After tinkering with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, one thing is clear: Samsung has really done its homework on the tablet market. The Tab 8.9 offers the same functionality and performance of its big brother, the Tab 10.1, but with a smaller display size (8.9 inches vs. 10.1 inches, of course) and lighter weight. Despite its smaller screen, the Tab 8.9 still has the same crisp, colorful 170 ppi display that has made the Tab 10.1 so popular. Both are a super slim 8.6 mm thick, which makes the Tab 8.9 both lighter and thinner than its closest non-Samsung competitor, the iPad 2.
The Galaxy Tab 8.9 is available with 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of storage; it also sports built-in WiFi and 3G, with added ability to support up to 4G. Android fans, rejoice: the Galaxy Tab 8.9 runs the Android 3.0 Honeycomb OS, which is beloved for its speed and responsiveness. The tablet also comes pre-loaded with access to the ever-growing Android Market and Amazon App Store, which gives users a choice of over 250,000 news, entertainment, business, reference and gaming apps.
Music lovers and snap-happy photographers will swoon over the Micro-SD card slot, which is a rare feature in the tablet market and allows for up to 32GB of extra storage of MP3s, pictures and video. Speaking of pictures, the Tab 8.9 sports both a front and rear camera (2 megapixels and 3 megapixels, respectively). Better yet, the rear-camera has a built-in flash and allows users to record video in high-definition. Samsung's Galaxy tablet also offers a great deal of flexibility. Unlike the iPad 2, it includes 2 USB ports to allow for a customizable, adaptable tablet experience.
All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is a quick, versatile and portable tablet that effectively makes the most of its smaller display. It is one of the lightest and thinnest tablets available on the market and is one of the few tablets that can easily go head-to-head with the iPad.
Need to Know: Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9
1. This is ideal for those who value portability; its dimensions make it one of the lightest, slimmest tablets available. (The Good)
2. Despite its diminutive size, the 8.9-inch display betrays nothing in terms of definition or visibility. (The Good)
3. The number of apps in the Android Market is pitiful compared to the number of iPad-ready apps. (The Bad)
4. The Android OS can be a bit contrary at times; running multiple apps simultaneously may cause notable lagging. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Jordan Carpenter, BitBitByteAll-in-all, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is a decent tablet. If you are looking for a size between the popular 10-11” tabs around and the smaller 7” variety, this is definitely something to take a look at. As I mentioned earlier, it felt great in my hands. I had no problem using it on the...
- Michael Sawh, T3So where does the Samsung 8.9 rank in the current hierarchy of tablets? Well, we’d say quite highly. It shares so many of the characteristics that made the Galaxy Tab 10.1 such an impressive device, but manages to condense it all into a smaller, more bag-friendly design. The screen is brilliant and...
- Daniel Bader, Mobile SyrupAs far as Android tablets go, the Tab 8.9 is currently at the top of the heap. But comparing an Android tablet to the iPad is a completely different conversation than comparing an Android phone to the iPhone. In many ways, we are in a holding pattern: Android 4.0 has yet to be revealed for tablets,...
- Eliane Fiolet , UbergizmoThe Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is ta great addition to the Galaxy Tab lineup. The hardware packs an elegant and sleek design combined with great performance, in a thinner and lighter chassis than the Apple tablet. the smaller size (8.9 inch) can be great for road warriors who need to travel light.
- John V., PhoneArenaLooking at AT&T’s selection of 4G LTE tablets, it’s obviously limited right now with only the Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9 LTE and the HTC Jetstream. As much as we feel that its $479.99 on-contract ($629.99 outright) is still on the pricey side, since you’ll be tied down with it for 2 whole years, it’s fa...
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