Key difference: Samsung has now expanded its’ offerings in the phablet category by introducing the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3. The Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 is named such because of its 6.3 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. The phone is powered by a Dual-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 processor with a 1.5 GB RAM. The Samsung Tab 2 7.0 is a 7-inch tablet that offers a PLS TFT LCD display, with approximately 170 ppi density. The device is also available in two versions; Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 4G. The Wi-Fi only tablet is powered by a 1 GHz Dual-core processor and is available with the Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, while the Wi-Fi + 4G LTE tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz Dual-core processor and comes with Android v4.1 Jelly Bean.

Samsung is a major player on the world smartphone platform. It is the second most popular smartphone retailer in the world by number of units sold, after Apple. It is in fact the first most popular Android smartphone retailer in the world by number of units sold. The company’s Samsung Galaxy S3 was the first phone that gave the iPhone a real competition. Hence, effectively making the Galaxy brand, a brand to be reckoned with.

Samsung is also credited with creating the ‘phablet’ category by introducing the Samsung Galaxy Note. A phablet is a cross between a phone and a tablet; it sized as a table but with all the properties of a phone. Samsung has now expanded its’ offerings in the phablet category by introducing the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3.

The Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 is named such because of its 6.3 inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. The phone is powered by a Dual-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A15 processor with a 1.5 GB RAM. The phone runs Android 4.2.2, the latest version of Android at the time of its launch. The phone also features an 8 MP primary camera and a 1.9 MP secondary front-facing camera.

In addition to the above mentioned features, the phone also boasts several features that are available on the Samsung Galaxy S4. This includes ‘Group Play’, which enables easy content sharing for up to 8 devices on the same Wi-Fi network; ‘Samsung WatchON’ that transforms the phone into an IR remote controller to connect to the home entertainment system; ‘Samsung Link’ for streaming photos, videos, notes, or music to the television, tablet or computer; ‘S Translator’ that provides instant translation, using text or voice translation on applications including email, and ChatON, which allows the user to share the phone’s screen with other users.

Furthermore, the phone also has a split screen capability that allows two or more applications to share the screen. These applications include email, messages, ‘MyFiles,’ ‘S Memo,’ ‘S Planner’, and more. The phone also has the popular ‘Air View’ feature, which allows users to preview information in emails, photos in Gallery, and speed dial contacts, before opening them. In addition, the ‘S Travel’ feature trip information, local guides and resources, etc., while the ‘Story album’ allows users to create albums of daily events, keep special moments in one place using a timeline, geo-tag information and publish digital albums in hard copy.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 is a major upgrade to the company’s original Samsung Galaxy Tab. The tab shares many features to its big brother The Galaxy Tab and the Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. The tab is actually a downgrade compared to the Galaxy 7.0 Plus, including the price of the tablet. However, during the launch it was also the only Tablet on the market at that time which served the Android Ice Cream Sandwich right out of the box. The device is also available in two versions; Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 4G. Both the devices differ in a few areas so, when purchasing either device, make sure to once look over the various different features that are offered in the Wi-Fi + 4G, which are missing the Wi-Fi only model.

Both the models offer similar dimensions and major features, with the differences being only with the processor speed, OS, camera features and colors. The Samsung Tab 2 7.0 is a 7-inch tablet that offers a PLS TFT LCD display, with approximately 170 ppi density. The Plane to Line Switching (PLS) differs from the IPS technology of the other tablets and while it provides decent wide viewing angles, it still has a high propensity for reflecting surfaces. The display also lags compared to the other IPS displays with higher resolutions. The tablet is small and sleek compared to the other 7-inch devices making it lighter and easier to hold. The device has a sturdy design and has an all-grey plastic back. It has a thick bezel with a light grey screen. The device houses the power button, the volume button and the IR-port on the right side of the device, the microSD card slot is placed on the left side covered by a plastic flap. The 3.5mm jack is on top of the device and docking port is at the bottom.

The Wi-Fi only tablet is powered by a 1 GHz Dual-core processor and is available with the Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, while the Wi-Fi + 4G LTE tablet is powered by a 1.2 GHz Dual-core processor and comes with Android v4.1 Jelly Bean. Both devices offer 1 GB RAM and are available with 8/16/32 GB internal storage capacity that is expandable by 32 GB. The tablets house a 3.15 MP rear camera and a VGA front camera for video conferencing. The VGA camera is a downgrade from the 2 MP offered on Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus. The camera also comes with a Flash that is placed under the camera on the back of the device. The 4 LTE tablets also come with additional camera features such as: Smile Shot, Geo-tagging, Editing Modes, Camcorder, DivX, HD Recording, HD Playback, Video Share and Online Image Uploading.

Both the devices sport IR blasters, which allow the tablet to be used as a fully-functioning remote control. The device houses a non-removable Lithium-ion 4,000 mAh that provides a lasts a good amount of time on the Wi-Fi as well as the 4G network. The device is available in black and white on the Wi-Fi + 4 LTE, while an additional Garnet Red color has been added to the line for the Wi-Fi only tablet. Both the models come with various built in Samsung Applications and have been approved for Enterprise by the Company, something known as SAFE (Samsung Approved for Enterprise). This includes an array of business applications such as: Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, Virtual Private Network (VPN) Access, Polaris Office, Video Chat, Cisco WebEx, EAS IT Policy, HW Encryption and Sybase Afaria. However, it lacks in terms of tablet based applications in Google Play. Well, that is not exactly Samsung’s fault but it is one of things that have been keeping pushing sales of Apple tablets more than Android Tablets. Google Play has not been able to offer enough applications that support the tablet format. This problem should only be temporary as the demand for tablets is on the rise in the market.

The information for the detailed table about the two phones has been taken from the Samsung website, pcmag.com, engadget.com, samsungmobilepress.com, samsungtomorrow.com, gdgt.com and GSMarena.com.

Image Courtesy: samsungtomorrow.com, samsung.com