iPad Mini 2 vs Galaxy Tab S2

[nviz22]

Which device is better? Those are my choices I am looking at right now. The iPad Mini 4 is out of my price range. Tab S2 is slightly stretching my budget.

 

[Roadstar]

Would iPad Mini 3 be too far off? TouchID makes quite a difference when it comes to convenience.

 

[nviz22]

Would iPad Mini 3 be too far off? TouchID makes quite a difference when it comes to convenience.

It's $250, but not readily easy to find since it was discontinued.

 

[Roadstar]

Well, in general iOS is still the better tablet experience, unless you're looking for a laptop replacement which is easier to achieve with Android's file system access and USB OTG for accessories.

 

[nviz22]

Well, in general iOS is still the better tablet experience, unless you're looking for a laptop replacement which is easier to achieve with Android's file system access and USB OTG for accessories.

Nah, I have my MBP for a laptop experience, mainly for my masters program work. It's mainly for watching Netflix/Youtube/Xfinity/ESPN, listening to music, surfing the web, etc.

 

[Roadstar]

Nah, I have my MBP for a laptop experience, mainly for my masters program work. It's mainly for watching Netflix/Youtube/Xfinity/ESPN, listening to music, surfing the web, etc.

I would go for iOS then. Better app quality and less idle drain, i.e. the tablet is more likely to have some battery left when you pick it up.

 

[Channan]

Definitely the Tab S2. If it was between that and the iPad mini 4, a number of other factors would come into play, but the iPad mini 2 won't last much longer if you can even stand the current lag and stutter on it.

 

[0970373]

Nah, I have my MBP for a laptop experience, mainly for my masters program work. It's mainly for watching Netflix/Youtube/Xfinity/ESPN, listening to music, surfing the web, etc.

I have both the Mini 2 and the Tab S2. If you're mainly using it to consume media (which is what I use it for), get the Tab S2. The screen is waaaaaaay better than the Mini. Also, you can use a micro SD card to expand storage.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I have both the Mini 2 and the Tab S2. If you're mainly using it to consume media (which is what I use it for), get the Tab S2. The screen is waaaaaaay better than the Mini. Also, you can use a micro SD card to expand storage.

☝☝☝This exactly!

 

[nviz22]

I have both the Mini 2 and the Tab S2. If you're mainly using it to consume media (which is what I use it for), get the Tab S2. The screen is waaaaaaay better than the Mini. Also, you can use a micro SD card to expand storage.

Is it $50 better though? And how long have you owned the S2 for? Does it lag at all?

 

[0970373]

Is it $50 better though? And how long have you owned the S2 for? Does it lag at all?

Yes, 2 years, no. Still going strong. Mini 2 is on its last legs. I doubt I'll replace it w/ another iPad as the Tab S2 serves the purpose I need it for. I never travel without it. the Mini basically sits on my nightstand at this point. I use Plex to sync my media between various iOS devices and this Android tablet. All other apps work great on it. The expandable memory and screen is hands down worth it for a consumption device.

 

[nviz22]

Yes, 2 years, no. Still going strong. Mini is on its last legs. I doubt I'll replace it w/ another iPad as the Tab S2 serves the purpose I need it for. I never travel without it. the Mini basically sits on my nightstand at this point. I use Plex to sync my media between various iOS devices and this Android tablet. All other apps work great on it. The expandable memory is hands down worth it for a consumption device.

I have to really sit down and think it over. I am so used to iOS' peace of mind. I didn't like how I got wi-fi connected popups so frequently on the Tab A 7.0. Is that a Touchwiz feature? I love how the OLED screen looks on the Tab S2.

 

[0970373]

I have to really sit down and think it over. I am so used to iOS' peace of mind. I didn't like how I got wi-fi connected popups so frequently on the Tab A 7.0. Is that a Touchwiz feature? I love how the OLED screen looks on the Tab S2.

I'm not sure what WiFi connected popups you get are but I don't have any. Maybe it's just settings adjustment. I use the Nova launcher instead of TouchWiz. I live in an Apple EcoSystem - Mac (Air & Pro, iPad, iPhone (7 & SE), Apple TV (3 & 4). I love the Tab S2. The screen is awesome. If it's a pure consumption device, you really can't beat it. But your choice. I'm not here to convince you, just giving you personal experience with both devices. Pick what works for you.

 

[Lloydbm41]

I have to really sit down and think it over. I am so used to iOS' peace of mind. I didn't like how I got wi-fi connected popups so frequently on the Tab A 7.0. Is that a Touchwiz feature? I love how the OLED screen looks on the Tab S2.

Wifi connected pop-ups on the S2? I don't have that issue with mine. I also use Nova Launcher. Beats that Touchwiz home screen garbage.

I do get that crap all the time on my iPhone though. Annoying as hell.

 

[nviz22]

So what if the iPad Mini 4 came into the equation now?

 

[Roadstar]

So what if the iPad Mini 4 came into the equation now?

If you're OK with the screen size, it's a fine device and should have years of software support still.

 

[nviz22]

If you're OK with the screen size, it's a fine device and should have years of software support still.

7.9" is perfectly fine for watching stuff on for me. I actually like the Mini 4's lighter feel. I really just wanted years of support, split screen multi-tasking, reliable processing speed, great app support, and nicely designed product. Can't wait for mine to come in soon.

 

[Roadstar]

7.9" is perfectly fine for watching stuff on for me. I actually like the Mini 4's lighter feel. I really just wanted years of support, split screen multi-tasking, reliable processing speed, great app support, and nicely designed product. Can't wait for mine to come in soon.

With those needs it's hard to go wrong with the mini 4 🙂

 

[nviz22]

With those needs it's hard to go wrong with the mini 4 🙂

Exactly, plus I don't have to worry about overheating, lag, or mediocre battery life with the Tab S2. Though $210 for the Tab S2 is a great deal.

 

[0970373]

Exactly, plus I don't have to worry about overheating, lag, or mediocre battery life with the Tab S2. Though $210 for the Tab S2 is a great deal.

Ehh...I don't have any of these issues w/ my Tab S2, honestly but glad you found what you needed. The Mini 4 is much better than the Mini 2. I'm assuming though that you never actually used the Tab S2? I would never have an Android phone (tried it, hated it) but I'll likely continue to get Tab S tablets moving forward. I haven't found iPad to be worth the cost for what I need them for.

 

[nviz22]

Ehh...I don't have any of these issues w/ my Tab S2, honestly but glad you found what you needed. The Mini 4 is much better than the Mini 2. I'm assuming though that you never actually used the Tab S2? I would never have an Android phone (tried it, hated it) but I'll likely continue to get Tab S tablets moving forward. I haven't found iPad to be worth the cost for what I need them for.

I tried the Tab S 2 at Best Buy briefly. I also used the Tab A 7.0. That tablet was pretty disappointing since I was coming from an iPad 4.

 

[0970373]

I tried the Tab S 2 at Best Buy briefly. I also used the Tab A 7.0. That tablet was pretty disappointing since I was coming from an iPad 4.

Well Tab A and Tab S are different lines and Tab A is definitely inferior. 5 minutes with any piece of hardware is hardly enough to really get a feel for it. But glad you got what you wanted, OP. Cheers.

 

[nviz22]

Well Tab A and Tab S are different lines and Tab A is definitely inferior. 5 minutes with any piece of hardware is hardly enough to really get a feel for it. But glad you got what you wanted, OP. Cheers.

True, but at the same time, Samsung's Touchwiz is so hard to ignore because of its constant flaws like bad resource management, bad UI design, etc. I am rooting for Samsung to do well with the S8 though. The Tab S2 is good from what I read, but the "flaws" weren't worth dealing with for me. Thanks.

 

[Channan]

So what if the iPad Mini 4 came into the equation now?

I'd say iPad mini 4 personally.

 

[Lloydbm41]

True, but at the same time, Samsung's Touchwiz is so hard to ignore because of its constant flaws like bad resource management, bad UI design, etc. I am rooting for Samsung to do well with the S8 though. The Tab S2 is good from what I read, but the "flaws" weren't worth dealing with for me. Thanks.

Ironically, if you wanted an LTE variant, the iPad Mini 2 is half off starting tomorrow at T-Mobile.