Is bigger better?
The most obvious and one of the most important aspects to consider is size. If you have an on-the-go lifestyle, either of the 7-inch Tabs could be the best option. Compared to the 10.1's 0.34-inch depth, the original Tab and the 7.0 Plus are a little bit thicker, at 0.47-inch and 0.39-inch respectively. However, placed next to each other, you'll notice how much larger the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is. Three inches doesn't sound like much, but it's still a substantial increase over the base model's 7-inch expanse.
While it's true that 7-inch tablets fit more easily inside purses and even coat pockets, the 10.1 is still quite light; at 1.25 pounds, it still won't weigh you down much. If the size of the screen matters to you, don't worry — the 10.1 is still convenient to carry around. Obviously, if you prefer an intermediate tablet between the two sizes, then 8.9 fits the bill. It's the same thickness as the 10.1 but a bit lighter, at 1.04 pounds.
The 10.1 and the 8.9 tablets have screens with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution, while the 7-inch Tabs' screens have a lower resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels that's standard for their size. It's pretty simple to choose if screen real estate is of prime importance to you — just get the largest tablet (or the biggest one that fits your budget).
Under the hood
Do you tend to keep a lot of large files such as movies and videos on your mobile device? The 10.1 has a 64GB version available as an upgrade from the 16GB and 32GB ones, although it has no expandable card slot. All the other Galaxy Tabs are only available in 16GB and 32GB models, but the original Tab and the 7.0 Plus can at least accommodate microSD cards to provide up to 32GB in additional, removable, and swappable storage capacity.
The three newest Galaxy Tabs (the 10.1, 7.0 Plus, and 8.9) run Android Honeycomb and have 1GB of RAM. The exception is the original 7-inch Tab, which is equipped with Froyo and only has 512MB of storage. This means the three 2011 models have more advanced software and can handle multitasking better than the very first 7-inch Tab, which is to be expected, since the 7.0 Plus is a revamp of the first Galaxy Tab.
Planning to use your Tab for video calls or to take pictures when the need arises? There's no difference to worry about — all models have 3-megapixel rear-facing and 2-megapixel front-facing cameras.
Rated battery life is pretty impressive for all models, with the 10.1 and the 8.9 promising up to nine hours of video playback, the 7.0 Plus promising up to eight hours, and the original Tab up to seven hours. Remember, though, when it comes to surfing the web, using 4G or 3G will drain your battery faster than using Wi-Fi.
Connectivity, price, and carriers
Aside from the 7.0 Plus, all the other models have Wi-Fi-only versions that are cheaper than those with 3G, HSPA+ 4G, or 4G LTE connections. If you don't spend long stretches of time away from places with Wi-Fi, or if you have a phone or a device that can act as a mobile hotspot, you may not need a tablet with mobile broadband. However, if you do need mobile internet, you can take your pick among several plans offered by U.S. carriers.
The Galaxy Tab 10.1 is available on T-Mobile for $399.99 up front after a $50 mail-in rebate, with an HSPA+ 4G data plan starting at $29.99 per month. You can also get it from Verizon for $530 with the carrier's 4G LTE plan for $30 per month on a two-year contract. Sprint offers the wifi version of the 10.1, which it explicitly advertises together with its 4G mobile hotspot devices.
You can get the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 from AT&T with 4G LTE connectivity for $629.99 without commitment or $479.99 with a two-year contract that will run you $35 per month. T-Mobile, on the other hand, offers the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for a down payment of $249.99 with an HSPA+ 4G data plan on a two-year contract.
If you still prefer getting the original 7-inch Galaxy Tab even though the 7.0 Plus is now available in the United States, all four major carriers — AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile — offer the device. As it's the oldest Galaxy Tab, make sure to look out for price cuts. If budget is your biggest concern, a deep enough discount could compensate for the original Tab's shortcomings. No-contract, Wi-Fi-only, and 3G versions of all the tablets are available through various retail stores like Amazon and Best Buy.
Make a confident choice
Faced with a herd of lookalikes, choosing the right Samsung Galaxy Tab can seem like a daunting task. Do you value screen size or is budget your main concern? Maybe you just want something on the pocketable side. Get in touch with your needs, and you'll be able to sift through Samsung's army of tabs to make a decision with confidence.
Usatoday.com
