The question of what tablet to choose is just as important a decision as any. The problem is that there are so many options out there – different brands, models, screen sizes – that the selection of a tablet for your personal tech arsenal can quickly become a nightmare of indecision. To help speed along that process, we're taking two of the most popular tablets out there – the iPad Air and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S – and doing a side-by-side comparison. Here's what you need to know about the differences between the two devices.
Size
- iPad Air: The device is 6.6 inches wide and 9.4 inches long.
- Galaxy Tab S: The Tab S – which is available for preorder now – will be available in two sizes, one with an 8.4 inch screen and the other with 10.5 inches.
Silhouette
- iPad Air: Clocks in at a very slim .29 inches of depth.
- Galaxy Tab S: Despite Apple being known for the sleek designs of its devices, in this case, the Tab S actually has Apple beaten, with its device coming in at .26 inches, making it an extraordinarily sleek device and one that appears to be beating Apple at the game of compaction.
Expandable storage
- iPad Air: Doesn't have it. According to ValueWalk, 128GB is the maximum you can get with the Air.
- Galaxy Tab S: Although it only comes in 16GB or 32GB models, the Tab S is built to accommodate extra storage using a MicroSD Card.
App selection
- iPad Air: The device offers a whole host of extremely user-friendly built-in apps, including Safari, FaceTime, iMessage and, of course, Siri. In addition, there's the option to download, for a small price, apps like GarageBand, iMovie and iTunes U.
- Galaxy Tab S: Samsung's website does not say what apps the Tab S will have on it, but if other Galaxy devices are any indicator, users can expect a smattering of Android apps which promise to get the job done.
Display
- iPad Air: 2,048 x 1,536 pixels.
- Galaxy Tab S: Considering that Apple usually represents the cream of the crop when it comes to pristine visual displays, it may come as a shock to many that the Tab S will actually feature a greater number of pixels, checking in at 2,560 by 1,600 pixels.
Overall ease of use
- iPad Air: This device has time on its side, having already solidified a loyal customer base. By and large the reviews of the Air have been highly positive, with Trusted Reviews giving it a 10/10 and crowning it the Best Tablet of 2013.
- Galaxy Tab S: Although it has yet to debut – and therefore hasn't been formally put to the test – all signs point to this being a device whose ease of use will rival iPad Air and create the kind of competition that can only mean a better product for the customer.
Regardless of which device you get, the need for a repair may likely arise. If you find yourself in need of a Samsung or iPad repair, you know where to go.