Comprehensive Review Samsung Galaxy Tab 101 3G P7500

Overview

The Samsung P7500 Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G was a significant player in the tablet market when it was released in 2011. Known for its sleek design and comprehensive feature set, this device offered a combination of performance and practicality that appealed to many users. In this article, we explore the Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G in detail, examining its design, specifications, performance, and overall impact on the market.

Design and Build Quality

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G boasts a modern design with a measured elegance. The dimensions of the device are 256.7 x 175.3 x 8.6 mm, making it both comfortable to handle and visually appealing. At a weight of 565 grams, it strikes a balance between solid construction and lightweight portability. The tablet's slim profile is particularly notable, setting a high standard for design efficiency at the time of its release.

The front of the device is dominated by its large 10.1-inch display, providing an expansive canvas for media consumption, productivity applications, and browsing. The device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, offering enhanced durability against scratches and impacts. Overall, the build quality is premium, with a solid feel that suggests durability and reliability.

Display

The 10.1-inch PLS LCD screen offers a resolution of 800 x 1280 pixels, which translates to a pixel density of approximately 149 pixels per inch. While the pixel density is not the highest by modern standards, it was quite respectable for the time, providing clear and vivid images. The screen size and resolution make it ideal for watching videos, reading books, or browsing the web comfortably.

The display supports a 16:10 aspect ratio, optimal for viewing widescreen video content without much letterboxing. The contrast ratio of 915:1 contributes to impressive visual clarity and color reproduction, allowing details to be displayed crisply and vividly.

Performance

Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G is powered by the Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU. This setup provides sufficient power for a wide range of applications, from basic browsing and multimedia playback to more demanding tasks such as gaming.

The inclusion of a ULP GeForce GPU aids in rendering graphics, giving a boost to visual performance in games and graphic-intensive applications. With 1GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking reasonably well, though more memory would benefit heavy users.

Operating System and User Interface

Initially launched with Android 3.1 Honeycomb, the tablet includes Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, offering additional features and a customized user interface. Honeycomb was specifically designed for tablets, bringing features that took advantage of the larger screen size, including enhanced multitasking, new widgets, and a revamped notification system.

TouchWiz UI further enhances the user experience with features tailored for Samsung devices, contributing to an intuitive and effective interface that improves user interaction overall.

Storage and Memory

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G is available in three storage options: 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. Unfortunately, the absence of an expandable card slot means users must carefully consider their storage needs when choosing a model. This limitation might be a downside for those who plan to store large amounts of media or substantial application data on their device.

Equipped with 1GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab handles operational demands sufficiently; however, it may experience strain with extensive multitasking or heavy usage scenarios.

Camera and Multimedia Capabilities

While tablets aren’t typically known for high-quality cameras, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G includes a 3.15 MP rear camera capable of autofocusing and equipped with an LED flash for improved lighting in darker environments. It supports 720p video recording, providing decent-quality video capture.

A 2 MP front camera is available for video calls, substantial for standard usage such as video conferences or casual selfies. Although the camera setup might not impress photographers, it fulfills the basic requirements expected from a tablet.

Network and Connectivity

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with capabilities for 2G and 3G connectivity. It supports HSDPA bands at 850, 900, 1900, and 2100 MHz, with HSPA speeds up to 21.1/5.76 Mbps, offering reliable internet access where 3G coverage is available.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the tablet features Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band capabilities, and Wi-Fi Direct for efficient data transfer and hotspot functionality. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP allows for wireless accessory connection, while GPS and A-GPS provide location tracking services.

Battery Life

A significant advantage of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G is its non-removable Li-Po 7000 mAh battery. Offering impressive endurance, it supports up to 9 hours of talk time, and stand-by times up to 2120 hours on 2G networks and 1840 hours on 3G.

This robust battery life ensures that the device can serve throughout long days without needing frequent recharging, a critical factor for users who rely heavily on their tablets during travel or extended periods away from a power source.

Additional Features

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G comes equipped with several sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, and compass, contributing to an enhanced user experience through responsive screen rotation and navigation functionalities.

Additionally, the tablet supports HTML and Adobe Flash for a complete web browsing experience, a valuable feature for users interested in viewing multimedia content across the web.

Price and Market Impact

Priced at approximately 370 EUR during its release, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G was positioned as a premium device. Its combination of design, performance, and functionality justified this price point for many users. Despite being discontinued, the device's legacy remains as a testament to Samsung's innovation in the early days of the tablet market.