Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 Review

hyp4mhz

Welcome to the 2012 Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 GT-P6800 review. This version of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is the model up from the regular Tab 7 Plus which we are trying to buy – purely due to that model having infra-red.  Despite not having infra-red the Galaxy Tab 7.7 is definitely worth a look if you want a mega sized mobile phone or small tablet. In fact this is the biggest question and problem you need to ask yourself. Thankfully you can buy a Wi-Fi only version!

The Galaxy Tab 7.7 phone version would be used for the same thing as our current Galaxy 7 but thanks to its larger screen using it for typing up emails would be even easier.  Like the majority of office workers we leave in the satchel during the work times and it comes out during lunch or on the train if not busy.  Otherwise it’s tethered to our main phone for internet data access. Yes it’s a mobile hotspot and secondary phone, proper ebook reader and internet browser and thanks to the large battery it can work all day.

In terms of construction the new Galaxy Tab 7.7 is very good. Although the 7 inch is probably the optimal size for mobility the 7.7 is not much bigger. The construction is mainly gloss plastic which does feel secure to hold. It still doesn’t beat the HTC Flyer in terms of feeling expensive but at least once you use it that impression falls away. The internal hardware is very good too – all the features you’d expect in a high end phone and tablet!

The screen resolution and AMOLED technology is excellent with great colors and contrast. It makes the iPad1,2 and even the iPad 3 screens appear cheap and under saturated or washed out in color despite their ‘retina display’ technology – which happens to be Samsung’s anyway! See for your self which is true to life and which is not.

The Galaxy 7.7 runs the latest version of Android 3 and includes a telephone dialer with integrated functionality the first we’ve seen for this version of the OS and we enjoyed using it. The galaxy Tab is fast and smooth – probably better than the 10.1 inch versions. There are no lags apart from the usual Android features but when combined with live wallpapers this thing looks like a working prop from Star Trek. Use a wired or blue tooth headset and you won’t need two devices. With built in A-GPS it works brilliantly as a mobile GPS navigator you can actually read the screen

You may enjoy repeating the often quoted disadvantage of the 7.7 being too big for a phone we say STOP following the crowd. A lot of arguably reputable websites claim this as a disadvantage and debase it because of size but we have lost any respect for them now and so should you. The same websites who said the iPhone was too big and missing the point of Netbooks and tablets!

This is a short and sharp review because we understand the concept of the Galaxy Tab 7.7 phone/tablet. One device – a tablet and phone that’s just about the right size for everything aka very portable. Install a infra-red transceiver and it can control any home theater system too!  Sure Samsung should have designed the case to be more stylish but I’m sure they’re working on that for the next version. Note we still prefer the Galaxy Tab 7 but this the next best thing.

Specifications

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 (Phone version)
  • Network
    Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
    Quad-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100 (dependent on country)
    HSDPA 10.2 Mbps data speed (download)
    HSUPA 2 Mbps (upload)
  • Design
    Touch screen
  • L196.7 x W133 x D7.89 mm
  • Weight 340 grams
  • Display/s
    7.7 inch 1,280 x 800 AMOLED
  • Camera
    3MP auto-focus
    LED Flash
    2nd video call camera 2MP
    Forward facing camera for video calls.
  • Video Camera
    720p high definition 30FPS main video camera
  • Connectivity
    Wi-Fi
    Bluetooth V3
    GSM and 3G networks
  • CPU
    1.4 Ghz
    Separate Graphic CPU
  • Memory
    1Gig RAM
    16 or 32 Gig for user
    Up to 32Gig micro-SD expansion
    Ring tones
    MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
  • Features
    A-GPS
    AndroidApp store
    Samsung App store
    Free Google Navigator (requires data plan)
    Compass
    Accelerometer
    Proximity
    Ambient Light
    Dolby Digital
    Music and Media player
    MS-Word, Excel and Powerpoint, PDF, ZIP compatible
    Organiser/Calender
    SMS, MMS, IM, Email
    Speaker Phone/Hands free
    Li-Po 5,100 mAh battery
    Up to 1500 hours Standby
    Up to 10 hours Talk Time
  • Price history
    Approx $800 AUD late 2012 (Outright)