Apple iPad 2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1: Specifications

Feature	Apple iPad 2	Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1	Verdict?
Operating system (OS)	Apple iOS 4 (upgradeable to iOS 5)	Google Android 3.1 'Honeycomb'	iPad 2
Display size	9.7in	10.1in	Galaxy Tab 10.1
Display technology	Capacitive LED-backlit IPS	Capacitive PLS TFT	Draw
Display resolution	1024x768 pixels	1280x800 pixels	Galaxy Tab 10.1
Multitouch	Yes	Yes	Draw
Front camera	VGA	2 megapixels	Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
Rear camera	0.7 megapixels, no flash	3 megapixels, LED flash, autofocus, geotagging	Galaxy Tab 10.1
Video recording	Yes, 720p HD	Yes, 720p HD	Draw
GPS	Yes	Yes	Draw
Internal memory	16GB, 32GB, or 64GB	16GB or 32GB	iPad 2
Expandable memory	None	None	Draw
Dimensions	241.2 x 185.7 x 8.8mm	256.7.4 x 175.3 x 8.6mm	Galaxy Tab 10.1
Weight	607g	565g	Galaxy Tab 10.1
Application store	Apple App Store	Google Android Market	iPad 2
Processor	Apple A5 dual-core (1GHz)	ARM Cortex A9 dual-core (1GHz)	Draw
RAM	512MB	1GB	Galaxy Tab 10.1
3G	Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models	Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models	Draw
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes	Draw
Bluetooth	2.1 with A2DP	3.0 with A2DP	Galaxy Tab 10.1
HDMI-out	No (Yes, with optional digital AV adapter)	No (Yes, with optional HDTV adapter)	Draw
USB port	No	No	Draw
Quoted battery life	Up to 10 hours	Up to 9 hours	iPad 2
Adobe Flash support	No	Yes	Galaxy Tab 10.1

Design

The iPad 2 is faster, lighter and 33 per cent thinner than the original iPad. It weighs 613g, and comes in both black and white models. The curved design of the back of the iPad 2 makes it comfortable to hold, and it is relatively thin given the size of its screen. The iPad 2 is ideal for use in either portrait or landscape layouts, and its built in accelerometer rotates quickly and without delay.

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is just 8.6mm, thin enough to be described by Samsung as "the world's thinnest mobile tablet". That is ever so slightly thinner than the 8.8mm thick iPad 2. Although a mere 0.2mm doesn't seem like a deal breaker if you're comparing it directly to the iPad 2, the Galaxy Tab 10.1's weight of just 565g is a big deal. The lightweight design makes it easy to use single-handed, and very comfortable to hold for long periods.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 Android tablet is constructed largely from plastic, but still manages to feel extremely well built. The materials used are of a high quality, right from the glossy black bezel surrounding the display, to the soft-feeling, rubber-style plastic that adorns the rear, and the stylish curved edges.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is just 8.6mm thick, and weighs a mere 565g, making it both thinner and lighter than the iPad 2

Display

The 9.7in display of the iPad 2 is bright, crisp and clear and really brings content to life, particularly photos and videos. Though the iPad 2 has the same oleophobic screen coating as the iPhone 4, its larger size means a few taps on the display quickly results in a grubby mess that is hard to clean. The iPad 2 also has another serious flaw — its display is virtually impossible to see in direct sunlight, which is a huge issue on a device that's designed for portability and travel.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 has a slightly larger display at 10.1in, and its resolution of 1280x800 pixels is an improvement over the iPad 2's 1024x768 display. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's screen uses PLS TFT touchscreen technology. Samsung says that the inclusion of PLS (Plane-line-switching) technology gives the Galaxy Tab 10.1 better viewing angles and increased brightness compared with regular IPS screens. For most part that's true, as the Galaxy Tab 10.1's screen is bright and crisp, and can be clearly seen from even the most obscure angles. Sadly, the screen can't escape a common issue with most tablets, including the iPad 2: it quickly becomes a grubby mess after use, and has poor sunlight legibility. The glare also affects use in an office environment under fluorescent lighting.