Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro Series Hands-on Review

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series are high-end tablets designed for productivity and entertainment. These devices target professionals, students, and anyone looking for a powerful and versatile tablet experience. The Note Pro series stands out with its included S Pen stylus, enabling users to take notes, draw, and interact with the tablet in a more intuitive way. Meanwhile, the Tab Pro series focuses on a sleek and portable design, ideal for those who prioritize portability and a premium look.

Hands-on reviews are crucial for understanding the user experience of these devices. They offer a deeper insight into the tablet’s performance, software features, and overall usability, providing a realistic perspective that goes beyond technical specifications. This hands-on review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and overall value proposition.

Key Features and Target Audience

These tablets are packed with features designed to cater to their specific target audiences.

• Samsung Galaxy Note Pro: This series is ideal for professionals and students who require a powerful tool for note-taking, sketching, and productivity. The S Pen stylus enables users to take handwritten notes, draw intricate diagrams, and even control the tablet’s interface with precision. The large display provides ample space for multitasking and working on complex projects.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro: This series is geared towards individuals who prioritize portability and a premium experience. Its sleek and lightweight design makes it perfect for carrying around, while its high-resolution display delivers stunning visuals for entertainment and multimedia consumption.

Significance of Hands-on Reviews

Hands-on reviews are valuable for several reasons:

• Real-world experience: They provide a realistic understanding of how the device performs in everyday use, unlike technical specifications that often focus on theoretical capabilities.
• Software features: Hands-on reviews highlight the usability and effectiveness of the tablet’s software features, including its operating system, pre-installed apps, and user interface.
• Overall usability: They assess the device’s ergonomics, screen quality, and overall user experience, providing a holistic perspective on its strengths and weaknesses.

Design and Build Quality

Both the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series showcase Samsung’s commitment to premium design and build quality. However, there are subtle differences in their aesthetics and construction that cater to different user preferences.

The Note Pro series, known for its productivity-focused features, leans towards a more professional and sophisticated design, while the Tab Pro series emphasizes a sleek and modern aesthetic that’s perfect for entertainment and everyday use.

Material and Size

The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series utilize a combination of premium materials to achieve a balanced blend of durability and elegance. The Note Pro series typically features a metal frame and a glass front, while the Tab Pro series may opt for a plastic back to reduce weight and enhance portability.

• The Note Pro series generally boasts larger displays, often exceeding 12 inches, making them ideal for multitasking and content consumption.
• The Tab Pro series, on the other hand, tends to feature slightly smaller displays, typically ranging from 10 to 12 inches, offering a more compact and manageable form factor.

Weight and Portability

The larger size and premium materials of the Note Pro series contribute to a heavier weight compared to the Tab Pro series. This difference in weight is particularly noticeable when holding the devices for extended periods.

• The Tab Pro series, with its smaller size and potentially lighter materials, offers a more portable experience, making it easier to carry around for everyday use.
• The Note Pro series, while heavier, provides a more substantial feel in the hand and a sense of stability, especially when using the S Pen for extended periods.

Build Quality and Durability

Both the Note Pro and Tab Pro series boast excellent build quality, characterized by sturdy construction and attention to detail. The metal frames on the Note Pro series contribute to a robust feel and increased durability, while the plastic back on the Tab Pro series might be slightly more susceptible to scratches and dents.

• The Note Pro series often features a premium metal frame, adding to its durability and giving it a more solid and substantial feel.
• The Tab Pro series, with its plastic back, might be slightly more prone to scratches and dents, especially with frequent use.

Physical Layout and Button Placement

The physical layout of the Note Pro and Tab Pro series is designed for optimal user experience, with buttons strategically placed for easy access and intuitive navigation.

• Both series typically feature a power button, volume rocker, and a home button on the front or side of the device, depending on the model.
• The Note Pro series, with its S Pen functionality, often includes a dedicated S Pen slot on the side or top of the device for easy access and storage.

S Pen Integration (Note Pro Series)

The Note Pro series stands out with its integration of the S Pen, a pressure-sensitive stylus that enhances productivity and creativity. The S Pen is seamlessly integrated into the design, offering a natural and comfortable writing experience.

• The S Pen slot is typically located on the side or top of the device, allowing for easy access and storage.
• The S Pen is designed for precise input and can be used for writing, drawing, annotating, and interacting with the device’s interface.

Display

Both the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series boast impressive displays, offering vibrant visuals and sharp details for an immersive viewing experience. The display technology, resolution, and screen size vary across the models, each catering to specific needs and preferences.

Display Technology, Resolution, and Screen Size

The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series feature a range of display technologies, resolutions, and screen sizes. Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications:

• Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (2014): This model sports a 12.2-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering a pixel density of 247 ppi. It’s a large screen with a high resolution, ideal for productivity tasks and multimedia consumption.
• Galaxy Note Pro 10.1 (2014): This model features a 10.1-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering a pixel density of 299 ppi. The smaller screen size and higher pixel density make it more suitable for portability and sharper visuals.
• Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 (2014): This model shares the same 12.2-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels as the Note Pro 12.2, resulting in a pixel density of 247 ppi.
• Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 (2014): This model also features a 10.1-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering a pixel density of 299 ppi.
• Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 (2014): This model comes with an 8.4-inch Super Clear LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 359 ppi. The smaller screen size and higher pixel density offer sharp visuals in a more compact form factor.

The Super Clear LCD technology ensures vibrant colors, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles. The high resolution and pixel density result in crisp and sharp images, text, and videos, making them ideal for multimedia consumption, reading e-books, and browsing the web.

Display Performance in Different Lighting Conditions

The displays on the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series perform well in various lighting conditions.

• Outdoor Visibility: The displays are bright enough to be visible even in direct sunlight, thanks to their high brightness levels. However, the glossy finish can cause reflections, making it slightly harder to view content in extremely bright environments.
• Low Light Conditions: The displays adjust automatically to low light conditions, providing comfortable viewing experience without eye strain. The black levels are deep enough to enhance the contrast and visual depth in dark scenes.

S Pen Accuracy and Responsiveness for Drawing and Note-taking

The Galaxy Note Pro series includes the S Pen, a pressure-sensitive stylus that enhances the note-taking and drawing experience. The S Pen offers remarkable accuracy and responsiveness, making it feel natural and intuitive to use.

• Pressure Sensitivity: The S Pen supports multiple levels of pressure sensitivity, allowing users to vary the thickness and opacity of lines, just like a real pen. This enables precise and detailed drawing and note-taking.
• Responsiveness: The S Pen’s responsiveness is excellent, with minimal lag between pen strokes and on-screen rendering. This makes it a pleasure to use for drawing, sketching, and taking notes, providing a seamless and fluid experience.

The S Pen’s accuracy and responsiveness make the Galaxy Note Pro series a powerful tool for professionals, students, and artists alike. It enhances the note-taking experience, enabling users to capture ideas, sketches, and handwritten notes with precision and detail.

Performance and Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series are known for their powerful performance and long-lasting battery life. This section dives into the specifications and real-world performance of these devices, comparing their processors, RAM, storage, and battery life.

Processor, RAM, and Storage

The processor, RAM, and storage capacity significantly influence a device’s performance, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and video editing.

• The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (2014) was equipped with an Exynos 5 Octa 5420 processor, coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The Tab Pro 12.2 (2014) offered the same specifications. These devices delivered smooth performance in everyday tasks, but they might struggle with demanding applications.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (2015) featured a more powerful Exynos 7 Octa 7580 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 64GB of internal storage. The Tab Pro S (2016) came with an Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of internal storage. These devices offered significantly better performance, handling demanding tasks with ease.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 10.1 (2014) featured an Exynos 5 Octa 5420 processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. The Tab Pro 10.1 (2014) had the same specifications. These devices provided decent performance for everyday tasks but might encounter some lag when handling demanding applications.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 8.4 (2014) came with an Exynos 5 Octa 5420 processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. The Tab Pro 8.4 (2014) offered similar specifications. These devices provided a smooth experience for everyday tasks, but their performance might be limited in demanding applications.

Battery Life, Samsung galaxy note pro and galaxy tab pro series hands on review

The battery life of a tablet is crucial for extended usage, especially for tasks like reading, watching videos, and browsing the web. The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series offer impressive battery life, with variations depending on the model and usage patterns.

• The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (2014) and Tab Pro 12.2 (2014) boasted a 9,500 mAh battery, offering up to 12 hours of video playback or 10 hours of web browsing.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (2015) featured a 9,500 mAh battery, while the Tab Pro S (2016) had a 5,200 mAh battery. These devices offered impressive battery life, with the Note Pro 12.2 (2015) lasting up to 13 hours of video playback or 11 hours of web browsing. The Tab Pro S (2016) provided up to 10 hours of video playback or 8 hours of web browsing.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 10.1 (2014) and Tab Pro 10.1 (2014) came with an 8,220 mAh battery, delivering up to 10 hours of video playback or 8 hours of web browsing.
• The Galaxy Note Pro 8.4 (2014) and Tab Pro 8.4 (2014) featured a 4,800 mAh battery, providing up to 9 hours of video playback or 7 hours of web browsing.

Charging Speed and Technology

The charging speed and technology used by a device can significantly impact its usability, especially when needing to quickly recharge the battery.

• The Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series generally supported standard charging speeds. However, some models, like the Note Pro 12.2 (2015) and Tab Pro S (2016), featured fast charging capabilities, allowing for a faster recharge time.

Software and Features

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series run on Samsung’s customized Android experience, known as Samsung Experience UI, which offers a blend of stock Android features with Samsung’s unique additions. These devices also come with a plethora of pre-installed apps, designed to enhance productivity, entertainment, and creativity. The Note Pro series, however, takes things a step further with the inclusion of the S Pen, a pressure-sensitive stylus that unlocks a range of unique functionalities.

Samsung Experience UI

The Samsung Experience UI, while offering a visually distinct look and feel, retains the core Android experience. It incorporates features like the customizable Always-On Display, Samsung’s own app store (Galaxy Store), and a dedicated Bixby virtual assistant.

Pre-Installed Apps

Both the Note Pro and Tab Pro series come equipped with a suite of pre-installed apps, including Samsung’s own productivity tools like Samsung Notes, S Planner, and a powerful document editor suite. The Note Pro series also includes specialized apps like PenUp, a drawing app that leverages the S Pen’s capabilities, and Action Memo, which allows you to convert handwritten notes into text.

S Pen Functionality

The S Pen is a key differentiator for the Note Pro series, offering a wide range of functionalities that enhance productivity and creativity.

• Air Command: This feature provides quick access to a range of S Pen-specific functions, including Screen Write, Action Memo, and Smart Select.
• Precision Writing and Drawing: The S Pen offers precise pressure sensitivity, making it ideal for note-taking, sketching, and even digital art.
• Palm Rejection: The Note Pro series features palm rejection technology, allowing you to rest your hand on the screen while writing or drawing without unintended input.
• S Pen Features: The S Pen offers a variety of features, including a built-in eraser, a remote control function for presentations, and the ability to hover over the screen to access additional features.

Camera and Multimedia

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series offer a blend of productivity and multimedia capabilities. While their primary focus is on work and creativity, they also excel in delivering a rich multimedia experience. Let’s delve into the camera performance and multimedia features of these devices.

Camera Performance

The camera specifications and performance vary slightly across different models within the Note Pro and Tab Pro series. However, they generally share common features and strengths.

• The Note Pro and Tab Pro series feature an 8MP rear camera, capable of capturing decent quality photos in well-lit conditions.
• The front-facing cameras, typically 2MP or 5MP, are suitable for video calls and selfies.
• Both series offer video recording capabilities at 1080p resolution, allowing you to capture high-quality videos.
• Some models may include additional camera features like HDR and panorama modes, enhancing the overall photographic experience.

While these devices aren’t designed as primary photography tools, they can adequately capture everyday moments and document work projects.

Multimedia Experience

The Note Pro and Tab Pro series are equipped with features that enhance the multimedia experience.

• These tablets boast impressive audio quality, thanks to their stereo speakers, which are strategically placed for optimal sound distribution.
• Some models may include Dolby Atmos technology, further enhancing the audio experience by providing immersive surround sound.
• The large displays, ranging from 10.1 inches to 12.2 inches, provide an expansive canvas for watching videos and browsing multimedia content.

The combination of high-quality audio and large displays makes these tablets ideal for consuming multimedia content, whether it’s watching movies, listening to music, or playing games.

Connectivity and Storage

Staying connected and having ample storage space are crucial for any tablet, especially for productivity-focused devices like the Note Pro and Tab Pro series. These Samsung tablets offer a comprehensive set of connectivity features and flexible storage options to cater to diverse user needs.

Connectivity Options

The Note Pro and Tab Pro series boast a range of connectivity options, ensuring seamless communication and data transfer. Let’s dive into the details:

• Wi-Fi: Both series support the latest Wi-Fi standards, including 802.11ac, offering blazing-fast internet speeds for streaming, downloading, and online gaming.
• Bluetooth: With Bluetooth 4.0, users can connect to a wide range of peripherals, including keyboards, mice, headphones, and speakers, enhancing productivity and entertainment.
• NFC: NFC (Near Field Communication) enables quick and easy pairing with other NFC-enabled devices, such as smartphones and payment terminals. This facilitates contactless payments and data sharing.
• Mobile Data: Some models in the Note Pro and Tab Pro series offer 4G LTE connectivity, allowing users to access the internet on the go, even without Wi-Fi. This is particularly beneficial for travelers or those who frequently need mobile internet access.

Storage Options and Expandability

Both series provide generous internal storage options, with models ranging from 16GB to 64GB. However, for users who require more storage space, both the Note Pro and Tab Pro series offer expandable storage through microSD card slots. This allows you to expand your storage capacity by up to 128GB, providing ample space for your apps, photos, videos, and other files.

The ability to expand storage via microSD cards is a valuable feature, especially for users who frequently work with large files or capture high-resolution photos and videos.

Conclusion: Samsung Galaxy Note Pro And Galaxy Tab Pro Series Hands On Review

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series present a compelling proposition for users seeking a powerful and versatile tablet experience. Their strengths lie in their premium build quality, vibrant displays, robust performance, and comprehensive software features. However, certain drawbacks, such as the relatively high price point and limited camera capabilities, might deter some potential buyers.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series boast several strengths that make them attractive options for various users.

• Premium Build Quality: The tablets feature a sleek and sturdy design, with a premium metal frame and a comfortable grip. This construction contributes to a high-quality feel and durability.
• Vibrant Displays: The AMOLED displays offer exceptional color accuracy, deep blacks, and wide viewing angles, delivering an immersive visual experience for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks.
• Robust Performance: Powered by powerful processors and ample RAM, the tablets deliver smooth and responsive performance, capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking efficiently.
• Comprehensive Software Features: Samsung’s custom Android skin offers a wide range of features, including multitasking capabilities, S Pen functionality (for the Note Pro series), and Samsung DeX support, enhancing productivity and versatility.

However, the tablets also have some drawbacks.

• High Price Point: Compared to other tablets in the market, the Galaxy Note Pro and Tab Pro series come at a premium price, which might be a barrier for budget-conscious consumers.
• Limited Camera Capabilities: While sufficient for basic tasks, the camera performance is not on par with dedicated camera devices, and the lack of optical image stabilization might be a concern for users who prioritize photography.

Suitability for Different Users

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series cater to a diverse range of users.

• Professionals and Business Users: The tablets’ powerful performance, multitasking capabilities, and S Pen functionality make them ideal for professionals who need a device for productivity, note-taking, and presentations.
• Content Creators: The vibrant displays and powerful processors enable content creators to edit photos and videos with ease, while the S Pen provides precision for drawing and sketching.
• Entertainment Enthusiasts: The immersive displays and excellent audio quality make the tablets suitable for enjoying movies, TV shows, and games. The S Pen can also be used for interactive gaming experiences.

Samsung galaxy note pro and galaxy tab pro series hands on review – The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series offer a compelling blend of productivity and entertainment, catering to a wide range of users. The Note Pro series, with its S Pen functionality, shines for creatives and note-takers, while the Tab Pro series provides a robust platform for multimedia consumption and everyday tasks. While there are some trade-offs to consider, these tablets deliver a powerful and enjoyable experience, making them strong contenders in the tablet market.

The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series offer a powerful blend of productivity and entertainment, but it’s interesting to see how the Nintendo 3DS, a device focused purely on gaming, beats out PS4 and Xbox One for hardware sales in February. This highlights the enduring appeal of dedicated gaming devices, even in a world dominated by powerful tablets and smartphones.

While the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro offer a wide range of features, the Nintendo 3DS proves that sometimes, simpler is better, especially when it comes to pure gaming fun.