Still a good choice?

[1122334455667788]

Is the tab s2 9.7 still a good choice? Or would you recommend a newer but lower end device?
Obviously the s3 would be preferable, but it does cost a lot more.

 

[yubeie]

I think it depends on what other options you're looking at. Also, what is it that you're looking for in a device..

 

[tuckertje01]

I bought one 5 months ago and don't regret it. Beautiful screen, very quick and battery life is great. Go for it!

 

[chanchan05]

Look at it this way: a mid range tablet from Samsung will perform worse and may or may not get an OS update. The only mid range tablet that may one-up the S2 is the later Tab A 2016 with S Pen (the 9.7inch one), and that's just due to the S Pen's presence if you want it. An alternative is just get an active stylus for the S2.

Looking at other options, I am not seeing anything comparable to Samsung's tablets from other manufacturers at the same size and price, especially since the S2 is an older model. Huawei's M3 looks good but it's 8 inches. The Pixel C is still more expensive last I heard. Asus has a a Zenpad 3S, but seems availability isn't very widespread and maybe more expensive. the Lenovo Yoga 3 is also a bit expensive.

 

[Sir Loyne]

I like my ASUS ZenPad 3S 10 much more than my 8" Tab S2, but I bought the S2 when they first came out so it has the original hardware. It's a lot faster, the speakers are actually useful, it has 64GB of space plus an sd slot and at Amazon it's only $288.

 

[1122334455667788]

I like my ASUS ZenPad 3S 10 much more than my 8" Tab S2, but I bought the S2 when they first came out so it has the original hardware. It's a lot faster, the speakers are actually useful, it has 64GB of space plus an sd slot and at Amazon it's only $288.

That's definitely an option.
Would you say the AMOLED display on the s2 makes a significant difference vs the 3s?

 

[Sir Loyne]

Would you say the AMOLED display on the s2 makes a significant difference vs the 3s?

I put the same video on both the S2 and the 3S and watched them side-by-side using MX Player at full brightness. The AMOLED screen has really black blacks, based on the black bars on the top and bottom of a widescreen movie, but the colors look over saturated. The IPS display doesn't have as black blacks, but the colors look more natural. It also has whiter whites with the brightness turned way up when reading an article online. The S2 has a definite tint to it, and I'm not sure if it's blue or yellow. At 50% the S2 is quite a bit brighter, but at 100% they are even. I use the auto brightness on both and with it on they both have about the same brightness. A couple HD video shorts come on the ASUS, and I've put a 1920x1080 video with a video bitrate of 8560 on it and it looks stunning.

 

[chanchan05]

Basic screen mode on Samsungs are the most color accurate setting.

 

[Sir Loyne]

Basic screen mode on Samsungs are the most color accurate setting.

I've always used Adaptive. I didn't even know there was a Basic. With Basic the colors may look a little more natural, but the whites have even more tint.

 

[Sir Loyne]

Also, The ASUS comes with Marshmallow (which I prefer, so I've turned off system updates), but there IS an update to Nougat. I've read on some sites that it's going to be getting Oreo, as well.

 

[1122334455667788]

Thanks everyone.