The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus and T-Mobile G-Slate were early contenders in the Android tablet market. Both offered dual-core processing and a taste of what mobile computing could be. But which one holds up best today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus edges out the G-Slate thanks to its significantly better battery life and impressive contrast ratio. While both are dated, the Tab 7 Plus offers a slightly more enjoyable user experience, especially for media consumption.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 1700 / 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 10.2/2 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, September. Released 2011, October | 2011, February. Released 2011, April |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 193.7 x 122.4 x 9.9 mm (7.63 x 4.82 x 0.39 in) | 243.8 x 150 x 12.7 mm (9.60 x 5.91 x 0.5 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 345 g (12.17 oz) | 621 g (1.37 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 600 x 1024 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~170 ppi density) | 768 x 1280 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~168 ppi density) |
| Size | 7.0 inches, 137.9 cm2 (~58.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 8.9 inches, 225.5 cm2 (~61.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | 3D LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 | Dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 |
| Chipset | Exynos 4210 | Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 |
| GPU | Mali-400MP4 | ULP GeForce |
| OS | Android 3.2 (Honeycomb), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean), TouchWiz UX UI | Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM | 32GB |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 5 MP, AF
5 MP, AF |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@24fps (2D), 720@30fps (3D) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 2 MP |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP, aptX | 2.1, A2DP, EDR |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | GPS, A-GPS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | 2.0 (TV-out), OTG | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | - | HTML, Adobe Flash |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| | - | HDMI port
MP4/DivX/XviD/H.264/WMV player
MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player
Document viewer/editor
Organizer
Voice memo
Predictive text input |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 1000 h (2G) / Up to 1000 h (3G) | Up to 273 h |
| Talk time | Up to 40 h (2G) / Up to 20 h (3G) | Up to 9 h 20 min |
| Type | Non-removable Li-Ion 4000 mAh battery | Non-removable Li-Ion battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Black |
| Models | GT-P6200 | - |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 710 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.71 W/kg (head) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -89.5dB / Crosstalk -83.1dB | - |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 63h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1236:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 65dB
| - |
Samsung P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus
- Excellent battery life (63h)
- Superior contrast ratio display
- Slightly faster processor
- Outdated hardware
- Basic camera quality
- Limited app compatibility
T-Mobile G-Slate
- Budget-friendly (if found)
- Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset
- Shorter battery life
- Lower contrast display
- Outdated hardware
- Limited app compatibility
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus boasts a remarkable contrast ratio of 1236:1, providing deeper blacks and more vibrant colors compared to the G-Slate. While both have 7-inch displays, the Tab 7 Plus's superior contrast makes a noticeable difference in image quality. Resolution is likely similar, around 1024x600, but the Samsung's display is the clear winner.
Camera Comparison
Camera quality on both devices was never a strong point. Both featured basic photo and video capabilities, likely with low resolution sensors. Expect grainy images and mediocre video quality. Neither device is recommended for serious photography.
Performance
Both tablets feature dual-core Cortex-A9 processors, but the G-Slate utilizes an Nvidia Tegra 2 T20 clocked at 1.0 GHz, while the Tab 7 Plus has an Exynos 4210 at 1.2 GHz. The slightly faster clock speed of the Tab 7 Plus, combined with the Exynos chipset's architecture, likely provides a marginal performance advantage in everyday tasks. However, both will struggle with modern, demanding applications.
Battery Life
This is where the Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus truly shines. It boasts an endurance rating of 63 hours, a significant advantage over the G-Slate. This translates to substantially longer usage time between charges, making it a more practical choice for extended use.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Plus is suitable for users seeking a basic tablet for reading, browsing, and light media consumption, prioritizing battery life. The T-Mobile G-Slate might appeal to nostalgic users or those seeking a very budget-friendly option, understanding its limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these tablets still worth buying?
Given their age, neither tablet is recommended for primary use. However, they could be suitable for very basic tasks or as a nostalgic project for enthusiasts.
❓ What operating system do these tablets run?
Both originally shipped with Android, but updates were limited. They likely run older versions of Android, potentially with custom ROMs available for advanced users.
