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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 review

7.3/10 AVG.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
...


7.3/10
Informr score
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 currently has an Informr score of 7.3 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 40 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

Since the launch day of the first Apple iPad, many different Android-powered tablets have come and gone. In fact, there are models that got released as entirely different products even though they carried identical specs and are made by the same company. Such is the case of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1, which was released recently to a world that ended up getting confused. How exactly is it different from Samsung’s other tablet offerings, especially the Samsung Galaxy Tab?

The Note 10.1 may look and even feel just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the rest of Samsung’s other Android-powered tablet offerings, but it is unique in at least two ways. One, it comes equipped with a slightly more powerful processor and more onboard RAM at 2GB. And two, it features a handy stylus, which for certain use cases is much better than simply using the touchscreen display for user input.

The base model comes with 16GB of internal storage space and Wi-Fi connectivity. And it also comes in a 3G variant with the same amount of internal storage. Overall, it is pretty feature-packed in terms of hardware, even if the screen is a little disappointing when it comes to native resolution. But Samsung makes up for it by giving us a special split-screen functionality that will allow anyone to run certain apps side by side, at the same time.

Despite the confusion, this tablet turned out to be an excellent addition to Samsung’s Android-powered range. The default operating system is Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. But even before an update to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean finally becomes available—which it will—it’s fair to say that we have a real competitor to Apple's iPad.

Need To Know: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

1. Faster processor and more RAM allow better overall performance than Samsung’s own Galaxy Tab. (The Good)

2. Split-screen feature brings multi-tasking to a whole new level. (The Good)

3. The default operating system no longer the latest version of the Android software. (The Bad)

4. Built-in storage is limited to just 16GB per unit and the screen’s native resolution could have been better. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1.4 GHz
Processor
Processor
1.4 GHz
10.1"
Screen Size
Screen Size
10.1"
3+ MP
Camera
Camera
3+ MP
7000 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


PC Pro
PC Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition is a top-quality tablet. It's as fast as a Kindle Fire HDX, has a good screen, decent great battery life, stylus support and expandable memory, along with infrared, universal remote-control support.It's expensive for an Android tablet: at £399, this ta...

- Jonathan Bray, PC Pro
BitBitByte
BitBitByte

At $499 the Galaxy Note 10.1 is far from cheap (and that’s on contract even). Also, the display is lower resolution than many competing high-end Android tablets (and even a growing number of Android phones now). Video buffs and those looking for a more premium (looking and feeling) piece of ha...

- Mike Norris, BitBitByte
BitBitByte
BitBitByte

At $499 the Galaxy Note 10.1 is far from cheap. Also, the display is lower resolution than many competing high-end Android tablets. Video buffs and those looking for a more premium piece of hardware will be better served by devices like Google’s Nexus 10 tablet or Acer’s Iconia Tab A700...

- Mike Norris, BitBitByte
Laptop Mag
Laptop Mag

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- Daniel Howley, Laptop Mag
SlashGear
SlashGear

With the Galaxy Note 10.1 you’ve got another excellent entry into the Samsung hero line of Note devices. This remains the largest Note-branded smart device on the market, and is now part of the 4G LTE family as well. Samsung continues to be the biggest opponent for the iPad on the market and – if th...

- Chris Burns, SlashGear


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Quick view

Screen Size
10.1"

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1's screen size is 10.1 inches with 1280 x 800 pixels resolution.

Processor
1.4 GHz

There is a Quad-core 1.4 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The tablet runs on the Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (Update Available: 4.4 KitKat) operating system (OS).

Camera
3+ MP
You can take photos with the phone's onboard 3+ MP camera. There is also a secondary front facing camera with 2+ megapixels resolution.
Storage
16/32/64 GB

Internal memory is 16/32/ 64 GB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
7000mAh

The tablet is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 7000 mAh battery. Samsung's performance ratings are 10 hours Wi-Fi surfing.

Galaxy Note 10.1 Specs

Overview
Release Date August 17, 2012
Regions Available USA
Operating System Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (Update Available: 4.4 KitKat)

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Quad-core 1.4 GHz
Internal Storage 16/32/64 GB
RAM 2 GB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
SAR Unknown
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Stylus
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+
Mobile / Cellular Data
4G/LTE
Wi-Fi Calling Unknown
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) Unknown
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Yes
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared Yes
Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC, aptX
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
3+ Megapixels
Zoom
No
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Main Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, ISO, Panorama, Self-portrait, Self-timer, Smile detection, Cartoon, Scene Mode, Exposure Value
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV, DivX, FLV, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
2+ Megapixels
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels
Pixel density 149 pixels
Size 10.1 inches
Sensors Ambient Light, Motion / Accelerometer, Gyroscope
Backlit Illumination Yes
Zoom / Magnification Yes
Screen Orientation Lock Yes
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 7000 mAh
Removable Battery No
Wireless Charging No
Fast Charging No
Battery Charge Time 4 hours
Video Playback Time Up to 9 hours
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Up to 10 hours
Internet Use (Cellular) Up to 8 hours
Standby Time Up to 86 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Material Plastic
Colors Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 25.7 x 17.5 x 0.9 cm (10.1 x 6.9 x 0.4 in)
Weight 583 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Touchscreen Yes
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Physical keyboard No
Text-to-Speech Yes
Screen Reader Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock Yes
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Graphics: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: OTA
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: AAC, AAC+, AMR, eAAC+, MIDI, MP3, OGG, WMA, WAV
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, AVI, DivX, FLV, H.264 / AVC, MPEG-4, WMV
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: Yes
Vibration Alert: Yes
Viewable document types: XLS, RTF, PPT, PPTX, DOC, DOCX, PDF, TXT
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
To-Do / Task List, Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, Maps, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Samsung GT-N8013, Galaxy Note 10.1 Wi-Fi
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Reviews
Where to buy Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1
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