Both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal rated the new Samsung Galaxy Tab as the first true contender to the iPad and the WSJ said some consumers might prefer it over Apple’s kingpin tablet.
The Tab was credited with a “gorgeous” 7-inch screen and light weight that makes it more portable and suited to one-handed operation.
Because the Galaxy Tab has cameras (front and rear facing) and supports Flash, it offers two key advantages over the iPad. It also allows multi-tasking, although the iPad will too soon.
Walt Mossberg of the WSJ said, “I’ve been testing the Tab for a couple of weeks and I like it. It’s a serious alternative to the iPad and one that will be preferred by some folks.” But he adds, “On balance, however, I still prefer the iPad. For one thing, I like getting twice the screen size for a little more money up front.” Also there are more apps suited to tablets on the iPad, and Apple’s tablet has a longer battery life (6 hours for Samsung, 11 for Apple). Also the iPad can be purchased in a WiFi only version.
The Tab’s smaller screen compared to the iPad’s 9.7-inch version wasn’t quite as problematic to the reviewers as Apple’s Steve Jobs would like you to think. Samsung tweaked some important functions like email, and contacts to suit the device. But it’s true that nearly all of Android Market’s 100,000 apps are too small for the screen and appear to float in the middle or are blown up to appear bloated.
David Pogue of the NYT said Samsung’s Android tablet “represents more than just a lame effort to grab a slice of tablet hype…it’s different enough to justify its existence. You’re buying into a different approach to size, built-in goodies like cameras and GPS, and the more freewheeling Android app store.” He praised the speed of the device and its “highly refined hardware,” but added, “It’s just a shame that you’re buying all that for $600.”
A few more tidbits of note: both publications said Flash did not work perfectly. And the WSJ noted that video calling has a few glitches.
On the plus side, Pogue said while it’s a big weird to hold up a 7-inch screen as a camera, “it’s also awesome; when have you ever used a camera with a 7-inch screen? You’re practically seeing the enlargement as you frame the shot. It’s a digital photo frame that takes pictures.”
It appears that if Samsung lowered the price a bit it would have a hands down winner as a smaller alternative to the iPad.
