The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7-inch is the third generation 7-inch Android tablet by Samsung, but that does not mean it brings a lot of innovation to the table. In fact, it is a mild upgrade with only slight improvements among which the biggest is the fact that it has a thinner bezel making the whole device much easier to hold. The version we test in this preview has an earpiece so you can use the tablet just like a smartphone to make phone calls and use cellular data when you insert a SIM card.
Unfortunately, the tablet did not get a better screen yet again – while other extremely affordable tablets like the Nexus 7 use a much better screen, Samsung decided to go with the same uninspiring low-res display it used nearly three years ago! Technology however has moved a lot. Let’s see whether the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 moved along or stood still.
Design
For its design, the Galaxy Tab 3 has adopted the new “Samsung look”. That means it is all plastic with a single physical home key surrounded by a menu key on the left and a back button on the right (on-screen buttons are gone), and the rear camera is positioned in the top center.
Design and dimensions are where the Galaxy Tab 3 has evolved the most as it has gotten lighter with a weight of 0.66 pounds (302 g) compared to the 0.75lb (344 g) on its predecessor. It’s also gotten a narrower bezel, saving you a total of 0.44 inches (1.13cm) on the Y axis. Having a slightly lighter and slightly more compact device seems like a small benefit, but in reality it make a huge difference in daily use. You can hold the device longer and easier with one hand - great for those who love to take long strolls on the web, watch a movie or read a book.
Otherwise, the 7” Tab 3 is a fairly thick slate by today’s standards measuring a considerable 9.9mm (0.39 inches). On the sides there is the lock key and volume rocker on the right and a microSD and SIM card slots on the left.
Display
One thing we wish Samsung upgraded in this tablet is the 600 x 1024 pixel 7.0 inch display. Sadly, the screen has not changed and this year again users have to detail with a fairly low level of detail that is especially noticeable when you try to read text when zoomed out. Pixel density comes at around 170 ppi.
What we have in our hands is an early prototype of the Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 so we could not really draw any conclusions about the screen quality.
Otherwise, at the time being, colors look punchy and vivid, and viewing angles are wide, all things that we like about this screen.
Interface and Functionality
The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean and while that’s not the latest Android it is just one small step behind 4.2. Samsung has sprinkled its usual TouchWiz flavor on top, adding to the stock experience.
Some might like it and others might not, but it remains one of the easily recognized UIs out there with its cartoony looks and nature-inspired effects. Among the highlights of the TouchWiz skin are the redesigned notification shade that integrates important quick-access buttons for common settings and most importantly a convenient brightness slider.
This handset does support a SIM card and good news is you can actually use it not just for data, but also to make phone calls and send text messages. It might seem a bit weird to do this on a 7-inch device, but if your phone battery has died or if you love to experiment, then why not? The contacts application differs from what you might have seen on Galaxy phones. Here, it is optimized for the larger tablet screen and has two columns, one for the contact names and another one for contact information.
Texting is a mixed bag
Texting is a mixed bag. On one hand you have a larger screen than a phone with a larger keyboard that allows you to type quicker and more accurately. On the other hand, it’s still a pretty large device and you’d need to hold it in two hands to type.
Samsung is also bundling its signature apps: S Voice, S Planner, S Memo, ChatOn, Мusic/Learning/Video Hub, AllShare Play, Group Play and Samsung Apps. We definitely like the S Planner rich calendar experience and the fact that it easily integrates your Facebook events for instance, and ChatOn has also grown to be a good cross-platform instant messenger.
Processor and Memory
The tablet uses a dual-core chip, but now it runs on a 1.2GHz dual-core chip with 1GB RAM. That should definitely be enough to run the low-res screen and allow you to play basic games on the Play store lag-free. For heavier gaming loads however, it does not seem like this is the right device.
It’s hard to judge the actual performance just yet. We had an early prototype that we are certain will change a lot until it arrives to users.
Speaking of memory, the Tab 3 will come in two models - one with 8GB of internal storage and another one featuring 16GB. Luckily, that memory is expandable via microSD cards of up to 64 GB.
Internet and Connectivity
Browsing the web
With its SIM card slot, the tablet supports HSPA connectivity with downlink speeds of up to 21Mbps. That is great for travelers wishing to use the web on the go.
You have two browsers pre-loaded. One is Google’s Chrome and the other is the stock Android browser. With Android 4.1 Jelly Bean support for Adobe Flash has been killed, so you might see blank spots on some web pages.
The tablet also supports dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and can beam data to external screens via Wi-Fi Direct or DLNA. In addition, it also supports Bluetooth 3.0, A-GPS and GLONASS.
Camera
The Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is not a photography-oriented device in any conceivable way, but it does feature both a rear and a front-facing camera. On the back, there is a 3-megapixel shooter that can record 720p video. Our non-final prototype doesn't capture the proper photos and videos, so we will show you its camera quality when we do a review based on a final unit.
We appreciate that Samsung includes a 1-megapixel front camera. We might not use the rear camera to snap photographs on a tablet, but the front camera will come to good use in video conferencing apps like say Skype.
Your audio needs are handled by the Google Play Music app
Multimedia
A 7-inch tablet is the perfect sidekick to keep you entertained on trips and you can watch movies in virtually all formats. The Galaxy Tab 3 does not surprise with anything - it’s got the typical rich in features Samsung video and music players.
The stock Samsung video player managed to play DivX/Xvid videos at around native resolution, but struggled opening 1080p clips.
The music application sorts your catalog by songs, artists, albums and genres, and neatly it has a by-folder view. Sound output via the two speakers on the bottom is definitely loud and it even has some depth to it.
Expectations
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 7.0 is a cute little tablet introducing a more compact form factor and lighter weight to the series - small changes that make a big difference in daily use. The fact that it includes a version supporting phone calls and cellular data connectivity is definitely a bonus.
Apart from that, though, the device is essentially the same as last year’s Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, and most disappointingly it has the same uninspiring screen. It would hardly make any sense to upgrade unless you value form. Samsung still has to polish some rough edges present in this prototype, but we’re certain it will. Then, for tablet newcomers, this might turn out to be a good entry-point device.
Victor, a seasoned mobile technology expert, has spent over a decade at PhoneArena, exploring the depths of mobile photography and reviewing hundreds of smartphones across Android and iOS ecosystems. His passion for technology, coupled with his extensive knowledge of smartphone cameras and battery life, has positioned him as a leading voice in the mobile tech industry.
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