Up close and personal with Samsung’s vibrant Galaxy Tab S
When Samsung first made what it considered to be the definitive Android smartphone, they called it the Galaxy S and stuck with that naming convention for every other flagship phone it’s made since. That tiny little badge of distinction has never wound up on one of the company’s many, many tablets… until now. As if you still had any lingering doubts, Samsung firmly believes that the new Galaxy Tab S family are the best tablets it’s ever crafted… and it’s mostly because of those tremendous Super AMOLED screens. We got a chance to take those new beauties for a spin — read on to see what we thought.
By now you know Samsung crafted two different flavors of the Galaxy Tab S — an 8.4-inch model and a 10.5 model — and aside from the one obvious difference, they’re just about identical. Both look like stretched out Galaxy S5s, sport the same Exynos 5 Octa chipset (a mashup of a 1.9GHz quad-core chip, a 1.3GHz quad-core chip and 3GB of RAM), run Android 4.4 KitKat hidden under TouchWiz’s familiar tablet trappings and pack fingerprint scanners in their home buttons. Let’s put all that stuff aside for a moment, though. The screens are the real stars of the show here, and they are something to behold.
People have been singing the praises of Super AMOLED for what feels like ages now. Stop me if this sounds familiar: colors appear richer and more vivid, blacks are deeper and more sumptuous, and whites come through very crisply. All those of observations still hold true for the Galaxy Tab Ss, but they seem so much more pronounced and impactful on those bigger, 2560 x 1600 screens. Remember: the last time Samsung experimented with a Super AMOLED screen in a tablet, it was in this weird little guy from years ago. If we’re picking nits the 8.4-inch model is technically more pixel dense, but my eyes couldn’t discern individual pixels on either tab).
The richness of those displays are made even more apparent when you stick one of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Pros next to them — the Pro is less than a year old, but the screen looks lifeless and washed out sitting alongside the 10.5-inch S. And if the Tab Pro didn’t have it bad enough, the difference was only magnified more in a test that simulated performance in direct sunlight. The Tab S’s AMOLED panel maintained a level of clarity and vividness that couldn’t be touched. Part of what makes the screen so impressive are the smarts that help it adapt to new situations. There’s a tiny RGB sensor embedded in the bezels of both tablets that let it gauge your current lighting situation and fiddles with white balance to compensate. If you happen to find yourself in a room bathed with purple light (poor you), the screen takes on a magenta cast so as not to strain your eyes, a process that repeats wherever you go.
Despite what Samsung might think, a killer tablet requires more than just a killer screen. Getting a sense of a device’s power while elbowing other journalists for room is a tricky process, but in our limited time together, both Tab Ss seemed more than happy handling minor tasks we threw at them. Swiping through pages was quite snappy, as was firing up apps and thumbing through digital magazines. Oh, and as you’d expect, there was nary a hiccup in sight when we fired up a few test videos.
Both versions are good for gripping too, if only because they’re so slim. Sony’s Xperia Tablet Z2 still wins that fight by a few fractions of a millimeter, but the Tab Ss are only as thick as 5 credit cards stacked atop each other so you shouldn’t have trouble whipping it around. What’s more, they both feel awfully nice too. Don’t get me wrong – the Galaxy S5 is fine and all, but it’s just light enough to lack a certain sense of rigidity and robustness. That’s thankfully not the case with the Tab Ss: sure, they’re light, but the increased weight of those displays makes each respective package feel just a little more premium.
It’s not just the hardware that seems a little familiar this time. Samsung didn’t go overboard with the new software additions – instead, they just thoughtfully updated a few key components. Easily the most impressive is Samsung’s refreshed SideSync app – it allows a Tab S to communicate with a nearby Galaxy S5 over Wi-FI Direct. Why does that matter? Because now you’re treated to a realtime replica of your phone on the Tab S screen, so you can swipe away on Tinder or transfer files by dragging and dropping. The usual slew of security-focused apps and Galaxy giveaways are still present and accounted for, so you’ll find plenty of familiar bits if you’re coming from another Galaxy gadget.
We can’t pass final judgment on Samsung’s newest pair of tabs yet, but we definitely like what we see so far. A mix of thoughtful updates, familiar design and some seriously impressive screens makes the Galaxy Tab S family one to consider when units start hitting shelves this July.
Samsung debuts 8.4-inch, 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S tablets
As we’ve all come to expect over the last few weeks, Samsung has announced its new Galaxy Tab S line of tablets. Available for pre-order as soon as tomorrow, Friday, June 13, the premium grade tablets will be offered in 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch variants.
Hardware Monsters
The two tablets are powered by Android 4.4 KitKat and share a number of specifications. Common hardware between the two include Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore ＋ 1.3 GHz QuadCore) processors, 3GB RAM, 16GB internal storage, and microSD expansion. Both models also boast WQXGA (2560×1600) Super AMOLED displays however the smaller one gets the higher pixel-per-inch count, natch. Rounding things out are an 8-megapixel rear camera, front-facing 2.1-megapixel camera, dual-band Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0, and USB 2.0.
Software
In terms of software, the standard suite of Samsung apps are present. Familiar titles such as WatchON, S Health, and Multi Window join other such as Milk Music and new app called Samsung Papergarden. Designed with the Tab S in mind, this one delivers access to newspapers and magazines such as Comso, Vogue, GQ, and Rolling Stone.
Extra Perks
Samsung is giving away all sorts of wonderful content with their new tablets through Galaxy Gifts. Pick up one of these guys and you’ll also be treated to one-year free of Gogo In-flight Wi-Fi access, a 12-month subscription to Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 6-month trial subscription to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post, 3-month subscription to The New York Times, 3 months free Sirius XM Radio, and 3 months free subscription to Audible.
Availability
The Galaxy Tab S 8.4 will be available for $399.99, while the Tab S 10.5 will be $499.99. The tablets will be sold in July through Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, Fry’s, Office Depot, Office Max, PC Richard & Son, Sears, Tiger Direct and Walmart.com.
![Book Cover[3]](https://i0.wp.com/www.androidguys.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Book-Cover3.jpg)
As often is the case with new devices, there will be a number of accessories available for the new tablets: Bluetooth keyboard book covers, standalone Bluetooth keyboard, flip covers, book covers, S Action Mouse, USB LAN Hub, power saving cable and portable battery packs
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, a 4G LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S line will be offered across multiple carriers. According to the press release, all four major players are in line to provide connected variants.
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Samsung sticks more colorful screens in its new Galaxy Tab S family
Thanks to the internet, we’ve already seen leaked images of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Tab S. So when the company announced a press event for June 12th, we had a pretty good idea of what was in store. Sure enough, the company just unveiled the Tab S family, which includes models with 8.4- and 10.5-inch screens.
The rumors were true, folks. After what seemed like ages of keeping them solely in smartphones, Samsung has made more tablets that use Super AMOLED screens. They’re only 6.6mm thick too, which is pretty staggering… if not quite as thin as Sony’s Xperia Z2 Tablet. We’re live at Samsung’s event in New York, and right now the topic of conversation is software — a new app called Photogarden delivers digital versions of magazines to your Tab S, and Netflix just got a shout-out for bringing full hi-definition content to the 2560 x 1600 screens on both Tab S models.
These things are lookers, too. Both Tab S size models are available in white and a very subdued bronze, but the real draw here are those displays — Samsung thinks they deliver the “ultimate viewing experience.” The benefits of a Super AMOLED screen have been thrown around for years: you get richer colors and deeper blacks, and a boost in detail thanks to that heightened contrast.
Developing…
Samsung Galaxy F to come with a QHD screen? Poses next to a Galaxy S5
Samsung’s rumoured premium device called the Galaxy F has been leaked a few times before but now a new image shows it next to a Galaxy S5 to give some perspective about the size, and most importantly screen quality.
The Samsung Galaxy F seems to share the same physical aesthetic from the front, but features slimmer bezels to pack a 5.3-inch display into a frame that looks no wider or taller than the Galaxy S5′s 5.1-inch body.
Whilst the Galaxy F is rumoured to be a more premium device than the Galaxy S5, it is still unknown if it will be made of actual metal or just metallic-looking plastic. Coupled with the design, it is expected to have a QHD display with a Snapdragon 805 processor and a 16-Megapixel camera, which is likely to launch later in the year.
SOURCE: PhoneArena
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Report: Samsung to debut Galaxy Note 4, Gear Glass, and more at IFA
Samsung will bring its Galaxy Note 4 and some smart wearables to Germany for the annual IFA trade show. According to a report from Korea Times, the successor to the Galaxy Note 3 may have two versions: one with a traditional flat screen and one with a curved display. The former is allegedly aimed at the average consumer while the latter is focused at niche users.
The Gear Glass is among the smart wearables rumored for IFA as well, says the report. We’ve had previous rumors about a SIM-connected Gear Solo device and a smartwatch based on Android Wear as well. Might we see all three at IFA? I’d be surprised if Samsung didn’t go big for its fall Unpacked event.
IFA starts September 5 so look for Samsung to hold its own presser on or around the 4th.
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Yet more candid photos of the Samsung Galaxy F show it side-by-side with the Galaxy S5
Leaks regarding the Samsung Galaxy F, or previously known as the Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime, have significantly ramped up over the last few weeks, culminating most recently in some candid photos of the device showing its front and back. The latest leak places the Galaxy F side-by-side with the Galaxy S5 to give us a good comparison of how the devices differ. The Galaxy F is of course the device on the left, having a slightly larger screen (5.2 or 5.3-inches) and slightly more rounded corners than the Galaxy S5.
You will also notice that despite the larger, Quad HD screen, the Galaxy F actually manages to be slightly smaller than the Galaxy S5 thanks to thinner bezels. While the Galaxy F still isn’t a sure thing, this is definitely our best evidence that Samsung is developing a Quad HD device that will come in at a price point higher than the Galaxy S5. Not only with the screen and price be larger, but so will its hardware, allegedly housing a Snapdragon 805, 3GB RAM and a 16MP rear camera with OIS. Evleaks has previously suggested that the Galaxy F will be announced in September even though it almost looks ready to release now.
What do you think about how the Samsung Galaxy F looks side-by-side with the Galaxy S5? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: Phone Arena
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Grab Samsung’s original Galaxy Gear for just $89 today
If you are in the market for a smartwatch and don’t mind not having the latest and greatest tech, you can grab a Samsung Galaxy Gear at a steep discount today.
Best Buy is selling “certified refurbsihed” Galaxy Gear smartwatchs for just $89 and it comes with free shipping. This deal isn’t available in Best Buy stores, according to the site, only for shipping.
You can get it here.
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Galaxy S5 Mini images and specs leak
Ever since Samsung introduced its flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone we’ve been wondering when the “mini” version of the device will come out. We haven’t seen any leaks of the phone, at least not legitimate ones. This leak will make up for it though.
By the looks of the phone you probably can’t tell it apart from its bigger sibling, but the hardware is where the two differentiate. Unlike the S5, the S5 Mini is rumored to feature a 4.5″ 720p Super AMOLED display along with a 1.4 GHz Samsung Exynos 3 (3470) Quad processor and 1.5GB of RAM. The phone is rumored to have 16GB of on-board storage and an 8MP main shooter along with a 2.1MP front facing one. Fingerprint reader and a heartrate sensor should also be a part of the package. The device should also get IP67 certification which would make it water and dust resistent like its bigger sibling.
This leak comes from SamMobile and there’s no mention of when the device might be announced. Samsung’s “Galaxy Premiere 2014” event on Thursday is always a possibility though.
VIA: Android Authority
SOURCE: SamMobile
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Is Samsung working on a foldable tablet for 2015?
It’s time to be ready for some crazy news. Samsung is reportedly working on a tablet with a foldable display, that can fold itself into a smartphone factor as well. Samsung also showcased a bendable tablet at the Mobile World Congress, and back in 2012, Samsung filed for a patent which tells us about a potential foldable tablet.
The Korean site is reporting that the tablet will feature a 8 to 9-inch full HD OLED display. It is said that Samsung will release it sometime in 2015. Samsung has showcased a smartphone with flexible display in past as well i.e. Galaxy Round, and it seems that sooner or later we might see some more tablets and smartphones from Samsung with flexible display. However, the device will be available in limited quantities, and will have a hefty price tag.
Right now, we don’t know anything about the type of user interface it will have, or the hardware it will have. But if it’s something real, we might hear about it soon.
Source: Daum
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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 rumored with Quad HD display, Snapdragon 805 CPU
New rumors surfacing this week suggest the forthcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 4 could feature a Quad HD display and quad-core Snapdragon 805 processor. According to SamMobile, the U.S. version of the device may boast the cutting-edge Qualcomm chip while other markets might get a new Exynos (5433) processor. It’s not clear how big the screen will be in the Note 4 but we’d assume it falls in the realm of 5.5-inches.
Other details alleged for the phone include a 16-megapixel rear camera with optical image stabilization. Manufactured by Sony, it’s said to boast a next-gen sensor.
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