Samsung Galaxy Tab Review

After spending the last couple of days with the Galaxy Tab, we can confidently say it’s the best Android tablet on the market. Now, that’s not saying much given the state of the Android competition, but we can also assuredly say that the Tab is the first true competitor to Apple’s iPad. Its crisp display, compact form factor, touch-friendly software and dual cameras undoubtedly have what it takes to win over the average tablet seeker. However, we still have some reservations right now. Google hasn’t yet provided any direction on Android as a tablet platform, which means that the Tab is held back by lagging application support and software that doesn’t fully take advantage of the extra screen real estate. Remember, that when the iPad launched many developers were already working on tablet specific apps and Apple had an iPad app store in place. Put simply, without that ecosystem and support from Google, Samsung is left to its own devices — literally. Just today Samsung rolled out an emulator for the Tab that uses the Android SDK and the company says it’s working with Google and plans to use future iterations of Android, so we’ll have to see what happens — but for now it looks like the saga of the Samsung Galaxy Tab still has several chapters to go.

Weighing both the Samsung Galaxy Tab merits and shortcomings, it’s a very impressive device. Never mind the fact that it is reminiscent of an extremely large phone (a comment also leveled at the iPad at its unveiling), it is Apple’s most serious iPad competitor because it includes several options that Apple’s tablet lacks. One-handed operation is chief among the Android tablet’s advantages, thanks to its well thought-out dimensions and compact size and weight.

The seven-inch screen might be too small for some, considering the iPad sports a 9.7-inch display, and others go up to 10 inches. However, most will be pleased with the highly precise capacitive screen reactions, as well as the excellent Android OS implementation, Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, and the admirable mobile and wireless network connectivity.

We’re happy with the screen, we love the video support (All Share failure notwithstanding) and the customisability – all appeal. At the same time, the Samsung Galaxy Tab will make you work to get the best out of it and we’re yet to be convinced as to whether Samsung’s content offerings hit the mark – we’ll give Samsung the benefit of the doubt for now. There is also the lingering question of whether we’ll see an upgrade to newer versions of Android as and when they appear, Samsung’s track record around the Samsung Galaxy S suggesting you might see frustrating delays.

But what you do get from the Samsung Galaxy Tab is a fully featured device and once you get the chance to settle down and load it with apps, and get things running how you want them, you’ll find it a great companion. Slightly higher specs – more RAM – would have sweetened the deal, because unlike your mobile phone, you’ll probably expect your tablet to have a longer shelf-life. Fingers crossed that prices fall then, because price seems to be the biggest barrier.

Of course, if someone was giving one away, we’d want it.

In fairness, what we enjoy most about the Galaxy Tab is that it’s not trying to exactly copy the iPad’s blueprint for success. Sure, Samsung’s notepad, calendar, and photo apps look like pixel-for-pixel reproductions of the iPad’s, but let’s not overlook the fact that the Tab is half the size of the iPad. It’s a different type of product that presents a different use case, one geared more for portability. That said, the Android smartphone market seems to cover a lot of this territory already.

The Tab is also reaching out to all of the people who winced at the iPad’s lack of Adobe Flash support, video camera, memory expansion, and drag-and-drop file support. If these are the features that have been holding you back from purchasing a tablet, then the Tab should be a perfect match.