Samsung S2 vs S3 Tablet: A detailed feature comparison

Samsung’s new S3 tablet has been released and is significantly more powerful than the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy S2. How does it compare to its predecessor in terms of size, performance, battery life and display?

The “samsung galaxy tab s2 vs s3 vs s4” is a detailed feature comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S2, S3, and S4. The article covers the differences between these models in terms of hardware specifications, performance, software features, price and more.

There are several advantages to prefer Samsung goods when purchasing an Android tablet. The firm has a long reputation of producing strong, attractive tablets that endure for years and perform smoothly, and customer service is top-notch. So, if you’re torn between the Samsung S2 and S3 tablets, we’ve put them against each other in our comparison today to help you determine which is the better choice!

Tablet Samsung S2 vs. Tablet Samsung S3

There’s a reason why the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Samsung) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 are so similar: they both feature Super AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diodes) screens, comparable battery specifications, and are well-designed. While we’ll go through each feature in more detail later, let’s start with the advantages and disadvantages of both tablets. The Tab S2 is also available in an 8-inch variant, but we went with the 9.7-inch model since it’s identical to the Tab S3.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Samsung)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Samsung) 9.7 32 GB Wifi Tablet

Pros

• Provides excellent value for money.
• The super AMOLED screen is of exceptional quality.
• It’s small, light, and easy to transport.
• Microsoft Office applications come preinstalled.

Cons

• TouchWiz is used, which is an eyesore.
• Cameras aren’t really outstanding.
• The battery life isn’t up to par with the competition’s tablets.
• The plastic body seems cheap, thus the build quality should have been better.
• Does not support the S Pen, therefore if you need to use a pen, you’ll have to buy a “dumb” stylus that mimics your finger’s touch.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 by Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 by Samsung 9.7-Inch, 32GB Tablet

Pros

• Has a super AMOLED display that is HDR-ready (high dynamic range).
• It also comes with a S Pen.
• Good storage specifications, including 128GB on the highest model.
• There are four speakers.

Cons

• The cost is considerable.
• The keyboard is also rather costly.
• The photos taken with the cameras aren’t very good.
• The fingerprint reader isn’t working properly.

Those are the pros and cons for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Samsung) and the Tab S3. Time to compare the features of each tablet side by side:

Here’s a video comparison of the Tab S2 with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3:

Face-to-Face Comparison of the Galaxy S2 and Tab S3 Tablets

Let’s take a closer look at the primary distinctions between the tablets now that you know what they are.

Design

At a glance, you may not notice much of a difference between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. But all that changes when you get a feel of the Tab S3. Compared to the plastic and rubber build materials used on the Tab S2, the glass and metal body of the Tab S3 feels much more premium. After all, it is directly competing with the iPad Pro. Both tablets have the Rear View Camera centered, and both have the home button in the same position on the front.

Display

The screen on both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 are identical, except for one differentiating factor — the Tab S3’s display supports HDR10 content, which its older brother does not. Both tablets’ displays measure 9.7 inches across and are super AMOLED panels that offer a resolution of 1536 x 2048 pixels at a pixel density of 264ppi (pixels-per-inch). The bezels are pretty large on both tablets.

Audio

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 packs a mono speaker on the short side at the bottom, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 by Samsung comes with quad speakers that offer you a stereo experience. The cool part about the S3 is that the stereo imaging switches when you switch from portrait to landscape mode on your tablet, which we found to be quite clever on Samsung’s part. AKG has also tuned the speakers on the Tab S3 for optimum Performance. 3.5mm ports are fast disappearing from tablets these days. Thankfully, both of these gadgets feature headphone jacks.

Hardware

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is equipped with a Snapdragon 652 (Snapdragon 652) chipset, while the Tab S3 features the much more powerful Snapdragon 820 is a high-Performance processor. SoC (system-on-chip). While Tab 2 is made in a 28nm process, the Tab S3 is manufactured in a 14nm process. If you’d like to know more about the relevance of ‘14nm’ here, watch this short 3:25 minute video about chipset manufacturing:

More on the tablets’ hardware: the Tab S2 comes in 32GB and 64GB storage options, while the Tab S3 comes in 64GB and 128GB storage options. Both tablets contain microSDXC memory card ports, allowing you to add up to 256GB of storage. The home buttons on each of these tablets have fingerprint sensors built in. In comparison to the side-mounted sensors that are common on tablets these days, the fingerprint reader on the front seems considerably more logical. 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 also features the superior USB Type-C port, compared to the micro USB port on the S2. The S2 comes with Bluetooth 4.1, while the Tab S3 inches ahead with its Bluetooth 4.2.

Software

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 comes loaded with the TouchWiz skin over Android 5, upgradable to Android 6 (Marshmallow). This is the last tablet from Samsung to feature TouchWiz as a User-Interface Design. Tab S3 runs One UI, which offers a superior experience compared to Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. Samsung has already rolled out an Android Pie (version 9.0) software update for the Tab S3.

Performance

The Tab S2 fails to match the Tab S3 in terms of performance, with just 3GB of RAM, a mediocre chipset, and the bloated TouchWiz UI. On the Tab S3, gaming is significantly better, as is running many applications and moving between them. If you want to play current games on these tablets, you’ll find that the S2 struggles to keep up, while the Tab S3 manages to keep up. 

However, both tablets accept MHL (mobile high definition) connectors, so if you buy an MHL adaptor, you may simply connect your tablet to your TV. Check out our article on connecting tablets to your TV for additional information on mirroring your Samsung Tab on your TV.

Camera

While the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and Tab S3 were probably impressive when they were released (2015 and 2017, respectively), their successors have left them in the dust. While the S2 comes with an 8MP Rear View Camera and a 2.1MP Front-facing camera for video calls and selfies, the Tab S3 has a 13MP rear snapper that is marginally better than the S2. On the front, the Tab S3 beats the S2 again as you get a 5MP selfie snapper. In both tablets, the photo results are noisy, and the cameras don’t perform very well unless there is plenty of light, and even then, it’s average at best.

Peripherals / Accessories

The Tab S2 does not come with support for S Pen, but you could get a dumb stylus or something like a Sonar Pen, as people have had luck using these devices as a stylus. Thankfully, the Tab S3 not only supports the S-Pen, but you also get one with the device, and it fits nicely into a compartment on the back of the device. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 also packs an 18W fast charger in the box. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 by Samsung’s keyboard (costs extra and is expensive) neatly attaches to the side of the Tab S3 thanks to six Pogo pins.

S Pen Tab S3

User-Interface Design

The software experience on the Tab S3 is much improved than the Tab S2’s TouchWiz interface since the Tab S3 has One UI instead of TouchWiz. The symbols are more appealing, the settings are more logically organized, and the program is lighter and more responsive while in use. TouchWiz on the Tab S2 reaches its pinnacle with Android Marshmallow (6.0.1), while the Tab S3 gets Android Pie (version 9.0).

Samsung software niceties like as Samsung Smart Switch, Smart View, Samsung One UI Home, Samsung Notes, Air Command, and Samsung Flow are now available on the Tab S3 thanks to the new operating system.

Battery

Both of these tablets offer decent battery life, but the great thing about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is that you get an 18W fast charger with it, which means less time to get your tablet fully juiced up. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 comes with a Li-Ion 5870mAh battery, which is not as good as the 6000mAh Li-Po cell inside the Tab S3. Still, battery life is not something you will be complaining about, regardless of which tablet you choose.

Memory

We use a lot of storage on our smartphones – not only have programs become more bloated, but the quantity of data they download and the storage required by browsers, images, music, and other apps has also increased dramatically. Another reason to choose the S3 over the Tab S2 is that it comes with a 4GB RAM and 128GB storage capacity. In contrast, the optimal memory configuration for a Tab S2 is 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. If you keep moving data to your SD card, you’ll be ok. On the Tab S3, this is also possible.

Also, check out the best Samsung tablets!

Tablet Samsung S2 vs. Tablet Samsung S3: Quality and Reliability

Samsung is regarded for offering exceptional customer service regardless of the items purchased. When you purchase Samsung tablets, you can be certain that your device will be repaired, replaced, or troubleshooted.

Warranty

Samsung offers a 1-year standard warranty with both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and Tab S3 — this covers the tablet, the battery, and accessories. Samsung has ceased production of the Tab S2, so you may not be able to purchase an extended warranty, but your 1-year standard warranty will be honored. You can still get extended warranty support for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.

Customer Service

Samsung’s customer service representatives are friendly and fast. Unless your gadget is truly unsalvageable, the staff will assist you in resolving the problem you’re having. The firm will still keep you informed about potential repairs and how to go about getting them done. On the Samsung Tablet support website, input your tablet model and follow the on-screen instructions. 

Features that stand out

If you have to choose between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and the Tab S3, it’s pretty obvious that you should go for the Tab S3. Here are the most evident reasons — better chipset, stylus compatibility, superior software, better build materials, better cameras, and the Tab S3 is two years younger than the Tab S2. The Tab S3 will also work better if you have other Samsung products, like a Samsung phone or a Samsung printer. Which reminds us, please read our article on printing wirelessly from a Samsung tablet! 

If you’re looking for a ‘beater’ tablet to watch movies or surf the web on sometimes, both tablets are excellent choices, since their screens are excellent. Both of these tablets are terrific buys if you don’t plan on gaming or doing work on them.

Price

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (Samsung) (3GB 32GB): $170.00 USD

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 by Samsung (4GB 32GB): $199.95 USD

Conclusion

While both of the tablets in our Tablet Samsung S2 vs. Tablet Samsung S3 are great, we would choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 for overall value for money. Using an S Pen is one of the best parts of owning a Samsung tablet, and the slight price bump is worth it. Additionally, the fact that it runs on One UI and not TouchWiz makes a huge difference as well. Given how old they both are, it might be incredibly tough to find working models of the Tab S2 and the Tab S3. 

The Tab S2 is an economical basic tablet that will largely serve a single use, such as viewing movies or serving as a screen in your vehicle.

If you want a dependable tablet with sufficient storage that can be used as a primary device for entertainment, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 would be a better choice.

However, you’d be better off getting a newer Samsung tablet, maybe from the previous couple of years, since you’ll receive greater software support and the hardware will be more competent and future-proof. What were your thoughts on our side-by-side comparison? Let us know in the comments section!

The “Samsung S2 vs S3 Tablet: A detailed feature comparison” is a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 10.1 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1. The article includes a list of features that are present on both devices, along with their differences. Reference: best buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Tab S2?

A: The Galaxy Tab S3 is a larger, more powerful tablet with a higher resolution display.

What is the difference between Samsung S and a series tablets?

A: Samsung S is a high-end device that offers better performance and comes with options for more storage than the standard series. Its also water resistant, has higher resolution screens, and is made of metal to offer durability in comparison to cheaper plastic models.

What is the upgrade for the Galaxy Tab S2?

A: The upgrade for the Galaxy Tab S2 is a model called the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.

Related Tags

• galaxy tab s3
• samsung galaxy tab s2 equivalent
• galaxy tab s2 still worth it
• samsung galaxy tab s3
• galaxy tab s2