Samsung’s affordable Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (first look)

Samsung Electronics Australia has announced the second-generation Galaxy Tab A 8.0. It builds on the Galaxy design legacy, featuring a refined look and feel with a sleek, metal body and smooth rounded edges.

I am a fan of Android tablets if only as content consumption devices. I keep a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 beside the couch to read the news, look up movie reviews and surf the net.

But the fully featured  S3, S Pen and keyboard is perhaps overkill and I have been admiring the very much lower cost Galaxy Tab A series and in particular, its new 8” second generation version that has just been released in time for Christmas at $329. I suspect my “kidults” will each want this under the tree.

Garry McGregor, Director, IT and Mobile, Samsung Electronics Australia, said, “Samsung wants Australians to have a choice when it comes to the technology they use, and ensure it meets their unique needs. The Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is designed for the whole family. It is the tablet that is easy to use whether you’re out and about or curled up on the couch, with long-lasting battery life to get everyone through the day.”

Samsung Galaxy Tab A (second generation) Specifications

Galaxy Tab A 8.0
Dimensions 212.1 x 124.1 x 8.9 mm
Weight 360g (Wi-Fi)
364g (4G)
Display 8.0-inch WXGA (1280 x 800, 16:10) TFT, 480nits, TFT LCD
Processor Quad-Core 1.4GHz
OS Android 7.1
Memory 2GB (RAM) + 16GB (9.6GB user-accessible)
Micro SD up to 256GB (sold separately)
Camera Front: 5MP FF f/2.2
Rear: 8MP AF f/1.9 with Flash
Battery 5,000mAh up to 14 hours
Port USB 2.0 (Type C)
3.5mm audio jack
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct,
Bluetooth v4.2
Colour Black, Silver
Price Wi-Fi $329 and Wi-Fi/4G $429
URL Wi-Fi http://www.samsung.com/au/tablets/galaxy-tab-a-wifi-sm-t380/
URL Wi-Fi/4G http://www.samsung.com/au/tablets/galaxy-tab-a-2017-80-t385/

It is kid friendly too

Created for the entire family, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 comes with an expansive offering of entertainment media and kids content:

  • Kids Mode features exciting games, videos and content from partners such as The LEGO Group Kids Mode now also features Value Pack options so users can download highly popular apps like LEGO Batman: Beyond Gotham, LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin, Toca Hair Salon 3 and BRIO World – Railway at no additional cost.
  • Optimised for gameplay with Game Launcher, the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 provides an enhanced user interface and personalised gaming experience with more gaming tools, as well as a Call and Notification Prevention Mode so users can focus on their games without interruption.
  • Galaxy Tab A 8.0 provides access to entertainment as part of a three month YouTube Red trial. YouTube Red provides an uninterrupted viewing experience free of commercials and advertisements, Offline Mode capabilities to watch and download videos and access to exclusive content such as YouTube Red Original movies and series.

From

Wi-Fi and 4G models are now available in black from Samsung-branded retail stores, the Samsung Online Store, and JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, The Good Guys, Officeworks and, Bing Lee. The black 4G model is currently available from Vodafone & Optus. Telstra will launch black and silver 4G models from 26 December 2017.

Gadget Guys take

Good quality, long lasting and a very useful as a content consumption device – use it as an Kindle style e-reader as well.