Samsung GALAXY Tab 8.9 Pro Reviews

I am a big fan of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 as the best alternative to the iPad 2, and I am even happier with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, as it offers similar hardware and performance in a more compact body, which is great for people who are on-the-go and want to travel light. Usually I carry a purse that is too small to fit the Tab 8.9, but for women who carry medium size purses, the smaller version of the Galaxy Tab tablet should be perfect. Just like the Tab 10.1, the Galaxy Tab 8.9 has a slow charging time (17% in one hour), compared to the Xoom or the most recent Sony Tablet S which charges at almost 70% in only one hour! The iPad 2 charging time is quite long as well. We suppose that thicker tablets allow for faster charging batteries.

The Galaxy Tab 8.9 exists in a gadget niche so small we weren't convinced it needed to exist. Despite that, the thing fills it admirably well. Given the choice between taking along this guy or its bigger sibling we'd almost universally take the 8.9. The loss in screen size is barely noticeable since the resolution is kept the same but the difference in handheld usability is tangible. That said, those of you buying a tablet exclusively for couch surfing would likely be a bit more comfortable with the slightly larger display. Whichever you choose, cost won't be much of a factor. The 16GB version here is $449 and 32GB $549. Each is just $50 less than its 10.1-inch counterpart. Is a 10 percent price reduction fair for a 10 percent size reduction? Ultimately that decision lies with you.

As far as connections go, Samsung doesn’t seem too concerned with allowing you to hook up to anything but your personal computer via the USB cord they include – and note, this isn’t a microUSB cord, it’s one unique to Samsung’s tablet line. You can purchase peripherals like the USB connector you can see in your humble narrator’s review of a wireless gamepad controller on Android Community, but they all come separate. You can also plug in a headphone cord at the top of this tablet, but other than that, you’ll be picking up extra converters to connect. Then it all comes down to size when deciding, otherwise it’s the same great Samsung tablet you saw with the original Galaxy Tab 10.1.

When Samsung first introduced the Tab 8.9, we questioned why the company would attempt to fill the gap between seven- and ten-inch tablets. After using the new tablet, however, we found the intermediate size to be preferable over the smaller and larger forms. The Tab 8.9 appears to offer all of the benefits of the Tab 10.1, without shrinking to a size that detracts from the tablet experience. Although we preferred the Tab 8.9 over the rest of Samsung's tablet lineup, many customers may be turned off by the price. The midsize option breaks the smaller=cheaper rule, shaving just $30 from the retail price of the Tab 10.1. The 16GB model currently sells for $470, while the 32GB variant brings the price up to $570.

Boasting smaller and lighter dimensions as well as a rich display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 gets high marks in both aesthetic and performance categories.

Samsung's latest tablet takes the company into yet another screen size territory – that of 8.9in. And it's this size of screen that could be the dark horse in the tablet arena as it gives you greater space than 7in tablets yet is more portable than those with larger screens.

We scored the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 in keeping with our overall impression - that this is one of the top tablets available today. For some users, it will be the very top end if you tend to read ebooks constantly and don't watch as many TV shows or movies. Another prime user for this tablet is someone who just doesn't want the extra 100g of heft for a 10-inch tablet such as the iPad 2.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 had a lot of promise when it was shown off next to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 at Samsung's official unveiling earlier this year. Many thought it would be the tablet for them, as it strikes a nice balance in size between the 10-inch class of tablets and today's large 4-inch or more smartphones. Unfortunately, while the hardware of the tablet lives up to that promise, the software that powers it really lets the user down. The choppy performance and all-too-frequent crashes make using the Galaxy Tab 8.9 a chore more than an enjoyable experience. Samsung is asking $469 for the 16GB version (and $569 for the 32GB model), and at that price, I can't see how someone could justify buying this when there are other, better options on the market.

This slim, light Android tablet has a beautiful 8.9-inch display, and it's very comfortable to hold and use. Just mind Samsung's few crucial omissions in the name of thinness.

It's pretty remarkable that Samsung was able to squeeze the same parts from its 10-inch tablet into the Galaxy Tab 8.9. It performs just as well, and the screen and audio are both impressive. However, at $469, you'll need to spend almost as much to get your hands on this smaller slate than you would to buy the Tab 10.1. Consumers looking for a tablet they can hold in one hand would do better with the cheaper $329 Acer Iconia A100--or waiting for the upcoming Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. But if you want the higher-resolution screen of the Tab 10.1 in a more portable package, the Tab 8.9 is worth a look.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9 is everything we loved about the Tab 10.1 in a slightly smaller form, with a slightly smaller price.

If you find the original 7” Samsung GALAXY Tab too small and the GALAXY Tab 10.1 too big for you to handle, then it’s a no-brainer conclusion that the GALAXY Tab 8.9 offers that tangible solution in bridging the gap. Although it’s almost hard to not like this offering, especially when it’s fashioned after its bigger brother, there are some things that diminish its overall appeal in drastically establishing its own identity. Standing out like a sore thumb, it’s simply plagued by too many instances of unresponsiveness that tarnish its pristine aura.