In today's review, we take a look at the popular seven-inch tablet from Samsung. Why Galaxy Tab 3 so popular? The thing is that this is one of the most budget solutions from Samsung. For less than 10 thousand rubles, you can buy it in many popular electronics stores. But is it worth it? Let's talk about it today.
I got the tablet literally for one day. The Galaxy Tab 3 is very reminiscent of the Galaxy Note smartphone that I have been using for two years. The device looks like most of Samsung's line of smartphones and tablets. Rather vertical orientation, one noticeable central button and two touch buttons to the left and right of it. On the side there is a volume rocker and a button to lock / turn off the device (on the right), connectors for a SIM card and a memory card (on the left), speakers and a microUSB port (on the bottom) and a classic headphone output (on the top). Frame samsung galaxy Tab 3 is monolithic, the battery is not removable. Now a little about the characteristics. 
Specifications Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 SM-T211 8Gb
- Operating system - Android 4.1
- Processor frequency - 1200 MHz
- Number of cores - 2
- RAM - 1 GB
- Built-in memory - 8 GB
- Memory card support - microSDXC, up to 64 GB
- Screen — 7″, 1024×600
- Screen type - TFT
- Touch screen - capacitive, multi-touch
- Number of pixels per inch (PPI) - 170
- Wi-Fi support - yes, Wi-Fi 802.11n, WiFi Direct, DLNA
- Bluetooth support - yes, A2DP
- Work in cell phone mode - yes
- Mobile communications - 3G, EDGE, HSPA+, GPRS, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900
- Rear camera - 3 million pixels.
- Front camera - 1.3 million pixels.
- Navigation — GPS, GLONASS
- Audio/headphone output - 3.5 mm
- Battery capacity - 4000 mAh
- Dimensions (LxWxD) - 188x111x10 mm
- Weight - 304 g
In the review today, a model with 3G support is marked with the inscription SM-T211. There is a simplified one, without mobile Internet support, called SM-T210. "Samsung Tab 3" in our review has a built-in memory of 8 gigabytes. There are models with a memory of 16 GB. Also have Lite version, which is worse in a number of ways, including the lack of a front camera. The device considered in the review was bought by the owner, including for Skype, so for work front camera I will say a few words below.
Impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 SM-T211
Personally, this device returned me to the past. Its characteristics are comparable with Galaxy note first generation, it looks about the same, except that the screen is slightly larger.
Site pages are displayed in the same way as on a computer. When scrolling down, the top bar is removed and site pages are displayed in full screen mode
This device is quite enough for those who are interested in web surfing, watching videos and making Skype calls. The device is also capable of making calls using a SIM card. The video quality during a Skype call is decent for a 1.3 megapixel camera. The video on the screen looks good, the pages in the browser are displayed correctly - what else do you need? Twitter, Instagram, Vkontakte - all applications can be installed and sit in your in social networks, there are no problems with this. The shell of the main screen is similar to what you can see on other devices (on the left - a raw version, on the right - with installed wallpaper and applications):
Otherwise, it is worth understanding that we have a budget solution. Tab 3 has only 1 GB random access memory, this means that sometimes the device can slow down and even freeze (there were several times on the tested instance). By the way, I came across a copy right from the storefront - it has some kind of promo video built in, which turns on when the device is locked. To fix your device and remove this unfortunate promotional video, you need to go to the application control panel and delete extra program, whose name I, unfortunately, do not remember. A new device taken from a storefront usually has only one program available for removal, so don't miss out.
This is how HD videos look like, which can be viewed on YouTube
Of course, the screen resolution is not impressive either. Let me remind you that it is 1024 × 600 here. Even the two-year-old Note I mentioned earlier was 1280 pixels wide. Given the difference in display diagonals, we have that the Galaxy Tab 3 has a very small number of pixels per inch - only 170. For comparison, new iPad The Retina Mini is 324 pixels per inch (for a total resolution of 2048×1536), while LG's flagship smartphone I recently purchased (which I'll write about in a separate review) has a whopping 424 pixels per inch. In fact, these numbers are interesting not only for geeks, as it might seem at first glance. There is a difference in the displays, and for me personally it is quite significant. This is especially noticeable when reading (and web surfing, respectively). In addition, the Galaxy Tab 3 uses a TFT screen. In modern smartphones and tablets, there is an IPS-matrix, which wins in viewing angles, color, etc.
"Angry Birds", where without them
Separately, I would like to note such a moment - touch keys are not highlighted, as is the case on most Samsung devices. Such is the injustice. In the dark, you have to use this device at random.
Some texts were also carried out in Quadrant and Antutu programs. The test results can be seen below. Let me just say that modern flagships show indicators of 11-12 thousand “parrots” in Quadrant and 33-35 thousand in Antutu. Galaxy Tab 3 tablet indicators (on the left Quadrant - 3459, on the right Antutu - 11144): 
The things I can't judge are the battery life and the quality of the rear camera (which is 3 megapixels here). The duration of the work could not be estimated for such a short period in which I had the device, and as for the camera ... this is a tablet and, for God's sake, they do not need to take pictures in museums and crowded places - take care of the psyche of others.
Outcome
In this Samsung review Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 SM-T211 we found out with you the following: this tablet does not have outstanding characteristics, but, all the same, it is well suited for those who do not want to spend more than 10 thousand rubles on such a toy. If you need a device for browsing the Internet, movies, chatting on social networks, Skype calls and you are not chasing modern technologies and perfect image, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 might be a good choice for you. That's all. Thank you for your attention and good luck!
Other device reviews:LG G2
Samsung Galaxy Note
Today we got acquainted with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 tablet and in general, it has proven itself on the positive side, however, there were also disadvantages. Let's start as usual with the screen, which has a size of 10.1 inches, which is enough to even watch movies comfortably in the highest quality. In addition, although we have a dual-core processor on board, but from a well-known brand and which works quite quickly, however, 1 GB of RAM has let us down in performance, which, you will agree, will obviously not be enough now. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is a tablet for surfing the Internet, watching videos and listening to audio. As for the sound, it is worth noting that the convenient location of the speakers significantly increases the volume and the sound itself is crystal clear. The cameras are probably the weakest point of this device, although the tablet is not positioned for photography, but 3 MP is clearly not enough for the main camera. In general, a pretty good device with a quality assembly and reasonable price at the time of release
Tablet Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1: Specifications, price
OS - Android 4.2;
Processor -IntelAtomZ2560/1600 MHz 2 cores;
Built-in memory - 16 GB;
RAM - 1 GB;
Screen - 10.1 inches;
Extension -1280*800;
Camera - 3 MP;
Front -1.3 MP;
Battery - 6800 units;
PRICE - at the time of issue, about $ 300;
Reviews
- High-quality screen with good color reproduction;
- Sound at a high level;
- Excellent interaction with Wi-Fi;
- Large screen 10 inches;
- Relatively good built-in battery;
- Weak cameras;
- Little RAM;
— There is a rapid heating of the processor;
- At the time of release, good value for money;
- The ability to make calls, which is actually very convenient;
- Weighs little;
— Famous brand, which has proven itself positively;
- The processor of this tablet is not suitable for all applications;
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of a particular device, if any.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Used materials, suggested colors, certificates.
| Width Width information refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 209.8 mm (millimeters) 20.98 cm (centimeters) 0.69ft 8.26in |
| Height Height information refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 123.8 mm (millimeters) 12.38 cm (centimeters) 0.41ft 4.87in |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 7.4 mm (millimeters) 0.74 cm (centimeters) 0.02 ft 0.29in |
| The weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 314 g (grams) 0.69 lbs 11.08oz |
| Volume Approximate volume of the device, calculated from dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 192.2 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 11.67 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | White Golden |
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 referred to as a 2G mobile network. It is enhanced 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 short for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on GSM standard and refers to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its great advantage is to provide 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 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 development of technologies is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz |
Mobile technologies and data rates
Communication between devices in mobile networks is carried out through technologies that provide different data rates.
Operating system
The operating system is the system software that manages and coordinates the operation of the hardware components in the device.
SoC (System on a Chip)
System on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device in one chip.
| SoC (System on a Chip) System on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components such as processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Samsung Exynos 4 Dual 4212 |
| Technological process Information about technological process on which the chip is made. The value in nanometers measures half the distance between the elements in the processor. | 32 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The main function of the processor (CPU) of a mobile device is the interpretation and execution of instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A9 |
| Processor bit depth The bit depth (bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have more high performance compared to 32-bit processors, which for their part are more productive than 16-bit processors. | 32 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands by which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv7 |
| First level cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently accessed data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small and much faster than system memory, and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for them in the L2 cache. With some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Second level cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1, but in return it has a larger capacity, allowing more data to be cached. 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 RAM. | 1024 KB (kilobytes) 1 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 many instructions to be executed in parallel. | 2 |
| Processor 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). | 1500 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphic applications. In mobile devices, it is used most often by games, consumer interface, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-400 MP4 |
| Number of GPU cores Like the CPU, the GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle the graphical calculations of different applications. | 4 |
| GPU clock speed Speed is the clock speed of the GPU and is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 400 MHz (megahertz) |
| The 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 when the device is turned off or restarted. | 1.5 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR2 |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has a built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed amount.
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 image quality of information directly depends. | TFT |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, the screen size is expressed in terms of its diagonal length, measured in inches. | 8 in 203.2 mm (millimeters) 20.32 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate Screen Width | 6.78in 172.31 mm (millimeters) 17.23 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate Screen Height | 4.24in 107.7 mm (millimeters) 10.77 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 sharper image detail. | 1280 x 800 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be shown on the screen in clearer detail. | 189 ppi (pixels per inch) 74 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in a single pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen footprint on the front of the device. | 71.68% (percentage) |
| Other characteristics Information about other functions and features of the screen. | capacitive Multitouch |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that are recognized by the mobile device.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the case and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take pictures. The sensor, as well as the optics, is one of the main factors in the quality of a camera in a mobile device. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which indicates the number of pixels in the horizontal and vertical direction of an image. | 2560 x 1920 pixels 4.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution for video recording by the device. | 1280 x 720 pixels 0.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. 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 shooting and video playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30 fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | autofocus digital zoom geo tags Touch focus Face recognition Adjusting the white balance |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the screen of the device and are mainly used for video calls, gesture recognition, etc.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about navigation and location technologies supported by the device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for short distance data transmission between different devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between different types of devices over short distances.
| Version There are several Bluetooth versions, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, making it easier to discover and connect devices. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 4.0 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols to provide more fast exchange data, power savings, improved device discovery, and more. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) HFP (Hands Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) SPP (Serial Port Protocol) |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to communicate.
HDMI
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a digital audio/video interface that replaces older analog audio/video standards.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, which is 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 the device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support various video file formats and codecs, which store and encode/decode digital video data, respectively.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge they need to function.
| Capacity The capacity of a battery indicates the maximum charge it can store, measured in milliamp-hours. | 4450 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type of The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more specifically, by the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used in mobile devices. | Li-Ion (Li-Ion) |
| 3G talk time Talk time in 3G is the period of time during which the battery is completely discharged during a continuous conversation in a 3G network. | 24 h (hours) 1440 min (minutes) 1 days |
| 3G standby time The 3G standby time is the amount of time it takes for the battery to fully discharge when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network. | 970 h (hours) 58200 min (minutes) 40.4 days |
| Characteristics Information about some additional features device battery. | Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
SAR levels refer to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum number electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device next to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible value The SAR for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards following ICNIRP guidelines of 1998. | 0.535 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum allowed SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC following the 1998 ICNIRP guidelines and IEC standards. | 0.666 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
| Head SAR (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 US is 1.6 W/kg per gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are controlled by the CTIA and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.415 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest acceptable SAR value in the US is 1.6 W/kg per gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA controls whether mobile devices comply with this standard. | 1.553 W/kg (watt per kilogram) |
The largest tablet in the updated budget line
In early summer, Samsung introduced the third generation of a series of budget Galaxy tablets Tab. In the manufacturer's assortment, it occupies a lower position than, but includes not two, but three tablet models - here, in addition to eight and ten inches, a seven-inch model is also added. But today we will not talk about her, but about the largest Galaxy Tab 3 - 10.1.
With what to compare the novelty? Based on the diagonal of the display, the question is removed by itself: almost all well-known (and even not so) manufacturers have solutions of a similar size. But given that the resolution of the new Galaxy Tab is 1280×800 pixels (currently the maximum for Samsung tablets), and many competitors have already stepped over the Full HD threshold, only new note and previous Tab 10.1. We advise you to pay special attention to this when comparing: the importance of the display in modern tablet hard to overestimate.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 | Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 | Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 | iconBIT NetTAB Thor | Apple iPad fourth generation | |
| Screen | 10.1″, PLS, 1280×800 (149 ppi) | 10.1″, PLS, 1280×800 (149 ppi) | 10.1″, IPS, 1280×800 (149 ppi) | 9.7″, IPS, 2048×1536 (264 ppi) | |
| SoC (processor) | Intel Atom Z2560 @1.6GHz (2 cores, 4 threads, x86) | Samsung Exynos 4412 @1.4GHz (4 cores, ARM Cortex-A9) | TI OMAP 4430 @1GHz (2 cores, ARM Cortex-A9) | Rockchip RK3066 @1.6GHz (2 cores, ARM Cortex-A9) | Apple A6X @1.4 GHz (2 cores of Apple proprietary architecture, ARMv7s) |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX544 MP2 | ARM Mali-400 MP4 | PowerVR SGX540 | Mali-400 MP4 | PowerVR SGX554 MP4 |
| Flash memory | 16 or 32 GB | 16 to 64 GB | 16 GB | 8 or 16 GB | 16 to 128 GB |
| Connectors | Micro-USB (MHL-enabled), 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro-SIM | dock connector, 3.5mm headphone jack | Micro-USB (OTG capable), Mini-HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack, adapter jack | Lightning dock connector, 3.5mm headphone jack | |
| Memory card support | microSD (up to 64 GB) | microSD (up to 64 GB) | microSD (up to 64 GB) | microSD (up to 64 GB) | - |
| RAM | 1 GB | 2 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 1 GB |
| cameras | front (1.3 MP) and rear (3 MP) | front (1.9 MP) and rear (5 MP; video shooting - 1280 × 720) | front (0.3 MP) and rear (3 MP) | front (2 MP) and rear (2 MP) | frontal (photo 1.2 MP, video 720p via FaceTime) and rear (5 MP; video shooting - 1920 × 1080) |
| Internet | WiFi (2.4/5 GHz), 3G | WiFi, 3G | Wi-Fi (optional - 3G) | WiFi | Wi-Fi (optional - 3G, as well as 4G / LTE without the support of Russian networks) |
| Wireless modules | Bluetooth 4.0, GPS(with A-GPS)/Glonass, Infrared | Bluetooth 4.0, GPS(with A-GPS)/Glonass | Bluetooth 3.0, GPS(with A-GPS)/Glonass | Bluetooth 2.0 | Bluetooth 4.0 (optional - GPS (with A-GPS) / Glonass) |
| Operating system | Google Android 4.2 | Google Android 4.0 | Google Android 4.0 | Google Android 4.1 | Apple iOS |
| Battery capacity | 6800 mAh | 8000 mAh | 7000 mAh | 8000 mAh | 9800 mAh |
| Dimensions* (mm) | 242×171×8 | 262×180×8.9 | 257×175×9.7 | 261×171×10 | 241×186×9.4 |
| Weight* (g) | 504 | 600 | 588 | 659 | 652 |
| Price** | $399 US | $307() | $280() | $104() | $569() |
* - according to the manufacturer, except samsung tablet Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 that was weighed and measured by the editors
After studying the existing product base, we found another tablet, which is very appropriate in the table, although it has not been new for a long time. This is IconBIT NetTab Thor, which has similar characteristics not only in terms of display, but also in terms of filling - the same amount of RAM and, most interestingly, the same number of cores and frequency of the processor (though of a different architecture). We have not yet succeeded in pushing ARM and Intel in such close conditions - there will be something to see.
Detailed Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1
- Model Number: GT-P5200
- Single-chip system: Intel Clover Trail+
- CPU: Intel Atom Z2560 @1.6 GHz (x86, 2 cores, 4 threads)
- GPU: PowerVR SGX544 MP2 (2 cores, 400 MHz)
- RAM: 1 GB
- Internal memory: 16 GB
- WiFi 802.11b/g/n
- Bluetooth 4.0, GPS(with A-GPS)/Glonass, Infrared
- Cameras: 1.3 MP front, 3 MP rear
- Connectors: Micro-USB (with MHL support), 3.5mm headphone jack, Micro-SIM
- Support for microSD memory cards up to 64 GB
- Accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, light and capture sensors
- Battery capacity: 6800 mAh
- Operating system: Google Android 4.2
- Size: 242×171×8mm
- Weight: 504 g
So, one of the promising new Samsung tablets is based on the Intel platform, which, no doubt, can be counted as the success of the processor giant in the mobile component market.
Our attention was also drawn to the grip sensor. According to descriptions found on the net, this technology is designed to detect how the user holds the tablet, and thereby optimize the interface, for example, for left-handers or drivers. We did not find a single use of this sensor in the OS and pre-installed applications - for sure it will be in demand in more later versions firmware after official release. Yes, and diagnostic applications, such as CPU-Z, while this sensor is “not known” and cannot show readings from it.
Equipment
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.0 came to us for testing without packaging and delivery, so we can't say anything about them.
Design
While the new Galaxy Note 10.1 approaches the second generation of the Galaxy Tab in appearance, the next generation of the Galaxy Tab line borrows some important design elements from the Note in response.
It is they who attract attention on the front panel - the control buttons on the case: the already recognizable oval-shaped key with a mirror edging is surrounded by a pair of touch buttons. Thanks to this decision, it became impossible to hold the tablet from the bottom with one hand (in the center) in order to completely free the other for work: the sensors have a large area and sensitivity.
Above, next to the logo, there is a light indicator and a front camera eye.
On the back panel is the rear camera. In the manufacture of the main parts of the case, Samsung used a glossy and rather slippery plastic to the touch, the neat appearance of which is maintained only by white color. The back panel has fine texturing, but we did not notice any practical benefit from it.
The front and rear panels of the tablet are separated by a silvery plastic frame. On the bottom edge, another design surprise awaits us: standard port Micro-USB instead of original Samsung dock connector! Return to common standard cannot be approved.
On the upper side, there were also surprises: the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 acquired an infrared port. In addition to it, there are slots for Micro-SIM and microSD cards. The process of inserting and removing cards will not cause problems, since both slots are equipped with a spring-loaded grip mechanism.
Next to the memory card slot is a volume rocker and a power button.
The side faces of the tablet are symmetrical. Stereo speakers are conveniently located in their upper part - they are not obscured by the palm of your hand, no matter how you hold the tablet.
The sample that came to us for testing was not of good build quality. At the slightest pressure, he creaked strongly back panel, and at the bottom under the central key between the front panel and the frame there was a gap into which you could easily stick your fingernail. We hope that serial samples will have fewer problems in this regard.
Definitely, the design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 tablet cannot be called interesting. The only "original" solution was the return to Micro-USB - once again we note this important point.
Screen
The screen of the tablet is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface and, judging by the reflection of bright light sources in it, it has a weak anti-reflective filter. The surface of the matrix itself under the glass is slightly matte, so the screen reflects both direct light sources (by the outer surface) and diffused light (by the surface of the matrix), which slightly reduces readability in conditions of strong ambient light. There is no visible doubling of reflected objects. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special and quite effective oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating, so fingerprints do not appear as quickly as in the case of ordinary glass, but are removed more easily.
At manual control brightness, its maximum value was about 327 cd / m², the minimum - 4 cd / m². The maximum value is not very high, so when bright daylight the image on the screen is unlikely to be well distinguishable. In complete darkness, the brightness can be lowered to a comfortable level. Automatic brightness control works according to the light sensor (it is located to the left of the front camera). You can adjust the operation of this function by moving the adjustment slider from -5 to +5 units. Next, we present the values of the measured screen brightness for three values of this setting: for -5, 0 and +5. In total darkness in automatic mode the brightness is reduced to 2, 4 and 7 cd/m² respectively, in an artificially lit office setting the brightness is set to 58, 98 and 162 cd/m², in a brightly lit environment (corresponding to a clear outdoor daylight, but without direct sunlight) - rises to 200, 327 and 327 cd/m². In principle, the result of this function is as expected, except that in total darkness the brightness could be higher. On the reduced brightness there is some backlight modulation, but it has a small amplitude and a frequency of about 48 kHz, so there is virtually no backlight flicker.
This tablet uses an IPS type matrix. Here is a micrograph of the matrix of this tablet:
At the same time, here is another micrograph with a lower resolution and with focus on the film covering the matrix:
Visible dots are not dust, but artificially created surface defects that create the effect matte finish. The screen has good viewing angles without hue inversion and without significant color shift even at large deviations of the gaze from the perpendicular to the screen. The black field, when deviated diagonally, is strongly highlighted and acquires a red-violet hue. With a perpendicular view, the uniformity of the black field is disgusting, since in several places close to the edge there are areas with increased brightness black, and in the lower corners the brightness is noticeably increased. We hope that this can be explained by defects in the pre-sale copy, but anyway, if you have a choice, you should pay attention to the uniformity of the black field, especially if you plan to use the tablet to watch movies. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 28 ms (16 ms on + 12 ms off). The transition between halftones 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 41 ms. Contrast is good - about 900:1.
In the display properties settings, you can select one of three profiles: Dynamic, Standard and Movie. As you can see from the data below, these profiles have slightly different color reproduction or gamma curve. The gamma curves constructed from 32 points did not reveal a significant blockage either in the highlights or in the shadows, and the exponent of the approximating power function is from 2.35 to 2.45 depending on the selected profile, which is slightly higher than the standard value of 2.2.
In the case of profiles Standard and Movie the real gamma curve practically does not deviate from the power dependence, while in the case of the profile Dynamic the gamma curve has a pronounced S-shaped character, which, in general, corresponds to the name of the profile.
The color gamut is noticeably narrower than sRGB:
The spectra confirm this:
Apparently, the matrix filters mix the components together. This technique allows you to increase the brightness of the screen at the same energy costs for backlighting, but the colors lose their saturation. The color temperature balance is good: shades of gray have a color temperature close to the standard 6500 K (for profiles Dynamic and Standard shades a little "colder", for the profile Movie- a little warmer). At the same time, the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE), if higher than 10, is not much, which is considered a good indicator for a consumer device. Also, the variation in color temperature and ΔE is small, which has a positive effect on the visual perception of color balance. (The dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since the color balance does not matter much there, and the measurement error at low brightness is high.)
Total: the screen has more or less adequate automatic backlight brightness control and is characterized by good color balance, otherwise - a complete disappointment: not very high brightness, which is exacerbated by the slightly matte surface of the matrix under the protective glass, low black stability when looking diagonally (black field unevenness can be attributed to random defects), narrow color gamut. A strange situation in the case of a leading manufacturer mobile technology, especially since there is someone to take a positive example from.
Platform and Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is based on the Clover Trail+ platform introduced by Intel at Mobile World Congress 2013.
The new platform is currently represented by three Intel Atom processors, differing only in the frequencies of the central and graphic processors. Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 got the middle variant, with a dual-core and quad-threaded Atom Z2560 at 1.6 GHz, as well as a dual-core GPU PowerVR SGX544MP2 running at 400 MHz.
During the presentation at MWC 2013, Intel presented on a separate slide the improvements of Clover Trail + compared to Medfield. All components were subjected to them to varying degrees, which ultimately should give a tangible increase in productivity.
Let's see what the new "middling" Intel is capable of in practice.
In the SunSpider processor test, implemented on Javascript in the browser, the Intel processor traditionally shows good results, significantly outperforming the ARM analog installed in iconBIT NetTAB Thor. But with calculations of the ratio of the circumference to the diameter, everything is not so smooth - however, such a picture is already familiar to us from tests of other devices on the Intel platform.
Another Javascript benchmark we recently adopted, Mozilla Kraken, was passed by a Samsung tablet in 14795 ms, and the Cube U30GT2, based on a quad-core ARM processor similar frequency, with its 17702 ms was defeated.
In Antutu Benchmark 3.3, the new Galaxy Tab with 25069 points was head and shoulders above the same Cube U30GT2 (14794 points), but the main role in this success was played not by the processor, but by the GPU and RAM. The latter is also confirmed by the results of Quadrant Benchmark: pay attention to the size of the red segment of the scale in comparison with competitors. ASUS Fonepad on Intel Lexington had a similar situation.
Now the features of benchmarks come into play: in the Quadrant Standard, the Galaxy Tab was the first, and in Geekbench 2, the Galaxy Note. Looks like Geekbench 2 is activating strengths Intel platforms are much less active.
Let's move on to gaming tests.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 (Intel Clover Trail+) | Cube U30GT2 (Rockchip RK3188) | ASUS Fonepad (Intel Lexington) |
|
| Epic Citadel High Performance | 54.2 fps | 37.5 fps | 53.2 fps |
| Epic Citadel High Quality | 55.2 fps | 36.8 fps | 51.1 fps |
| Epic Citadel Ultra High Quality | 41.2 fps | - | - |
In Epic Citadel, Intel platforms feel very confident. Even the modest ASUS Fonepad had excellent performance - what can we say about new Galaxy Tab.
| Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 | Cube U30GT2 | |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex HD (C24Z16 Offscreen) | 7.0 fps | 5.1 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex HD (C24Z16) | 12 fps | 4.8 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex HD (C24Z24MS4) | - | 4.7 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex HD (C24Z16 Fixed time Offscreen) | - | 4.9 fps |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex HD (C24Z16 Fixed time) | - | 4.5 fps |
The situation turned out to be worse in GLBenchmark. AT new version three tests out of five did not start due to lack of video memory, but the pair that worked showed good results.
Ice Storm confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 should handle games well. However, we remind you once again that most competitors have to provide a much higher display resolution than our hero. With this in mind, even outstanding performance fades a little.
Let's evaluate the work of the tablet in a test set of games:
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 didn't handle games as well as we expected. The surprise was presented by the game Max Payne Mobile, which could not adapt to the display resolution and, moreover, noticeably slowed down:
But the real nightmare was Need For Speed: Most Wanted, which plunged the tablet into a deep stupor even when loading the Fairhaven launch track.
Overall, we would not recommend purchasing new tablet Samsung for gaming purposes, because although it supports many modern games Problems can arise where you don't expect them at all. For testing, the latest firmware version as of June 26, 2013 was used.
Operating system
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 comes with operating Android system 4.2.2. It is the capabilities of the system that make the Galaxy Tab line a step below the Galaxy Note: there are no original features that can be noted in Note 10.1 - multitasking or even gadgets.
Because the tablet has dedicated hardware buttons, no screen space is taken up by virtual controls. Thanks to this, a few pixels are not “eaten up”, and the common line is freely placed on the home screen by default. quick access with eight applications, and above it - eight more shortcuts, a couple of large widgets and a search bar. The list of applications is accessed using a shortcut in the lower right corner, which, unlike all the others, cannot be moved or deleted.
In Android's pop-up notification bar, you can quickly access the relevant settings by holding your finger on the desired switch.
We repeat that in addition to the standard sound rocker and shutdown button, the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 provides three more hardware controls: the touch button on the left is “Menu”, the touch button on the right is “Back”, and a full mechanical key in the middle, which, with a short press, returns user to the home screen, and with a long press brings up the task manager.
Task Manager Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 in a convenient form provides a good set of features. With it, you can get a report on CPU and memory usage. active applications, complete them individually or all at once, as well as clear RAM from inactive and background processes and quickly uninstall applications without digging into settings.
Despite the fact that using a ten-inch tablet as a phone is, to put it mildly, inconvenient, Samsung has kept this option for users. Unfortunately, our sample was never able to register in mobile network even where any phone does it without problems.
By the way, when typing, the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 user can switch to handwriting, but recognition here is far from being as successful as in Note 10.1.
Not an example mobile communications, the infrared port of the tablet worked without the slightest problem. The possibilities of the remote control open already "out of the box", thanks to Smart app remote:
The process of setting up a remote control for a Philips TV, released a few years ago, turned out to be elementary. We simply indicated the manufacturer, the application downloaded the appropriate codes, and we were able to control the TV freely. smart remote Requires a network connection to work.
When registering a new Dropbox account through a tablet or connecting an existing one, the user receives 50 GB of free space for two years (but in our case, when connecting a valid account, it turned out to be 48 GB). Really nice bonus.
By default, in the 16 GB version of the tablet, the user has 11.6 GB of free space on the internal drive.
Video playback and MHL interface test
Additionally, the MHL interface was tested. To test it, we used an LG IPS237L monitor that supports direct MHL connection using a passive Micro-USB to HDMI adapter cable. Recall that Samsung, taking care of the convenience of users and protecting them from buying low-quality adapters, has implemented its own version of this MHL interface at the physical level. As a result, to connect an external device via MHL, you need to use special types of adapters or connect standard MHL adapters through simple passive adapters.
When using the LG IPS237L monitor, MHL output was performed at a resolution of 1920 × 1080 pixels at 30 fps. At landscape orientation tablet, the image is displayed on the monitor screen in landscape orientation, while the image on the monitor is inscribed in the screen boundaries in height, and narrow black bars remain on the right and left. When the tablet is in portrait orientation, the image on the monitor screen is also displayed in portrait orientation, while the image on the monitor is also inscribed in the screen boundaries in height, and wide black fields are displayed on the right and left.
MHL sound is output (in this case the sounds were heard through the headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and is of good quality. At the same time, multimedia sounds are not output through the speaker of the tablet itself, and the volume is controlled by the buttons on the tablet case. The tablet connected via MHL does not charge, although it detects the presence of power on the connector (the next version of MHL may be required for charging).
Video output by means of a regular player deserves a special description. To begin with, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see "Methodology for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)"), we checked how the video is displayed on the screen of the tablet itself. Screen shots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped to determine the nature of the output frames of video files with different parameters: the resolution varied (1280 × 720 (720p) and 1920 × 1080 (1080p) pixels), as well as the frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 frame/s). The test results are summarized in the table:
| File | Uniformity | Passes |
| tablet screen | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| MHL (monitor) | ||
| watch-1920x1080-60p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1920x1080-50p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1920x1080-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1920x1080-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Great | a lot of |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
| MHL (adapter) | ||
| watch-1280x720-60p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-50p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-30p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-25p.mp4 | Great | No |
| watch-1280x720-24p.mp4 | Great | No |
Note: If both columns Uniformity and Passes“green” ratings are set, this means that, most likely, when watching movies, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and dropping frames will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect viewing comfort. "Red" marks indicate possible problems associated with the playback of the corresponding files.
According to the criterion for displaying frames, the quality of video files playback on the screen of the tablet itself is very high, since frames (or groups of frames) are displayed with a uniform alternation of intervals and there are no frame drops. However, in any case, uniform frame interleaving is a relatively unstable state, since some external and internal background processes lead to periodic failure of the correct interleaving of intervals between frames.
When playing video files with a resolution of 1280×720 (720p) on the tablet screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly in the width of the screen. The horizontal resolution is 1280 pixels, as it should be, but the vertical resolution is lower, the worlds with stripes through one pixel merge into gray areas, which is an error in the hardware decoder, since the vertical resolution does not decrease during software decoding in other players . The range of brightness displayed on the screen corresponds to the standard range of 16-235, that is, all gradations of shades are displayed in the shadows and in the highlights.
With a monitor connected via MHL, when playing video with a standard player, the image is displayed only in landscape orientation, while only the picture of the video file is displayed on the monitor, and only information elements and virtual controls. When playing video files with a resolution of Full HD (1920 × 1080 pixels), the image of the video file itself is displayed on the monitor screen exactly along the border of the screen while maintaining true proportions. The horizontal resolution matches that of Full HD, but the vertical resolution is again lower than the horizontal resolution. The range of brightness displayed on the monitor corresponds to the standard range of 16-235, that is, all gradations of shades are displayed in the shadows and in the highlights. The results of the monitor output tests are shown in the table above in the " MHL (monitor)". The output quality is excellent, but of course, in the case of 50 and 60 fps files, some frames are skipped, since the output is in 1080p at 30 fps.
Additionally, video output (with a standard player) via MHL using an MHL adapter was tested. When using this adapter, the monitor output was 720p at 60 fps, which determined the maximum actual image resolution. With the exception of resolution and frame rate, everything else - the nature of the interface output, the lack of recharging, the output of sound and gray scale - did not differ from a direct connection via MHL. The test results are shown in the table above in the " MHL (adapter)".
When using the adapter, the intervals between frames alternate evenly, there are no frame drops. Rather, as in the case of a direct connection to the monitor, occasionally there is a violation of the frame sequence and even skipping of individual frames.
In general, an MHL connection can be used for playing games, watching movies, browsing the web, and other activities that benefit from a much larger screen size. True, you will have to purchase an adapter specifically for Samsung or find the appropriate adapter.
Finally, we tested the tablet on five common video formats:
| Format | container, video, sound | MX Player | Regular video player |
| DVDRip | AVI, XviD 720×400 2200 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL SD | AVI, XviD 720×400 1400 Kbps, MP3+AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| Web-DL HD | MKV, H.264 1280x720 3000Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 720p | MKV, H.264 1280x720 4000Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
| BDRip 1080p | MKV, H.264 1920x1080 8000Kbps, AC3 | plays normally | plays normally |
All formats indicated in the table are played by the tablet in hardware, whether through a regular android player or MX Player (you can enable Hardware+ decoding in it). The same situation with audio tracks in AC3 format. In addition to the built-in player, BS Player is installed on the tablet, which turned out to be less convenient and unable to open the first two files from the top five.
Offline work
The tablet has a battery with a capacity of 6800 mAh - less than that of competitors from the table. However, the capacity of 7000 mAh did not prevent the Galaxy Note 10.1 from achieving impressive results. Let's see what the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 can do.
Unfortunately, the tablets were tested according to different methods, so it is difficult to draw an unambiguous conclusion from the comparison. We propose to look here first of all at the absolute indicators of the new Samsung tablet. By the way, starting from this material, for battery life tests we use the Guided Tour scene available in the Epic Citadel benchmark based on Unreal Engine 3. GLBenchmark 2.5.1, which was used earlier, is already outdated.
The Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 cannot be charged via a regular USB 2.0 port from a computer, so we used network adapter from the first generation Galaxy Tab (5V, 2A). The path from zero to full battery capacity was covered in about 5.5 hours.
Wireless support
Wireless communication in the tablet is provided by the radio module Intel XMM6360. According to the manufacturer, this is the smallest module among those that support all current global mobile communication standards. Samsung decided to keep all its features available to users: the tablet can be used as regular phone, however, given the location of the microphone, this may only be useful for hands-free calls.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 supports WiFi networks 802.11b / g / n in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, as well as Bluetooth 4.0. Checking their work was completed successfully. The Wi-Fi connection speed shows that the tablet has one antenna.
cameras
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 has two cameras. The rear has a resolution of 3 megapixels and shoots at a resolution of 2048 × 1536.
The rear camera produces excellent images for its resolution, without any noticeable flaws (the originals are available by clicking). But with the recognition of the photographed text, problems may arise: here the rear camera clearly lacks clarity:
Video taken with the rear camera has the following specifications: MPEG-4 AVC, 1280×720, 11.9 Mbps, 29.668 fps. Already on them, we can assume that the quality of the video will be very good. So it really is: the tablet holds the bar set in photo mode.
The 1.3MP front camera works well in video chat, providing a much nicer picture than standard VGA cameras.
conclusions
In the third generation of the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the manufacturer did not dare to seriously experiment with design, daring only to fluctuate within its own tablet lines, which are already similar to each other. However, you should not demand too much from such a heavyweight company at once: Samsung already gave us a universal Micro-USB.
Inside, the Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is much more interesting. The Intel Clover Trail+ certainly doesn't have enough stars in the sky, but it does provide an overall stable and smooth operating system. But it's still not without some compatibility issues - just look at the game tests.
Unfortunately, general impression ruins the display. Samsung can't get past 1280x800 even at a pricey Galaxy lineup Note, oh budget Galaxy Tab and say nothing. In defense of the manufacturer, we can say that analogues of branded competitors with high resolution are noticeably more expensive. However, the problems are not limited to one resolution: the rest of the display characteristics cause, for the most part, only disappointment.
The announced price for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 in the US is $399. What can attract this device for such money? Perhaps only the solidity of the brand and battery life.
I have long formed a stable positive attitude towards mobile devices manufactured by Samsung. A huge number of gadgets from various manufacturers have passed through my hands. And I had to deal with both expensive and budget models. And when you come across Samsung products, you immediately pay attention to the fact that even budget models are made very well, which is not always the case with products from other companies.
Many have come across a situation where even a manufacturer with a big name in budget models uses weak stereo systems or completely useless cameras. Samsung doesn't have that. In any case, I have not encountered this. Even relatively simple models that are not designed to work with demanding applications are assembled from high-quality components.
An example here is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 tablet, which I reviewed earlier. And in the same way, all of the above is true in relation to the next model from this line - the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 (SM-T211) tablet, to which this review is dedicated.
The tablet is assembled on the base dual-core processor Marvell PXA986 clock frequency 1.2 GHz. Some Internet sources indicate the Marvell PXA988 processor in the specifications, but Samsung technical support employees claim that it is the Marvell PXA986, which is a little more advanced.
The amount of RAM is 1 GB.
As for its own built-in memory, the device comes in two versions - with 8 and 16 GB. Moreover, it is impossible to determine the amount of memory by the name of the model. You need to read it on the box or look in the properties of the device. Sometimes various indexes are added to the name of the SM-T211 model, but they encode only the case color and the region for which the device is intended.
I got a tablet with 16 GB for testing. Part of the memory is used for the operating system and pre-installed applications. The user is provided with 12.09 GB. And, of course, the memory can be expanded with microSD flash cards up to 32 GB.
As the name suggests, Samsung model Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is equipped with a 7-inch display. This is a TFT display with a resolution of 1024x600 pixels. The picture on the screen is very clear and has bright vibrant colors. Moreover, the margin of brightness is enough to work relatively comfortably in direct sunlight.
Viewing angles are wide. The image is not distorted when turning and tilting the case, and the colors do not disappear.
To work with graphics, the Vivante GC1000 video processor is used.
Of the network devices in the tablet, there are 3G-module, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with support WiFi Direct. There is also a navigation module that works with GPS and GLONASS systems, two cameras and a microphone.
The tablet is powered by a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 4000 mAh. The official website lists a capacity of 3600 mAh, but the support staff claims that this is a mistake. In general, the information on the official product page contains more than one error, which Samsung representatives themselves admit. Moreover, the advantages of the device are periodically underestimated.
For example, if the manufacturer promises up to eight hours of video playback without recharging, then I got a little more than ten. This is at a level of brightness sufficient for normal perception of the picture and without any way to save energy.
With other tasks, the duration of work is more difficult to determine, since it directly depends on the load on the system when using certain applications. But the battery discharges rather slowly, and the tests carried out after a full charge did not completely land it.
The case dimensions are 188x111x10 mm and weighs 304 g. The developers position the tablet as ultra-thin and ultra-light, although compared to the recently reviewed Huawei MediaPad X1 7.0, it looks a bit thick, which, however, does not prevent it from remaining compact.
The case is made of plastic, but this does not harm the appearance of the gadget. The build quality is excellent, the parts are tightly fitted to each other, and there are no backlashes anywhere.
Unlike the strict straight lines of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 tablet, the top and bottom edges of the gadget in question are slightly rounded. Below the screen is mechanical button transition to the main screen, on the edges of which there are two touch buttons- return and call the menu.
In the center above the display is a speaker, to the right of which are the light and proximity sensors, as well as the front camera.
On the left side there are slots for a flash card and a micro-SIM card.
On the right side, we can see the power buttons and the volume rocker.
On the top edge is a universal connector for connecting a headset or headphones.
Below are a microphone, a Micro-USB port, through which the battery is charged and synchronized with a computer, as well as two stereo speakers.
The sound quality of the speakers is traditionally high for Samsung mobile devices. So deep pure sound you don't often see budget gadgets other manufacturers.
There is nothing special on the back of the tablet other than rear camera located at the top of the case. The camera is not equipped with a flash.
Initially, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 comes with Android 4.1 installed, but an update to version 4.4.2 is currently available for it. The update is downloaded "over the air", so there are no problems with its installation - everything is done on a full automatic basis.
Comparison of the tablet with pre-installed and updated firmware gives interesting results. Initially, the device did not work too fast. Sharp shifts were immediately evident when flipping through the screens, as well as noticeable slowdowns when entering various sections of the device and launching applications.
After the update, the tablet seemed to have been replaced. The interface worked smoothly, except that when you turn the case, the picture does not unfold as quickly as we would like. But even with the first firmware, this action did not happen faster.
App issues are gone too. Is that with demanding three-dimensional games, the device copes literally on the verge. The gameplay goes smoothly, but the videos periodically slow down. Although this tablet was not originally designed for such games. But simple two-dimensional games work without problems at all.
However, despite the visual progress, the tablet unexpectedly received lower scores from benchmarks after the update. Here are the Before and After scores from the AnTuTu and Quadrant benchmarks.
Following its long tradition, the manufacturer installs on the tablet a set of various applications that allow you to solve almost any task right out of the box. In principle, this is not so important for Android, since everything you need can be installed in just a few minutes, but this is very good in relation to users who have not had experience with this operating system before, because about necessary software already taken care of.
I was generally satisfied with the work of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 tablet. The only thing that alerted me was that the broadcast of Internet television was periodically interrupted. But since the YouTube video was spinning perfectly normally, most likely there were some problems at the level of the service itself.
One of the interesting features of the tablet - simultaneous work with two open windows. Of course, this feature is no longer new. Especially on Samsung tablets. But I just liked how simple and elegant it is implemented on a small seven-inch display.
In order to start working in multi-window mode, you need to press and hold the back button. A curtain will open on the right with program shortcuts that you can grab and drag to the main window. Moreover, the composition of the labels on this curtain is configurable.
Two at the same time open windows look like this.
The blue separator in the screenshot above is for resizing windows. Just pinch the circle in the center with your finger and drag it left and right. Well, or up and down if the tablet is held vertically.
Now let's see what quality of work the device's cameras can offer us. The resolution of the front camera is 1.3 megapixels and for video calls, for which it is, in fact, intended, its capabilities are more than enough.
But, of course, you can also take pictures with it. It turns out approximately the following.
The rear camera has a resolution of 3 megapixels, but the quality of the pictures is not much better than that of the front. The budget model still makes itself felt.
Nevertheless, compared to the slag that some manufacturers put under the guise of cameras on inexpensive gadgets, these are simply beautiful. For example, we can recall at least the BQ Tablet PC 8052G tablet, which produced something frightening in similar conditions.
Video calls are doing well. The quality of the camera is sufficient so that the interlocutor can see you well. The only limitation is that you have to talk while holding the tablet upright. Otherwise, either you will not see the interlocutor, or he will see only part of your face. But there's nothing you can do about it. This is the cost of all smartphones and small tablets. That's when developers stick a camera somewhere in the corner on large tablets - this is already a disaster.
The microphone works fine, although for a tablet designed including for telephone conversations, this is in the order of things.
The price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 tablet in this configuration varies greatly depending on the seller's appetites and can range from 9,500 to 12,500 rubles, and sometimes even higher. The spread is high, and it may seem that the lower price is outdated and simply did not have time to correct it during the growth of the dollar, but at the time of writing, these prices are relevant. This is how much a tablet with a SIM card in the kit costs in the store that provided the gadget for review.
Well, now it's time for debriefing.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is an excellent tablet that is suitable for any purpose, with the exception of modern advanced games - here it already lacks strength a little. But in all other respects it is a very cool gadget.
On the plus side, I would like to note an excellent display, an excellent stereo system that will do honor to a more expensive device, a high-quality microphone, 16 GB of internal memory, the presence of all necessary network interfaces, elegant appearance and affordable cost if you buy the device at real, not inflated prices.
As for the minuses, this is one of the few cases where nothing particularly negative could be identified. In principle, weak cameras can be attributed here, but compared to cameras that are usually installed in tablets of similar price, these work quite tolerably. However, I showed what they are capable of, and draw your own conclusions.
I thank COMPUTER GRAND (Computer Center LLC) for providing the device for review.
