Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10-inch and 7-inch Review

Both of the Galaxy Tab 2 tablets have rounded edges and corners that make the tablet very comfortable to hold. While the default view for the 7-inch model seems to be portrait mode, the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 2 seems more natural in landscape mode. Still, both tablets can be used in either orientation.

Both tablets have a black bezel that measure about 0.5 to 0.75 inches around the screen. The display found on the 7-inch model supports a resolution of 1024x600 while the 10.1-inch tablet's display supports a resolution of 1280x800. Both displays will collect fingerprints, but neither seemed worse than other tablets we've reviewed lately.

7.0-inch Tab 2 on the left, 10.1-inch Tab 2 on the right

Viewing angles on both tablet's displays are excellent. Working with either one of the tablets outside under direct sunlight, the display was on-par with other devices we've seen: not the greatest, but still readable.

When held in portrait mode, the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2's front-facing VGA camera can be found at the top near the right corner above the display. The left edge of the tablet houses a microSD card slot that's behind a door. The base of the tablet has two speaker ports as well as a proprietary Samsung connector.

On the right edge of the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 2, you'll find the IR port, volume rocker, and power buttons. The top edge of the tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as a microphone hole. The 3.2 megapixel rear facing camera is located in the upper left corner of the back of the tablet.

Galaxy Tab 2 7.0

If you hold the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 2 in landscape mode, you'll see the front-facing VGA webcam above the display near the center. You may also notice two speakers on either side of the display on the top edges of the device.

The bottom edge of the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 2 houses a proprietary Samsung connector. Both the 7-inch and 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 2 use this same connector for charging and for connecting to a computer. The left and right edges of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 are void of any buttons or controls. The power button, volume rocker, microSD card slot, IR port, and 3.5mm headset jack are all located on the top edge of the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1.

Galaxy Tab 2 10.1
Click to enlarge

Like the 7.0-inch model, the back of the 10.1-inch Galaxy Tab 2 has a smooth silver back that won't attract fingerprints. The 3.2megapixel rear-facing camera on the Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 is located in the center of the tablet near the top edge. 

Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 (left), Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 (right)

If you look closely at the connectors found on both Galaxy Tab 2 tablets, you'll notice neither of these tablets offer a micro HDMI or microUSB port. While the lack of these connections may not be a deal breaker to some, having them is especially nice if you travel frequently and want to minimize cords in your bag (if you're like us, you often have a microUSB cable and charger in your bag for other devices). During testing, we found ourselves reaching for our microUSB cable to connect the tablet to our PC out of habit, only to remind ourselves that we had to find the proprietary Samsung cable instead.