Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 and 10.1 Review
by Jarred Walton on March 22, 2014 9:30 PM ESTSamsung Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 Subjective Analysis
Visually, the Tab Pro 10.1 looks very similar to the 8.4, only larger. There are a few little differences, however, like the fact that the 10.1 is designed to be held and used primarily in landscape orientation. Again, we have the same potential issue with the navigation buttons being integrated into the display bezel – if you’re not in landscape mode, “you’re holding it wrong.” What it really boils down to however is personal preferences. I just finished saying out I tend to like the 8-inch class tablets as a nice middle ground between smartphones and laptops, but I can certainly see the draw in larger devices. The bigger display can work better at times (i.e. if you’re watching a movie with a friend), and depending on your eyesight it might simply be easier to read.
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The I/O and port options are identical to the Pro 8.4, with the only real difference being their locations. The micro-USB port is on the bottom again (but in landscape mode this time). The stereo speakers are moved to the left and right sides near the top, which creates a better soundscape in my experience (though headphones would still produce much better audio). The headset jack is on the left just above the speaker in the corner, the microSD slot is behind a cover on the right, and the power and volume controls are on the top edge near the left side along with an IR port in the center.
Like the Pro 8.4, the display is again beautiful, and the colors are actually better as well (particularly white levels). Samsung does have three screen modes on the 10.1, and considering the other similarities I was surprised the same option didn’t exist on the 8.4. Anyway, you can choose between Dynamic, Standard, and Movie modes, with an option to automatically adapt the display based on your current app. We’ll see in a moment how those modes compare in terms of color quality, but if you’re not a stickler for having accurate colors you’ll probably never notices. This is a tightly bonded display, so you almost feel like the content is resting on the surface of the device rather than residing below the glass. Reflections can still be a problem (especially in sunlight), but that’s pretty much the case with every tablet out there; in general the display can get bright enough to remain usable outdoors.
Other than being larger and heavier, the feel is otherwise identical to the 8.4. There’s a metal trim around the outside edge with a slightly rounded edge, and the back has a faux-leather (plastic) finish. We received the white model for review, though you can also buy the Pro 10.1 in black if that’s your preference. I find white tends to not show fingerprints and smudges as much, though actual dirt and grime can become a problem over time. The in-hand feel is excellent, with slightly rounded corners that don’t become uncomfortable to hold. Battery life is also quite a bit better than the 8.4, thanks to the larger battery capacity and perhaps the change in SoC as well.
I mentioned performance being better on the 8.4 in many of our benchmarks, but let me clarify that a bit before we get to the actual scores: in practice, the difference is often imperceptible. Yes, there are cases where the 8.4 might score 20% higher in benchmark frame rates, but there are other instances where the Exynos CPU cores appear to be faster. Most of the time, you can use either one and not really worry about the lower level details. With graphics, however, I do notice the difference between the devices. Angry Birds Go! for example just runs a bit better on the 8.4 than on the 10.1. If you’re looking for a device that can handle all the latest games well, I’d go with the 8.4; if you’re more interested in browsing the web, checking contacts, etc. and want the larger display, there’s nothing wrong with the Pro 10.1 – and if you want a really large tablet, you can always look to the Galaxy 12.2 models. I already feel like 10.1 is a bit large and heavy for a tablet, though, so you’d need a very specific use case to convince me that a 12.2-inch display is the way to go.
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Reflex - Sunday, March 23, 2014 - link
Jarred - That is the same issue with anyone who has bought into any ecosystem. Its a valid concern but not one specific to the Kindle. More valid would be that their app selection is significantly smaller, and versions are often out of date (a problem shared by the WP ecosystem). But concerns about switching apply to everyone in every ecosystem equally and are not platform specific. I'd argue that its less of an issue for Android users going to Kindle (and vice versa) since most of the apps can at least be sideloaded or installed via third party marketplace.zepi - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - link
$100 would be the price of the software. Not the worth of it. Some software can be free, yet insanely valuable. Some companies would easily pay hundred dollars per each linux-installation if they had no other choice, but get them free, because they are worth way more than $100 to their business.Value you get from software is unique to everyone of us and fluctuates over time and is not constant. Value of a flashlight app might be high when you are strolling on a dark beach and forgot your flashlight home (you would easily pay a dollar if no free versions existed), but during a bright summer day on a baseball court you wouldn't pay a penny for such app.
Are there a lot of apps that are actually worth a lot to you and you couldn't get to an amazon device? What is the total cost of reacquiring them?
In the end, we are not rational customers. We count things "we lose" in terms of actual dollars even if in practise none of it would matter at all just because we think it's ours. Psychological research suggest that people hate giving up more than getting new stuff. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endowment_effect
ESC2000 - Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - link
Go look at the new study showing that Apple apps crash 2+ times more than android apps even though apple's store is curated and Google's is a "free for all."Mondozai - Sunday, March 23, 2014 - link
Lighter, high quality displays, top specs and cheaper.The drawback of the Android store is an issue but on basically every other metric they are better.
Also, Reflex, even if Amazon is not as cavalier about privacy as Google, people are right that you are a bit too trusting. Their TOS isnt necessairly 100% honest/transparent.
Reflex - Sunday, March 23, 2014 - link
While it is true that Amazon could be lying, as could any company's TOS and privacy policy, that would be legally actionable and on that basis you simply cannot trust anyone anywhere and should just unplug from the internet. Companies can and are sued for violating TOS/Privacy Policies, as LinkedIn recently found out and as Facebook is finding out in Europe.Yes, Amazon could be lying to us all. But that is no different than anyone else, and if you find out that they are, its time to retain an attorney and start a class action.
lakawak - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
Wow...I am not Google fan, but you are extremely ignorant if you think Amazon is leaving tens of millions of dollars a year on the table by not selling advertisers the habits of Kindle users. How do you think they make more of their money on Kindle? It is not a huge profit margin device. And all those free apps? Howe do you think those are paid for? The kindness of strangers?Amazon's MAIN business model this to sell things to you. That doesn't mean they don't have a second business model with the Kindle of selling YOU to advertisers. They do.
darwinosx - Saturday, March 22, 2014 - link
More cheap derivative junk from Samsung that will be in the bargain bin in a month or so.JarredWalton - Sunday, March 23, 2014 - link
And I suppose everything is derivative these days, except for apple? But it's more like expensive, nicely designed, and not likely to end up in the bargain bin until the next update comes out.Nfarce - Sunday, March 23, 2014 - link
Don't you mindless Appletards have anything better to do?akdj - Monday, March 24, 2014 - link
Ever tried to sell a year or two old Android device? iOS? There's a night and day difference and I use both platforms equally. I upgraded to the 5s and Note 3 last fall. Sold the Note 1 (a pair) for $135. The almost three year old iPhone 4s went for $345 locally on Craigslist. Something to be said for resale and has nothing to do with 'AppleTards' :rolleyes: