Tablets don’t quite hold attention like they used to, and now that phones are bigger and tablets are computers, they are less of a “thing”. But if you have kids, Samsung’s updated 8 inch Tab A could be perfect for little hands.
We’re not quite sure how many people “need” a tablet these days, and now that big phones are normal — and we’re over calling them “phablets” — the whole niche for tablet computers isn’t all that big a deal anymore. Simply put, so much out there qualifies as a tablet, be it a touchscreen computer with a 360 degree hinge or a very large phone, and so the whole “tablet” field isn’t quite as large as it used to be.
Sure, Apple still offers its iPad and iPad Pro, and they are without doubt the number one sellers for the tablet category, but if you don’t have a lot of money to spend and are after a high quality tablet meant for a smaller size, Apple’s tablets don’t quite check every box.
This week, however, Samsung is updating its Galaxy Tab range, one of the longest running iPad competitors that has seen numerous entries throughout the years.
Its latest is an 8 inch model meant for smaller hands, adding to the Galaxy Tab range that this year saw both Windows and Android tablets, with the latest adding to the category of the latter.
Yes, Android appears to be the domain of the Galaxy Tab A 8.0, a metal-encased 8 inch tablet sporting a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, microSD expandability, and specs to point out that this is a mid-range device, thanks in part to a fairly low-end 1280×800 display, 8 megapixel rear camera, 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, and the slightly older Android 7.1 operating system.
While those specs aren’t going to impress new tablet owners, the point for this model appears to be kids, with the Galaxy Tab A 8.0 arriving with a kids mode including LEGO games in the package, while a game mode is borrowed from the Galaxy S7 and S8 smartphones to improve gaming performance without getting interruptions.
Overall, it should result in a tablet that works for most things in a smallish package for not a lot of money, arriving in two varieties, a WiFi only Galaxy Tab A 8.0 inch for $329, while an option with 4G and phone support — for a really big phone — will hit stores for $479.
“At Samsung, we want Australians to have choice when it comes to the technology they use, and ensure it meets their unique needs,” said Garry McGregor, Director for IT and Mobile at Samsung Australia.
“The Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is designed for the whole family,” he said. “It’s the tablet that’s easy to use whether you’re out and about or curled up on the couch, with long-lasting battery life to get everyone through the day.”
