Price and specifications of Samsung Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy Tab CDMA P100, announced and released in September 2010, was one of the pioneering tablets during the early stages of the tablet boom. Despite its discontinuation, it remains a significant milestone in the evolution of portable touchscreen devices. Equipped with a 7.0-inch display, a robust build, and CDMA technology, it was particularly attractive to users who needed a reliable mobile device for browsing, multimedia, and basic communication functions.

Design and Build

The Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 boasts dimensions of 190.5 x 119.4 x 11.9 mm and weighs 380 grams, striking a balance between portability and usability. Its construction features a solid body that feels robust in the hand. The front is dominated by a 7.0-inch TFT display supported by Corning Gorilla Glass, providing durability against minor scratches and drops. The black-on-white color scheme gives the device a classic look suitable for both casual and business environments.

Display

The tablet's 7.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels offers a sufficient 16:9 aspect ratio. With approximately 170 ppi density, it ensures clear visibility for reading and media consumption. Although not as vibrant as the AMOLED displays found in newer devices, it was quite competitive for its time, allowing for decent color reproduction and satisfactory viewing angles.

Performance

Powered by the Hummingbird chipset with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX540 GPU, the device offered a smooth performance for its era. It came with Android 2.2 (Froyo), providing users with a versatile platform for downloading apps and games from the Android Market. The OS supported multitasking, albeit with some limitations due to the modest RAM capacity. The tablet was adequately equipped to handle browsing, media playback, and basic app usage efficiently. The performance, though limited by today's standards, was respectable at the time, offering a decent user experience.

Storage and Memory

The Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 came with 2GB of internal storage, which could be expanded using a dedicated microSDHC slot. While the internal storage capacity was limited, the expandability was a much-appreciated feature, allowing users to store additional media and applications as per their needs.

Camera

The tablet featured a 3.15 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing video at 480p@30fps. Although not particularly designed for photography, the camera sufficed for quick shots and video recording. A 1.3 MP front-facing camera was included, supporting basic video calls and selfies – an emerging trend at the time. While the camera functionality was modest, it catered to the basic requirements of users for casual photography and video calling.

Battery Life

Equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery, the Galaxy Tab P100 was designed to support extended usage. The device promised up to 13 hours of multimedia playback, ensuring that users could enjoy a full day of usage without frequent charging. This battery capacity was noteworthy, often commended for its ability to keep the device running for prolonged sessions of web browsing and media consumption.

Connectivity

The Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 supported CDMA/EVDO technology with capabilities to operate on CDMA 800/1900 and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO bands. It featured Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, and hotspot capabilities, ensuring good connectivity for data while on the move. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP allowed for wireless audio and data transfer, while GPS with A-GPS support provided reliable navigation capabilities. The absence of an FM radio was noted, though USB 2.0 extended connection options for peripherals and charging.

Additional Features

This tablet was equipped with multiple sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing its functionality in apps that required such data – games, navigation, and augmented reality applications. The HTML and Adobe Flash browser support allowed for better content compatibility on the web, an important aspect during its active years when Flash content was widespread.

Market Impact and Pricing

Upon release, the Samsung Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 was priced at about 150 EUR, making it an affordable choice for many users seeking a reliable, mid-range tablet option. Its introduction helped catalyze the burgeoning tablet market, acting as a strong competitor in the wake of Apple's iPad. Its feature set was innovative at launch, aligning well with consumer expectations for portable, touchscreen computing.

Conclusion

Even though the Samsung Galaxy Tab CDMA P100 has been discontinued, it remains an important piece in the history of mobile devices. It highlighted Samsung's commitment to innovation, serving as a catalyst for the company's further advancements in tablets and mobiles. The device's balance of performance, connectivity, and design provided a foundation for future developments and remains a classic representation of the early tablet era.