A little disappointing.

A little disappointing.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 21.34 cm (8.4 inches) LTE tablet PC (quad-core, 1.9GHz, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal memory, Android) white (Personal Computers)

Customer Review

Since it is finally - the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4. Particularly thin, extremely light and equipped with a great, extraordinarily beautiful display. Whether you're thinking to upgrade, expand or migrate to another ecosystem their existing entertainment technical equipment - this review is there to help you with your decision.

For this I am going to focus on the essential and practice-relevant things. For example, you will learn how to outsource Apps on the external memory card (Yes, that's possible!) And can adjust the hue. In addition, I will compare the Tab S with direct competitors (iPad mini, Kindle Fire HDX and XIAOMI MiPad).

If you are not satisfied with this review, please help me to make it even better and above all helpful.
What is missing? If an area is neglected? I count on your criticism!

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The Device

Basically it is the Tab S to nothing more than a Android tablet in mini form factor with a solid, if not outstanding performance. The Exynos Octacore (incidentally built into all versions of the Tab S) is well suited for all applications available. Whether you occasionally play, listen to music, watch videos, read, surf or want to use all applications, the Tab S can meet you all of these desires, both online and offline. However, with the current spearhead the market, which also includes the Snapdragon 800/801 heard the Samsung processor in most cases can not keep up.

There are only 4 features, in which the Tab S (apart from the design, which is a matter of taste) are markedly different from most other devices of its kind on the market:

The screen (Super AMOLED technology)
The weight (about 300g)
The thickness (about 6.6mm)
The fingerprint sensor

If you flirt with the Tab S, these 4 points are therefore of paramount importance. If it quiet it a bit thick, heavy, or even may be a different type of display, and you can verzichen on the fingerprint sensor, there is in principle no reason why other, often expensive equipment should not even come into question.

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The display

If you have never seen an OLED display, it is not quite understandable, what makes the charm of this technology. Above all, it is intense, bright, colorful, a Augenschmeichler. Black is blacker than black and the viewing angles hardly matters. The contrast ratio is stunningly good and the veil over so many details is raised with this type of display. Every movie, every series is on display this is a special experience - until you get used to it and do not want to miss.

But as so often, there is also a downside to the medal. The intensity of the colors can a just too much to be. Too strong, too overloaded to oversubscribed. (And if you get round it for a while, you might notice the slight green tint, the tender covers the image.) This problem is not new and has been discussed for eh and jeh. In order to get it under control, Samsung has only 3 modes: Simple, photo and cinema. In cinema mode, the colors are so loud that I have no pleasure in it. Alternatively, you can leave the choice of the mode of the system. This feature is in my view not but succeeded.

But there is a trick with which the settings but at least one controller can wrest for color correction. I would like to share with you:
Search under Device menu item Text Input, select where color matching and carry out the test, which is actually intended to detect a possibly existing color blindness. Arrange to the displayed swatches in the wrong order - and Voila: a controller for color matching is suddenly available. The hue can be manipulated and the dilemma of AMOLED displays for one or the other surely defused.

The sharpness is excellent by the way - but now no longer exceptional.

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The Performance

It is regrettable that the motion sequences come to stutter for a few moments again and again. You know what I mean by Android, it is very common, especially for devices with Exynos processors. But just a shame, especially when the competition proves that things can be different. The Browse succeed still liveliest with the in-house app, generally the surfing experience on Tab S is rather below average pleasant. Do not be misled by euphemistic statements of other reviewers. The decisive factors are in the end but your perception and your individual needs. If you are more of loose, cozy type and have little experience with tablets, you can neglect this point safely.

If you value special gaming performance, could be in one or the other case, disappointed. For quick and graphics-intensive games like Riptide GT2 it can sometimes lead to stuttering and dropouts. In general you have to (Tegra) out of the box to live with various restrictions on all processors that do not originate from Nvidia. These are especially blurred textures and reduced effects. Those who do not shy away from the effort, can overturn these limitations if you order but is happy, remains to be seen, because you have to count on graphic errors, significant efficiency losses and other incidents, apart from the associated overhead.

Another (possibly useful) Note in this context:
The entry Index Service When looking at the ranking of Energy Consumers (battery) is to me again and again noticed, partly at No. 1 with a capacity of more than 50%! A search revealed that many files, especially of type PDF, a particularly high and long lasting loading of the system cause. Annoying for all whom it may concern. Parking can be all right, but only with root access.

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The fingerprint sensor

hiding under the home button. Unlike the US competition from sunny California the finger does not have to be placed but leveled off, not too fast or slow at a steady pace. Registration (maximum 3 marks can be entered) requires 8 smears and is done in an instant. In everyday life, the system works quickly and reliably, for me at least. Compared to Apple's solution, however, a little less comfortable. Complaints from other reviewers I can not understand for the life here. Even the Apple patent has times a dropout. Currently this feature can only be used to unlock the screen to verify the Samsung account and pay with Paypal app - in my opinion a bit poor. For Apple, however it saves some password entries in the AppStore and can already count in autumn 2014 an explosive expansion of the application possibilities for this feature with Touch ID: developer can then integrate the sensor for each app and Password Manager must their data even other apps pass. With Jailbreak and AppLocker from the Cydia Store Apps can be arbitrarily set to close / open with fingerprint already. As long as Samsung / Google / developers do not correct this, the system on Tab S is not worth much.

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The operating system

is a modified version of Android 4.4.2 aka KitKat. (Timely updates on upcoming releases are expected until further notice.) It is called Touchwiz and offers various gimmicks that are not necessarily always also useful plus strain the system sensitively. One of them is Mulit-Window: Open two, three or four apps side by side, at the same time do this, drag the right edge via a swipe gesture app menu out and then move from there the icon displayed an app into the screen. Firstly, not all apps are supported. Secondly, the app menu may sometimes accidentally leave instead of another, app-specific menus. I have turned off this feature. My recommendation is quite clearly the use of an alternative launcher like ADW or of Nova. This Launcher improve performance noticeably and allow many freedoms that make life easier and allow the Tablet individualize a whole piece. (Root not required!)

SideSync to facilitate the cross over different devices and operating systems Using the Tablet. Unfortunately, it did not succeed to bring this system in any way to work, not with my Galaxy 12.2 tablet, nor neither wireless nor wired with Windows 7.

Useful seems ultra-energy-saving mode in which the system switches to display in the greyscale mode and a limited selection of apps. The settings are reduced to a few points relating to connectivity, localization, tone and brightness. Supposedly a standby time of about 3 weeks would be realized in this way. In the implementation there are still one flaw: The accessible apps. These are namely virtually none at all. Phone, Messages, Clock, Calculator, S Planner and Google+ / Facebook and the in-house Internet browser - more is not possible. To change it is absolutely nothing without root privileges. Here this mode for reading eBooks seems like created.

A very big problem is the internal storage: 16GB today are just not enough, no extra MicroSD one comes not from the S Tab. Now can be stored easily media files such as eBooks, music or videos on the external memory expansion, but not applications that it sometimes in itself when it comes to memory usage. This is especially true for larger, more graphics-intensive games, like the show 1-2GB. The bad news is that a new feature has been introduced with Android KitKat (4.4), which made impossible the sensible and popular move apps to the microSD card. The good news is that it still comes with root access rights, with the notable Programmfolder Mount, that really is worth every penny. (I could not find an alternative date)

If you like the system now crack, which can also do. You be issued on this in the relevant department of the XDA-Developer forum and follow the instructions. (Upload a specific file downloaded, you flash the Odin program.) Is disadvantage: This operation will inevitably lead to the fact that a concrete track is baked in a special security chip. (E-fuse) with a guarantee I would not expect for such a root. And at a return there could be problems. Very unfortunate.

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The Gifts

Samsung has given plenty of effort to offer the buyer the Tab S through various free subscriptions added value. In my view, only two deals of this type significantly: 50GB Dropbox storage for 2 years and 6 months music-Flat in Deezer - not bad (!). 50GB cloud storage with Box, 100GB or even 1TB in RealVideo at Bitcasa is all well and good, but what can you do with it when the subscription expires after 6 or 3 months? Otherwise at Evernote and Marvel Unlimited Premium (A 3 months). When Wall Street Journal you get paid 6 months, the Bloomberg Businessweek Apps is after all one years uneigeschränkt available. As bad joke I would describe the Kindle app for Samsung with the Samsung Ebook Deal. It's true: This app can be once a month free to borrow a book. For July 2014, the one of a selection of 4. Is it better than nothing?

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Ports / connectivity / performance

The wireless connection is excellent - 70Mbit / s (2.4GHz) or 100Mbit / s (5GHz) on my Asus AC router. The Emfpangsleistung the mobile module (LTE) is not available in moderate to poor. On our balcony the Tab S creates just a bar and about 10Mbit / s. iPad and iPhone sparks here with 20Mbit / s and more with 3 or 4 beams. 3G, however, works properly.

My Sandisk 128GB microSD (exFAT) works perfectly (approximately 30MB / s read, 9MB / s write) in Tab S.
The internal memory is read with approximately 30Mb / s as well as described.

If you want to flip the screen image on the monitor or television that is either a Miracast Ready Dongle (it seems to be difficult to find a reliable model) or via a 11-pin MHL HDMI adapter cable. (Ordered online for under 10) Chromecast could be another option in the future - when the Google Tab S support and the screen-mirroring feature of the beta phase out has grown. However, it could still take a while until it is ready.

Battery performance is really good. I was more than 3.5 hours fullscreen HD video over WiFi to stream with less than 50% of the power. (From 50% to 5%, at 50% brightness) Then it took only 70 minutes until the indicator again reached its old level. Caution: The first batch of 5% to 100% has taken me more than 8 hours to complete. No Panic! After the third charge it took not even half as long.

About the cameras to write, is not worthwhile. The quality of the photos is, as so often instructed not outstanding and a good light source. Snapshot Suitable for the Tab S is all. Much more but not also. A little light is available, so that apps to measure the heart rate can be used. (You put this finger so that it covers lights and camera lens at the same time, the summit is on the lens)

The narrow miniature speakers go through as a last resort, that's it.

Oh, and before it falls under the table: you can call the part also still. In the event of cases. Whatsapp is also readily possible if the SIM card for telephony is unlocked.

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Conclusion:

Generally, I think the value for money when S Tab 8.4 unsatisfactory. Who indeed wants a modern, powerful Android tablet, the required 400 or 500 euros but can muster only laboriously, do yourself well to look for in a lower price category. Higher quality materials and a high-end processor would have done the device well. The Touchwiz surface is immature, much is well intentioned but ill-conceived and implemented suboptimal. Especially with an OLED display an extensive color correction would be worth gold.

A great alternative could very soon be the recently published XIAOMI MIPad. Perhaps it might also be worthwhile to take a look at Android tablets with Intel Atom processor.

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The comparison Kindle Fire HDX vs. iPad Mini vs. Tab S 8.4 vs. XIAOMI MiPad

Who has the choice, the agony - it is so beautiful. You probably already own a tablet. Maybe even one of the mini-device class? And now flirting with the Tab S. But there is also still the competition. Where you are now lifted most? That's a question that can not be answered in general but only individually.

Apple's iPad Mini Retina exuberates only so before performance. IOS uses very simple, smooth, everything is butter. Endurance and charging time are top. WiFi, HSPA, LTE - top. The AC standard is not supported (yet). The sleek aluminum body makes it a noble, sophisticated look. In some circles it is even regarded as a status symbol and anyone who shows too freely in public, perhaps risking 'ne thick lip. The app offer is very good, there are plenty of great exclusive games and ways to form. However, virtually all displays discolored slightly: from the center towards the bottom / top of each increasingly yellowish or bluish. The finish is a bit sensitive and can withstand shocks often only with an at least small but ugly Macke. In the hand it is a little heavy and feels thicker than it actually is. The apps are not cheap also taking advantage of the frequent discount offers. It cavort many cheap imitations in the AppStore and a refund is only cumbersome to obtain. The iPad can be good use of Windows, if you know how. But it is better, of course, in connection with MacOS. Who has so far mainly dealing with Windows and Android, will possibly first have a hard time, because Apple make things work a little differently. And then of course you invest time and money to create yourself an app basis. Because its purchased Android and Amazon apps (which often exist as IOS version) you can not take the Apple universe. (Of course also applies in ungekehrten case.) If you want to stream to the TV / Monitor, must again what shell out for the Apple TV, but then has a good, reliable, though not a perfect solution. (Playing spoil a less good image quality, margins and significant delay a little joy) Alternative: An HDMI adapter. The memory capacity is downright outrageously expensive and can not be expanded. But for rapidly: Read 90MB / s / 140MB / s write - top. The system is the most secure of all, but it is locked in every nook and cranny. Each app has its own area, its prison, one might say. (These barriers with the upcoming IOS 8 to be slightly more permeable, while Google has done with the KitKat release a Schrit in the opposite direction.) An app can always only access files in its own area. That always attracts annoying, time-consuming copying of a land app to another by itself. But you get used to many things. What in the Android Root "is called in IOS Jailbreak". A jailbreak there is not, perhaps, or even. Currently there are him. Whether this will be his after the introduction of IOS 8 still is questionable. So it's a matter of luck. With Jailbreak then open the floodgates and IOS is modifiable in almost every conceivable respect, almost as Android. But only almost. For example, widgets do not exist! Basta!

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is, however, a completely different number. Everything is geared towards the Amazon universe. Right he is thin, sleek, all-black, rubberized grip and fits comfortably in your hand. FireOS has the aura of a high-end control panel a HiFi component. Everything is black, discreet, flat, ordered. Ideal for seniors and retirees. Less attractive for lively teenagers. You an be divided on, but FireOS operated excellently, acting liquid and is better for Amazon Prime / Music cloud / cloud customers suitable as all other devices, except for the smaller model, of course. A root access you have to but abschminken, that's just not there. The HDX you have to stop taking the way he is. In Amazon Appstore, the choice is quite limited compared to Android and partly overpriced. Although there are always class action where Amazon apps, books, games and music saugünstig or even for lau skin out. Whoever takes the trouble, will be able to expand the selection by installing otherwise be procured APKs dramatically. But as nice as it gets Android not to be reckoned with limitations and problems. In addition, in some cases an ugly menu tab on the right side, for example on the slopes (Real Racing 3) affects the atmosphere sensitive. (Real Racing 3 is actually an example of a game that (without Tegra) looks much worse under Android and FireOS than iOS.) Exclusively on Kindle Prime customers can even borrow a book every month. The choice is not so hot. Much junk. Equally exclusive is a function that makes it possible to have them read books from a computer voice. What is really interesting is the (currently) but only in the English language that actually surprisingly natural sound and is also well understood. In the HDX-known and proven high-end Snapdragon 800 chip inserted. The performance is not benefiting here but so much, at least not currently. Battery life and charging time are good, the speakers acceptable in between for a game or youtube video. The display is similar to that of the iPhone Mini retina, it tends to be a little green spots voltage at the edges / corners, and is also slightly discolored yellowish. Nevertheless grenades strongly, if one does not attach great importance to clear white and impressive color purity. The screen can be streamed exclusively wirelessly lack connectivity via Miracast to the TV. Like the iPad, no memory card slot is available. However, the end of the story is already in 64GB achieved (instead of 128GB). But the upgrades are cheaper. I really tried to make friends with the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9, but it still gave up at the end. Too much I felt imprisoned and limited. What I liked most was missing were the Google Play Store and the immense, high-quality games offer the Apple AppStore. Now Amazon is anything but idle. Prime customers can soon an - albeit modest - enjoy Music Unlimited. (Who really a big music collection with over 25,000 songs calls his own, by the way best looked after by Amazon: 250,000 titles in the Music Cloud for only 24.99 in Apple demanded as much for 25000 Pieces Google requires a penny.. but already at 20,000 titles is final) Yes, even a proper ebook Flat to be on the march:. unlimited pass reading from a stock of no less than 600,000 books. Really interesting, it should be even with the launch of Amazon Fire-Phone. Would not surprise me if that goes particularly well with the Kindle

The XIAOMI MiPad is just currently available only in the market, and in Europe only as an import unit. However, it is marketed in the not too distant future in this country. I was able to get one of the coveted pieces and would like to briefly bring near the key features of this gem you here. The design of the MiPad leans very heavily on the iPhone 5C. Divorce on the flat plastic look like already at 5C the spirits. In my view it is neither chic nor stylish yet classy and can compete in the point with no comparable instrument of competition. With 8.5mm it is about 0.5mm thinner than the original (iPhone 5C) but considerably thicker than iPad, Kindle and Tab S. Also regarding the weight the MiPad has to admit defeat. The operating system is the XIAOMI modification MIUI is used. To respond to the idiosyncrasies, does not seem worth it, the differences from the standard are too low in my opinion. With a neat launcher (ADW, Nova), there are in operation then only little differences from the Google stock. Updates appear usually weekly, but must separately downloaded, renamed update.zip and install from the internal root directory on the recovery mode. For all other devices that happens very easily in normal operation. What makes the MiPad a truly interesting, serious alternative, is next to the attractive price (currently as an import about 300) the power. In the China Tablet namely lies a Nvidia Tegra K1 processor that has it all. The performance is expressed as compared to the Tab S supple and quite comparable with that of the iPads. Every now and then it comes times to a crash or other irregularities, but these are errors in the operating system and not due to the performance. All games go by Tegra K1 from its full splendor and you will be treated even with exclusive editions such as Trine 2. If the power of Tab S corresponds to a Volkswagen, the MiPad is a Porsche, which passes itself on Kindle and iPad. In addition, the brilliant display, I can only praise in the highest terms. Homogeneity is surprisingly good, the colors shine splendidly. An HDMI connection does not exist, whether MHL works, I have yet to find out. But one benefit to the WLAN standard AC of the increased output current router. The battery is fast charged (approx 3.5 hours) and can it loose up with the competition. Rooting is not a problem and at XIAOMI devices usually a standard feature, which can be easily activated via a system app. When MiPad this security app is lacking, unfortunately, but it would actually soon be one of the upcoming updates, resupplied. A dramatic system for detecting tampering with the system, as developed by Samsung does not seem to be present. The camera creates but better than average photos. Although the MiPad not visually impressive, it is the clear favorite for me. Calling it ugly, I think basically somewhat exaggerated. With a dose of good will, it should be possible to make friends with the appearance. As a reward for giving up extra-loud, rich colors, the Style and prestige factor to get top performance, exclusive games experiences and an excellent display.

So, what does the Galaxy Tab S in addition to the iPad Mini Retina, Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 and the MiPad? It is undoubtedly the lightest, slimmest and stylish flotteste Tablet in this squad. The iPad Mini shines especially quality and resistance, the Kindle primarily seriousness but the Tab S is a true lifestyle product. Schick and welcome guest in every handbag. I would imagine that the design in women arrive particularly well. The display is clearly superior to those of the competition, but is expected to fall not only on sympathy due to the vibrant, strong colors. Performance-wise, the Tab S is neither against the Kindle, the iPad still the MiPad. Unfortunately, "hooked it a little bit. LTE is a bit weak when Tab S on the chest and the speakers are actually inedible. The make Amazon and Apple better in the latter discipline, I see the Kindle as a clear winner. Who on the best possible camera function great value places, comes the iPad and MiPad best way Kindle and Tab S give themselves as much. If the device is often used in conjunction with a TV or monitor, the iPad would be the best choice. Wired should with the Tab S but work just as well.

Inveterate Amazon customers who do not want a Kindle, go to the iPad a little better, because there is a Instant Video app and the music app is fun. Indulge Android seeking man (still) vainly access for an acceptable way to the Amazon Prime video service. (Supposedly to it pretty soon change anything, but are so far and remain the rumors.) And the Amazon Music app spins since the changeover apparently (on the occasion of the introduction of music-Flat in the USA) around. A landscape mode there is no longer so. The complaints pile up, but nothing is happening.

For whom the Tab S is therefore the most appropriate? For all who love freedom and diversity. The mainly use Windows. The love modern and stylish. Where the image is not gaudy, tired, can be black and contrasty enough. Knowing the Android and have settled in domesticated. The not so much a look on the money.

Everything okay 8 Rank: 5/5
October 27
The coolest so far Rank: 5/5
January 23
beautiful statuette 1 Rank: 4/5
November 19
perfect 1 7827 Rank: 5/5
December 28
absolute impudence for the money Rank: 2/5
September 20

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