Samsung P1010 Galaxy Tab WiFi Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the Samsung P1010 Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi

The Samsung P1010 Galaxy Tab Wi-Fi, announced in the first quarter of 2011 and released in March of 2011, marked Samsung's foray into the burgeoning tablet market. With a sleek design and a weight of 380 g, this device was a lightweight competitor in its class. The P1010 featured a 7.0-inch TFT display, providing a screen resolution of 600 x 1024 pixels, along with the added protection of Corning Gorilla Glass. Its primary audience was consumers seeking a media consumption device without cellular connectivity. Priced initially around 150 EUR, it offered solid value in terms of features and performance.

Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy Tab P1010 sports dimensions of 190.1 x 120.5 x 12 mm, making it compact enough for portability while still offering a large enough screen for an enjoyable viewing experience. The device's design is characterized by its simple yet elegant black and grey color options. True to its era, the tablet features physical navigation buttons and a practical layout suited for everyday use.

Display Features

The 7.0-inch TFT display of the Galaxy Tab P1010 boasts a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 60.2%. Although the pixel density, at around 170 ppi, might seem low by today's standards, it was quite acceptable at the time for tasks such as browsing, reading, and video playback. The Corning Gorilla Glass provided added durability, enhancing the device's lifespan by protecting against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Operating System

Under the hood, the tablet is powered by a TI OMAP 3630 chipset, featuring a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A8 CPU and a PowerVR SGX530 GPU. While this hardware might appear modest now, it efficiently handled the apps and demands of the time. The device originally came with Android 2.2 (Froyo) and was upgradable to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), offering users a clean and user-friendly interface with access to a growing ecosystem of applications from Google Play.

Memory and Storage

With an internal storage capacity of 16GB and 592MB RAM, the Galaxy Tab P1010 provided adequate space for apps and media files of its time. Additionally, the presence of a dedicated microSDHC slot offered users the flexibility to expand storage as needed, addressing one of the crucial needs for multimedia usage.

Camera Capabilities

The rear camera comes with a 3.15 MP sensor accompanied by an LED flash, capable of recording 480p video at 30fps. Although not intended for high-end photography, it served well for casual snapshots and video recording. The device also includes a 1.3 MP front-facing camera designed primarily for video calls, which was a growing trend in personal and business communication.

Connectivity and Network

The Samsung Galaxy Tab P1010 is a Wi-Fi only device, designed for those who preferred accessing the internet through a wireless network. It supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with dual-band capabilities and a hotspot function. Other connectivity options include Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support, providing easy connections to headphones, keyboards, and other peripherals. It had no cellular connectivity, positioning it mainly as a companion device for home or office use where Wi-Fi connectivity was available.

Audio and Additional Features

For audio, the tablet is equipped with stereo speakers that offer decent sound quality for media consumption, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for personal listening experiences. The standard audio features were satisfactory for enjoying music, videos, and calls. Additionally, an array of sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, and proximity sensor contributed to a modern user experience, enabling features such as auto-rotation and more intuitive interaction with the tablet.

Battery and Power Management

The device houses a non-removable Li-Po 4000 mAh battery. This capacity was quite sufficient to support several hours of usage before needing a recharge, with a standby time of up to 950 hours. Samsung's emphasis on power efficiency meant users could take advantage of their device without frequent interruptions for charging, making it suitable for daily full-day usage scenarios.

Legacy and Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab P1010 Wi-Fi was a significant release in the early 2010s, marking Samsung's entry into a competitive tablet market. While it did not support cellular networks, its focus on internet connectivity through Wi-Fi, combined with a solid hardware and software package, meant that it was well-suited for students, professionals, and casual users looking for a portable device for media consumption and basic productivity tasks.

Though it has been discontinued, the Galaxy Tab P1010 remains a nostalgic reminder of the early days of tablets and how far the technology has advanced. It set a baseline for future devices in terms of design and functionality, and its impact is still appreciated by those who experienced this evolution firsthand.