New iPad 3 Versus Galaxy Note 10.1: Can Apple's Best Bet Take on New Samsung Tablet?

By Surojit Chatterjee | March 30 2012 9:52 AM

Apple has just launched a new version of its popular tablet - iPad. For most of its features, the new iPad is a big leap over iPad 2. Apple has sold more than 3 million units of the new iPad in first week of its debut. Apple's rival, Samsung, on the other hand, has also released two new tablets at MWC 2012 - Galaxy Note 10.1 and Galaxy Tab 2 10.1. The Korean tech giant is proud of its new Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet and has released a comparison chart showing the areas where Samsung's gem excels over the third-generation iPad.

Apple | Samsung

New iPad(L) and Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1

Sponsorship Link

Apple has been domination the tablet market since 2010 - the debut of iPad. But Galaxy Note 10.1 could pose the third generation iPad a big threat. Here is a detailed spec-comparison of both these tablets.

Design

The new iPad is almost same as its predecessors, expect for its thickness. The dimensions of the third generation iPad are 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm and it weights 662g. The new iPad has the same form factor as iPad 2.

But, the new Samsung tablet's design has been totally revamped. Galaxy Note 10.1 dimensions are 256.7 x 175.3 x 8.9 mm. It weights 583g - about 80g lighter than the new iPad.

So, design-wise, Apple's best bet fails to outgun Galaxy Note 10.1.

Display

Screen department is where you might consider the new iPad as best. It has 9.7-inch LED Blacklit IPS TFT display with a rarely existing resolution of 2048 X 1536 pixels or 264 ppi pixel density. The Retina display gives the new iPad a huge lead over rival tablets. However, equally it is being criticized for a yellowish hue that appears on the screen of some new iPad units.

On the other hand, Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 has 10.1-inch PLS TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 X 1280 pixels or 149 ppi pixel density, which is far less than what the new iPad packs. The best thing in Galaxy Note 10.1, however, is the S-Pen functionality.

Apple's new iPad is successful in taking on Galaxy Note 10.1 in the display segment with it stunning Retina display.

Processor and Memory

The new iPad has dual-core 1 GHz A5X processor chip with quad-core graphics. It has 1GB of RAM and 16/32/64GB of internal storage.

Samsung Galaxy Note is powered by dual-core 1.4 GHz processor and 1GB of RAM. It comes with internal memory options of 16GB and 32GB only, but the memory is expandable with microSD support up to 32GB.

In this section, both the tablets fare equally.

User Interface

Along with the debut of third-generation iPad, Apple also revealed iOS v5.1, which is a mere improvement over iOS v5.0. The new OS has deep iCloud integration, improved Twitter integration, direct camera app shortcut at lock screen, refurbished camera app and voice dictation. Some new killer apps in iPad are iPhoto, GarageBand, iMovie and Apple Care+.

Galaxy Note 10.1 will run Android OS 4.x dubbed Ice Cream Sandwich. The new tablet will pack some Stylus Pen-oriented apps. S-Pen is best suitable for drawing, painting, note taking and precise image editing. It also has the ability to run and work on two app simultaneously, which is a cool and never-seen feature in tablet history.

There is a draw between both these tablets in the OS segment.

Camera

Apple has made a significant improvement in the camera of the new iPad. It features 5-megapixel iSight camera that fares well in terms of quality. It also records 1080p videos at 30fps. The new iPad also has a secondary VGA camera for video chatting.

In comparison, Galaxy Note 10.1 features a 3.15-megapixel camera with LED flash support. It records 1080p videos at 30fps. The Samsung tablet also features a 2-megapixel front-facing camera.

Apple's new iPad has a primary camera with a better resolution. But, Galaxy Note 10.1, despite having a relatively lower resolution camera, has LED flash support. Also, the front-facing camera is a better deal in the new Samsung tablet.

Again, a draw here.

Connectivity

Apple's new iPad has an advantage over rival tablets featuring 4G compatibility, as it is also backward compatible with HSUPA/HSDPA/Rev. A networks. Other connectivity features are Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and Bluetooth version 4.0. GPS feature is only available in the 4G models of the new iPad.

In comparison, Galaxy Note 10.1 supports GSM 2G and 3G networks. Other connectivity features are Bluetooth version 3.0, GPS and Wi-Fi with Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot functionality.

Galaxy Note 10.1 is missing 4G LTE support, giving a clean win to the new iPad.

Battery

The new iPad is packed with Li-Po 11,560 mAh (42.5 Wh) standard battery that can keep the tablet alive for up to 9 hours on intense usage.

Samsung Galaxy Note is powered with Standard Li-Ion 7,000 mAh battery. However, Galaxy Note 10.1's battery performance is yet unknown.

Verdict

Can Apple's best bet take on the new Samsung tablet? Yes, it can. The new iPad has high resolution Retina display, 4G connectivity, 5-megapixel iSight camera and quad-core graphics. But, Samsung's new tablet is not lagging far behind the new iPad. Galaxy Note 10.1 has S-Pen stylus, LED flash, a better front-facing camera and a faster processor. Both the tablets look good enough to take on each other but the true winner will only be known when Samsung releases its new tablet in the market later this year.

(reported by Johnny Wills, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)

MUST READ - April Fools Pranks: Top 10 Apps to Play Pranks on Your Friends (Photos)

MUST READ - Tim Cook Beats Steve Jobs in Popularity Among Apple Employees: Why?

MUST READ - Angry Birds Space: Worth Downloading?

MUST READ - Nokia Lumia 900 For Free? Yes, Says AT&T (But You Better Hurry)