Oddly enough, this tablet is not exactly an upgrade of the Galaxy Tab 7.0 plus which ran Android 3. Although the software is improved over the previous model, the hardware appears to have received a downgrade in some areas. The "Tab Plus" model has a dual-core 1.2 GHz processor, the new "Tab 2" only has a 1.0GHz dual-core unit. The two megapixel video calling camera on the front has been replaced by an 0.3 megapixel one, and the flash has been removed from the primary 3 megapixel camera on the back. Although the camera changes are no great loss, the apparently slower CPU does seem like a significant downgrade.
The display is a 7" 600 x 1024 pixel TFT panel, pretty much the same as before. Alongside the processor is a decent 1GB of RAM plus 8, 16 or 32GB of internal flash memory plus a microSD slot. GPS support is built in, and the Tab 2 also supports the GLONASS global positioning system created by Russia.
Inside is a large 4000 mAh battery, and the whole thing measures 194 x 122 x 10.5mm and weighs 344 grams. The Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) supports WiFi 802.11 b, g and n and can optionally support quad band HSPA+ connectivity.
In addition to the vanilla Android ICS operating system, Samsung have added some of their own applications for messaging and entertainment. Android 4.0 also has access to movie rentals and eBooks. Of course, there are thousands of applications available in the Android Market as well.
At the moment, the existing Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus with 3G and 16GB of internal RAM retails for about £500 or €590. Given that the Tab 2's hardware is a little less powerful, then we would expect to see the newest member of the Galaxy Tab range to cost a little less when it hits the market from March onwards.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)
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Available:
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March 2012
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Network:
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(Optional) GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
+ UMTS 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
Data:
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WiFi + Optional GPRS + UMTS + HSPA+
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Screen:
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7.0" 600 x 1024 pixels
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Camera:
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3 megapixels (main)
0.3 megapixels (sub)
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Size:
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Mid-sized tablet
194 x 122 x 11mm / 344 grams
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Bluetooth:
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Yes
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Memory card:
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MicroSD
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Infra-red:
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No
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Polyphonic:
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Yes
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Java:
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Yes
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GPS:
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Yes (and GLONASS)
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OS:
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Android 4.0
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Battery life:
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Not specified (4000 mAh cell)
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