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Samsung is launching Galaxy Tab S2 tablets in August, 13 months after launching its original Tab S devices in June 2014. The new machines, in 9.7-inch and 8-inch screen sizes, get eight-core processors this time around, which is a jump from the quad-core processors used in the original machines.
The octacore processors in both new Galaxy Tab S2 devices feature four 1.9GHz cores, plus four 1.3GHz cores, combining to provide more performance for applications and processes that are built to take advantage of the architecture. Also included in both tablets are improved Super AMOLED displays, 3GB of RAM, 32 or 64GB of built-in storage that can be expanded with a microSD card to 128GB, an 8-megapixel auto-focus rear camera, a 2.1MP front camera and the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system.
Each model will be offered in WiFi or LTE cellular versions, while both will also include Bluetooth 4.1 BLE connectivity.
The larger 9.7-inch tablet is equipped with a 5,870mAh rechargeable battery, while the 8-inch model includes a 4,000mAh rechargeable battery. The 9.7-inch tablet is 6.65 inches wide, 9.34 inches tall and 0.22 inches thick, and weighs 13.7 ounces, while the 8-inch tablet is 5.3 inches wide, 7.8 inches tall and 0.22 inches thick, and weighs 9.34 ounces.
“The Galaxy Tab S2 is not only our thinnest and lightest tablet of its size ever, it also gives users quick, easy access to a wealth of superior viewing and productivity features,” J.K. Shin, CEO and president of Samsung’s IT and mobile division, said in a statement. “We believe the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is the most complete personal visual device designed for consumers to carry and use anywhere.”
The screens of both devices are configured to provide users with quality viewing angles, screen contrast and brightness ratios for easy reading of digital content, including ebooks, magazines, Web pages and newsfeeds, while reducing scrolling.
The latest versions also include adaptive displays, which automatically adjust gamma, saturation and sharpness based on the application, the color temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting, according to Samsung. A new reading mode automatically modifies the screen’s brightness level to help users read content for longer periods of time without eyestrain.
The Galaxy Tab S2 tablets come preloaded with Microsoft Office Solutions, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, as well as 100GB of cloud file storage via Microsoft OneDrive for two years.
A touch-enabled fingerprint scanner is also included in the new S2 tablets for security, as well as an anti-malware application for added protection.
The original first-generation Galaxy Tab S devices were announced in September 2014, with the 10.4-inch tablet retailing for $629 and the 8.4-inch device priced at $529. The original Tab S tablets ran Android 4.4 KitKat and included 1.3GHz quad-core processors and Super AMOLED displays.