a tablet.
To grandfather's village
“Practically” means, of course, that not a single manufacturer will be able to cover all diagonals in general, since tens and hundreds of them can be invented - and this is another field for activity.
Samsung perfectly proved this thesis with the release of a tablet with a diagonal of seven inches, adding this gadget to its Galaxy Tab family. A tablet with a diagonal of 7.7 inches, which came out quite recently, is probably already too big - it's time to reduce the size even more: probably, this is what Korean engineers thought when creating this device.
Moreover, the original, the first Galaxy Tab, released just two years ago, also had a 7-inch diagonal, but was completely different in size, hardware, and software.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
And the novelty is nothing more than the successor to this, first Galaxy Tab.
Brother-3
Outwardly, it is not much different from its counterparts with a larger diagonal. Anyway, from most tablets. All the same simple black color, rounded ends, black border around the screen and a bright logo at the bottom. It is noteworthy that, unlike its older brothers, the tablet is still vertically oriented - the camera and sensors are located on the wide end, not on the narrow one. Calling them "left" or "top" is rather difficult, because everyone has a tablet to themselves as they like. Here Samsung decided that this device needs a vertical orientation, and someone will say that it is more convenient for it to be horizontal.
However, the vertical orientation makes sense, since the small size of the tablet allows you to hold it with one big man's hand, clasping the entire gadget.
As for the materials from which the tablet is made, we conclude with regret that all this is plastic and only plastic, and that even if it seems to you that the back panel is metal, do not believe your eyes. This is plastic disguised as metal - about the same solution Samsung has used in its new smartphone Omnia W, and Philips in its smartphone with a huge battery life, V816.
Since today all Galaxy Tabs are not much different from each other, then this fate has not passed. It has all the required connectors (including the proprietary one for connection and charging), stereo speakers, front and rear cameras (1.3 and 3 MP, respectively, plus an LED flash), an external connector for a micro-SD card, as well as IR -port.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus is as attractive as other tablets in the family
Infrared spectrum
Once upon a time, in ancient times, the infrared port was used not only for remote controls, but also for data transmission. Theoretically, the speed at the time of the complete extinction of this type of communication was 115 kbps. Its disadvantages are known - in addition to such a low speed, the connected device must be in the line of sight of the port and at the same time not far.
Therefore, as a data transmission channel, the infrared port left the arena as quickly as it entered it. And today it is used in the tablet precisely for the purpose of remote control of various devices. But such an application for this port was found many years ago - for example, among handhelds on Windows Mobile there was an excellent program IR Remote, which had a huge database of control codes and allowed hooliganism with almost any device controlled by the remote control. Samsung has revived this entertainment today by adding infrared to its new tablets and accompanying it with the Smart Remote app.
It is not by chance that we focus on the entertainment function of the port - it is difficult to imagine that this huge (for the control panel) tablet could be used exactly as Universal remote DU. It's really easier to buy a universal remote control.
Rear camera 3 MP - nothing unusual, but plastic stylized as metal is more interesting
Shake the old days
Blood relatives should also have similar external features - and here it proves to us that it really is the heir to the first Galaxy Tab. True, this is proved not by bottomless blue eyes and sensual hums, but rather by a crooked nose - the screen with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels, inherited from the “grandfather”, acts as a nose. Not to say that the grandson would be delighted with this, because the picture quality will clearly be worse than that of the rest of the Galaxy Tab family. On the other hand, not the best screen usually makes any device cheaper, and very much.
But in this case, the resolution is partially compensated by the PLS matrix - this is no longer TFT, but not IPS yet - but something in between. The first testers note good brightness and color rendering, but point to big problems with viewing angles when playing video data.
The dimensions and weight of both are very similar. has dimensions of 193.65x122.37x9.96mm, its weight is 345 grams. The "grandfather" of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 is slightly smaller, but thicker - 190.09x120.45x11.98 mm. And a little heavier - it weighs 380 grams.
No worse inside than outside
Of course, a tablet from Samsung must be powerful - where without it. Built on the Samsung Exynos 4210 chipset (based on ARM Cortex A9), they offer a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor with a Mali-400MP4 quad-core graphics accelerator. In general, almost NVidia Tegra 2, only it is called differently. Given the fact that more and more manufacturers are announcing devices based on the five-core NVidia Tegra 3 (with the best energy efficiency), the choice of the "heart" of the previous generation seems at least strange. But, on the other hand, it has already been released, and nothing multi-core has yet gone on sale.
Connectors and Samsung buttons Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus in its places
The device has 1 gigabyte of RAM, 16 or 32 GB of internal memory. Micro-SD cards allow you to expand the memory by an additional 32 GB.
The battery of the tablet boasts a capacity of 4000 mAh, which is comparable to competitors and, in principle, can provide up to 6-7 hours of video viewing and 3-4 hours of working with the Internet and applications. This is a rather weak result, especially if you remember about the tablet that we talked about recently - ASUS EEEPad Transformer Prime. On the other hand, this comparison cannot be called 100% correct, since the diagonals of the screens are completely different, and the additional battery in the “tabletbook” is decided by ASUS.
There are almost all sensors, except for the proximity sensor due to its uselessness: an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a digital compass and a light sensor. And here's what is surprising - the manufacturer in the official press release does not say a word about whether there is smartphone GPS; Apparently, this module is really missing, and the user will have to be content with aGPS. But the tablet can boast of the third Bluetooth version and powerful Wi-Fi support: in addition to the full range of supported Wi-Fi standards 802.11 a / b / g / n (2.4 and 5 GHz), there is support for Wi-Fi Channel bonding (use of two channels for data transmission at the same time) and Wi-Fi Direct (direct data transfer over Wi-Fi channel from one device to another). Also, as usual lately, two versions of the tablet will go on sale - with and without a 3G module. In the first case, the tablet boasts support for HSDPA / HSUPA, and, of course, all four GSM bands.
Finally, it should be noted that the set with the tablet comes with earplugs, which will be very important in noisy Moscow conditions.
Bees don't mind honey
Since it is already possible in stores, and the Android 4 Ice Cream Sandwich OS has not yet reached it, the software filling is based on previous version Android operating system - 3.2 Honeycomb, enriched with Samsung's proprietary TouchWiz interface. This interface adds many useful tools for work: Mini Apps task manager, Samsung branded services, note-taking application, branded music player, Live Panel widget for customizing the interface, and much more.
Ice Cream Sandwich has arrived on the Android device shelf! But the regiment has disappeared somewhere ...
Naturally, it is more than likely that the gadget will receive an update to the new OS as soon as it becomes available. Given that the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the first smartphone to run the new operating system, is expected before the New Year, the update is unlikely to be long in coming.
Results without Evgeny Kiselev
Is $ 400 a lot or a little? Meanwhile, it is at this price that the tablet will go on sale in the United States. In Russia, of course, it will cost more. Recall that the "grandfather" - the first Galaxy Tab, the price for dealers was $ 600, but in Russia it was sold for twice the amount. Therefore, it is likely that it will cost not $ 400, but all $ 800 on the Russian market.
An infrared photon enters the bar and asks: "Is it hot for everyone or just me?" Do you understand the meaning? Here's a hint: infrared radiation is, in fact, thermal radiation ... Okay, don't bother with physics. Let's better focus on infrared smartphones.
No, emitting heat is not at all the purpose of these small IR LEDs built into many smartphones. Not even close. The infrared port inside the phone allows it to function as a universal remote control for a range of household electronics. Using a specially downloaded app, your phone can remotely control your TV, set-top boxes and possibly even your air conditioner.
Not all smartphones have an IR blaster, which is why we have compiled a list of flagships that are equipped with it. Below you can see their best representatives:
1.Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 Active
Starting with the Galaxy S4, Samsung began incorporating infrared ports in its flagships. Its current leader, the Galaxy S6, and its derivatives, the Galaxy S6 edge and Galaxy S6 Active, are no exception. All three phones are equipped with the Peel Smart Remote app, which acts as an advanced TV guide with reminders and recommendations.
The IR port on LG G4 allows you to control TV, DVD / Blu Ray player, air conditioner, almost any device that can be controlled with an IR remote control. You can manually set the universal controller profile by transmitting the existing radio remote control signal to the infrared port of the phone. The latter reads the signal and stores information about its purpose.
Yes, the LG Flex 2 also has an infrared port built into its curved body. It works on the same principle as on the LG G4.
4.HTC One M9, HTC One M9 +
One of the first HTC phones equipped with an IR port was the One M7. This option has been cleverly built into the Power button. The HTC One M9 and One M9 + have adopted the IR option of their predecessor, significantly increasing its functionality with the pre-loaded Peel Smart Remote app.
If you live in Asia, you can get one of the HTC One ME. In addition to IrDA, the phone is also equipped with a Quad HD screen, a powerful MediaTek system and a 20MP camera inside a semi-polycarbonate body.
6.Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note edge
They may already be last year's models, but they can still take a punch. Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Note Edge are capable of replacing your TV remote with their IR ports. And it is possible that the Note 5 model will also join them, which should be officially announced in the coming weeks.
The high-tech ZTE Nubia Z9 has many options to impress us, including a powerful hardware configuration and a stylish design with a bezel-less screen. But it also boasts an IR port, with which you can remotely control your home appliances.
8. Oppo Mirror 5, Mirror 5s
The Oppo Mirror 5 and Mirror 5s are two promising budget Chinese devices. Their infrared port will allow you to control devices remotely, and a special lens increases the beam range. Both phones come out in August.
A modern smartphone can be used not only for calls, SMS or social communication. networks and endless games. Did you know that any modern Android smartphone can be turned into a TV remote control?
You and I live in a time when we have a telephone in our hands much more often than a TV remote control, even among the adult generation of people. So why not make your smartphone or tablet a remote control for your TV, which will also allow you to put your main remote away in the deepest drawer of the dresser. And the number of control panels on the sofa will decrease by at least one.
Android smartphones, which can be called a complete alternative to television remote controls (hereinafter referred to as remote controls), are divided into two categories: those that use infrared (hereinafter referred to as IR), and those that use small device- Chromecast to control your TV.
You can also install a special application on your smartphone to control your TV, if the latter has a LAN port or Wi-Fi.
We will now consider both of these options.
Smartphone with built-in infrared
Unfortunately, infrared ports in Android devices are on the verge of extinction. In the past 12 months alone, a number of flagship smartphone models have appeared on the market, but only a few are equipped with an infrared port.
For example, Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 Edge still supported infrared, but the next flagships S7 and S7 Edge no longer. In HTC One M10 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5, IrDA has also been sent to the dustbin of history. But the Chinese brothers do not disappoint with their devices. Xiaomi Mi5, Meizu Pro 6, Huawei P9 and others contain IrDA.
Smartphones that come with an infrared port usually have an add-on in the operating system or a separate application that comes with the smartphone to control the infrared port. But the functionality of such solutions leaves much to be desired. Therefore, if your smartphone has an infrared port, then I advise you to pay attention to the third option - install a third-party application.
Here small overview three best apps for IR transmission for Android.
Third-party IrDA applications
1. Smart IR Remote
Smart IR Remote supports about 900,000 various devices, making it the most widely used IR control application among its counterparts.
In theory, Smart IR Remote will work with any IR-compatible device in your home, so its usefulness goes beyond the limitations of just a TV remote. Household air conditioners, ceiling fans, Hi-Fi receivers and Acustic systems as well as digital SLR cameras.
Smart IR Remote
The app also works with a huge amount of Wi-Fi devices such as Sonos wireless speakers, Philips wireless lamps and Amazon Fire TV boxes.
The Logitech Harmony Smart Control comes with a hub that connects to any TV or TV receiver. There is also a smartphone app that communicates with the hub. Those. in fact, even if you do not need a universal remote control, the smartphone application is very useful. From the application, you can control channels, volume, modes and everything else.
Logitech Harmony Smart Control
According to Logitech, the device works with more than 270,000 devices, and the database is constantly growing. So you shouldn't worry about wasted money. The remote and the hub will work for at least several years, or even more without any problems with new gadgets and TVs equipped with IR.
3. Roku TV and Google Chromecast vs. Apple TV: the throes of choice
Roku TV, Google Chromecast and Apple TV are the lineup digital media players primarily focused on viewing streaming content.
Each of these multimedia devices is popular with its audience. It is impossible to single out an unambiguous leader, each player has its own advantages and disadvantages. So, Apple TV is not able to give Android access to users. And Roku TV and Google Chromecast won't be able to use the library on iTunes.
With each of these multimedia players, you can watch TV programs on your TV in high quality... A bonus is the ability to control the set-top box from a smartphone with an infrared port to configure it and switch channels, control the volume and other functions of the remote control.
The cost of Apple TV is $ 99 or 6500 rubles. on Yandex.Market.
Roku TV starts at $ 80 for the HD version on the official website.
The cost of Google Chromecast starts at 3890 rubles. for the version without hard disk on Yandex.Market.
These are not tricky methods available to every owner of a smartphone with an IR port who wants to control a TV, air conditioner and other household appliances equipped with an IR receiver. If you are really tired of having several remote controls in your house or apartment, which you won't find when you need them, then turn your Android smartphone into a universal remote control for all these devices.
This summer, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S line of tablets. The main feature of the new products is Super AMOLED high-resolution screens, which were previously used exclusively in smartphones. The size of the devices did not disappoint potential buyers either. The thickness of the devices was no higher than 7 mm. And, according to the developers, this did not affect the long battery life. The flagship model of the new line was in our edition - the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 tablet.
Over the past couple of years, there has been a kind of stagnation in the field of tablets. Existing hardware solutions already handle heavy video, 3D gaming and streaming. More and more powerful chips are becoming more difficult to load with certain services. The programmers have come up with quite convenient and comfortable interfaces. Required programs and software are written. Well, most of the devices look similar to each other.
Against this background, Samsung decided to experiment with types of displays, as well as modes that allow you to work with multiple applications on the same screen. We have not forgotten about biometric technologies either. Using fingerprints to unlock devices became fashionable a year ago. That's how she was born new line Galaxy Tab S products.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is the first Samsung tablet model with a Super AMOLED display with all the unusual visual sensations that come with it (I'll talk about them during the review), and also one of the thinnest and most compact on the market. At 10.5 inches, the Galaxy Tab S is only marginally larger than the 9.7-inch iPad Air.
Basic specifications
id = "sub0">| Model | SM-T805 Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 |
| Display | 10.5 "", Super AMOLED, 2560x1600 pixels (288 ppi) |
| Dimensions and weight | 247х177х6.6 mm, 467 g |
| Operating system | Android 4.4 |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, 4 Krait 400 cores (2.3 GHz), Adreno 330 graphics (with LTE) |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| ROM | 16/32 GB + microSD cards up to 128 GB |
| Camera | 8 Mpix, 1080p video; flash, autofocus, front 2 Mpix |
| Communications | Wi-Fi 802.11 a / b / g / n / ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot, MHL, Bluetooth 4.0, a-GPS + GLONASS, IrDA, there are modifications with 3G and LTE support |
| Connectors | microUSB 3.0 (with OTG support) |
| Battery | 7900 mAh |
| Features of the | fingerprint scanner |
Dimensions. Contents of delivery
id = "sub1">Even the packaging tells users about the miniature and compactness of the tablet. It is made of thin, easily recyclable cardboard. Outside, the box is disguised as a tree, inside - as a cardboard from the Soviet era (dark ocher).
In addition to the tablet, packed in a light plastic case, the kit contains everything you need: a charger adapter with a plug for the contact network and a separate microUSB cable. It can be connected both to charger and the computer. There is no headset or main case.
The first thing you notice when you take your tablet for the first time is that it is large and, at the same time, very thin. Weight is perceived adequately. The apparatus does not feel heavy. The dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 are 247x177x6.6 mm, and the weight is 467 grams. For comparison, the parameters of the 9.7 inch Apple iPad Air - 240x169.5x7.5 mm, weight 478 grams. The difference is minimal, but the screen is bigger!
The device can be used with great comfort in public transport, in a car, on a train, or on an airplane. It is worth mentioning that it is almost impossible to operate the tablet with one hand. It is safer and more convenient to work in two hands.
Summing up the size, I can say that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is a classic of the genre, just like the Apple iPad Air. For lovers of more compact models, which I belong to, there is an option with an 8.4-inch screen (as a competitor to the Apple iPad mini Retina). It is much more comfortable and ergonomic, but the screen is, of course, smaller.
Design and appearance
id = "sub2">The design of the tablet is standard. He resembles the appearance of others. Samsung models... The front part of the case is glossy, around the screen there is a kind of golden frame. The back part is made of hard textured plastic. In terms of tactile sensations, this plastic is similar to that used in. Thanks to the matte surface, the tablet does not slip out of your hands and does not slide off smooth surfaces. But what really sets the Galaxy Tab S apart is its very thin body. This is a feature of the device.
No metal is used in the construction of the case. Only plastic. Thanks to the materials, the device was made lighter. It can be held in one hand for a long time. This is a plus.
There are two versions of the tablet available for sale: gold-bronze and white. I had the first option for testing.
There is a video call camera above the screen, which can be used in Skype, Viber and other services for video calls. On the front of the Galaxy Tab S, in addition to the camera, there is a light sensor, a spatial location sensor, it controls the display of a picture (portrait or landscape).
Most of the tablet is occupied by a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Fully touch control using Android 4.4. There are three standard buttons under the screen: context menu, home and back.
The volume rocker is located on the upper side edge. The button for turning on and off, changing profiles can be found in the same place. In the center there is an infrared sensor window.
The manufacturer prudently placed the speakers on the sides. There are two of them. Interestingly, you can't cover it with your hands, even if you want to. The sound of the tablet is excellent - both through the speakers and in the headphones. The audio cable connector is located on the left side near one of the speakers, and near the other, on the right, there is a microUSB, a memory card slot.
I had a device with 3G / LTE support for testing, so on the right side there was a slot for a SIM card (micro-SIM type). In the version without 3G / LTE, of course, there is no SIM card slot.
On the back there is a built-in camera with flash. Below is the developer's logo. At the bottom you can also find two "buttons" there, they are needed for branded accessories.
I have no complaints about the assembly of the device, all the parts are tightly fitted to each other, the buttons do not dangle. The tablet is assembled at the company's factory in Vietnam.
Screen
id = "sub3">The screen in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S is Super AMOLED. This is a big breakthrough for a Korean company. This is the first high-resolution matrix with such a large diagonal. Screen diagonal - 10.5 inches, matrix type - Super AMOLED HD, resolution - 2560x1600 pixels (288 ppi). The screen is covered with a protective glass. There is also an oleophobic coating that prevents the collection of dust, fingerprints, etc.
It should be noted that Samsung continues to increase the screen size without compromising the overall size of the devices. This is largely due to the thinning side bezels, and this is the strength of the Tab S line. The 10.5-inch version of the tablet is a clear confirmation of this.
The main advantage of SuperAMOLED-matrices is low power consumption (especially when it comes to displaying black) and bright, vivid colors. For lovers of calm colors, the tablet has the ability to fine-tune the display. However, I note that even after such a setting, in terms of natural color reproduction, such a screen will be inferior to IPS-matrices. What SuperAMOLED displays is what I call a "gypsy picture". That is, all the colors are so flashy that the eyes get tired very quickly if you look at the contrasting colors on the screen without manual adjustment.
The sensitivity of the display is very high, and a light touch is enough to fix the action. There is support for multitouch. Of the features, the screen got support for working with gloves. A good option for winter!
In the screen settings, you can select one of three operating modes: "Adaptive", "Film", "Photo" and "Basic". The latter option does not display colors as loudly. During the test, it was he who I chose to work with.
Interface and navigation. Functionality
id = "sub4">The tablet runs Android 4.4.2 with the latest generation of the proprietary TouchWiz shell. Software can be updated over the network cellular communication or Wi-Fi. As for updating the tablet to Android L, at the moment there is no reliable information on this matter.
By default, the user has three home screens: one - tiled (widgets) and two classic for Android. As for the widget screen, it serves to display news, calendar, to-do list and Email... HTC's BlinkFeed interface is organized in a similar way. You can change the page layout or remove some elements.
Of the features of the Galaxy Tab S, I note the appearance of a quick button for accessing files in the lower left corner of the desktop. This greatly simplifies the work with files and folders on the device. In addition, a toolbar appeared in the upper right part of the screen, and an icon for the list of all applications appeared at the bottom.
Instead of the KNOX service, this model introduces the so-called private mode, in which you can hide super-secret documents, images, etc.
The Hancom Viewer office suite is installed out of the box, and applications for working with different office files must be independently updated via Samsung Apps or via Hancom Update for correct operation.
Despite minor changes, the TouchWiz interface, which is quite complicated for uninitiated users, is still similar to itself. In my opinion, compared to myself in Galaxy Note PRO it has become a little more comfortable.
The tablet has all the standard tools for text and voice input of information, two on-screen QWERTY-keyboards: standard from Samsung, standard from Google, as well as an application for voice input from Google.
I would like to note that you can make calls from Samsung Galaxy Tab S using the operator's SIM card. There is a special application for this. The function of working with SMS and IP telephony is also available. You can call using the same Skype, Viber and other services.
The main browser on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S is Chrome. It supports modern algorithms of work, which should be done by a progressive browser.
The device is fully integrated with Google services.
Work tools include Google Calendar. It allows you to view events by date, time and action. The service is a high-quality planner-organizer, all in one. All events can be divided into groups with corresponding fields. All information is stored on the Google server, it is enough to indicate only your data account.
Multimedia capabilities
id = "sub5">Item "Music" - music audio player. You can view and listen to audio tracks. The following file formats are supported: aac, .amr, .ogg, .m4a, .mid, mp3, .wav, .wma. HTC Flyer can record audio files in .amr format. There is a sorting by artist, album, genre, composer.
The headset is not included in the package. But thanks to the miniJack 3.5 mm jack, you can pick up any headphones.
The "Video" item displays videos taken both by the camera of the device and downloaded from the Internet. The communicator allows you to view files in the following formats: .3gp, .3g2, .mp4, .wmv with a resolution up to 1080p. The tablet supports all standard DivX and Xvid video codecs and mkv container.
Installing new programs
id = "sub6">New programs and other applications can be downloaded for free and installed from Google play via the Internet directly from the tablet. Appearance the program is intuitive, there is a search for applications by criteria. All offered utilities are divided into "Programs" and "Games". Within each of the sections there is also a division into categories.
Among preinstalled programs not included in the standard Android 4.4 package include: Hancom Viewer ( office suite), WatchON (remote control of the TV from a tablet), SideSync (synchronization of files and folders on different devices Samsung), Remote PC (remote access to the contents of a computer on a tablet), WebEX, Bloomberg Businessweek, Dropbox, Evernote, Flipboard, Dictionaries, AnyWayAnyDay ticket purchase service and others.
In "Settings" each user can personalize the tablet interface. This menu item contains almost all actions for setting up LTE, GPS, Wi-Fi, as well as data synchronization. In addition, settings for graphic themes, display design, installed applications and much more.
The fingerprint scanner
id = "sub7">The scanner itself is located in the Home button and partially on the screen above it. It responds when you slide your finger over the button. Up to three fingers can be enrolled in total. In the future, the scanner is responsible for unlocking the screen, paying with PayPal and checking the Samsung account.
To be honest, the quality of the sensor upset me. It works correctly only in 40% of cases. In order for the identification to be successful, the finger must be dry, clean, warm. Yes, and you need to carry out not quickly and not slowly. After five unsuccessful attempts, the tablet is locked for 30 seconds.
As a result, using a fingerprint instead of a password looks less convenient.
Camera and video
id = "sub8">Samsung Galaxy Tab S is equipped with excellent front camera 2.1 megapixel with Touch-up mode enabled by default. In addition, there is a main 8 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus. There are automatic and manual modes in the settings. shooting, filters and settings are just as numerous as on all modern smartphones.
The tablet camera shoots very quickly. In many ways, it has a similar feel to the Samsung Galaxy S4. The video is recorded in FullHD resolution. The quality of photography is quite decent, it applies to all modes, including macro and HDR, but the larger the tablet's diagonal, the more awkward you feel at the time of shooting. It is much more comfortable to take pictures with a camera or a smartphone.
Performance and memory
id = "sub9">Samsung Galaxy Tab S runs on a chip with a quad-core Krait 400 (2.3 GHz) Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, graphics Adreno 330. The amount of RAM is 3 GB. Hardware allows the tablet to work very quickly.
The tablet uses built-in memory to store files and other data. I had a device with 16 GB of memory at my disposal. The memory can be expanded by using microSD cards up to 128 GB.
Communication capabilities
id = "sub10">You can access the Internet from your tablet via the network cellular operator 3G or LTE and over Wi-Fi (WLAN IEEE 802.11b / g / n). The device also supports wireless accessories and bluetooth headsets 4.0 including wireless stereo headsets.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S can act as a Wi-Fi hotspot that distributes 3G / 4G internet connections. To do this, the Wi-Fi access point option is enabled in the wireless interfaces menu.
GPS and GLONASS modules are used as navigation. A cold start takes no more than 10 seconds, there are no complaints about the module's operation.
The built-in infrared port is used as a remote control for equipment; the device already has a preinstalled program for working with the infrared port.
Duration of work
id = "sub11">The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 has a 7900mAh Li-ion battery. In testing conditions, a fully charged battery lasted 10 hours of Internet browsing via Wi-Fi or 9.5 hours of video. In terms of HD video playback time, this is one of the best tablets, which makes it a very interesting proposition for movie lovers on long trips.
When using the tablet for business purposes, charging will last for 2-3 days. These are very decent indicators. Longer run times can be achieved with less load. Is charging accumulator battery in 5 hours.
Outcomes
id = "sub12">Samsung Galaxy Tab S left a very pleasant impression: good build, compact size, despite big screen over 10 inches, reasonably straightforward TouchWiz user interface that complements the basic operating system... It is very convenient to read e-books on the tablet.
The Super AMOLED screen deserves special words. It is very bright. True, the naturalness of the picture does not benefit from this. The main bonus of the screen is that the tablet works for a very long time from charging to charging.
The main competitor of the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is the Apple iPad Air, which has a more readable aspect ratio, great design and a high-quality aluminum body. The Samsung device has a more convenient screen for watching videos and longer battery life, as well as better dimensions (although the advantage here is less than when comparing the iPad Mini Retina with the Galaxy Tab S 8.4).