Galaxy tab s 8.4 tablets. SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile 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. | 212.8 mm (millimeters) 21.28 cm (centimeters) 0.7 ft (feet) 8.38 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 126.6 mm (millimeters) 12.66 cm (centimeters) 0.42 ft (feet) 4.98 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 6.6 mm (millimeters) 0.66 cm (centimeters) 0.02 ft (feet) 0.26 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 298 g (grams) 0.66 lbs 10.51 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. | 177.81 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 10.8 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | White Bronze Golden |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | 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 GSM standard and applies 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 2100 MHz LTE 2600 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. | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974AB |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | Krait 400 |
| 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. | 32 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. | ARMv7 |
| Level 0 cache (L0) Some processors have L0 (level 0) cache, which is faster to access than L1, L2, L3, etc. The advantage of having such memory is not only higher performance, but also reduced power consumption. | 4 kB + 4 kB (kilobytes) |
| 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. | 16 kB + 16 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 performs program instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 4 |
| 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). | 2300 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. | Qualcomm Adreno 330 |
| 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. | 4 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 578 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 means more high speeds data transmission. | Dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 933 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. | 8.4 in (inches) 213.36 mm (millimeters) 21.34 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 7.12 in (inches) 180.93 mm (millimeters) 18.09 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.45 in (inches) 113.08 mm (millimeters) 11.31 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.6:1 16:10 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 2560 x 1600 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. | 359 ppi (pixels per inch) 141 ppcm (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 area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 76.19% (percent) |
| 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.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | 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 |
| Diaphragm | f/2.4 |
| Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera. | 3.33 mm (millimeters) 32.02 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 3264 x 2448 pixels 7.99 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Digital zoom Geographical tags |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's 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 The smaller pixel size of the photosensor allows more pixels per unit area, thereby increasing resolution. On the other hand, a smaller pixel size can have a negative impact on image quality at high ISO levels. | 1.25 µm (micrometers) 0.00125 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 |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/2.4 |
| Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported video resolution additional camera. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the secondary camera when shooting video at the maximum resolution. | 30fps (frames per second) |
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.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
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.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 4900 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Lithium-ion) |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 29 h (hours) 1740 min (minutes) 1.2 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| SAR level for head (EU) The SAR level indicates maximum amount electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device near the ear in a conversation position. In Europe the maximum permissible value SAR for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard established by the CENELEC Committee in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the ICNIRP guidelines of 1998. | 0.264 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 permissible SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by the CENELEC Committee in compliance with the ICNIRP 1998 guidelines and IEC standards. | 0.989 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. 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. | 0.63 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. | 1.56 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
Article Index
Page 1: Test and review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 LTE (SM-T705) – tablet with Super AMOLED screen
With two Galaxy tablets Tab S Korean manufacturer Samsung is targeting users who are demanding about display quality. And after the “older” model, we are pleased to present a test of the Galaxy Tab S 8.4, which, despite the smaller diagonal, pleases with a display with Super AMOLED technology and extremely high resolution.
Galaxy Tab PRO tablets with diagonals of 8.4 and 10.1 inches are already selling quite successfully on the market, so the introduction of two more Galaxy Tab S models with the same diagonals seems strange at first. Still, Samsung has already quite well satisfied all users who need a powerful and stylish Android tablet with a high-resolution screen, two Galaxy Tab Pro models. But the release of the Galaxy Tab S family is justified not so much by the display resolution as by the matrix technology.
Super AMOLED displays promise infinite depth of blacks, the brightness of which approaches zero, resulting in record-high contrast and very rich colors. , it really kept the manufacturer's promises. But the 10.5" diagonal cannot be called compact. If you need a compact tablet with a Super AMOLED screen (which, by the way, is also cheaper), then pay attention to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4.
If you look at the specifications, the “younger” Samsung tablet is in no way inferior to its “big brother”. With the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 we get largely identical characteristics:
A complete list of features is available at last page review.
With the “junior” Galaxy Tab S we also get a very high resolution of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. Samsung also used a powerful Exynos 5420 Octa SoC with four power-efficient Cortex-A7 cores and four powerful Cortex-A15 cores. Depending on the required performance, one or another group of cores is selected. Of course, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is much more compact than the 10.5-inch model. But the thickness has not changed - 6.6 mm, so both Galaxy Tab S tablets can be called very thin. But the weight of the “younger” model has changed, decreasing from 467 g to 298 g. Slightly smaller iPad Mini tablets with Retina display even heavier - 331 g (Wi-Fi version) or 341 g (3G version).
Of course, in addition to the different size and weight, we also get other differences between the two Galaxy Tab S tablets: the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 uses a battery with a capacity of 3,000 mAh less. But the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is cheaper. Wireless version without 3G (SM-T700) will cost from 13.3 thousand rubles in Russia or from 380 euros in Europe. The tested LTE option (SM-T705) – from 17.0 thousand rubles in Russia or from 470 euros in Europe. Compared to a 10.5-inch tablet, the savings are about 3.5 thousand rubles.
And now another model of the same format, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, has fallen into our hands. Despite the same diagonal and screen resolution, as well as a set of connectors and wireless modules, there are quite a lot of differences between these two tablets, for example, the hero of our review is noticeably thinner and lighter, it has a Super AMOLED display, not Super Clear LCD, an eight-core platform, and not a quad-core one, and in addition there are such pleasant nuances as an original accessory mounting system and a fingerprint scanner.
Design, materials
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet looks like a solid “A”. Even an inveterate esthete is unlikely to have any complaints about the appearance of this device, since this time Korean designers were able to create a truly elegant and minimalistic image. In addition, the plastic case, which is only 6.6 millimeters thick, is surprisingly rigid and tightly built.
The tablet is available in two color versions - “dazzling white” (Dazzling White) and “titanium bronze” (Titanium Bronze). In both cases, not only is it made in the main color back cover the body, but also its front panel, and to visually separate both parts, a shading edging of the side edges is used. We got our hands on a light version of the design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, and that’s what we’ll be talking about in our review.
The model is made in the not very common 8.4-inch format, while the vast majority of tablets of similar dimensions are equipped with 8 or 9-inch screens. The overall dimensions of the device are 125.6 x 212.8 x 6.6 mm, weight – 294 grams. For comparison, the thickness of one of the main competitors Apple iPad mini is 7.5 mm and weighs 331 grams, despite the fact that the Apple tablet is equipped with a smaller 7.9-inch screen. Comparison of other dimensions is not entirely correct, since Samsung uses a wider format, but for a general understanding of the situation, it is worth mentioning that the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is about a centimeter longer and the same centimeter narrower than the iPad mini.
The front panel of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet is covered with protective Gorilla Glass with a high-quality oleophobic coating. The screen border along the long sides of the body is only a few millimeters; it does not distract from what is happening on the screen at all.
Along the entire perimeter of the case there is a narrow edge-edging of golden color, which helps to make the tablet visually even more compact than it actually is. The finishing material looks like metal, but in fact it is just plastic painted to look like metal, and the replacement can only be detected by secondary signs, such as the lack of characteristic coolness.
The back cover of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is finished with the same “perforated” plastic that is used in Samsung smartphone Galaxy S5. In fact, there are no holes in the material, these are just small indentations that make the back of the tablet more attractive in appearance and more pleasant to the touch. The surface of the plastic has a chameleon effect, that is, it changes color from pure white to slightly golden when the viewing angle changes.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S Simple Cover and Book Cover
For those who cannot imagine using a tablet without additional protection, Samsung offers to purchase two types of branded covers: Galaxy Tab S Simple Cover for $39 and Galaxy Tab S Book Cover for $59.
The accessories are offered in various colors and, apart from the price, differ from each other in that the Simple Cover covers only the screen, while the Book Cover completely covers the body and, in addition, allows you to tilt the tablet at three different angles. Fixation on the tablet is carried out using the same round holes on the back panel.
Controls, connectors
At the bottom of the screen edge of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 you can find the three-button control unit familiar to devices from the South Korean company. There is a hardware Home key in the center, flanked by a pair of Recent and Back touch buttons.
In a passive state, the touch buttons look like gray icons, but as soon as you touch them, the white LED backlight turns on. In the settings (Display -> Advanced -> Key backlighting) you can select a lighting interval of 1.5 or 6 seconds, and also keep the backlight on or off all the time.
The Home button is finished with a golden border, which matches the overall style of the entire tablet. With its help, it is very convenient to unlock the screen from the front panel, without resorting to the standard power off/lock button on the side. In addition, this button has a built-in fingerprint scanner, which we will talk about a little later.
In the center of the upper part of the front panel there is a silver Samsung logo and a speaker. By the way, it is present only in the 3G version of the tablet codenamed SM-T705, which can be used as a very large smartphone. A little to the right you can find a dual window for light and proximity sensors, and finally, a 2.1 megapixel front camera is placed in the very corner.
The back panel of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet contains only service information, an 8 megapixel main camera with a flash, and two “pseudo buttons” designed for attaching branded accessories. The camera lens protrudes noticeably above the surface of the panel, so if handled carelessly it is possible to scratch protective glass. The flash is placed in a separate “window”, which the designers decided to provide with a thin golden edging.
The upper edge of the tablet contains a false speaker grille and a digital microphone, the lower edge contains another pair of the same elements, supplemented by a combined audio port and micro-USB connector. Note that the tablet's USB connector supports OTG and MHL technologies, which allows you to easily connect compatible peripherals and display images on an external screen using appropriate adapters.
The left side of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is completely free, which is more than compensated by the completely filled right side. At the very top there is a power button and a volume rocker, exactly in the middle there is an infrared sensor behind which you can find slots for micro-SIM and microSD memory cards.
Fingerprint's scanner
You should start working with the fingerprint scanner in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 from the corresponding settings item, where you will be asked to gently swipe your fingertip down on the Home key eight times in a row. In total, you can register up to three fingerprints in the system, which will allow you to give two more family members access to the tablet, or just in case, remember a couple more fingerprints in reserve.
Along with the fingerprint, you will be asked to provide an alternative alphanumeric password, which will help you log into the system in case of problems with the sensor. If the fingerprint does not pass the first time, the verification system will give prompts such as “swipe across the entire panel”, “... in the center”, “... slower”, etc.
In addition to the incorrect fingerprint scanning technique, excessive excitement or rain can prevent you from unlocking the screen, since the sensor has difficulty recognizing wet fingers. After five unsuccessful attempts, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 will close the ability to log in with a fingerprint for 30 seconds, and after fifteen errors in a row, the tablet can only be unlocked using the same alternative password.
Super AMOLED display
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet is equipped with an 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, so the pixel density is 360 PPI. For reference, the pixel density of Apple tablets is 326 PPI for the 7.9-inch iPad mini with Retina and 264 PPI for the 9.7-inch iPad Air. Subpixels are placed according to the usual PenTile scheme for AMOLED matrices, but taking into account high density their placement makes it almost impossible to discern its characteristic features by eye.
The developers claim that their Super AMOLED matrices and displays more than 90% of the Adobe RGB color space, while a typical tablet LCD display is capable of approximately 70% coverage of this space. It is impossible not to mention the radically black color of the Super AMOLED matrix, which made it possible to increase the contrast level to an impressive figure of 100,000:1.
The characteristics declared by the manufacturer were confirmed by instrumental measurements. In particular, minimum brightness The screen backlight was 2 cd/m2, the maximum was 300 cd/m2, and the total black brightness was 0.03 cd/m2, which ultimately gives a contrast of 100,000:1. The brightness is adjusted manually or automatically based on readings from the light sensor. There is also an option to auto-adjust the screen depending on the display mode, which helps save battery power.
The owner of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet will be able to choose the most suitable screen mode from the options “Main”, “Photo AMOLED” and “Movie AMOLED”. The first preset looks the most calm and natural; it is perfect for those who do not like AMOLED screens for their overly bright “screaming” color scheme. The “Photo” preset enlivens the image a little, but the “Film” mode shows everything that a screen of this type is capable of (remember, more than 90% of the Adobe RGB color space).
Basic mode
In addition to the three main display modes, you can choose two more additional options. “Adaptive Display” automatically optimizes image parameters (color range, saturation, sharpness) to achieve the most successful results in the Gallery, Camera, Browser, Video, Books applications. Reading mode adjusts the screen so that it is most comfortable for the user to perceive text.
Photo AMOLED mode
Note that the screen timeout can be adjusted from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, and you can also use the optional “smart shutdown” function. If you're annoyed by the screen being forced to turn off while you're viewing something, the tablet will start tracking your face with the front camera and won't turn off the backlight while you're looking at the screen.
AMOLED Movie Mode
Capacitive touch screen Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 supports up to 10 simultaneous touches. The responsiveness of the screen is not satisfactory, but in the settings you can further increase its sensitivity for use in the cold season, when your hands are warmed by gloves. The viewing angles of the Super AMOLED screen are at a very decent level; artifacts in the form of a green tint on a white background can only be seen from an acute viewing angle.
Hardware platform, benchmarks
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet is based on a very productive eight-core Samsung processor Exynos 5420 Octa with big.LITTLE architecture, made using a 28 nm process technology.
Depending on the type of tasks performed, the processor uses four powerful ARM Cortex-A15 cores with operating frequency 1.9 GHz or four energy-efficient ARM Cortex-A7 cores with an operating frequency of 1.3 GHz. Unlike the predecessor processor Exynos 5410 Octa, all eight cores of the 5420 chip can work simultaneously, supporting a fair eight-core mode.
AnTuTu, Quadrant, Vellamo
A2, BaseMark X, Epic Citadel, GFX Bench
The Exynos 5420 Octa system-on-chip also integrates six-core ARM Mali-T628 graphics with an operating frequency of 600 MHz and a dual-channel 32-bit LPDDR3(E)-1866 memory controller. The RAM capacity is 3 GB, and the built-in storage capacity is 16 GB. The tablet is equipped with a slot for MicroSD memory cards, and models up to 128 GB are supported.
All Samsung options Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is equipped with GPS/Glonass, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi modules, while the latter can not only operate in two frequency ranges at once (2.4 and 5.0 GHz), but also supports latest standard 802.11ac. In addition to the “Wi-Fi only” modification of the SM-T700 tablet, there is also a 4G version of the SM-T705 with a built-in modem that supports both data transfer and voice calls.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is equipped with lithium-ion battery at 4900 mAh, full charge which, according to the manufacturer, should be enough for 10 hours of Internet browsing, 12 hours of watching videos and 80 hours of listening to music. Our test measurements showed very similar results, as can be easily seen by looking at the results table.
Battery life
| Mode | Battery drains in 2 hours | Approximate operating time (100% to 0%), h:min |
| Music | 3% | 66:40 |
| Reading | 16% | 12:30 |
| Navigation | 40% | 5:00 |
| Watch HD video | 14% | 14:15 |
| Watching HD videos from Youtube | 22% | 9:00 |
| Game (GFXBench) | 622 points (11.1 fps) | 3:28 |
The % value displays by what percentage the battery was discharged during 2 hours of testing; the approximate operating time was obtained by linear extrapolation based on 2 hours of operation in this mode. You can read more about the testing methodology here -.
By the way, in addition to the standard mode, the tablet supports energy saving and extreme energy saving modes. In the latter case, the system limits the use of applications and communication modules, and also turns the tablet screen from color to black and white, but it promises to last 12 days on a 60% charged battery.
Camera
Like any other modern tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is equipped with a pair of cameras. If there is nothing special to say about the front camera, except that it is two megapixel, then it is worth talking a little more about the main 8 megapixel camera with built-in flash.
Despite the fact that the main camera is equipped with an 8 megapixel sensor, by default it offers photographing 6 megapixel frames with a resolution of 3264 by 1836 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9. A photo with maximum detail will have characteristics of 3264 by 2448 pixels and an aspect ratio of 4:3. Interestingly, the system also supports square photos a la Instagram with a resolution of 2448 by 2448 pixels.
The interface of the “Camera” application will, in general terms, be familiar to any mobile photographer, but there are some improvements here. The name of the current shooting mode is displayed at the top of the main window, and you can change it to another in the lower right corner. Initially, the modes “Auto”, “Retouching”, “Serial”, “Panorama”, “Rich tones (HDR)” and “Double-sided shooting” are offered, while by clicking the corresponding icon you can load several more additional modes, for example “Sound and Photo” and “Sports”.
In addition to the preview of the last frame and the Mode button, here you can also find two separate round shutter buttons for taking photos and videos, as well as the current storage location for photos (internal memory or memory card) and mode indicators. On the left, by default, there are only buttons for changing cameras and the settings gear, but by clicking on this same gear you can see three icons for controlling settings, such as flash, photo size and ISO selection.
Naturally, the quality of the photos depends on the conditions in which you photograph them, but a good 8 megapixel camera, built-in flash and a good set of available adjustments and shooting modes allow you to take high-quality photographs in almost any conditions.
Interface
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 runs on the Android 4.4 “KitKat” operating system, supplemented with a proprietary shell Samsung TouchWiz and a whole lot nearby additional features. One of the most interesting features of Multi Window is that you can work with two different applications, for example, calling a friend and checking the news.
We cannot fail to mention the SideSync 3.0 service, which allows you to combine your tablet with an Android smartphone for two-way data exchange. Samsung KNOX allows you to protect your content and software, Remote application PC will help you gain remote access to your home or office PC, and the “Children” mode will certainly be appreciated by parents who are not afraid to share their tablet with small children. The proprietary S Voice system will be able to perform tasks using voice commands, and S Planner will help you optimally plan your work day.
Even the thoroughly studied desktop of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 contains not only application shortcuts, widgets and system panel notifications, but also a call button file manager, as well as a drop-down toolbar for quick access to five favorite apps. Interestingly, you can add not only system applications to this drop-down panel, but also any other installed applications.
Video review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet
Results
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 tablet turned out to be very interesting, but none of it key parameters We had no complaints. The design is excellent, the weight and dimensions are best in class, a full set of connectors, communication modules and additional functions (fingerprint scanner, IrDA, camera with flash, etc.), 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display It features “super resolution” of 2560×1600 pixels, and the powerful eight-core Samsung Exynos 5420 Octa platform paired with 3 GB of RAM easily copes with most typical tasks. In fact, the only things we didn’t like were the periodic slowdown of the rich TouchWiz interface and the rather high cost of the device; in all other respects, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 is close to ideal, for which it deserves the title “Editor’s Choice.”
The Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 is without a doubt one of the best tablets on the market, and maybe even the best small Android tablet. reasonable price. However, as often happens, it was not without its drawbacks. Or is its improved version, Galaxy Tab, S 8.4, deprived of them?
In many ways, the Tab S 8.4 is identical or nearly identical to its big brother.
Technical specifications
The device was tested in the WiFi version, which was equipped with the following:
Dimensions: 212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6 mm
Weight: 294 g
Display: Super AMOLED, 8.4″, 16:10, 2560×1600, D 359, 16 million colors
Processor: Exynos 5 Octa 5420 (4 cores 1.9 GHz, quad cores 1.3 GHz)
GPU: Mali T628 MP6
RAM: 3 GB
Built-in memory: 16 GB
Camera:
Rear: 8 MPX, AUTOFOCUS, LED -, video-1080p (30 fps)
Front: 2.1 MPX
Communication: WiFi, LTE (optional)
Wi-fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz)
Bluetooth: 4.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DI, HID, HOGP, HSP, OPP, PAN
Sensors: accelerometer, gyroscope, light sensor
USB 2.0, MHL
Jack: 3.5mm mini jack
Memory card slot: microSD up to 128 GB
GPS: GPS, GLONASS
Battery: 4900 mAh
Operating system: Android 4.4.2
Appearance
At first glance, the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 looks almost the same as the PRO 8.4 - only minor details differ. The shape of the device itself has not changed and we are still dealing with a product that looks like a very stretched smartphone from the Galaxy series.
The front of the device is mostly filled with large, as are the overall dimensions tablet computers– display, and is completely covered with scratch-resistant glass. Under the screen there is a place for three standard buttons - multitasking, return, as well as “Home”, which this time additionally functions as a fingerprint scanner.
Above the display there is one of the speakers, a camera, and a set of additional sensors.
Particular attention is once again drawn to the excellent use of space - the shots are as clear as possible.
At the same time, their small thickness does not interfere with holding the device with one hand by the long edge - during the tests it never happened that we accidentally pressed anything on the screen.
At first glance, Tab S can be distinguished from Tab PRO by the frame surrounding the tablet. In the case of the second, in the white version of the case, it has a silver color, and in the first - golden. However, two things must be emphasized.
One should be afraid of such a combination, but the soft design does not catch the eye at all. In hands, Samsung begins to become a master of the combination of “plastic and metal”. The material, finishing of the edges of the device is really High Quality and leaves a great impression in the palm.
The set of connectors and ports is not particularly different from the Tab PRO, although the location of some of them has changed. This especially applies to the speaker - instead of two small ones at the bottom, we are now dealing with one large one located at the bottom and one large one located at the top.
Thanks to this, the tablet solves one of the the most important problems PRO, when leaning it, for example, against the stomach, the sound was muffled or completely disappeared.
Now, no matter how we hold it, at least one of the speakers plays loudly and well - that's a plus. Microphones are placed in a similar way.
Also, the microSD slot and port have been moved to the bottom of the tablet. The location of the volume buttons, power buttons and IR LEDs has not changed almost at all.
Looking at the device in profile, one cannot help but notice one more thing. Tab S breaks all limits if we're talking about about the thickness of devices of this type. Already 7.2 mm, the Tab PRO was a monumental result. This time Samsung managed to go even lower to a thickness of 6.6 mm. What's surprising already? Is not it?
At the back, the S 8.4 probably gets the biggest design changes over the PRO - the Note 3's plastic skin has been replaced with a finish almost identical to the Galaxy S5.
The choice of just a little harder and smoother material and texture allows the Tab S to feel brilliant in the hands - solid as a rock, even despite its small thickness. And although the PRO 8.4 was not a poorly made device, on the contrary, it beats it in this regard and is an order of magnitude better when it comes to subjective impressions.
Samsung Tab S can slide on the table, it is more convenient when using a fingerprint scanner, and the grip of the device itself may be less confident.
On the back of the Tab S, you can find a camera, a lighting indicator and the manufacturer's logo. On the right side there are two circles, which seem to be needed for “contact” with a special case. Despite the fact that the device has a powerful magnet, the case is attached in a completely “analog” way – by pressing the buttons firmly.
This solution is not very elegant, but it is incredibly practical. While our tablet can fall out of magnetic cases at the slightest movement, the Tab-S stays in the package absolutely confidently.
Fingerprint's scanner
We already know the fingerprint scanner from the Galaxy S5, and in this case almost all of its advantages and disadvantages have been moved. To both should be added the fact that we are dealing with a device, and therefore much larger equipment, and used a little differently.
The advantages are that the reader basically works as it should, and above all, it is almost always higher than the keyboard, even if the operation needs to be repeated once or twice.
If we are talking about his worst traits, then sometimes he simply does not work.
The finger should always be held perfectly perpendicular to the button, not too fast, not too slow, and taking care to get to its center. This is especially difficult when using the tablet in landscape mode, which requires unnatural twisting of your arm.
Screen
This is undoubtedly a display. Even Tab PRO 8.4 fell short of perfection, but the S version sets entirely new standards.
The screen has retained most of the parameters - with a diagonal of 8.4 ", a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10, but instead of an LCD screen, SuperAMOLED is used here, so the difference is visible to the naked eye, and this is not just a marketing ploy.
The combination of fabulous resolution, equally amazing contrast, color saturation with excellent viewing angles gives stunning results.
Photos and films, of course, of appropriate quality, seem almost real, and no matter how we look at the screen, it is like the world around us. Although, I think, even reality does not have such beautiful colors - pitch black, incredibly rich red, and white does not turn green or blue, as in some cases. Everything is as fabulous as it can be.
And there is no exaggeration in this. The screen was tested on several people, and each of them was surprised at how good it looked.
The remaining parameters also do not disappoint. The screen backlight level can be so low that you can easily read messages while lying in bed in the evening, or vice versa, it can be powerful enough to ensure moderately comfortable work during the day. Sensitivity and accuracy are also at a high level.
If this is not enough, then we can to some extent regulate the way the content is displayed on the screen. Using the settings drop-down menu on the main screen, we can choose from four modes - Basic, Adaptive, Cinema and Photos. In the first of them, the screen becomes quite neutral, and, one might say, universal. In the third, everything becomes darker and increases the contrast, and in the last, everything becomes brighter.
The only problem is that this option only works for a few system applications. As a result, if we watch movies in factory settings, the Cinema mode will be activated. If we work with another application with Google Play— we will have to make the appropriate changes ourselves.
Mobility and ease of use
How much does a tablet with an 8.4 diagonal screen weigh? It turns out that the result achieved by Tab PRO 8.4 was not the best at all. Samsung thus once again beat not only its own result, but also its closest competitors - Apple.
The Tab-S, in addition to being incredibly thin yet solid, boasts a weight of just 294 grams - more than 30 grams less than the Tab PRO or iPad mini Retina, with a half-inch smaller display.
If we add to this a smaller frame around the screen than its competitors, we get a product that is simply brilliant when it comes to mobility and the ratio of usable area to total area (volume).
The Tab S's bezels aren't just smaller than the iPad mini's - they're even smaller than the Tabie Pro's, making the device about 7mm lower and another 3mm narrower.
The Tab S's portability doesn't need to be discussed. You can hold it in one hand for hours, carry it even in a small bag and not feel the slightest fatigue. S makes you think about whether you even need a smartphone with a large screen? Maybe we could carry a regular phone and this tablet with us instead?
Components and Performance
Under the hood, the Tab S has better hardware than its predecessor. In the WiFi version, the Exynos 5 Octa 5420 processor and the Mali T628 MP6 graphics processor are responsible for the work, and in the LTE version - Snapdragon 800 (2.3 GHz and Adreno 330). In both cases, they have 3 GB of RAM. To be honest, there are no big differences with the Tab PRO.
Tab S works perfectly in almost all applications. Applications launch instantly, even more demanding games or videos with sufficiently high resolution and quality work without problems, and using two windows at the same time does not require much effort from the user.
More mundane tasks like browsing websites, documents, or PDF files weren't much of a problem either.
Only one problem emerges... the main screen, or rather one of its sub-screens, it, like in all previous tablets, just sometimes freezes for a split second (or more) when we decide to get to it.
In the question of memory, we are dealing rather with norms that do not satisfy the standard. 16 GB in the basic version, of which about 12 GB for the user. Fortunately, memory cards can always come to the rescue.
System and improvements
As a rule, in the case of Samsung, pure Android is bad Android, so apparently it’s not enough that this version of the Samsung tablet is visually different; it also offers a whole range of more or less necessary additives.
It should be noted, however, that the difference relative to PRO 8.4 is relatively small. In other words, along with various display modes and software, a fingerprint scanner, it is possible to change the sensitivity of the display (operation with gloves) and save energy using the characteristics of the AMOLED screen (more gray and black), extreme savings (almost the same as in the S5 ).
Approximately similar interface (obviously), the whole package is there additional applications, including an office suite, etc., as well as a number of additional functions related, in particular, to support the contactless function of the tablet.
Once again, I must note that Android, as a system for tablet computers, on average gets the job done. Yes, and its openness, as well as the possibility of modification and addition, can help in attempts to make it an advanced alternative for a regular computer, but the use of many, even the most popular applications, alas, still causes sadness.
Samsung has done a great job - on every device, the software takes full advantage of big screen and high resolution.
Photo and video camera
This element was just “live” transferred from the previous Tab PRO, and therefore it is difficult to expect any changes. In good lighting, the photos are very clear, very detailed, and the device allows you to take pictures even from very close distances.
And, as usual, the darker the worse - in the evening or at night, we will have big problems with obtaining photographs with a good amount of detail - with not very beautiful grain, which even modern processing and correction mechanisms are not able to cope with.
What has changed is the location of the lens. Instead of one of the top corners, it is now in the middle, which, unfortunately, is not a very good option. Pictures in which the main character was a finger are still not uncommon.
Battery
A small, ultra-mobile tablet should offer a long runtime on a single charge, and the Tab S doesn't disappoint. However, you need to remember one thing - using an AMOLED screen, on the one hand, it can help save battery, on the other hand, it can have an incredibly negative effect on it.
Is it worth buying Samsung Galaxy Tab, S 8.4?
Starting with the benefits, when watching videos or other content with a dark background, the Tab-S is able to last incredibly long. 10 or even 12 hours, no problem, and with the right screen settings, you can get even more!
More top scores, which can be obtained by using the extreme battery saving mode, although this one will also be useful to us, in fact, only in extreme situations.
However, as is the case with AMOLED, black saves, white kills. Battery life when browsing the web or documents drops sharply, and in some cases is even slightly less than the PRO 8.4, which has a smaller battery. However, it still remains between 7 and 8 hours (with correspondingly reduced backlight and WiFi operation), which seems to be quite satisfactory.
In testing, fortunately, it turned out that most, even the most demanding users, had no problems using the Tab S all day long without needing to recharge. Basically, being in WiFi coverage all the time, and using the tablet quite intensively, the charge lasted about 1.5 days.
With extreme energy consumption, the device operates for about 4 hours, which is also an excellent indicator.
You can only complain about the battery charging time. This figure was just over 4 hours.
Advantages:
Brilliant screen
Incredibly thin, light and mobile
Good workmanship
Useful additions from Samsung and thoughtful applications
Interesting solution for attaching the case
Performance is satisfactory in most cases
Very good battery (in certain conditions)
Very good speakers
Flaws:
Less good battery capacity results in browser and similar applications
Not the best new processor
Android apps are still not all suitable for tablets
Not everyone will like the mini-jack at the bottom
If you find an error, the video does not work, please select a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.
I don’t know about you, but I have a very biased opinion towards tablets. If there is something to choose from among smartphones for several years now, especially if you look at flagship models, then the situation with tablets is much worse. There seem to be a lot of them, but there are literally only a few that are worth it. Until recently, I only liked iPads ( Mini Retina and Air) and ASUS Nexus 7 (2013). These models are cute, high-quality, productive and really attract people. Too few really interesting tablets are coming out, which is a pity. Of course that's not all interesting new products, but there are very few of them. And recently two more standing ones appeared.
We will, of course, be talking about the Tab S 8.4 and 10.5 models from Samsung. These are tablets that immediately catch your eye because of their design, but their main feature is the display. In 2011, Samsung already released a model with a Super AMOLED screen - and then it differed favorably from all the others in everything except the cost and some lags in TouchWiz. The cost was explained by the high cost of the display matrix, and after that model, Samsung didn’t produce anything like it for almost 3 years. Today we will look at the smaller model, which I liked more, but only because I like smaller display diagonals in tablets; otherwise, the models are identical and this is good - the user does not have to worry that something else has been cut down on the display size.
Design and ergonomics
The tablet has very small frames around the screen, so at first it seems that the display diagonal is just 7.7″, but it is 8.4″. The device is very thin, but this does not harm it; the body is rigid and not flexible to torsion.
In addition, the device is small and weighs 297 g, but the tablet does not feel like a toy. The material is plastic, the assembly is excellent. The back side has similar perforations to the SGS5, although tactilely different.
This is not soft touch plastic, but it is not easily soiled – it is matte. The side frame is also plastic, not metal. It is painted gold, looks cool, but not for everyone. Despite the fact that the tablet easily fits into your hand, I would be careful, my feeling is that the body tends to slip out of my hands. It's better to hold it with both hands.
Overall, I liked the minimalistic design, however, there are two nuances that confuse me. The first is that the function keys are illuminated in a somewhat unpresentable way; the light breaks through the paint a little and turns out hazy. And the second thing, which is quite obvious, is two mounts for a branded case directly on the body. The two buttons located on the back are made to connect the cover, but they are made by Samsung. That is, the accessory is very narrowly targeted; moreover, many people do not use cases. And these fasteners not only spoil the appearance, as it seems to me, but the very fact of having something that will not be used is a little embarrassing. It seems to me that it would be better to do it more traditionally - place the magnet under the case.
Otherwise, the arrangement of the elements is completely standard: under the display, if you hold the tablet vertically, there are control keys, one of which is mechanical, above it is the front camera; there are stereo speakers at the bottom and top, and there are also connectors for a headset and a MicroUSB cable on the bottom edge; on the right are volume and lock keys, an infrared port and a slot for a MicroSD memory card.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S is the first tablet with a fingerprint scanner. I expected Apple to implement Touch ID last year in its tablet line, but no, and Samsung was first. The operation of the scanner built into the Home key is exactly the same as in the Samsung Galaxy S 5. In order to unlock the device, you do not need to hold your finger, but move it over the button. The recognition accuracy is good, but the number of errors is slightly higher than in the Apple solution. However, having a scanner in a tablet is definitely good, because many people use them as full-fledged work tools, especially on the road. And storing information on such a lock is quite safe.
Display
And now to the main feature - the display. Unlike all other tablets on the market, this one is Super AMOLED. Previously, the company already had a model with such a matrix - Tab 7.7, and it was possible to make calls from it. But then the device was unreasonably expensive due to such a matrix, therefore, the idea was closed until better times. The displays look unusual, like for a tablet; there are many fans of this type of matrix. Viewing angles are maximum, black is truly black. The only thing is that the colors are a little richer than in real life and on IPS screens, but this can be changed in the display settings. By the way, there are presets and an adaptive mode that will change not only the brightness, but also the color saturation depending on the situation.
The screen resolution is 2560x1600 pixels, the pixel density is as much as 359 per inch, which is more than in the iPhone 5s. However, there is still a little more grain here due to the Pentile subpixel design. But for a tablet it’s just super.
Camera
The Tab S has two cameras: front and main, 2.1 and 8 MP, respectively. In 8 MP resolution, pictures are obtained with an aspect ratio of 4:3 - cool, I don’t like wide-format photographs with heavily distorted edges. The main camera has a flash, which is rare for tablets. The quality is very good, again for a tablet, considering that most often you will be photographing documents, not landscapes. The video is recorded in 1080p. There are many modes and a standard set of settings.
Photo examples
Example video
Specifications and software
The processor in the new Samsung Exynos 5 Octa (5420), consisting of eight cores, four of which are Cortex-A15 with a frequency of 1.9 GHz, and four more are Cortex-A7 with a frequency of 1.3 GHz. Graphics – Mali-T628 MP6. We saw the same solution in the Galaxy Note 3 and some others. Well, there is one interesting feature - the Tab S does not have a modification with a Snapdragon processor from Qualcomm, and LTE is also supported by Exynos. And rightly so, there is no need to torment more or less experienced users with the choice; previously they had to look for a model from Qualcomm. RAM is 3 GB, which is also very cool. This hardware can easily cope with any heavy tasks, including heavy videos and demanding games. True, Real Racing 3 is in low resolution, but this is a problem with the game; previously the same problem occurred on the Nexus 7 (2013). Entertainment lovers will be pleased. But I also cannot say that there is a serious performance gap for the future; in benchmarks the model did not show the best results. Built-in memory is 16 or 32 GB, but you can insert Micro SD up to 128 GB into the slot! In general, the hardware is ok, although I’m sure there will be those who won’t like the lack of Snapdragon.
The battery capacity is 4900 mAh for the 8″ model and 7900 for the larger one. It doesn’t seem like much, but in browsing, social media and reading modes, the tablet outlasts the iPad. Here, most likely, the Super AMOLED screen makes itself felt, which consumes less energy with dark colors. The manufacturer also claims up to 11 hours of video playback. However, games drain it just as quickly as smartphones - it’s just anomalous. If you need the tablet to last as long as possible on a single charge, there is an extreme power saving mode, like in the S5.
Android version – 4.4.2. The proprietary Magazine UX interface is installed on top of it. Like most Samsung devices, you can divide the display into two parts, there is a children's mode, a power saving mode and much more. But there are nice features for the tablet, like free annual subscriptions to cool publications (NY Times, Bloomberg Businessweek), a six-month subscription to the Cisco WebEx video conferencing service, applications for remote control smartphone and PC SideSync 3.0 and RemotePC and more. Everyone will be happy, even business users. And here we remember again about the scanner - the last one will come in very handy. But there is one thing - in current version The software and interface often lag. Sometimes the screen doesn’t light up for a couple of seconds when you try to unlock the tablet, sometimes the FPS just drops. There is nothing critical, the work is stable, but I would like it to be fixed.
Conclusion
Tab S 8.4 is an interesting model and not only for its display. Fans of Super AMOLED matrices, of course, now know which tablet to choose, but everyone else will also find a lot of good features here. For example, the small thickness and compactness of the body as a whole, which, at the same time, did not cause the fragility of the device, good autonomy, a very decent camera for a tablet, a fingerprint scanner and the aforementioned subscriptions to business services.
The disadvantages include the presence of mounts for the branded cover directly on the back side of the tablet, low battery life in games and a jittery interface. I think the last two points can be corrected over time, but the first one will have to be tolerated, or, at least, purchase a branded accessory. The average cost of a device in our area is slightly higher than that of the iPad mini 2 - $600 versus $500, but models abroad cost the same. The youth of this model is a sign; over time, the price tag will drop a little. If we compare the Tab S with the iPad mini 2, the first one will be more interesting to many due to the presence of a fingerprint scanner, flash, memory card slot, video omnivory, higher pixel density on the display and the flexibility of Android. However, it seems to me main enemy Tab S is not an iPad mini 2, but budget tablets on Android. There are quite a few of them, and among them there are interesting models that, although they will be weaker and larger, are also involved in the battle for the user.
Video review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
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