Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7"; 32 GB Wifi Tablet (Black) SM-T813NZKEXAR

This review is for the newer model of Samsung S2 the SM-T813 model, which is the 2016 model. The older S2 was the 810 model that was released in 2015. I owned the original S2 and loaned it to a friend because his older tablet broke. And he loves it so much that I gifted it to him for his birthday. Then, I decided to purchase the newer 813 the 2016 model for myself. Since I am a TECHIE type, I tested it thoroughly. This review is based on my personal experience with this tablet. Hopefully, this review will help you in your decision to purchase (or not), this device. PROS: 1) STORAGE: So I purchased this tablet from an Amazon seller and jt was described as like new still in the box. I was happily surprised when this tablet arrived with 64 GB internal storage, not the 32GB of Internal Storage that was advertised. However, I cannot promise that all of these will have 64GB. ...however after the OS and Factory Apps, it had 52gb left. After I installed lots of personal Apps, I have 50.71gb left. Plenty left if I want to install more apps or updates on apps. * Note that the advertised Internal Storage space and available storage space is different because the advertised internal storage space is BEFORE the OS was factory installed, Factory Apps installed and Touch Wiz overlay. These take up about 11GB of the space. And the tablet updated with 385GB after I turned it on the first time. It came with Nougat 7.0 preinstalled, then installed a large performance update. It is running very, very fast after the update and the battery life had improved some as well. 2) Android OS and updates...My tablet arrived with Nougat 7.0 pre-installed. And it auto updated a minor/improvement update of 385GB. After the update, it ran very fast, seemed faster. Flagship Samsung tablets are supposed to get two OS Upgrades. I looked up on Google to see, some sites said yes Oreo for the 813 model, so did not know. I am hoping so because my old 810 model (2015), received 2 OS updates. 3) WiFi---My WiFi Router connected immediately to this phone and it is a fast WiFi. The WiFi is super strong and I receive 5 bars around my home and it keeps the connection even in my backyard. 4) Display---The display is very, very clear and colors vivid as it has very high sharpness. Reading on Internet or PDF Book, the text is crisp. The videos in YouTube are very clear as well. 5) Speed and Performance---For my personal use, I find the speed and performance excellent for the things I do such as Facebook, Twitter, Internet, YouTube, Email, etc. I do not play games on this tablet yet I found all videos run very well. Performs well, no lagging and no freezing. 6) WiFi calling---Yes, I can make phone calls on this WIFI ONLY device using my Google Voice account and Hangouts. Note that this model is NOT a cellular device, to make a phone call, WiFi must be on and a WiFi calling app such as Hangouts or other WiFi calling apps are needed. 7) External Slot for SD Card---So I installed a SanDisk 128gb Micro SD card which was loaded with my music, pictures, home videos and files. I still have 75 gb left on my SD Card. According to Gsmarena, this device holds a SD card up to 256 GB. 8) Camera---I actually took some inside and outside pictures and saved them to my SD Card. The pictures (indoors and outdoors) are very OK, not professional quality, yet I am happy with the pictures, they are excellent for sending in email or even Facebook. My videos also came out well so I am happy. 9) Battery life and Device Coolness---Battery life I find GOOD, and I am a heavy user of apps. I watch lots of YouTube videos, Facebook, listen to my music etc. My battery starts off at 100 percent, then after one hour of heavy use it shows close to 87 percent. This is because I am a heavy user. ***Device coolness/Battery coolness---I use an app Widget free from Playstore called Battery Solo. Normally, it When I press, the highest it showed me was a cool 88 degrees Fahrenheit. This is excellent and the battery a device stays cool, it never overheats. 10) OTG (On the Go), which means with a USB/Micro adapter, you can insert a USB Flash drive, USB mouse, keyboard (one at a time). I use this to copy files from my Flash drive to my tablet or vice versa). Only one Con, but not serious... 1) USB Port is MICRO not a type C. No problem as all my other devices are Micro USB except my 2017 Samsung Tab A 8.0 tablet. * Would I purchase this device over again? Yes, in a heartbeat because my Samsung Tab 2 813 model has 64GB storage and Nougat OS. It is a wonderful phone at a reasonable cost, so I recommend it. I rate this 5 stars. Since I am a Techie, if you have any questions about this device, please ask me in the comments section. And I will answer all questions about this device. Thanks you for reading my review, I hope that it has been helpful for you in making your decision about this tablet.

So far I'm loving it. Thought long and hard about what to get... A really nice phone or keep my old phone and step up to this tablet. Glad I made this decision. The size of it is perfect... Great video and you can actually see an internet browser very well, and it doesn't get bogged down. This is more computer than I'll need for a long time. I will edit this review after 6 months or more of use, just to add any pros or cons. So far I'm loving it. I thought long and hard about what to get and I'm very happy with this decision. The size of it is perfect for viewing videos as well as seeing an internet browser (as opposed to using only an app version of the web). This is more computer than I'll need for a long time. I will edit this review after 6 months or more of use to add any pros or cons. I've had this for over 10 months now and I am happy to report that this pad is still performing as well as it did when I first wrote this review. I only use it with WiFi, so I can't attest to how much data it uses. As far as speed, I would think that how fast it performs without the use of WiFi would be an issue of the cell phone provider, not the device. With the use of WiFi, the internet responds very quickly. All of the apps I've used have been very satisfactory and perform well if they require being online. Video games I've downloaded have performed very well online as well as offline. The AMOLED screen is terrific... I've compared it to many other devices without one and the difference is very apparent. The colors are very vibrant, the picture very clean and clear. I really have no cons to speak of... When I purchased this it was at the terrific price of $400 and I feel it's been worth every penny. Seeing the price is now $348, I would highly recommend buying it. I have changed my rating from 4 to 5 stars.

I researched extensively and had even been considering buying a new Surface Pro or Lenovo Mixx 520 (and still might) but also felt the need for a first-rate Android device. It came down to either this or the Huawei Harman-Kardon Mediapad M3 (or possibly waiting for the new M5), but in the end I was persuaded by the simple fact that Samsung products are so prevalent, with so many available aftermarket accessories and, due to this predominance, a stellar level of quality; essentially I think of Samsung as the Toyota of electronics. Further, I own a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and have been thoroughly impressed with the speed, quality, durability and value. Again, abundant aftermarket accessories are available, and having owned the phone for more than a year without a single performance or other failure of any kind, this contributed to my decision. Having received the tablet and used it for a few days I am convinced I made the right choice. The screen is superb in terms of color saturation and resolution, such that it is an absolute joy to use doing anything, from game playing to reading to web surfing. The speed of the processor is exceptional (be sure to order the newer SM-T713NZKEXAR version with the faster and superior Qualcomm Snapdragon 650-series CPU) and never lags or hangs, and file transfers to the Samsung 128GB MicroSD I purchased with the tablet are performed with excellent speed. This tablet is incredibly thin, and is actually easier and more comfortable to hold using my also bought Kaka case, and with this, in combination with the equally excellent IQ Shield glass screen protector, I feel that my Tab S2 is entirely protected, and the glass screen is a perfect fit under the case with no adverse impact of any kind. Due to the lower cost of the black version of the S2 I decided to buy it, rather than the somewhat more attractive grey or white versions, reasoning that with a case, which I believe to be an absolute necessity for protection of the investment, installed, the color difference would be of minimal consequence. I'd also like to mention that I'd considered buying a 10" tablet, but my experience with my Amazon Fire 7" had convinced me that a smaller tablet is preferable for a variety of reasons; it is much lighter and easier to hold, is the perfect size for Kindle and website reading (using one hand) and easy to carry in a back pocket or in cargo pants leg pocket. In all, I am extremely pleased with my spiffy new Galaxy Tab S2 and the case and screen protection, and very impressed as always with Amazon in terms of quality, selection, speed of shipping and customer service.

this Galaxy Tab S2 offers a bright, sharp viewing experience, reasonably quick multi-app response and the usual Samsung build quality ... I can't give it 5 stars, though, because it's limited by the Android 7 OS, incapable of loading and running up-to-date apps like YouTube (!) and MS Edge

I bought this tablet to replace my old 2013 Nexus 7 and to have an Android-based system to accompany my iPad Air 2. It has excellent resolution and display color. Good WiFi performance – 60Mbps on home 2.4GHz channel. It streams movies from my home network very well. Performance is very good with games and Office 365 apps – Word, Excel, etc. I expanded the memory with a 128GB uSD card and have ready access to cloud-based storage, e.g. Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive. I loaded it up with apps, pictures, a few movies, and a ton of Kindle ebooks, Audible audiobooks, and music. I was able to readily connect and use multiple Bluetooth devices: Microsoft foldable keyboard, Microsoft mouse, and Bose earbuds. Sample workflow using this tablet in lieu of my laptop: While traveling, I can import RAW images from my Canon DSLR’s SD card into the tablet’s uSD card using an OTG card reader and ES File Explorer. I create the same file structure on the uSD card that I would use in my home system. I can review and edit/convert the RAW images with Photo Mate R3 or Adobe Lightroom. I’m particularly happy with how fast RAW images are rendered and viewable on the tablet. I can share the generated JPEGs by (as one example) copying them to a USB flash drive connected to the tablet with an OTG cable. At home, I can transfer the whole lot to my PC network using WiFi, USB cable, or by removing the uSD card and using a USB 3.0 card reader (fastest). This workflow works very nicely for me and is almost as efficient as if I were using my laptop. This is my fifth Android tablet and easily the very best and I am now using this more than my iPad Air 2. Needless to say, I am very happy with this purchase.

I just upgraded from a refurbished 2011 model of the nexus 7 android tablet, it was cheap and mid range quality but I usually like using my phone over it because it's faster and sharper. I read alot of ebooks, I like a pretty screen and I own lots of gear products so I bought the t713 s tab 2 which has been slightly upgraded (different processor and other things that probably aren't that important) I love it, I use my phone less, I read more books, I get things done faster than my phone on a Sexy screen. as far as accessories I ended up getting one of those flexiglass like screen protectors, HD intelligent I think was the name, it did not noticeable reduce the screen brightness and responsiveness at all which was awesome, I got a case with a magnetic BT keyboard which is convenient because I'm not great with thumb typing, after a decade of world of war craft and steam, you probably won't be able to see my fingers. I love that it had an SD card slot which is key, added in a high speed SanDisk MBPS micro SD card(I store alot of stuff for music and hi res photos, a 64gb would do justice) I don't think in this day in age I would ever spend hundreds of dollars on any tablet without at least 32GB of internal storage. Regardless of micro SD expandability, not all applications can be moved to your external drive without rooting the phone maybe. the programs that can't be moved are usually the awesome professional application like MS Word, where regardless you do want them stored internally for better speed when talking to the device. you will have to eventually pick and choose applications when you have a small 16gb internal memory. I also decided to get a big external battery for commuting and such. they're handy, cheap, and work for your tablet, phone, wireless Bluetooth headphones and various other devices. the physical form factor feels nice, the battery life isn't amazing but it's not below average. the speakers on all of these devices more or less suck, get a wireless BT speaker or headphones for music. I pretty much checked every device in the price range and this seemed the best value without sacrifice the quality and features anyone would need. the picture was taken with the tablet covered in bright sunlight, but I can still see it fine.

Great product, BUT Technical Support is HORRIBLE. I bought one on March 23, 2017, in July it quit working. I sent it in for repair on Jul 26,2017. On Aug 7th, 2017 I received an email offering either cash back less 33% depreciation or an exchange unit. I asked for an exchange unit on Aug 8th, 2017 via email. I followed up by phone call on Sept 18, 2017 and was told they would ship one as soon as their exchange department received my unit from their repair facility. I followed up again on Sept 24, 2017 and tried to get a commitment as to when a replacement might be shipped, and got a stern dressing down that the status was "IN PROCESS", and that there was nothing else they can do. It's now Sept 10, 2017 over one month after I responded that I'd like the offered exchange, and still nothing. I USED to be a loyal Samsung customer, but they will not be receiving any further of my business ever. I recommend you consider a company that actually provides customer service in support of their products. Samsung definitely doesn't. Update 1: I followed up again on 9/11/2017 and this time was referred to a different number, which didn't answer, and I left a message. Update 2: 9/12/2017 I just received an email from Samsung indicating that my replacement Tab S2 would be released to the carrier within 2 business days. Revised the title of this review from "Non-existent" to "Poor" Technical Support.

OS UPDATE (7 May 2017) TAB S2 UPDATING TO ANDROID 7.0 Nougat This review is for those contemplating upgrading from the old T710 or T810 to the new T713 or T813 versions. I am comparing the old Tab S2 (SM-T810) to the new Tab S2 (SM-T813). I have both the old an new versions with me, both with 64GB of internal storage, and I am comparing them side by side. This comparison is also applicable for the T710 and T713 versions, and for the 32GB versions, PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES External appearance -- no difference between the old T810 and the new T-813 in physical dimensions, weight, appearance, or function. Internal processor - old T810 runs on Exynos chip set, while the new T813 runs on Snapdragon chip set. OS - old T810 runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, while the new T813 runs on Android 6.01. Everything else on the spec sheets looks to be identical. PERFORMANCE The old T810 puts out an Antutu score of 65,273, while the new T813 puts out an Antutu scor of 81,232 That is one huge gain in performance of the new over the old -- a 25% increase. Is that performance gain worth trading in the old for the new? -- maybe, depending on the price differential -- I figure its worth a minimum of $100 price differential. If you can get the new version for that or less, then you have a bargain you should probably jump on -- assuming you have someone worthy of passing the old machine on to (my wife in my case), or you can sell it for close to what you paid for it, less reasonable usage and any wear and tear you inflicted on it. In my opinion, the performance increase is the real, and only legitimate reason to upgrade. And that is really only important for those who engage in 3D gaming. If you just play board games, there is really little reason to upgrade. Office apps are generally no going to noticeably run faster -- because they already run faster than you can discern. USER INTERFACE There is some visual differences from the native schemes between Lollipop and Marshmallow, which show up in Samsung's TouchWiz Interface. However, I run Nova Launcher on both machines, so for me there is very little visual difference between Lollipop and Marshmallow.. SETTINGS The settings are almost all the same in old or new version. However, the location of the settings has been slightly revised – but not so much as you won’t be able to find them close by. USER MANUAL The T-813 has a different User Manual than the T810. I put the two manuals side by side and did a page by page comparison. For the most part they both have the same information, just rearranged slightly different. NATIVE APPS Music Player. The new T813 does not have a native music player. Not to worry, just go to the Galaxy App store and down load one, or go to the Play Store and download your favorite music player. Compass. Neither the old or new Tab S2s have a compass app, but they both have a magnometer. So download your favorite compass app. Screensaver / Daydream. The T810 called it Daydream, the T813 calls it Screensaver – exact same function under SETTINGS >> DISPLAY Fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor is much improved – more sensitive and faster on the new T813, over the T810. VIDEO To test the video question of whether the new T813 played video slower or faster than the old T810, I ran several 4k videos simultaneously, side by side. The 4k videos were taken by my cell phone, and the files were approximately 10Mbytes for a 1 minute video – so quite a lot of front-end processing would be required. In just about every case the new T813 would start up faster, for about a 2-seond lead. But once started, they both ran at the same frame rate per second. So, it appears to me, according to my tests, the new T813 starts video faster in the real world. BATTERY To test whether the battery on the T813 drained faster than on the T810, I set the screen brightness to 100% on both machines, set the screen timeout to max (10 minutes), loaded the same video in both machines, and then charged both batteries to 100%. Every 10 minutes I noted the Battery level. At first I had both sound levels at 100%, but I noticed the T810 at full volume was louder than the T813, so to keep that factor from muddying the results, I turned both sound volumes to zero. So the results after hours of continuous video playing is: - - - - - - - - - AFTER 1 HOUR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - AFTER 5 HOURS T810 -- 86% charge remaining (14% depletion) - - - - - - - 16% charge remaining (84% depletion) T813 -- 89% charge remaining (11% depletion) - - - - - - - 32% charge remaining (68% depletion) So, it does look like the T813 has significantly better battery management than the T810 – at least for this test. So far, that is all I have found. And for me, it was worth the upgrade based on bragging rights and personal preference (but not necessarily based on logic). If I find more differences that are noteworthy, I will add it to this review. I would recommend this upgrade to a friend!