Comparison of screens in the Galaxy Tab S and Apple iPad – who wins and why
In tablets difficult to overestimate the importance of the screen, on its quality depends on how comfortable you will be reading, watching movies, or pages in the network, show your photos to friends and colleagues. The screen can be safely called a major component of the tablet or phone, that we look at it ten minutes every day, and some even holding him watch.
Apple is one of the first to use the screen as a marketing advantage and launched a brand Retina, the term refers to high-resolution display. Unfortunately, Apple’s own production technology there are no screens, the company is forced to buy displays from other companies, including direct competitors, for example, Samsung. Get on the open market in sufficient quantities latest types of screens, the latest development by Apple can not. For example, the Samsung leave such developments only for its own products, do not sell them to the side. There is an interesting situation to iPad put not the best screens, matrices, which do not embody the latest technology, and as a consequence, they are not as comfortable in everyday use. Like it or not, let’s look together at the comparison screens on products such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.4 and iPad Mini with Retina. For simplicity, we divide the material into three parts – start with a comparison of the characteristics, and then look at the differences in the settings screens and their possibilities for users and professionals will complete the review of the quality of technologies and screens.
Table of Contents:
- Specifications Display – comparison in the forehead
- Screen settings – that can change the user
- What professionals say about displays Galaxy Tab S and iPad Mini Retina / Air
- Conclusion
Specifications Display – comparison in the forehead
Let’s look at a table with the main characteristics of the device’s screen, and then discuss in more detail on each of the parameters and give comments.
| Galaxy Tab S 8.4 | iPad Mini Retina | Galaxy Tab 10.5 | iPad Air | |
| Screen size, inches | 8.4 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 9.7 |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 | 4: 3 | 16:10 | 4: 3 |
| Screen Type | SuperAMOLED HD | IPS, TFT | SuperAMOLED HD | IPS, TFT |
| Screen Resolution | 2560×1600 | 2048×1536 | 2560×1600 | 2048×1536 |
| Dpi, ppi | 359 | 324 | 288 | 264 |
| Oleophobic coating | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screen brightness, nits | 546 in auto mode, 415 in manual | 414 | 546 in auto mode, 415 in manual | 449 |
Beginning with the first generation Apple iPad the company chose the aspect ratio of 4: 3, this was done deliberately for software compatibility with the iPhone and ease of development. Unfortunately, this aspect ratio is far from optimal when viewing the video, you have the black bars appear on the screen, and part of its area is not used. You need to either agree to the video has been reformatted for the screen, or lose part of the picture, if you want to watch it on the entire screen. Look at an example of how the same movie appears on the screen Tab S 8.4 and iPad Mini Retina.
Winning Galaxy Tab S in this aspect is obvious, these screens show more information, which is always nice. Also remember that the display in the Galaxy Tab S slightly more diagonal than in the corresponding iPad, albeit only slightly, but in the life of this difference in screen sizes while maintaining similar dimensions of the device is very striking.
Screen resolution is enough for all the plates, but the maximum sharpness is always achieved a large number of dots per inch, this parameter leads Galaxy Tab S, then the picture is very clear, sharp, and at the same time on the diagonal of the screen. Usually, when growth diagonal screen dots per inch drops. In a direct comparison of models Tab S 8.4 and 10.5 we see it, but both are superior to the iPad tablet resolution and, consequently, in the clarity of the picture.
Finally, let’s focus on the brightness of the screen. Manufacturers limit the maximum brightness of the screen due to the fact that they can not achieve the absence of color distortion and high power consumption occurs, especially for TFT-matrix. In iPad brightness to the maximum level possible for this kind of screens – 449/414 nits (iPad Air / iPad Mini Retina). Increase the brightness of the possible, but then it will be necessary to install an additional processor that will process an image that is displayed on the screen, and analyze the lighting conditions outside. This is an additional cost, which Apple does not deem appropriate, the company intends to create a picture that will be perceived as a quality, a good average. As they say, a kind of typical average.
The Samsung used completely different technology that came from the TV, where the company is a world leader and takes more than a quarter of all sales for several years (the figures for market share in the Samsung TV can be found here ).
About ten years ago there was a TV in the market of a small revolution in a USB mass appeared light sensors that analyze the external environment, and then change the backlight screens depending on them. Exactly the same technology used in most smartphones and tablets today, they are very simple and clear. Manufacturers suggest that the level of coverage corresponds to some typical tasks – reading in bed, watching a movie in the truck, office work and so on. And for each of them is given a level of illumination, contrast and many other display settings. It turns out a very simple system – measuring environmental conditions, substitute the appropriate profile and we hope that we guessed. For most consumers, guess typical conditions is obtained. In fact, it’s templates. But for a number of situations, it is impossible to predict, or need to invent scenarios for all occasions, which leads to a complication of the system and allows you to work efficiently. Therefore it is always limited to those scenarios that may be of interest to most consumers.
No account shall be taken even that which the device can operate in different parts of the world where the sun shines all the time or otherwise overcast. Fine-tuning to external conditions do not exist.
In TVs with these problems have been encountered long before the first plate and then developed their own way to solve – in addition to the standard scenarios, added a separate digital signal processor, which is responsible for processing images in real time. That is, this processor is equipped with artificial intelligence that analyzes the lighting, as well as that which is applied to the screen picture (video or perhaps pictures), and depending on these parameters, it is trying to change the image so that it was close to those settings that the user has selected. Not some ideal factory settings, and individual choice man. This technology is consistently transferred to a phone company, and she appeared in the plates.
That’s why most tablets other companies has only one level of maximum brightness. Thus, in the iPad is a 449/414 nits (Air / Mini Retina).And Galaxy Tab S are two of them – 415 nits manually, 546 automatic. It is assumed that iron responsible for processing images, can make the screen image as realistic as possible, regardless of where you use your device. In general, to compare these two types of solutions is very difficult due to the fact that they belong to different generations. Separate processor and process images in Samsung, makes it “on the fly” in real time and with almost no spending extra energy devices work the same time for comparable problems – the difference is that the picture on the Galaxy Tab S brighter, more alive and well seen in different conditions. Want to be sure? Let’s look at the next part of our comparison.
Screen settings – that can change the user
I will not dwell on the installation of wallpaper and other ornaments of the screen, they are in our comparison does not play any role.Let’s take a look at the iPad any version and see what the settings on the screen, there is.
In the “Desktop and brightness” slider you can adjust the brightness of the screen in manual mode, as well as noting the automatic adjustment of the display brightness. The section with the basic settings you can also select “Dynamic Font”, it will affect the text in programs that support this setting.
Let’s start with the minor “little things”, each of which individually and makes a difference in the screens and technologies that are used in them. Screens on the Galaxy Tab S are designed so that they can be operated with gloves on, you do not need to make any effort.
In the settings menu you can find the item “Increase sensitivity”, then the screen starts to respond to touch in any gloves and in virtually any environment. But to activate this option is not necessary since the default display is so that he understands the pressing any gloves.In iPad touch on the screen, you can not, it will have to buy special gloves. The very idea that in order to use the device on the street you have to buy separate gloves, causing me to rejection. Still, things are for us and not us for the items.
Another “little thing” – it adjusts the size of the font on the screen. On Android, possibly as changing the font size, and choice of font that you like, plus you can download additional fonts. And the changes are affecting the device menu, and programs.
In the iPad you can only change the font for the program, install it in a fairly narrow range, but to change the fonts in the menu delicacy impossible. This is a serious limitation, since it does not allow to configure the device for themselves. For those who do not like to wear glasses or eye strain, iPad offers a very modest capabilities to set up for themselves. In version iOS8 added this possibility, the font is regulated in the programs and menus, but the spread of values is much less than in Android.
Many people use their tablets for reading books, it is logical and understandable. As well as watching the video, the device Galaxy Tab S give more information on the screen. You can compare the Google Books to them and see the difference.
It is obvious that you can adjust the font size, but in this case, the Galaxy Tab S is successful, the display more text, and it’s obvious. And for this program in the setting of a “reading mode”, in which the screen is optimized for long reading these settings on the iPad just is not provided.
Exactly the same difference is observed when compared to the book text to Kindle, the text is placed more on the Tab S.
Finally, we reached the most interesting – mode screen Galaxy Tab S. This is the default setting for all devices from Samsung, equipped with an additional processor for image processing. In the previous section I described the principle of operation of the processor, and then it’s time to talk about the choice of settings. Is set by default “Adaptive Display”, it decides the device itself should look like the picture. She is very bright, rich, and many in direct comparison with the iPad say that she’s beautiful, but unnatural.
For those who want to get more soothing colors, the display mode is “Basic”, it provides for a standard coverage RGB, it fully corresponds to that on the iPad, and the pictures are in color very close. The exception is that the picture on the Galaxy Tab S clearer and higher brightness.
When I say that the brightness of different screens, it can be illustrated clearly in front of you the same picture with the brightness of the screen to one hundred percent, 75 percent and 50 percent. I think that the big screen brightness Tab S is not in doubt
Finally, we have a display mode “Photo AMOLED» and «Film AMOLED». In the first mode, the screen begins to work in an expanded Adobe RGB, such a regime is characteristic of professional equipment, where it is important the correct color rendition. By the way, in the “adaptive mode” RGB to reach 138 percent of the standard (the source can be found here ).
The sun both screens behave about the same, they do not differ, then the parity
The bottom line, I want to note the following – on the screen Galaxy Tab S picture clearer, brighter, and can be displayed as you like, it all depends on your choice and desire. In iPad decent picture, but you just can not set it up for yourself and your preferences, you are offered only one option, which for some reason has to arrange all. I’m not talking about the mass of “little things”, each of which separately is not critical, but all together they make the screen Galaxy Tab S best for the user settings.
And as a cherry want to show the setting, which is the standard video player on the Galaxy Tab S and associated with the processing of images for the screen. In one keystroke you can change the quality of pictures, paint it. Of course, this is not so interesting for some movies, but some pictures are starting to look fundamentally different, and there is a certain sense. To watch the video feature a unique, up to this point is not found anywhere other companies.
And this also works only because of the presence of a single digital signal processor for processing the displayed information. Similar development of other companies, as a rule, very inferior to what Samsung did in this area, the company has invested in R & D and hundreds of millions of dollars without the support of TV-direction could not transfer the technology to mobile devices.
So when I say that the technology Apple and Samsung are at the same stage of development, it makes me smile. Only transfer of technology and the “little things” in the screen similar devices it took quite a long time. And it’s really working technology, the result of which you can watch on their own.
What professionals say about displays Galaxy Tab S and iPad Mini Retina / Air
In the world there are several organizations that are seriously studying the screens in all sorts of devices. One of them – the American DisplayMate, which recently recognized the screen in the Galaxy S5 the best in terms of total performance and color reproduction.
Having studied both tablet line Galaxy Tab S, in DisplayMate concluded that these are the best screens in the plates at the moment.
And before that company compared iPad Mini Retina with other tablets, it appears that the screen on the iPad far behind them on a number of parameters, it is not the best possible.
And here you can find a comparison of the iPad Air with other tablets.
Reading these materials come to the conclusion that the best recognized DisplayMate screen the one that stands in the Galaxy Tab S both versions. And comparing the device in real life, you realize that they were right.
Conclusion
Several years ago, iPad was the gold standard for the tablet market. With the release of iPad Air, which used a screen made by technology IGZO, he stopped so warm as before, has improved its performance. It seemed that Apple is trying to maintain its leadership and offers the best quality possible. However, with the release of Galaxy Tab S is changing radically. Screens made by SuperAMOLED technology, such diagonals – it is an engineering feat, since they are difficult to mass produce. Moreover, the number of settings, technical solutions, collected them, lets say that it is one of the best screens in tablets, significantly higher than the general level and more complex. It may be mentioned that without these screens to create thin devices (6.6 mm) would be impossible.
Screens in the Galaxy Tab S designed with an eye to the consumption of different content – reading books, viewing photos and videos, the ability to work with the screen without straining your vision in all conditions. While the iPad – a kind of average expectation of where and how you use your tablet. Two different worlds, two different approaches. If the Galaxy Tab S, you are free to choose the way in which will see the world through the display of the tablet, the iPad because you did the manufacturer. I do not know about you, but I choose a larger number of opportunities and alternatives. Therefore, my next tablet will not just iPad, it too is technically behind the tablet market. And I showed this example only displays, and in fact there are many other aspects that can be painted in the same detail.
