My journey into the realm of tablets began with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 (GT-P7500). Initially full of excitement, my experience soon turned to disappointment. This led me to a firm decision: I would not purchase a Galaxy device again.
In 2011, I invested in this high-performance tablet, opting out of buying an Apple iPad. At that time, Android tablets with a 10-inch touchscreen were uncommon. Apple had released the first iPad in 2010, and it dominated the tablet market. Samsung entered the market the same year with its first Galaxy Tab, which featured a 7-inch screen.
This model was smaller than ideal, but when Samsung introduced a 10-inch version in 2011, I eagerly purchased it from Amazon on 13 October 2011, for €579.
The Galaxy Tab was responsive to swipes and taps and operated smoothly. It boasted impressive hardware for its time: a 1 GHz dual-core processor, a 25.65 cm screen, standard Wi-Fi, a 3.2 Mp rear camera, a 2.0 Mp front camera, two stereo speakers, and a 7000 mAh battery.
This allowed me to relax on the sofa while browsing the web, shopping online, and watching YouTube videos without the weight and heat of a laptop. The larger screen was much easier to read compared to my smartphone at the time, an HTC Desire, which I viewed as the only serious competitor to the iPhone.
The Galaxy impressed me. I took it everywhere, equipped with a sturdy plastic case that protected it from damage. Though it made the tablet slightly bulkier, the protection was worth it. It was also fantastic for quick games of Cut the Rope or Fruit Ninja.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11 price comparison:
€199.9
269,00 €
Just a single, measly Android update
Initially, everything seemed fine. However, I began to question whether I would receive the next Android version. Given that I owned a relatively new and robust tablet from a leading manufacturer, I expected updates. My tablet came with Android 3.1.
Ultimately, I received only one minor Android update. That was the extent of it—no new Android versions were provided. This was my first letdown.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 1st generation front view
HCD
Death and the dark side
Things deteriorated further. Shortly after the warranty expired, the screen stopped functioning without any prior warning. The tablet had been working perfectly the day before. Initially suspecting a dead battery, I charged it, but the screen remained unresponsive.
Attempts to restart it proved futile. Even a forced restart using the key combination failed. The Galaxy Tab ceased to function after just two years, without any physical damage. This was particularly disappointing for such a costly device.
Unable to continue using my cherished HTC Desire due to insufficient storage and missing Android updates, I decided to transition to an iPad. Since then, I have experienced no issues with the iPad or its successors. Whenever I upgraded to a newer iPad model, my family members inherited the old one, which continued to serve them well for years.
If your tablet needs an upgrade, check out our top recommendations in our round-up of the best tablets we’ve tested.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC-WELT and was translated and adapted from German.
