Database Develop

The Next 8.9 tablet ?

Like many others on this forum, I am deeply enamoured to the 8.9 form factor. For me it's the sweet spot between having enough screen space for lounging at home without being too bulky or heavy to throw into my messenger with other stuff and carry around. When LG first announced their first tablet would be 8.9 based on customer research, I knew I'd be drawn to it, having found the original iPad too bulky. But by the time it came state sides as t mobile spring board it was out of spec and unwieldy. So when Samsung announced the galaxy tab 8.9 with current specs and lighter and thinner than ipad2 dimensions, I knew I was going to get it. After playing around with the 10.1 while waiting for the 8.9, then getting the 8.9 soon after it's release, there was no turning back!
Now, I plan to stick with this 8.9 for at least through the year, but admittedly in a world where quad cores and 1080nd screens are coming out, I've been keenly waiting to see if a current successor to the 8.9 would be announced, either by Sammy or another vendor, and I have become anxious that this form factor might die out. I secretly hope that there will be a galaxy note 8.9 in addition to the galaxy note 10.1 set for Q3, but I'm not seeing anything.
Then today I read this news on the new kindle fire rumors, and lo and behold, a 8.9 size with 1080hd screen is there!
http://m.cnet.com/news/at-least-three-kindle-fire-2-tablets-one-with-4g-on-the-way/57467294
This kind of torments my heart. I'm glad to see a manufacturer come up with these specs and hope it prods others too. But I'm not really glad it's a Amazon kindle. I tried the kindle fire for about a month before selling it, and I was quite disappointed at the sluggishness, box like design, and I'm not sure I trust Amazon to build a quality tablet anymore. And I fear Amazon will be more restrictive in terms of root-and port-ability, not to mention lack even more developer support.
But then if this is the only 8.9 tablet on the market at the end of the year and foreseeable future, I might feel compelled. What are your thoughts on the next 8.9 tablet for you?
Sent from my GT-P7310 using xda premium

if we can hack it and use a real version of Android then i can NOT wait for an 8.9 update.
I hate the Amazon interface, i personally really prefer Google's Android and the variety of choice in Google Play.

bdfull3r said:
if we can hack it and use a real version of Android then i can NOT wait for an 8.9 update.
I hate the Amazon interface, i personally really prefer Google's Android and the variety of choice in Google Play.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, if the hardware is good enough(quad core and 1080p), and it is hackable, then I guess I'll consider the kindle too.
Though Amazon app store had a few good deals, I have to say, I much prefer the Google play too (as much as I dislike that name), if only to avoid update lags.
I so do wish we'll have more 8.9 inch options later this year!

Jnn1 said:
Yeah, if the hardware is good enough(quad core and 1080p), and it is hackable, then I guess I'll consider the kindle too.
Though Amazon app store had a few good deals, I have to say, I much prefer the Google play too (as much as I dislike that name), if only to avoid update lags.
I so do wish we'll have more 8.9 inch options later this year!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here. All I wait is for an HD version with quad-core 8.9 and I will pounced on it.
Sent from my GT-P7300

I'm surprised the 8.9 size isn't more popular to be honest. I've always though that the iPad was a hell of a cumbersome thing, even the 2nd and 3rd generation versions, but that the Kindle Fire and other 7" devices tend to be almost like slightly overgrown smartphones, too small for web browsing and barely an investment in themselves unless you're a heavy eBook reader. 8.9 got it bang on but doesn't seem to have kicked off, to the point that Sammy haven't done an 8.9 Tab2.
Do remember though that the Tab2 range is almost the same product manufactured differently to get the price down (and redesigned to avoid further law suits from Apple) so other than waiting for OS updates there's not much of a disadvantage owning a Galaxy Tab 8.9.
But yeah, the 8.9 is the Goldie-Locks tablet, it's not too big, not too small, just right!

Personally, if we can get a Jelly Bean port after the official ICS release then I'm set.
I don't play intensive games so have no need for quad core anything. I'll be sticking with my GT8.9 for some time I think.

I do enjoy my 8.9 as well, but I think Samsung and other manufactures put out a bunch of different sizes the last couple years to feel out the market. Its looking like the 10inch and 7inch are prolly gonna become the normal going forward with most manufacturers if I were to guess.

Benknot said:
I do enjoy my 8.9 as well, but I think Samsung and other manufactures put out a bunch of different sizes the last couple years to feel out the market. Its looking like the 10inch and 7inch are prolly gonna become the normal going forward with most manufacturers if I were to guess.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which is really tragic, considering he majority of consumers never had much of a chance to try out a 8.9. If anything, I hope a kindle fire does come out in 8.9, if only, so that it peaks consumer and manufacturer interest in the 8.9 form factor!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

I think 8.9 could do well if one company focused on only 8.9...

I have the same feeling about me 8.9, it is just the perfect size, I really dont get why
We dont have a new Sammy 8.9, I think Xoom2 is a alternative.
Sent from my GT-P7300 using xda app-developers app

sbeddoesdesign said:
I think 8.9 could do well if one company focused on only 8.9...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, not that I'd wish to restrict the choice of others, but if you think about it, the tab 8.9 if the same height as the iPad, which speaks to it's optimal size, yet it's lighter and with 16:10 dimensions good for watching movies too ... so I do wish and think companies should show more love for 8.9s.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

8.9 is the right size but too many people dont know it :-(
I have tried the Ipad, the original thrive and galaxy, a trans prime, the fire and the Acer 7 inch, and my beloved touchpad and the galaxy tab 8.9 is just the perfect size and the screen is much prettier than ips displays. I love it. But the tegra 2 is just not enough. My poor tab just can't handle HD vids. So sadly my touchpad gets more use than my galaxy. Also I wish it had expandable memory. Come on Sammy why didn't you give this beauty an SD card slot? So while I agree that the 8.9 is just the right size it is due for an upgrade. Sadly it doesn't look as though one will be here soon enough. So for me its just waiting for someone to make a tab with a prettier screen and expandable memory. Unfortunaty for me none of the new tabs have a good screen. Ips displays have washed out colors when you compare them to an Ipad or a Samsung tablet. As for the 8.9 fire 2 it could be a decent machine. I put an aokp ics rom on my friends kindle and its a decent tablet now. Just a bit too small for me. Only time will tell but here's to my prayers for Sammy to make an 8.9 2 with a real processor and a SD card slot! That would be the best.

I've owned: Transformer w/dock., Iconia A500, Toshiba Thrive, Streak 7, Evo View, 8" china pad, Evo View, Archos 80 G9 and of course the 8.9. Left in the stable are the
Evo View: I'm on sprint so having the data plan is nice, but it sits on my nightstand on wifi and used once in a blue moon. Will probably sell it soon while it still has some value. 7" is just too small and not enough of a size difference over my 4" phone. I like the stylus, but haven't used it as much as I thought I would. The data plan is nice because some wifi at the hospitals I go to have a sign in, and for some odd reason webmail doesn't work while on it. Really odd. It was the same on the touchpad. Yet the Apple crowd had no issues. Haven't figured that one out.
Archos 80 G9: I paid $125 via Staples last month for it. Like the 4:3 8" size. Dual core OMAP, connectivity out the wazoo (full size usb, hdmi, microSD and microUSB), and I've been on official ICS since day one. The screen isn't bad. It has a little more heft and big side bezels, but it's comfy and more comfy to hold than any 10.1". Plus it has the built in kickstand. Another reason to ditch the Evo View. I have a dock for it, and I wouldn't need the dock to keep it upright on the nightstand. still not my ideal screen size as HD content is no better than a 7" tablet, or slightly less even. Not sure on that math.
And the 8.9: Tegra 2 is fine for me. No hi profile blu ray rips for me. I have the usb dongle for a card reader. Great screen even if it is PLS. The size and weight is the perfect trade off for carrying between the 10" and 7" while still having enough real estate to make media viewing and reading enjoyable. Best screen size out there if you ask me.
That being said, I want a 9 or 4:3. I think that's the best of both worlds. HD would still be a bit larger than a 7" tablet and everything else would be a nice 4:3 9" . And I want built in connectivity. microSD and HDMI are key. So until that comes, I have no need to buy another tablet unless the 8.9 and Archos become obsolete.

Yeah, I getcha... An 8.9 with Tegra 3 would be nice. For me, well, HD Movies on this little screen, personally I wouldn't notice/appreciate the difference, I watch some SD stuff and stream Netflix on there when I can't use my TV and it looks sharp as anything to be honest, heh... Tegra 3 would be nice for gaming though.

I know what you mean, I've been hoping to hear some rumors of a Galaxy Note 8.9 as well. Honestly the 10-inch form factor feels too big, and the 7-inch too small. The 8.9 felt just felt perfect and the S-Pen is now a big deal for me on a tablet. Stick in some internals like whats in the Galaxy SIII (quad-core, 2 GB ram, NFC/Android Beam, Jelly Bean, and 2MP FFC/5MP Rear Camera). Bring back the IR blaster from the original Tab 8.9, and a 1080p screen (to keep in competition with the Retina display). Then all they'd have to do is keep it thin and light (not plastic-like) and I'd probably camp out for that one, even if it costs $599

did you have 7" and/or 10" tablet?

Yesterday I went to staples and played around with some 10" tablets, and also with one 7" tablet. I noticed when browsing the web it was clearer in the 10"...
My question is, many of you probably had either one of'em.
What is the pros and cons when it comes to screen size?
Ps: this is the first tablet I bought.

I have 7" kindle fire and the 10" xoom
xoom is clearly easier, because of the size.
it's like comparing samsung note net browsing vs nexus 7 net browsing.
bigger screen for browsing always wins.
the key is to find the median between portability and pleasurable viewing experience.

I've messed around with 10 inch tablets (ipad, xoom, etc) and found them to be too big for me. If I were to carry around something of that size, it would be a laptop.
I've been using my Nook Color with GB/ICS for over a year now. Found that the 7 inch size is perfect for me. Large enough screen where I don't have to hold it 6 inches from my face, but small enough that I don't feel it needs to dominate my attention.

I had an eee pad 10 inch and found it too heavy. i think 7 inch will provide a much better balance between weight, convenience and features.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

I have had both (Playbook, Iconia A100, Ipad 1 and 2). Each have their purposes. For web surfing, I do like the 10" better, the 7" is just a tad too small for my liking (and my wife).
For video, they all work for me. I prefer the 7" as it is less obvious when i'm playing a video while in the office working. Also easier for my 3yr old son to hold in the car on longer trips. On trips, the 7" pretty much becomes my son's and the iPad are for the wife and myself.

I had a 10" xoom. For browsing it was fine, but portability sucked. I barely ever wanted to lug that cow around.
Sold it for 220 (minus fees), so only had to pay about $86 for new N7

I vastly prefer 7" tablet, as it's more portable.

I sold my sony tablet S for 400+
Now waiting for NEXUS7
sent from seXperia S

I have an ipad and a a100 ( acer 7 inch) i love the a100 browsing is pretty good ( i like android better tan ipad for browsing) and its way better asn a ereader and gamer. the only place I see the 10 as better is for movies. my kids can share on the ipad doesn't work well with 7 incher.

I have a transformer prime and a galaxy tab 2 7" and for browsing the transformer prime defenetly looks much better and it's easier to browse, but now that the nexus 7 packs the same screen resolution as the tfp, I would say that I prefer 7 inches for web browsing because of portability.
For gaming its defenetly much better yo use a 7 inches.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium

Thanks, hopefully we get it soon to play with it...

Regarding comparing those 7 and 10 inch tablets at Staples and clarity of web browsing. Keep in mind, all those 7 inch tablets were probably 1024x600 or less resolution. The Nexus 7 is 1280x800, same resolution is most 10 inch tablets. So I believe this 7 inch should be much better text clarity than those other 7 inch tablets.

I have an iPad 3 and for most uses, I much prefer the bigger screen. The only reason I got the nexus is because it's easier to throw in my pocket and use when I'm sitting at a restaurant waiting for a table, movie or whatever, and don't have to worry about storing my tablet after im done waiting. When I'm at a hotel, on a plane or sitting on my couch watching tv, I'm absolutely still going to be using my iPad, because the iPad is easy to throw in my backpack that I carryon.

I have the new iPad and will get a nexus 7 so I don't know which form factors works best for me.

raafaell said:
Yesterday I went to staples and played around with some 10" tablets, and also with one 7" tablet. I noticed when browsing the web it was clearer in the 10"...
My question is, many of you probably had either one of'em.
What is the pros and cons when it comes to screen size?
Ps: this is the first tablet I bought.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello. So if you ask my wife I have purchased well to many tablets and tech products in general over the past year and a half. I didn't feel I needed a tablet (still probably dont) until the Motorola Xoom came out. A new Android on a tablet with Nexus like qualities and open to the wonderful Android dev community, I had to have it.
I owned that for almost a year and ended up purchasing the Transformer Prime in December. I kept both for awhile, but the Xoom had a horrible screen and it is the only tech product I have ever owned that actually gave me migraines so I sold it. Next, the new iPad was announced and by this time I really was not enjoying an Android tablet and it was really missing some great apps. Still, what brought me to dumping Android tablets fot the new iPad was the excellent high res retina display. Since launch I have really enjoyed the tablet. It is excellent and after owning the iPad I have to say I do see the need for a tablet now. What I am getting is not that I am here supporting the iPad as I prefer Android over iOS, but to tell you for the price and all if your going to get a 10" (actually it is just shy of 10") then the only tablet worth getting in my humble opinion is the new iPad or iPad 2. I dumped my Prime and Xoom and never looked back....Until, the announcement of the Nexus 7 (Ill be honest, the 7 was Google's worst kept secret and I knew I would get it no matter what especially if the price is right). I ordered mine and I am anxiosly awaiting it at my doorstep.
I ended up getting only the 8GB Nexus which I know I will struggle with, but for what I want in it I don't think that I will be upset and if I am I can always sell it and get the 16GB option. I bought my wife the Kindle Fire last christmas and she barely uses it so I use it for reading. The reason I bring this up is that this is the main reason (besides the dev community and amazing things we all know the devs will do with the 7) I ordered the 7" Nexus. It is the perfect form factor for reading and for what you get it is the best value on the market. I stayed with the 8GB because I know that I will be using main apps and browsing on my iPad and reading/hacking/tinkering on my Nexus 7. I also own a Galaxy Nexus and iPhone 4s which I use for almost the same purposes as the 4s has the better camera and is a better all around phone for calls and text. Plus, Siri is a great featue. Since JB I have found that I am using my Nexus more so than the iPhone as of late and I am thinking of selling the 4S in anticipation of the new iPhone.
So I hope this helps and like I said if you want a great tablet for things other than reading and the advantages of Android then there is no other tablet that is worth the money (again, this is only my opinion and is subjective) and that is the iPad. The Nexus 7 though will accomplish all those things plus runs JB (Project Butter is the single best improvement I feel that the Android team has done with Android since its inception) and is perfect for reading (the iPad is heavy and too big in my opinion). So as you can see in my opionion and with all that I have used the only two tablets (well, actually three as I would also suggest the iPad 2 if cost is a concern) to anyone asking for an opinion. Android just doesn't have the tablet applications and it doesn't have the great killer eco system that the iPad has. There is a huge reason that Google decided to sell a low cost 7" inbstead of going toe to toe with the iPad.
I hope this helps and please remember I speak as opinion not that my word is end all be all. Technology is subjective and there are other products out there and these are the only two I would suggest after a year and a half with OEMs version of an Android tablet.

Galactic2 said:
I had a 10" xoom. For browsing it was fine, but portability sucked. I barely ever wanted to lug that cow around.
Sold it for 220 (minus fees), so only had to pay about $86 for new N7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here man... sold mine for 250 and im not looking back

I had the OG iPad (a gift) for almost two years. I sold it a month or two after Asus announced the 370 7" tablet back in January.
The iPad was ok, but somewhat over rated imo. I did not like the weight. You can't hold it for very long without resting it on something. Also, it's not as portable as I wanted. Even now, three years later, I never see people walking around with their iPads.
I would have preferred an 8" tablet. 7" is just a bit too small for web browsing. I think 8" would work better, and still weigh a lot less than a 10". But there aren't really any 8" options out there. Not any I find acceptable anyway.
So I'm using the $ I got from selling my iPad to buy the Nexus 7. I've been without a tablet for over four months now, so I'm getting kind of anxious.

have an iPad 2 and up until I bricked my Transformer Prime last night =( those were my 2 tablets...now I gotta replace the Prime, so I'm ordering the Nexus 7 since I just found out it has OTG Mass Storage support via Stickmount (YAY for Chainfire) I was leaning towards the Nx 7 anyway since it is a nexus device OTG just clinched it.

I have had several tablets; right now in my backpack I have an iPad 2 that I got for $200 used. It's in almost perfect condition aside from a weird scratch on a corner of the screen that you can't see really anyway.
90% of the time I use my tablet it's for ereading and trust me, 7" is way better for that. I really liked my Nook Tablet but it was too limited in function at the time so I swapped it out for a Galaxy Tab 7+. That tablet was a perfect size and functionality, but unfortunately was laggy and the battery left a lot to be desired. So I have my iPad for now, but I am really looking forward to getting my N7 here because that 7" combined with light weight (which is a huge plus in and of itself) and solid, "buttery" performance is what I'm after. I'm going to give it some break-in time then sell my iPad to start saving for the new Nexus phone.

I've used both sizes. I had an Archos 70 Internet Tablet and a XOOM. 7" form factor is really awesome for a tablet which is used for reading/gaming/browsing. The thing that killed it for me completely was the 800x400 resolution, this is why i upgraded to the Xoom.
The resolution is really the only thing i didn't like - i love how much li htghter 7" tablets are than 10.1" tablets, it's a night and day comparison when you are casually lounging or reading in bed in terms of weight. My xoom has smacked me in the face over 100 times over the past year because i try to balance it on my chest in bed while reading and start falling asleep - not the best way to awake
I love that 10.1" offers a lot of screen space, i hate how heavy these things are. I could argue that the N7 needed to be 7.7" but with the high-res IPS screen, i don't think i'll have the same problem that i had with the Archos 7".
All the above being said, i'm excited for the N7 and really hope that the N10 will feature a high res display with high PPI.

A New 8.9 Tablet ! - Kindle Fire HD

WOW. So it just happened. We finally have a new 8.9 tablet, though it's not the successor to the Galaxy Tab 8.9 that I was hoping for.
http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/6/3296477/amazon-kindle-fire-HD/in/3061995
Like many other users here, I'm partial to the 8.9 size. I've tried 7 and 9.7 and 10.1 inch tablets, and 8.9 was the best fit - portable with enough screen space, and though I'm not up for an upgrade yet, I've been keeping an eye out for new 8.9 tablets without much success until today - this Kindle HD 8.9.
Spec-wise, with 1920*1200 (1080p) HD screen, a 254 ppi (more or less the same as the new ipad (254 ppi), and a OMAP 4470 (again similar in graphics power to the A5), it seems like true contender. And at 299 dollars, it kills. I'll have to wait and see if it is as light and thin as our Galaxy Tab 8.9 and thus just as portable and one-hand useable, but the price point/hardware equation is really really tempting. Of course, personally, I'd probably ditch Kindle OS and put on CM10 as soon as possible, but it's tempting.
Just hoping that this pushers other maufacturers to re-look at the 8.9 form factor, and hopefully release even better one. A Galaxy 8.9 with 1920*1200 screen and Exynos Quad-core (or even better, the new Qualcome S4 quad-core) would be my fanatsy tablet ....... please, sammy or somebody!

Jnn1 said:
I'll have to wait and see if it is as light and thin as our Galaxy Tab 8.9 and thus just as portable and one-hand useable, but the price point/hardware equation is really really tempting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Size/weight don't look good, if this website is to be believed. It looks to be larger all round, and over 100g heavier than the Samsung

a commentor on the android police story said they're going to have locked bootloaders. I haven't seen that anywhere else, but if it's true you probably won't get cm10

gcogger said:
Size/weight don't look good, if this website is to be believed. It looks to be larger all round, and over 100g heavier than the Samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
567 gs. If this turns out to be true, that is no good ... that's as heavy as the original galaxy tab 10.1 ... not good for one hand holding... sigh
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

jackgibbs said:
a commentor on the android police story said they're going to have locked bootloaders. I haven't seen that anywhere else, but if it's true you probably won't get cm10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm ... I thought that as long as we could load custom recoverys via odin or so, we could flash custom roms. My 8.9's bootloader is still locked, but I have CM10 on it.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

If CM10 does get on this, I may get a refinished one after they are available.

This is direct from Amazon:
Product Dimensions: 9.4 inches x 6.5 inches x 0.4 inches; 1.2 pounds
So bigger and heavier all around. Shame. Though I bet that screen is nice, and it has hdmi out. But if I feel like I'm carrying around a 10 incher, it's just not worth it. Defeats the purpose of going that size in the first place.
sent from your 18yr old daughter's room

No gps? No brightness sensor (read on gsm arena link).
Anyway, Amazon proved 7" is desirable size, and other manufacturers followed.
Hopefully they'll do the same for 8.9... Although I do say they are taking a risk, cause for book reading, (7" and) light weight and cheap, are likely the killer features.

Yeah, after looking up more details, it does seem like it's lacking in gps, brightness sensor, back camera, etc.
And it is heavier by about 100 grams, which is a major sore, and wider and taller and thicker by some margins (1 cm, 0.6cm, 0.2cm).
Still, 1920*1200 res with less glare should be nice, while the performance of the OMAP 4470 (upgraded from the 4460 in this galaxy nexus) is for the moment uncertain.
I think I'll wait till the actual thing is out, and devs have a root/custom rom for the thing. Hopefully, Sammy or someone will have a better 8.9 out soon!
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Tab S vs Tab 4 10.1 vs Tab Pro 12.2...which one?

Just saw four Sammy tablets at my local Costco:
Galaxy Tab 4 7": $160
Galaxy Tab 4 10.1: $300
Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2: $530
Galaxy Tab S 10.5: $480
I would like something bigger than 7". Can anyone give some pros and cons as to why I would choose a Tab S over Tab 4 10.1 or Tab Pro 12.2 (ignoring cost).
I have looked on some different techy sites for comparisons and am still none the wiser so figured the faithful at XDA would be able to give a real-world comparison/input as to why the different models would be chosen. The 12.2 seems huge - great for movies and other larger requirements, but I've heard the Tab S screen is exceptional.
Sigh...which one do I choose...?

Honest opinion #1
Any bigger than 8.4 you should just buy a laptop.
Snapdragon rules so that rules out the Tab S .
Go with the Tab Pro series
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vigZOYJYnf8
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xhsMFOwksAM
Nexus 5 via Tapatalk

Honest Opinion #2
I personally have bought the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and previously had the Note 8. Now I cannot give you real life experience because mine is still in the mail but the reason why I chose it was to replace my current windows 8. I have a Samsung Smart 500t PC and it recently has crapped out so I decided to get a replacement. I ultimately chose the 10.5 for multiple reasons:
1. This is going to be my "main" mobile device, I am going to use it for work, meetings, etc. I wanted something more portable than a laptop but bigger than an 8.
2. From my research, the Tab 4 series doesn't have much support. In fact, looking for reviews from the "big" tech companies was difficult to find. I wouldn't want to get a device knowing that there isn't much support right off the bat.
3. Galaxy Tab S is the newest of the Samsung Tabs and thus has the highest chance of getting an Android L upgrade (if Samsung decided to do)
4. Of course the SCREEN is beautiful from what I have seen.
It was a bit pricey but you can find some good deals off of ebay. I got mine for about $439 new free shipping insured.

I'll add that I do own the Tab S 8.4 (SM-T700) and it is nice,it's just the future for kernels are limited.some who notice when I post I always mention that this Tab S is slick on AOSP

Got for Galaxy Tab S 10.5, nice screen.. perfect size for magazine reading as you dont need to keep zooming in and out.
Movies looks great. Very light to hold. Great cover
Cons: Exynos and hard to hold in protrait due to small bezel.

I went to a store and compared them all before I bought the tab s. The Note Pro 12.5 is great, but it's to heavy for me.
I was looking for a tablet for watching movies and reading comics on while chilling in bed
Pros
Tab S screen IS exceptional.
It's ultra thin and light.
Looks very stylish
Fast and smooth
Cons
The hardware buttons when in portrait mode due to the ultra thin bezel. (Yes it can be solved by rooting etc.) but there's really no need to have them on a tablet. As I read a lot on my tablets in portrait mode the back button really frustrates me and I keep closing my magazines and comics by mistake. Its no deal breaker however.
I cant really come up with any cons except that tbh

i love the screen on the tab s, i find it very easy on the eyes for reading and movies.
That and the weight is about all i love though. the rest is just ok.

What are you going to use it for? The Tab 4's have 1,280x800 displays which by today's standards are pretty poor and will be painful for reading text. The Tab 4 7 has 8GB of storage and the 10 has 16GB. With the way 4.4 manages external storage and some media apps only supporting internal storage 8GB is woefully inadequate and 16GB borderline. They both have just adequate CPU/GPUs and you'll feel the lack of power in multitasking and anything graphic intensive. You get what you pay for.
The 12" tablets are huge. I don't know how someone could seriously compare a 7" tablet and a 12" tablet. I have a 5.7" N3 so 10" is the sweet spot for me between screen real estate and portability. I'm a productivity user though so anything less than 10" is too small to get any serious creation or office work done. From a portability perspective the difference between 7-8.4" isn't a big deal - you're not going to stick any of them in your back pocket. 7" tablets, in my opinion, are just too small to really enjoy media and browse the web without constantly zooming pages to read them. Samsung's high-end tablets have a lot of s/w features (EG: Multiview, Scrap Book, eMeeting, SideSync, Hancom Office) that, even if available on the 4's, wouldn't perform well because of lack of SoC power and RAM.
So first, think about what's important feature and performance wise and then think about size. And really consider the display. The Pro's and S' have beautiful 2,560x1,600 displays with high PPI that really are a joy to view. Tab 4's not so much.
Here's a size comparison...

I wanted to add to this as I've owned a few tablets lately, right now I have the tab s 10.5. I had a tab pro 4 10.1, pass. You won't be happy. It's performance is OK but the screen isn't that great. Plus the lack of vibrate and light sensors just made it feel cheap, I sold mine for 60 bucks, no regrets. I had an iPad air for a bit but I took it back as I tend to leave a lot of things running and, I just didn't like it overall. Now, the tab s. Had it about a week and I've disabled a lot of things and I have apex installed. However I think it's the best tablet I've owned. It's perfectly fast, I've not had a single hiccup doing anything. I love the processor, personally. The screen is amazing although I dialed mine back to the basic setting I find it more accurate that way. Seriously, this was 500 bucks. I a most wish I could not like it so I could return it but I just can't find any faults. I've tried but this is one brilliant machine. I could live without the bloat but like I said I disabled most of it anyway and apex took care of magazine ux. Sure the benchmarks will show snapdragon doing better and even the iPad air but consider this:I found a review that showed the Puffin browser blew every browser away I'm benchmark tests. It wasn't even close so I took UC off and paid for puffin. It's performance was so abysmal I got a refund and put uc back on. I am very happy with the tab s. The titanium bronze just looks superb and it's overall performance is stunning. I didn't want to believe I could like something better than an iPad but Samsung hit it out of the park. If you have the money buy the tab s 10.5 and thank me later. Don't listen to anyone who doesn't have one.

jball said:
Honest opinion #1
Any bigger than 8.4 you should just buy a laptop....
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vigZOYJYnf8
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xhsMFOwksAM
Nexus 5 via Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let me guess. You are under 50, right? Some of us really need that bigger screen. Of course there are plenty of other reasons for preferring a larger screen. All boils down to personal needs and preferences so blanket statements are always wrong for a certain percentage of users.

ratman6161 said:
Let me guess. You are under 50, right? Some of us really need that bigger screen. Of course there are plenty of other reasons for preferring a larger screen. All boils down to personal needs and preferences so blanket statements are always wrong for a certain percentage of users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good guess but wow I didn't think I would hit a nerve. I am sorry I stated an "opinion" .I understand now why someone would want a bigger tablet
Nexus 5 via Tapatalk

mikelp1973 said:
I had a tab pro 4 10.1, pass. You won't be happy. It's performance is OK but the screen isn't that great. Plus the lack of vibrate and light sensors just made it feel cheap, I sold mine for 60 bucks, no regrets. I had an iPad air for a bit but I took it back as I tend to leave a lot of things running and, I just didn't like it overall.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
All Samsung's high-end Wi-Fi tablets use the same Exynos 5420 CPU and Mail 628 GPU. The Pro 10.1 has 2GB of RAM vs. 3GB on the Tab S but I've never seen any multitasking complaints on the Pro forum. I've used all Samsung's high-end tablets on 4.4 from the N10.1-14 on. Those with M-UX are laggier than the N10.1-14 without it. The Pro's seem a bit more fluid than the S' but its most likely due to the S' using V1.0 video drivers where the Note/Pro's have been updated about four times. There's a ton of posts in various threads here where former Note/Pro users with Tab S' have commented on a perceived increase in lag in moving to the S. So your experience is definitely different. In using all the tablets none struck me as so different performance wise that I'd be swayed in to buying one over the other solely because of it. That includes S-800 vs. Exynos 5420 (caveat: I'm not a gamer).
Samsung's 2,560x1,600 LCD panels are great and have been rated so in objective testing. They draw less power overall than the AMOLED panels on the S' because their RGBW PenTile and do exceptionally better on whites which kill AMOLED battery life. Most productivity and creation apps utilize light backgrounds so the Pro's would be a better choice battery life wise for productivity and web users and heavy readers. There's no doubt the S' display blacks better and offer better contrast but it doesn't make Samsung's high-end LCDs cow dung either. I'm a heavy productivity user and the S' display would absolutely kill me.
Are you sure you had a Pro 10.1? This is from the T-520 manual...
Moral of the story is people should buy what makes them happy, draw their own conclusions based on hands-on time, and realize opinions (including mine ) are just that.

It was the tab 4 10.1 my apologies. When I bought this tab s btw I was lookng for the pro in 10.1 for $399. My thoughts were if they didn't have any I'd look for a laptop about in that range or just gwt another ipad air. But as she was unlocking the case I spotted "S". I had my credit card out before she pulled the box out. But the price being $499 almost stopped me which is why I compared it to the Air becau of price only. But I bought the S and like I said I keep the display on basic and disabled everything I could without root. I use Apex pro and I should also mention I use no widgets and a plain background. I do leave a lot of stuff running but still for me performace has been flawless. I can even attest to the WiFi being more powerful than the air as I'm on the road a lot and pick up wifi whereever I can and this is just been the best overall tablet experience I've had.
Yes I would agree the Amoled use more power overall but I keep everything I can themed dark. Also I had a nexus 10 and agree the LCD screens are brilliant. In many ways better
Amoled probably comes down to preference. Or for me I was on the road stopped at the first walmart I could find and they had one. I'm glad. I just wanted to heartily endorse the tab s (10.5). Maybe the only thing I could say is that I liked the feel of Apple's aluminum casing but the titanium bronze has a beauty all its own.

mikelp1973 said:
It was the tab 4 10.1 my apologies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No worries; your experience being with a Tab 4 vs. a Pro explains a lot. With Samsung carpet bombing the tablet market it's very confusing to the consumer what they're actually buying. I think that's intentional to a degree.
This for $319 looks like a great deal...
...when compared to this for $499
And to the masses, maybe it is. Their standards are a lot lower than an XDA audience's.

Thanks very much for all the (informative and helpful) replies.
BarryH_GEG said:
With Samsung carpet bombing the tablet market it's very confusing to the consumer what they're actually buying. I think that's intentional to a degree.
Their standards are a lot lower than an XDA audience's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this is why I came to XDA to ask opinions and suggestions -- I get real world helpful information rather than columns of comparisons on other sites which don't mean much. I'm just your average tablet user...but f I am going to save and buy one...I want to get the best bang-for-the-buck as I won't be buying a tablet every year!

IconBoy said:
Thanks very much for all the (informative and helpful) replies.
And this is why I came to XDA to ask opinions and suggestions -- I get real world helpful information rather than columns of comparisons on other sites which don't mean much. I'm just your average tablet user...but f I am going to save and buy one...I want to get the best bang-for-the-buck as I won't be buying a tablet every year!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the best all around is the pro 10.1 inch. Don't get the tab 4 it's $80 more for the pro and you get so much more, the display alone is worth the extra $. Like I said I love the tab S but it just so happened it's what they had. I would say it's well worth the asking price. Stunning 10.5 inch display, performance is stellar, much better than I expected. Had it about a week and I can't bring myself to return it. I returned the nexus 10, sold the tab 4 and returned the iPad air. I look for reasons it seems but I just haven't found a thing to dislike. I even tried since yesterday it just fits me too well.
I just realized the tab pro 10.1 isn't on the list. Get the tab S. Obviously I am biased, but happily.

i own the Tab Pro 10.1 which has better specs than the Tab 4 and also have the Tab S 10.5 and the difference from the extra 1GB Ram and the much updated Touchwiz version of the Tab S makes me not like the Pro 10.1 that much anymore. also the Tab S has much better accessory options in the case keyboard area.
if you are buying something to use for more than 1+ years than spend the money and get the S

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YHXahMDDXJ8
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eqlAqk6om2s

moSess said:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YHXahMDDXJ8
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eqlAqk6om2s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am not using a 3rd party keyboard (video 1)
or
a 3rd party launcher (video 2)
and so i am not having these issues with my Stock TW Tab S 10.5
not saying its your 3rd party apps but saying that is not my experience with my Tab S 10.5

fletch33 said:
i am not using a 3rd party keyboard (video 1)
or
a 3rd party launcher (video 2)
and so i am not having these issues with my Stock TW Tab S 10.5
not saying its your 3rd party apps but saying that is not my experience with my Tab S 10.5
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this price point, and this late in the game in android, this is a joke!
A Joke.

Has Samsung finally thrown in the towel?

Is it fair to say that Samsung has stopped competing when it comes to high-end tablets? It very much looks to me that, with the utterly underwhelming release of the Tab S2, it has all but admitted defeat in its war against Apple. What could be the motivation for this major disappointment? Could it be that behind this is the failed Qualcomm 810? Could that be it? Were Samsung relying on Qualcomm's SoCs, and when Qualcomm failed to deliver, they saw themselves forced to go with their older Exynos silicon?
Opinions and speculations welcome.

In my opinion the Tab S2 is great... what made me ditch my iPad was because the S2 has a microsdxc-slot, 4:3-aspect ratio, amoled-screen and it's fast!! If any of these criteria hadn't been fulfilled I would still be using my iPad. LED-flash would have been nice though, but in my case it wasn't a deal breaker.
The only advantage the iPad still has (in my book) is lower audio latency for musicians apps.
Brgds...

Tubgirl said:
In my opinion the Tab S2 is great... what made me ditch my iPad was because the S2 has a microsdxc-slot, 4:3-aspect ratio, amoled-screen and it's fast!! If any of these criteria hadn't been fulfilled I would still be using my iPad. LED-flash would have been nice though, but in my case it wasn't a deal breaker.
The only advantage the iPad still has (in my book) is lower audio latency for musicians apps.
Brgds...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This !!
Excellent tablet for my needs and considering there are no other high end Android tablets to chose from you can either got with an iPad or get the S2 at the moment.
The nexus 9 which was suppose to be a high end machine was a serious flop, mostly by hardware.
Sent from my SM-T715 using Tapatalk

I, for one, am yearning for a 4x3 Android tablet in the same vein as Microsoft's Surface4 (stylus etc.), though hopefully much less expensive.

I also went from iPad to Tab S2. I hovered long between air 2 and Tab s2 but the android platform, amoled screen and microsdxc slot won against slightly better battery, iOS smoothness and faster processor.
Battery life has actually been better than expected due amoled blacks not eating charge and my use consisting plenty of video and reading in night mode. The weight and thinness are also a plus even though I didn't put much thought in them when considering which one to buy. I don't play games apart from Hearthstone which works perfectly so I don't feel that the tablet is lacking in speed at least in my usecase.
I even considered Touchwiz a minus for the tablet but this newest iteration is pretty snappy and not too intrusive. So all in all I'm positively suprised and happy that I took the risk from "safe" iPad air 2 and went with Tab S2.
Still not perfect but I wouldn't call it nowhere near a failure.
Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

The only failure is everyone else gave up on making android tablets.... The s2 is the best one available so get off the rock.
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

I really like my S2. I have the 8" SM-T710 wi-fi model. The amoled screen is very good quality for oudoor use. I purcased a Survivor by Griffin case for my S2. I inadvertantly tested it by dropping it from about 5 ft to a concrete floor. It survived eit no damage.
My S2 is my daily driver that has replaced my aging Acer laptop.

I hate the S2 speaker arrangement. When you watch a movie, all the sound is overloaded on the right side. That is awsome!

Best tab. Trolls ignored.

I wanted a phone-tablet in one... apple surely never delivered... but Samsung did... the fast and stable OS is a big bonus.
...

I think it's a bit 'meh' too.
It's great having a 4:3 tablet, but the speakers are crap and there's no IR blaster (we use our phones a lot at home for controlling the TV).
I was expecting to it handle Samsung Pro Audio better for using it for creating music (it stutters every now and then as the processor isn't up to the job). At least we do now have a low-latency audio production method on Android, though.
I can just about get the fact it's battery is small, as the device is very thin and light - which I like when using it as for reading. Which I do a lot.
I still like it, but am fortunate enough to know I can afford to ditch it and get another device when a better device comes out.

I don't think Samsung has really used the highest possible SOCs on their tablets before, maybe I'm wrong.
I was quite pumped about the Tab S2 and ended up disappointed by it to the point where my mind was made not to buy it in the end. The bottom speakers and the lack of features Samsung tablets used to have (IR, vibration motor) are far from good things, but the deal breaker for me is ironically the screen. I love Amoled but I felt that 264 dpi on that screen is not good enough to justify the expense when text on my Tab Pro looks far better to me... and that should never be the case for an expensive tablet released almost two years later.
Anyway... on my wishlist for future devices there's now a Samsung clone of Google's Pixel C, 2560×1800 10.2″ with Amoled screen. A man can dream

I'm a bit hacked off my Note 4 phone beats the S2 in Antutu. Which is also borne out in day-to-day 'feel' as well.
At 4:3 it does make a good e-reader and web device, but it is an expensive option for that.