Been getting a lot emails from people wanting to buy a tablet this Christmas, mostly as a gift to themselves. The top two contenders are the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab. Here’s a quick guide to all those who asked just to help you make that final decision.
For a more appropriate comparison, we’ll pit the 16GB iPad 3G + WiFi against the 16GB Samsung Galaxy Tab P1000. That should even the playing field for both with the inclusion of the 3G SIM slot.
photo credit: united gadget
Size and Form Factor
At 9.7″ across, the iPad is way bigger than the Galaxy Tab which is only 7″. The difference also reflects on the screen size and over-all weight of the devices.
The iPad is better for watching movies/videos, e-magazines and browsing the web due to the bigger screen real estate. This is more prominent if you are sharing the device with two or more people at the same time. You can place it at some distance and still be able to enjoy what you’re watching or reading.
The Galaxy Tab is better in a more personal setting like reading an eBook. It’s still good with watching videos or web browsing but more on a one-to-one basis. Since it’s also lighter than the iPad, it is easier to hold for a prolonged period of time. While the Galaxy Tab is fine when held with one hand, you’ll need both hands to manage the iPad.
Android Market vs. iTunes App Store
The iTunes App Store is undeniably the king of mobile app market. Both free and paid apps are available in the Philippines. Unfortunately, Google’s Android Market is only limited to free apps in the Philippines and the paid apps are nowhere in sight.
There are 3 times more available apps in the iTunes App Store than in the Android Market so you have a much wider selection with Apple as well.
As for app compatibility, the iTunes App has versions for the iPhone/iPod Touch and another HD version for the iPad. On the Android Market, there could be some resolution compatibility issues with the Galaxy Tab’s screen size and the app’s native resolution.
Support & Warranty
Up until today, the iPad is not officially released in the Philippines so there’s no local warranty to speak of when your device conks out. You’ll either send it back to GreenHills for repair or ship it to Apple Singapore for warranty claims.
With the Galaxy Tab, you can get support and warranty from Samsung Service Centers. If the rumors are correct though, Apple is set to officially release the iPad this month so warranty shouldn’t be a problem after then.
Mobile OS and Feature Differences
The iPad runs on iOS 4 which is specifically made for the device. On the other hand, Android Froyo isn’t really for tablet form factors. You’ll have to wait for Android Gingerbread to get the full compatibility with tablets like the Galaxy Tab.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab’s 2 biggest advantages over the Apple iPad are the camera and the voice calling/SMS features. If these are very important to you, then there’s no contest here. Then, there’s the WiFi tethering on Froyo too (there’s WiFi tethering on the iPad when jailbroken via Cydia).
As a mobile device, the iPad scores points on battery life with up to 10 hours on a single charge. The Galaxy Tab comes at a distant 7 hours.
Multi-tasking is no longer an issue since the latest iOS 4.2 already solved that.
Price and Affordability
The 16GB iPad 3G+WiFi sells for about Php32,000 in the grey market. That’s Php3,000 cheaper than the Galaxy Tab which has a suggested retail price of Php34,990. The iPad 3G can even go down to a much as Php26k in some stores so there’s a huge difference there already.
If you can’t afford the straight cash payment, Smart has a postpaid plan for the Galaxy Tab. At Php2,000 a month, the Galaxy Tab is free and you’re locked to the network for 24 months. That brings you a Php1,000 for unlimited internet a month and Php24,000 for the Galaxy Tab over the 2-year period.
Paired Devices and other Factors
Perhaps, the least obvious among the things to consider when deciding between the two is the use case. What would be the primary use of the tablet and what devices will you pair it with?
If you already own a smartphone (say a Galaxy S), getting a tablet with a smaller form factor may not make sense since the size difference isn’t that much (becomes redundant). If not, then the Galaxy Tab can serve as a tablet and a smartphone at the same time — you’re getting two for the price of one.
If you’re heavy in content consumption, the iPad offers much longer battery life and if you’re always on the road, battery life trumps everything else. Really important if you also bring along a laptop or netbook with limited battery life.
There’s really no clear-cut winner here because the decision will heavily rely on how you will use it. For tablets, I’d put more weight on apps, battery life then price.
Android has widgets
real functionality :))
sir abe, i’ve been reading your blog for years now. it is one of the few sites that i added on my google reader account. so far, i found your reviews fair. what i really like in your article are the inclusion of prices in your review. that way we’ll have an idea of what is the price in our market. by the way can you cover playstation move?
mga february kaya mura na to.
Mr Yuga ano bang tong blog mo pang US o Pilipinas, coz comments here are people who can afford which does no reflect the majority of the mobile users in the phil who are trying to avail the unli just to communicate with others. Ipad or Samsung tabs are useful becoz of paid apps, which of of us cant afford.
i’m not a tech expert but i’m not convinced. this two gadgets have strong probability that will be obsolete as soon as we realize. we are chasing limitless pavements of technological development. yes, i’m out of the topic. but here is what i’d like to say… i hope somebody would consider to give me ipad as gift. galaxy tab is extravagant and i don’t need it.
but i noticed technology now a days are medium of racism and not anymore the color of the skin…
what advocacy for technology are we promoting here?
apple fanboys = 4
apple fanboy haters = 4
android fanboys = 4
like ko ang galaxy tab maybe because of its size..portable..yun nga lang mahal sya..so I go for the archos 70 same size din naman..
@carlo ople: ur such a dumb….
apple is only the first not the BEST
@carlo ople: ur such a dumb….
Gusto ko parin g tab.
“sarap nyong asarin guys, bitter kayo kasi di nyo maafford? hehe”
Napaka-elitista naman ng dating…
Carlo Ople <- he's the guy who said "PGB" or "Patay Gutom Bloggers", hindi ba?
idol ko yang si Carlo Ople, tama din sya sa ECOSYSTEM ng Apple, yung mga kumontra sa kanya mga [insert bad words here] yun whehehe, Yung ecosystem kasi ng Apple products parang “Triangle Defence ng Chicago Bulls” lang yan sa panahon ni M Jordan, Pieppen at Rodman under Phil Jackson
like Steve Jobs said, “if you want porn, get an android’.
what’s wrong with being a fanboy?hehe.the way you comment really shows na inggit lang kayo..hehe..if one can afford to buy a premium Apple device by all means buy it. yung iba kasi dito na nagcocomment doesn’t even own an iPad or any idevices for that matter or nahawakan nyo lang..hehe.. i also have an iPad, iPhone 4, and an MBA 11.6″..sarap nyong asarin guys, bitter kayo kasi di nyo maafford?hehe..i know carlo ople, he’s also from Philmug.ph..
@carlo- saksak mo sa baga apple gadgets mo ulol! eh ano naman kung may blog site sya? pwede na sya magyabang? patayin kita jan eh makita mo!!!
Wew.. Fan boy review. Typical.
OffTopic
Most people does not know who Carlo Ople is. haha
Lagay mo kasi link ng blogs mo Mr. Ople.
OnTopic
I am also planning on purchasing a tablet… The Archos perhaps…
2010 will be the Year of the iPad..just my thoughts hehe
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apple fanboys = 3
apple fanboy haters = 3
android fanboys = 2
@whatif, :D
Yugatech blog although it’s obsolete (design wise) but still its popular at halos lahat ng tech blog pag
kinabitan na ng Apple stuff articles eh pumapalo ang hits pataas..example yung engadget at gizmodo
To imanol agree aq sau. May ipod touch 4 (iOS 4.2) aq at se x10 (android 2.1). Boring po ang iOS compare to android. Halos d q na gnagamit ipod touch q dahil nakakasawa na. Pero out of topic na aq. Hehehe. Hntayn na lang natin ang nxt android tablet or rim playbook. Basta aq d na aq bibili ng iOS devices. Hehe