The tablet market offers a diverse range of options, but choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Huawei MediaPad X2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which tablet best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7 emerges as the clear winner thanks to its superior Snapdragon 820 chipset, vibrant AMOLED display, and overall smoother performance. While the MediaPad X2 offers reverse charging, the Tab S3's advantages in key areas make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 - GEM-703L | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 17, 20, 28, 40 |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - GEM-702L | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2015, March. Released 2015, May | 2017, February. Released 2017, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 183.5 x 103.9 x 7.2 mm (7.22 x 4.09 x 0.28 in) | 237.3 x 169 x 6 mm (9.34 x 6.65 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 239 g (8.43 oz) | 429 g (Wi-Fi)/ 434 g (LTE) (15.13 oz) |
| | - | Stylus |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~323 ppi density) | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 142.1 cm2 (~74.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 9.7 inches, 291.4 cm2 (~72.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Kirin 930 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T628 MP4 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 5 (Lollipop), upgradable to 6 (Marshmallow), EMUI 3 | Android 7.0 (Nougat), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie), One UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, AF | 13 MP, f/1.9, 27mm (wide), AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | Tuned by AKG/HARMAN
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Reverse wired | 18W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 576 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 6000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight silver, Amber gold | White, black |
| Models | GEM-703L, GEM-702L, GEM-701L | SM-T820, SM-T825, SM-T825Y |
| Price | About 370 EUR | About 380 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
| OUR TESTS |
|---|
| Performance | - | GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Huawei MediaPad X2
- Compact and portable
- Reverse wired charging
- Decent battery life
- Affordable price
- Lower performance
- Smaller and less vibrant display
- Older chipset
- Limited software updates
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7
- Excellent performance (Snapdragon 820)
- Stunning AMOLED display
- S Pen support
- Premium build quality
- Good camera
- Higher price
- Can be bulky for some
- Software updates can be slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 boasts a stunning 9.7-inch AMOLED display with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles. The MediaPad X2 features a 5.93-inch LCD display, which is smaller and lacks the same level of visual fidelity. The Tab S3's display is significantly better for media consumption and creative tasks.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality is generally not a primary concern for tablets, but the Galaxy Tab S3 offers slightly better image quality than the MediaPad X2. Both cameras are adequate for casual snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Tab S3's camera is more consistent in various lighting conditions.
Performance
The Snapdragon 820 in the Galaxy Tab S3 provides a substantial performance advantage over the Kirin 930 in the MediaPad X2. Apps launch faster, multitasking is smoother, and demanding games run more effortlessly on the Tab S3. The Kirin 930 is adequate for basic tasks, but struggles with more intensive workloads.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices, offering around 8-10 hours of typical usage. The Tab S3's more efficient chipset helps offset its larger display. The MediaPad X2's reverse charging is a unique feature, allowing it to act as a power bank for other devices.
Buying Guide
The Huawei MediaPad X2 is a decent option for budget-conscious users who prioritize reverse charging and a compact form factor. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7 is ideal for those seeking a premium tablet experience with excellent performance, a stunning display, and a more versatile feature set, including S Pen support.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the MediaPad X2 still worth buying in 2024?
The MediaPad X2 is a budget option, but its age and lower performance make it less appealing compared to newer tablets. It's only recommended if you're on a very tight budget and prioritize reverse charging.
❓ Does the Galaxy Tab S3 support the S Pen?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab S3 comes with an S Pen and supports a range of stylus features, making it great for note-taking and drawing.
