Samsung is at it again with their new Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 vs the iPad 2. In response to the popularity of the newest iPad, they have announced two newer versions of their tablet, the Galaxy Tab. This time, it has a bigger screen and more features. Here’s how it compares to the iPad 2.
The New Galaxy Tab 10.1 Vs. The iPad 2
Samsung announced that they were releasing a new version of their Galaxy Tab and most likely this is in response to the wildly popular iPad 2. Let’s take a look at the Galaxy Tab and see how it stands up to the iPad 2 so you can decide which one would be the best fit for your needs.
Hardware
Galaxy Tab 10.1 Thinner Than iPad 2
The new Galaxy Tab is even thinner than the iPad 2 (if that’s possible) and in fact it is 8.6mm thin (or just 0.34-inches). Compared to the iPad 2 this is about 0.2mm thinner (for those that could notice).
The Galaxy Tab weighs just 1.31 pounds whereas the iPad weighs 1.33 pounds. As far as what is on the inside of the new Galaxy Tab vs the iPad 2, the Samsung has the following:
- Dual-core 1Ghz Processor
- 1280×800 Display
- 802.1 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
- MicroSD slot
- 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
- 8.9-inch or 10.1-inch screen size
The camera on the Galaxy Tab has a 3.0 megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash while the front-facing camera has a 2.0 megapixel capability. The iPad 2′s cameras are believed to be about 1 megapixel or less.
In terms of hardware the Galaxy Tab vs the iPad 2 seems to be right in line if not a little more beefier than the iPad 2. It is thinner and has better cameras along with that MicroSD slot as well.
Now, looking at the hardware alone, the Tab is certainly gaining on the iPad 2. And at this point you might be asking yourself whether or not the Galaxy Tab, with it’s 10.1-inch screen or 8.9-inch screen is nearly perfect for a portable business tablet or for taking with you everywhere you go. Ideally, at this point it comes down to price (up next) or user experience. Once all these tablets are on par with each other – how does one choose? More on that next.
Pricing
In the war of the Galaxy Tab vs the iPad 2, the pricing may not even be an issue. Here are the prices for the new Galaxy Tab 10.1:
- $499 for the 16GB WiFi
- $599 for the 32GB WiFi
And here are the prices for the Galaxy Tab 8.9:
- $469 for the 16GB WiFi
- $569 for the 32GB WiFi
The new Galaxy Tab’s are shipping in June 2011. These prices look familiar? They are exactly inline with the iPad 2 and this leaves one to wonder: Will Apple up the ante and deliver us a iPad HD or and iPad Pro later this year if Samsung starts cutting into their margins?
Other Features About The New Galaxy Tab
The Galaxy Tab’s were only announced with WiFi only but there are rumors that 4G models are also in the works. Another thing that Samsung has done with the Tab 10.1 and 8.9 is put their own interface layer on top of Android 3.0. They call it TouchWiz UX which means that everything you do on the new Galaxy Tab’s are not the Android way but the Samsung way.
The new Galaxy Tab’s have a redesigned social hub that combines your Twitter and Facebook feeds into one. Additionally, there is a new email client and a new feature they call “custom widgets” along with a built-in music player.
The New Galaxy Tab Vs The iPad 2
The Tab 10.1 and 8.9 sure seem to be catching up fast with the iPad 2. The hardware is nearly the same if not better, the sizes are perfect, the cameras are better, and the pricing is identical to the iPad 2. So if you were to choose, how would you make that decision?
I feel it won’t come down to the hardware in the near future because that is something which can be easily duplicated. What cannot be duplicated is the user experience and the software. The determining factor in the new Galaxy Tab vs the iPad 2 will be the software.
The iPad 2 with iOS has a very consistent experience that it delivers which everyone has come to know and use. The apps are in the hundreds of thousands and for the most part, the iPad 2 user experience is flawless (I realize this is not for everyone). One other thing here is that when you get an iOS device, you know what to do immediately and how to use it.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 and 8.9 are further fragmenting the already fragmented Android OS by adding their own interface which you have to interact with. This could confuse people that have other Android devices but, if you don’t mind that fragmentation then it really is no big deal.
In terms of apps, there are simply not as many for Android tablets. Take a look at the marketplace. It’s sparse if not empty for tablets. That is a big factor to consider because above all else, the software, not the hardware, drive the device and until Android catches up (and it will) with more tablet apps then the battle of the new Galaxy Tab vs the iPad 2 is going to still lie with Apple for awhile.
So how to you feel about the new Galaxy Tab? What would you choose and why?
Yeah, I see tablets being advertised on TV listing all kinds of specs with fancy CGI, etc.. But they never show any apps or interface experience at all. Kinda of reminds me of the PC vs PC battle days. You are right – It comes down to software and user experience.
yeah, I really feel that all of the hardware will catch up to each other but hardware is simply just a means to the software – and the software is really what users use!
Hmm, looks interesting, but you seem to forget one thing. the tablets don’t ship until june!!!! who knows what will happen in the mean time. there is nothing to compare i’m afraid.
Thanks a ton for the comment – I nearly mentioned that in the article
Yeah, June will come and most people will have their iPad 2 by then and who knows what else Apple has in store!
I am starting to blend all of these tablets into one. It is really getting hard to tell them apart. I am not really seeing anything from these tablets that would make me want to get one of them. I am sticking with my ipad2 for now. It would also help if they would release them, and stop just telling us about them.
I know. It’s really turning into a frenzy. Mostly hype. All I’ve seen is the Tab and Xoom so far. I’m sticking with my iPad but is interesting to think about how one chooses when all other factors are the same.
Vaporware. Samsung won’t even let these be handled or turned on. That should tell you something. Plus no apps.
Love this Darwin….it kind of explains everything…..most all of the 100 tablets announced at CES have been scrapped…so we will never even see them…
Yeah, tell me about it. We’ll know in June I guess.
Honestly, talk about mind bending. I keep seeing entries like this one refer to these new Samsung tablets having microSD slots, but unlike the original Galaxy Tab P1000, Samsung is saying nothing about this itself (though apparently not correcting anyone either). During the event, Samsung showed it’s USB connection kit with SD card adapter accessory which noted it was for the 8.9 Tab.
https://files.me.com/creatorworld/kzlfm5
Maybe it’s all in my head, but it just seems weird how Samsung is approaching all of this (the redesign, the SD card issue, the timing, etc.) if they pull this off they have every right to grab the lion’s share of Android tablet users.
I’m still thinking they ship on June 8th with notes on a few of their features coming later. We know Apple does this with some second tier accessories.
I currently own both the orginal iPad and a 7″ Samsung Tab. I have been using both in my business travels for the past few months evaluating them to finally decide which one I will use. The announcement from Samsung about the new models interests me because I feel the 7″ is a little small and the original iPad was too large and heavy for most of my needs, so the new Samsung 8.9 seems perfect. The other things I like about the Tab that differ from the iPad are the ability to add memory through a microSD card, wide support for various codecs for video (I no longer have to convert file to play on the iPad) and their support for Flash. I understand how most people fall in love with the simplicity that Apple’s integrated hardware, software, applications and content offers because it all works seamlessly. The challenge for me is that it is still too closed of a system that forces me to adjust my needs for the tablet. I was also disappointed with the lackluster improvements to the iPad 2, this was clearly a misfire from Apple. I think as Android matures and more applications are ported over, Apple has a real contender in the segment. The good news is that there is room for everybody.