Samsung's latest tablets bigger, thinner and lighter than Apple's iPads
PUBLISHED ONJune 13, 2014 2:49 AM
Samsung Electronics today unveiled its flagship Galaxy Tab S tablets, with the aim of overtaking Apple's 32 per cent share of the tablet market.
The Galaxy Tab S tablets are available in 8.4- and 10.5-inch versions, making them slightly bigger than Apple's 7.9‑inch iPad mini and the 9.7‑inch iPad Air.
Not only are they bigger, but they are also lighter and thinner than Apple's iPad series, with the 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S 10.5 weighing 465g, as opposed to Apple iPad Air's 469. Both Galaxy Tab S tablets measure just 6.6mm thin.
Samsung proudly claims that the Galaxy Tab S tablets combine its "thinnest and lightest tablet design with the most advanced WQXGA Super AMOLED display."
The WQXGA Super AMOLED display offers a wider colour range, deeper contrast and comes with adaptive display technology to provide an improved viewing experience regardless of environment.
Besides a built-in fingerprint sensor, the Galaxy Tab S tablets will offer more apps compatible with Multi Window, allowing users to open up to two windows at once.
The Wi-Fi versions of the Tab S 8.4 will be available for US$399.99 (S$499.42), while the Tab S 10.5 will sell for US$499.99.
| Galaxy Tab S 10.5 | Galaxy Tab S 8.4 | |
| Category | Specifications | |
| Network | Wi-Fi Only | Wi-Fi Only |
| Processor | Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore + 1.3 GHz QuadCore) | Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore + 1.3 GHz QuadCore) |
| Display | 10.5-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) Super AMOLED, 287ppi | 8.4-inch WQXGA (2560x1600) Super AMOLED, 360ppi |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat) | Android 4.4 (KitKat) |
| Camera / Flash | - Rear: 8.0 Megapixel Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash - Front: 2.1 Megapixel | - Rear: 8.0 Megapixel Auto Focus Camera with LED Flash - Front: 2.1 Megapixel |
| Video | - Playback: 1080p Full HD video @ 60fps, 1440p WQHD video @ 30fps | - Playback: 1080p Full HD video @ 60fps, 1440p WQHD video @ 30fps |
| Audio | - 3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo Speaker | - 3.5mm Ear Jack, Stereo Speaker |
| Connectivity | Dual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, BT v4.0, USB 2.0 | Dual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, BT v4.0, USB 2.0 |
| GPS | GPS + GLONASS | GPS + GLONASS |
| Sensor | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Light, Infrared | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Light, Infrared |
| Memory | 3GB RAM, 16GB Internal Memory, microSD (Up to 128GB) | 3GB RAM, 16GB Internal Memory, microSD (Up to 128GB) |
| Dimension / Weight | 177.3 x 247.3 x 6.6mm, 465g | 212.8 x 125.6 x 6.6mm, 294g |
| Battery | Standard Battery, Li-ion 7,900mAh | Standard Battery, Li-ion 4,900mAh |
grongloh@sph.com.sg