Tablet Comparison Table

The Apple iPad effectively had the tablet market to itself for a couple of years year, but now there is a bewildering array of options to consider. To help you choose between the Google Nexus and the new generation of Samsung Tab 2s, we have prepared a chart of specifications.

At first, they can all look pretty similar, but some now have quite significant differentiators. To be honest, some also have significant problems.

Our comparison chart is split into handy tabs for you to compare similar devices side by side.

Smaller tablets

These tablets are physically smaller than the original iPad, which has a 9.7 inch screen. Most of these slates feature 7" screens, ideal for those seeking a more portable device.

There are a lot of products in this area so the cheaper ones have their own page...

And the phablets - small enough to fit a (larger) pocket and doubling as a proper mobile phone - now also get a separate page.



  iPad Mini Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 N5100

Onda V812 Quad Core

Barnes & Noble Nook HD+ Google Asus Nexus 7 Samsung Galaxy Tab2 7 Asus Fonepad ME371MG Amazon Kindle Fire HD Sony Tablet P Archos 80 G9 Turbo  
 



 
Recommended 3 starWhy? 3 starWhy?     3 starWhy?            
Available November 2012 April 2013 January 2013 September 2012 August 2012 May 2012 April 2013 October 2012 November 2011 April 2012 Availability
Operating System iOS 6.0.2

The Google Platform 4.1 Jelly Bean

with S Pen and side-by-side app features

The Google Platform 4.1 Jelly Bean The Google Platform4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) The Google Platform 4.2 Jelly Bean The Google Platform 4.2 Jelly Bean The Google Platform 4.1 Jelly Bean The Google Platform 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich - modified) The Google Platform3.2 (Honeycomb) The Google Platform4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Platform
Display 7.9" LED 8" TFT 8" 9" 7" IPS LCD 7" WSVGA PLS TFT 7" LED WXGA IPS 7" IPS LCD Two 5.5" screens 8" Display
Resolution 1024X768 WXGA (1280 x 800, 189ppi) 1024x768 1920x1280 (256 ppi) 1200x800 1024x600 1280x800
(216ppi)
1200x800 1024x480 - combine to 1024x960 1024x768 Resolution
Apps iTunes App Store (700,000+) Full Google Play Store Full Google Play Store NOOK Apps Full Google Play Store Full Google Play Store + Samsung Apps Full Google Play Store Amazon AppStoreAmazon AppStore Full Google Play Store Full Google Play Store Apps
Camera (front) 1.2 MP 1.3MP 0.3MP No Yes VGA 1.2 MP HD 0.3MP 720p Front camera
Camera (rear) 5 MP 5 MP with LED flash 5.0MP No No 3 MP No No 5MP No Rear camera
Processor 1 GHz Exynos 4412 (1.6 GHz x 4) AllWinner A31 Quad Core Dual Core 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Dual Core 1.2GHz NVidia Tegra 3 Dual Core 1GHz Intel® Atom™ Z2420 1.2 GHz Dual Core 1.2GHz TI OMAP 4460 1GHz Tegra 2 processor OMAP4 smart multi-core ARM CORTEX A9 1.5GHz Processor
Memory 512MB RAM 2GB 2GB 1 GB 1GB 1 GB RAM 1 GB 1 GB 512MB 512 MB RAM Memory
Storage 16 / 32 / 64 GB 16/32GB
microSD (up to 64GB)
16GB + 32GB via TF or micro SD 8GB / 16GB + microSD up to 32GB 16 or 32 GB 8 / 16 / 32Gb + up to 32 Gb on MicroSD 8 / 16GB + up to 32 Gb on MicroSD 16 Gb 4GB + SD/microSD 8GB + microSD Storage
Non-Expandable Non-Expandable Non-Expandable
USB Ports With adaptor micro-USB Yes Yes Yes Need adaptor Micro USB USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) Yes Yes USB Ports
HDMI out With adaptor MHL Port Yes Yes No Via dock No Yes No mini-HDMI HDMI output
WIFI 802,11 a/b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n dual-band MIMO 802.11 a/b/g/n 802.11 b/g/n WIFI
3G / 4G 4G option 4G option No No No No 3G (Micro SIM) No 3G Via Archos 3G USB stick 3G
Battery 4490 mAh 4,600mAh 7-9 hours 9 hrs 10.5 Hrs 4000 mAh 9 Hours claimed on 16 Wh battery 11 Hrs stated 6 hours with WiFi 7 hours video playback Battery
Weight 308g 340g 594g (screen than most, but this is quite heavy) 515g - but it is larger 340g 440g 340g 395g 370g 465g Weight
Flash Support No Yes Yes More or less Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Flash Support
GPS Yes with A-GPS A-GPS (3G/LTE), S-GPS(WiFi) + Glonass No No Yes Yes GPS and Glonass No Yes Yes GPS
Update plans                     Update plans
Comment Review saying the Mini iPad is cool and pretty but the Note 8 does much more

Or buy
from Samsung's "flagship" east London shop

Pressure sensitive S Pen stylus

Review with interest in S Pen & Samsung apps

Review saying the Mini iPad is cool and pretty but the Note 8 does much more

Discussion Board for a number of Chinese "brand" mobile devices

With no cameras and the little carrying eyelet, this looks good for the restaurant waiter to take orders with.

Also maybe good for magazine reading.

    First tablet to hit the mainstream market with an Intel Atom chip   Novelty folding design, but not a great success.

Archos vs Cambridge Sciences as manufacturers

Optional 250Gb internal hard drive increasing weight to 599g

Comments

 

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Platform options (Operating Systems)


Android Jelly Bean 4.2

Ice Cream SandwichThis is quite a minor increment compared to Ice Cream Sandwich, but it has been generally well received. This version of the platform was introduced along with the first tablet to be sold directly by Google - the Nexus 7. One feature that has been particularly well received is the ability to have multiple user-profiles on one device - meaning multiple users can use the device while keeping settings and preferences walled off from each other.


Android Ice Cream (or Ice Cream Sandwich or ICS)

Ice Cream SandwichThis is hoped to be the saviour for Android tablets. It's been launched for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Smartphone in the UK. The source code has also been released, resolving what was looking quite a big issue for Honeycomb. There is so far just one tablet available - and that's in China!


Android 3 Honeycomb

Targeted for tablets. Formally released with Motorola Xoom February 2011: now improved to become 3 .1.


Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Available since December 2010. Does not support dual core processors. Improvements to user interface, speed and battery life.


Android 2.2 Froyo

Available since May 2010 and finally became the most common version on Android smartphones in January 2011. Froyo supports Flash and will allow your tablet (or phone) to work as a WiFi hotspot (if your tablet has 3G support, SIM card and contract.) The importance of these two features in particular makes tablets running earlier versions seem a poor choice.

iOS

This is Apple's wildly successful mobile operating system. While it only works on Apple hardware and does not support Flash, it has withstood the attentions of more (and more demanding) tablet users than any of the alternatives.


Notes

The official Google Play Store now has 600,000 apps (July 2012). However, a number of tablets are not officially recognised by Google who appear to want all devices running Android 2.x to be fully functioning mobile phones, despite their size. As a result, many tablets are not officially permitted access to the market. In most cases, the manufacturer has added some sort of library of their own. Generally, these aren't very successful. However, the more ambitious user can follow reasonably simple instructions to download an unofficial copy of the Android Market and install it. This market should work properly, giving you access to free and paid apps and taking your money in the normal way. However, paid apps are not available in all countries.

Until recently very few of the apps available were optimised for Honeycomb. Developers of the most popular apps, however, have taken the time to optimise their apps: one compendium estimates that there are around 400 apps optimised for Honeycomb (August 2011). It was also recently announced that Honeycomb 3.2 will feature a 'zoom-to-fill' compatibility mode, giving the users a chance to experience non-optimised apps in full screen.

 

Updates:

24 April 2013

Added Asus Fonepad

22 April 2013

Added Samsung Note 8

4 April 2013

Moved RIM Blackberry Playbook to the budget page

31 December 2012

Added iPad Mini and Nook. Moved Note, Tab 1 & Dell Streak.

13 September 2012

Added Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and removed the earlier version of the Archos 80 Gen9

11 September 2012

Added Amazon Kindle Fire HD and Google Asus Nexus 7. Moved Cisco Cius to Limited Sales page

21 February 2012

Archos 80 G9 Turbo replaces Sharp Galapagos A01SH

8 January 2012

Added Samsung Galaxy Note

1 August 2011

Added Cisco Cius, Archos G9 8

27 May 2011

Updated Archos 70 and platform information.

10 May 2011

Added Acer Iconia A100 and Eee Pad MeMo

 

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