Desirable. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is a compelling package. No other other 10-inch tablet with Android 6, LTE and Full-HD on the market offers more for less. If the performance is up to par as well is the subject of our review.
Just like its predecessor Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7, the 2016 version also targets the price-conscious consumer. Equipped with Android 6.0, the tablet now not only comes with an up-to-date OS, but is faster as well.Samsung's own Exynos 7870 Octa SoC, which features twice as many processor cores, takes the place of the Qualcomm quad-core SoC the predecessor was equipped with. The display panel has grown from 9.7 to 10.1 inches and now features Full-HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels compared to the predecessor's 1024 x 768. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) starts at 289 Euro (~$330) for the standard version equipped with WiFi, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage and either a black or white chassis. Our review slate, which sells for 349 Euro (~$395) - but is available for less than 300 Euro (~$340) online - is the second model, which includes an LTE module.
To keep the price affordable, Samsung elected to not include some nice-to-haves - for example a metal chassis. Instead, the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is made out of plastic, with white and black being the only two color choices. We wouldn't use the words "high-end" or "upscale" to describe the design, but the unobtrusive polycarbonate case does what it's supposed to do, it's quite sturdy, impresses with the seamless integration of the display into the bezel and - all things considered - doesn't look cheap at all. The back is slightly rubberized and is easy to grip and hold as a result.
The 10.1-inch is definitely sturdy enough for daily use - it takes quite a bit of force to twist the 8.2 mm thick slate. Even then, there are no creaking sounds, although the picture is affected in some areas. The back of the case is slightly magnetic - the optional Book Cover attaches that way. The tablet can be propped up at a slight angle to making watching videos or typing a more enjoyable experience.
The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is comparatively heavy at 525 grams. Only the Acer Iconia Tab 10 A3-A30 is slightly heavier, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 9.7 is the lightest contender at 456 grams because of its smaller form factor.
Connectivity
Aside from the LTE module, there's no difference between the two version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016). Both are equipped with a middle-class SoC Samsung Exynos 7870 Octa, with the eight cores clocked at 1.6 GHz. An ARM Mali-T830 MP2 GPU, 2 GB RAM and 16 GB of storage round out the package. As shipped, only 10.5 GB are available to the user - not exactly generous, given that Samsung touts that the Tab A 10.1 is particularly well-suited for mobile entertainment. At least there's the microSD card slot, which also supports App2SD, so it's usable for data storage as well as applications. According to Samsung, the tablet supports microSD cards up to 200 GB - the maximum capacity currently offered. The Micro-USB 2.0 port supports USB-OTG, but not MHL.
Software
The Galaxy sports an - at least at the time of writing - up-to-date version of the Android OS, 6.0.1 Marshmallow. Samsung more or less left the OS untouched and only includes a few pre-installed apps. The selection is small and unobtrusive - it includes Samsung's own tools like the Calender S Planner and Kids Mode - which allows the user to block media and applications - as well as the obligatory suite of Google apps. There are also Microsoft products like Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Skype, although only the space-saving download links are provided. The pre-installed apps can't be uninstalled, by the way - only deactivated.
5.7 x 2.8 x 0.34 inches (144.8 x 72.1 x 8.6 millimeters)
5.5 ounces (156 grams)
Like a lot of recent budget handsets these days, the Galaxy Grand Prime manages to come across as attractive and approachable without looking "cheap." Its glossy off-white face pairs with a pearlescent back cover. Silver accents rim the perimeter, home button and camera mount.
Samsung likes to place the power/lock button on the right spine, which balances out the volume rocker on the left, the Micro-USB charging port down below and the headset jack up top. Its camera lens sits in the middle of the back, with the LED flash to the left. The front-facing lens roosts on the right side of the phone above the screen.
Popping off the back cover reveals the Micro-SIM card holder. To slide in a microSD card, however, you'll have to first pull out the battery.
Circling back to the screen, you'll find it bordered by a white bezel and rimmed with a thin deep black frame. That's because the TFT screen itself appears light gray. The resolution is incredibly low for a screen this large -- 960x540 pixels compared with the 2014 Moto G's 1,280x720p resolution.
Its comparatively low pixel density won't ruin basic text reading and social networking on the Galaxy Grand Prime, but it does render the screen especially dim in bright sunlight and makes fingerprint smudges harder to ignore. More importantly, photos will lose some crispness and detail, and those resource-heavy videos and games, like music videos and movie trailers, often look choppy and pixelated.
OS and apps
An Android 4.4 KitKat phone, the Grand Prime isn't as up-to-date as Android 5.0 Lollipop, but it's still fast and has critical features like Google Now.
The version of Samsung's TouchWiz layer that the phone uses on top of Android is a little more basic that it would be on other devices. For instance, there's no automatic brightness gauge and no gesture support, though you can still print from the Grand Prime and turn on ultra-power-saving mode to stretch the last of your battery reserves to hours; there's also NFC.
Preloaded apps are a reality for any phone you buy through a carrier, though the Galaxy Grand Prime's preinstall haul is surprisingly lean. Cricket's complement of management apps meets a few Samsung titles, like Milk (for music) and a folder for Galaxy Apps. Besides that, you'll get the usual Google basics.
Camera quality
8-megapixel camera
1,080p HD video (30fps)
5-megapixel front-facing camera
The Grand Prime's shooter goes head to head with the Motorola Moto G (2014), and edges it out thanks to higher resolutions for both the video and selfie lens. For this price point, decent 8-megapixel photo captures are about the best you can expect, and that's what you get.
Autofocus is immeasurably helpful, although not every photo came out focused. I'll accept a certain amount of user error for that, but some pictures were unexpectedly blurry, even with the lens wiped clean. These are images that looked clear on the phone screen, but woefully the opposite when opened on the computer monitor. Shots taken outdoors or in natural light looked the best, with the quality degrading in low-light pictures.
Although resolution goes up to 8 megapixels, the native app defaults to 6 megapixels. You'll need to manually change that. Samsung includes important modes like panorama and HDR, along with burst and night modes, and a tool that lets you use the rear camera to take a self-portrait.
Video captured at 1080p HD and played back smoothly, with focus adjusting as the scene changed.
If it's effects and filters you want, you'll need to download a photo editor. Strangely, Samsung didn't preload this, but there is a shortcut within the camera app to download the Samsung editor. Otherwise, you can use any other third-party app.
Samsung has thrown a lot into selfies for this device. You can trigger the front-facing camera with your palm or voice command (like "cheese"). Multiple modes mean you can also set up a wide selfie for a larger group, or create an animated GIF. Three separate sliders let you artificially adjust the degree of airbrushing, facial slimness and the size of your eyes. You know, if that's your thing.
Image quality was so-so for the selfie, which isn't always terrible depending on how detailed you like those portraits. I noticed that even with the airbrushing turned totally off, the Grand Prime's front-facing camera still imparted some of that soft effect.
SAMSUNG GALAXY GRAND PRIME MAKES ITS MOVE...
Design and build
5-inch, 960x540-pixel TFT (220ppi)
5.7 x 2.8 x 0.34 inches (144.8 x 72.1 x 8.6 millimeters)
5.5 ounces (156 grams)
Like a lot of recent budget handsets these days, the Galaxy Grand Prime manages to come across as attractive and approachable without looking "cheap." Its glossy off-white face pairs with a pearlescent back cover. Silver accents rim the perimeter, home button and camera mount.
Samsung likes to place the power/lock button on the right spine, which balances out the volume rocker on the left, the Micro-USB charging port down below and the headset jack up top. Its camera lens sits in the middle of the back, with the LED flash to the left. The front-facing lens roosts on the right side of the phone above the screen.
Circling back to the screen, you'll find it bordered by a white bezel and rimmed with a thin deep black frame. That's because the TFT screen itself appears light gray. The resolution is incredibly low for a screen this large -- 960x540 pixels compared with the 2014 Moto G's 1,280x720p resolution.
Its comparatively low pixel density won't ruin basic text reading and social networking on the Galaxy Grand Prime, but it does render the screen especially dim in bright sunlight and makes fingerprint smudges harder to ignore. More importantly, photos will lose some crispness and detail, and those resource-heavy videos and games, like music videos and movie trailers, often look choppy and pixelated.
OS and apps
An Android 4.4 KitKat phone, the Grand Prime isn't as up-to-date as Android 5.0 Lollipop, but it's still fast and has critical features like Google Now.
The version of Samsung's TouchWiz layer that the phone uses on top of Android is a little more basic that it would be on other devices. For instance, there's no automatic brightness gauge and no gesture support, though you can still print from the Grand Prime and turn on ultra-power-saving mode to stretch the last of your battery reserves to hours; there's also NFC.
Preloaded apps are a reality for any phone you buy through a carrier, though the Galaxy Grand Prime's preinstall haul is surprisingly lean. Cricket's complement of management apps meets a few Samsung titles, like Milk (for music) and a folder for Galaxy Apps. Besides that, you'll get the usual Google basics.
Camera quality
8-megapixel camera
1,080p HD video (30fps)
5-megapixel front-facing camera
The Grand Prime's shooter goes head to head with the Motorola Moto G (2014), and edges it out thanks to higher resolutions for both the video and selfie lens. For this price point, decent 8-megapixel photo captures are about the best you can expect, and that's what you get.
Autofocus is immeasurably helpful, although not every photo came out focused. I'll accept a certain amount of user error for that, but some pictures were unexpectedly blurry, even with the lens wiped clean. These are images that looked clear on the phone screen, but woefully the opposite when opened on the computer monitor. Shots taken outdoors or in natural light looked the best, with the quality degrading in low-light pictureView Full Gallery
Although resolution goes up to 8 megapixels, the native app defaults to 6 megapixels. You'll need to manually change that. Samsung includes important modes like panorama and HDR, along with burst and night modes, and a tool that lets you use the rear camera to take a self-portrait.
Video captured at 1080p HD and played back smoothly, with focus adjusting as the scene changed.
If it's effects and filters you want, you'll need to download a photo editor. Strangely, Samsung didn't preload this, but there is a shortcut within the camera app to download the Samsung editor. Otherwise, you can use any other third-party app.
Samsung has thrown a lot into selfies for this device. You can trigger the front-facing camera with your palm or voice command (like "cheese"). Multiple modes mean you can also set up a wide selfie for a larger group, or create an animated GIF. Three separate sliders let you artificially adjust the degree of airbrushing, facial slimness and the size of your eyes. You know, if that's your thing.
Image quality was so-so for the selfie, which isn't always terrible depending on how detailed you like those portraits. I noticed that even with the airbrushing turned totally off, the Grand Prime's front-facing camera still imparted some of that soft effect.