As with Apple tablets, for the new tablet of Huawei our first comparative between the tablets of Samsung It was with its star model, the Galaxy Tab S3, and it is true that it can stand up to it quite well, but for price it is a much more direct competitor of its predecessor, which continues to be an interesting and cheaper option to this day: MediaPad M5 10 vs. Galaxy Tab S2.
Integrated
La MediaPad M5 starts taking advantage of Galaxy Tab S2 in the design section, thanks mainly to three factors: the first is that it already comes with a metal casing while the other belongs to the generation in which plastic predominated even in the high-end range; the second the sound, since it does not offer us simply stereo speakers, but four of them, placed at the rear in the sound bar style and bearing the Harman Kardon seal; the third is that it has a USB type-C port. Both have, yes, a fingerprint reader and for some it will be a point in favor of the tablet of Samsung the one that still has a headphone jack port, although the HuaweiIn any case, it includes the adapter.
Dimensions
Where the Galaxy Tab S2 is impossible to beat is in the dimension section, and the fact that the screen of the MediaPad M5 is even more than 10 inches does not make it easier: the tablet of Samsung it is much more compact25,87x17,81 inch against 23,73x16,9 inch), but above all it is much lighter (498 grams against 389 grams) and fine (7,3 mm against 5,6 mm).
Screen
Although the Galaxy Tab S2 It has no difficulty to overcome in thickness and weight compared to tablets of the same size, it is true that part of the blame for the great difference between the two in the dimension section is the screen of the tablet of Huawei, much larger than is usual in the 10-inch range (10.8 inches against 9.7 inches). It is not the only thing that it has going for it, since its resolution is also higher (2560 x 1600 against 2048 x 1536). On the other hand, the tablet of Samsung has in its favor offering excellent image quality thanks to its Super AMOLED panels. A more neutral difference that will allow us to tip the balance more depending on our habits is the aspect ratio, since the MediaPad M5 uses the 16:10 aspect ratio (optimized for video playback), while that of the Koreans uses 4: 3 (optimized for reading).
Performance
The performance section is where the superiority of the MediaPad M5 It is clearer, since its processor is not of the latest generation, but it is still more recent and, above all, more powerful than the one we have in the Galaxy Tab S2 (Kirin 960 eight core to 2,1 GHz against Exynos 5433 eight core to 1,9 GHz), in addition to having more RAM (4 GB compared to 3 GB). The icing on the cake is given by the one who arrives already with Android Oreo, and although it is expected that the Samsung tablet will end up receiving this update, it cannot be assured and it may still take a long time.
Storage capacity
In the section of storage capacity things are more even, since both offer us 32 GB of internal memory in the standard model and they give us the option to expand them externally through card micro-SD. For the most demanding users, however it may be a point in favor of the Huawei tablet that it is available with up to 128 GB.
Cameras
The cameras of 8 and 2 MP for the Galaxy Tab S2 will be more than enough for most users, but for those who are looking to have the best possible camera on their tablet, the MediaPad M5 undoubtedly carries an important advantage, with 13 MP in the main and 8 MP for the front.
Autonomy
We will have to wait to have comparable data, but the autonomy section is another in which it is expected that the MediaPad M5 is done with a clear victory, more than anything, because it is one of the least bright spots in the Galaxy Tab S2, which manages to be so thin and light at the cost, in good part, of the capacity of its battery (7500 mAh against 5870mAh). It is true, on the other hand, that the tablet of Huawei It has a very large screen with a very high resolution and this has a great impact on consumption, so that you cannot draw hasty conclusions either.
MediaPad M5 10 vs Galaxy Tab S2: comparison and price balance
Despite the time that has passed since its launch, the Galaxy Tab S2 It continues to have some virtues that make it a very attractive option, especially its screen and the comfort of use that gives it how thin and light it is. There are a few points, however, in which it is appreciated that it has lagged a step behind the new high-end tablets and that is where the MediaPad M5 10 it is clearly imposed, thanks to its metal casing, its Harman Kardon speakers, its USB type-C port, the power of its processor, the 4 GB of RAM and the arrival of Android Oreo. It also wins in cameras, as we have seen, but this is a minor victory in the face of an average user.
The question is, what to do with the new MediaPad M5 10 It will not be much more expensive, since it has been launched, as announced, from $400. As far as it can help us tilt the balance from one side or the other, in any case, it should be noted that the Galaxy Tab S2 is still a cheaper option, being found in some distributors for around $350 (and occasionally even cheaper, if we keep an eye on the offers).