Galaxy Tab vs Galaxy Tab 2

Samsung has unveiled an update to its first foray into the world of Android tablets; the Samsung Galaxy Tab. The new 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 ups the ante in just about every way over the original and includes all the technical treats Samsung has gleamed from its tablet efforts to date.
But just how much better is the new Galaxy Tab 2? How does it compare over the original? Is it worth the extra pennies, or is making a saving and grabbing a super cheap second hand Galaxy Tab 1 still a decent enough idea?

Form Factor

Winner: SamTab 2

193 x 122 x 10mm, 344g

Loser: SamTab

91 x 120 x 12mm, 380g

Display

Winner: SamTab 2

7-inch, 1024 x 600, PLS TFT

Loser: SamTab

7-inch, 1024 x 600

Engine Room

Winner: SamTab 2

1GHz dual-core

Loser: SamTab

Samsung Hummingbird

Software

WINNER: SamTab 2

Android 4.0 (Honeycomb) + TouchWiz

Loser: SamTab

Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) + TouchWiz

Imaging

Winner: SamTab 2

VGA front facing, 3MP rear facing

Loser: SamTab 

3MP fixed focus rear facing facing, 1.3 megapixel front facing

Storage

Tie: SamTab

16/32GB + SD

Tie: SamTab 2

8/16/32GB + microSD

Price

Winner: SamTab

Around £200

Loser: SamTab 2

TBC

Battery

Tie: SamTab 2

4,000mAh

Tie: SamTab

4,000mAh

Connectivity

Winner: SamTab

Wi/3G/BT3.0/HDMI/DLNA

Loser: SamTab 2

Bluetooth 3.0, USB 2.0 Host, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Conclusion

No surprises really that the Galaxy Tab 2 claims the throne here. But what we also gleaned from this comparison is that the original is still quite a fighter. The lack of ICS is a bit of an issue, but ultimately the reduced cost still makes it worth thinking about. If however you want the latest and greatest, at a less than premium price (which we presume the Tab 2 will be), then this could be the tablet for you.