Samsung sm t211, a pretty solid tablet but only if you are a kid

As a low-end tablet, Samsung sm t211, or known as Samsung Galaxy Tab 3, used to be a big hit alongside Apple iPad. For today's standards, it may not look good on paper, but back then in 2012, this tablet still managed to become a definite choice for tablet shoppers out there. But is it good to buy this device today?

Hi guys, it’s me again, John. Welcome back to this site!!

Earlier, i’ve already given you the review of samsung gt p3100 or popularly known as Samsung GALAXY Tab 2, of course, not that in-depth review, just my personal review based on my knowledge about this tablet that i’ve gathered from other sources, like user reviews and video reviews around the net.

Today, i want to continue my personal review of Samsung sm t211 or Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 7.0, which is released this year.



Samsung sm t211 was announced this year, to be exact, in April 2013. Soon after that, this tablet finally got released officially in July 2013.

Bringing the similar kind of specs just like the 2 predecessors with slightly improvements here and there on the hardware and software, Samsung has high hopes that Samsung sm t211 can grab more sales in mid-end tablet market to strengthen up the overall sales of its entire GALAXY devices.

As the result, Samsung sm t211 turns out to be a pretty good tablet overall.

However, this tablet will not just sit comfortably on the couch alongside Google Nexus 7 (2013 edition), Kindle Fire HDX or Tegra 4 that bring some great stuff that are just better than Samsung GALAXY Tab 3.

The good thing about this tablet is, Samsung sm t211 still inherits some of the most crucial elements just like the predecessors.

And they are the ability to make phone calls with its 3G cellular connectivity, much richer features and microSD card slot support, making it more valuable than other rivals around the market to date, although the hardware it’s packing are not on par with the likes of Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire 7 HDX or Tegra Note.

So the question is, with all of the specs and features being offered on this tablet, will Samsung sm t211 stack up against other competing tablets that are just way more powerful than Samsung’s tablet, in terms of hardware specs?

Well, we’re gonna find out in this review.



The first different thing to notice from this tablet compared to its predecessors is definitely its design.

It’s great to see that Samsung made some big changes to the entire design of this tablet.

Now Samsung sm t211 doesn’t look ugly anymore just like the predecessors.

Now the side bezels have been reduced significantly and the rounded shape on each corner also doesn’t make this tablet look chubby anymore.

It now looks much better than the previous models, although it still doesn’t have the same premium feel just like iPad or Sony Xperia Z tablet.

Overall, the design of this tablet really resembles with the design of the latest Samsung GALAXY devices, like Samsung GALAXY Note 3, Samsung GALAXY S4, Samsung GALAXY Note 10.1 and other current GALAXY series.

So you will see the same metallic-alike trimming on the left and right sides, just like on Samsung GALAXY Note 3 or GALAXY S4.

To be honest, i kind of like this new design.

This tablet now looks more matured and a little bit elegant than the previous GALAXY models.

Hopefully, next year, Samsung will finally have guts to bring premium aluminum material on its next year’s GALAXY line. Fingers crossed for that!!

All the important elements of this tablet can be found around the side of this device, like microSD card slot, IR blaster, 3.5mm headphone jack, Samsung’s proprietary port, volume controls and power button.

This is not that surprising given that Samsung sm t211 basically uses the same exact elements just like the predecessors.

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• Released in July 2013
• 7.0-inch TFT Capacitive touch screen, 600x1024 pixels (-170 pixel density)
• TouchWiz UX UI
• Android OS, v4.1 Jelly Bean
• Dual-core 1.2GHz Marvel SoC Cortex A9 CPU
• PowerVR SGX
• 1GB RAM
• microSD card slot for up to 64GB
• 8/16GB Internal storage
• HSDPA 21 Mbps, HSUPA 5.76 Mbps
• WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11, dual band
• Bluetooth
• Infrared Yes
• Camera 3.15MP, 2048x1536 pixels autofocus
• GPS
• Java MIDP
• 4000mAh battery

Samsung sm t211 comes with the similar quality specs just like the predecessors, like the same exact 7-inch 1024x600 pixel display, 3.15MP camera, microSD card slot, 3G cellular connectivity, dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, pretty good GPU (not Exynos) and pretty much anything of this tablet really resembles with the previous models.

But thank God, on this last gen model, Samsung made some pretty great improvements in the entire aspect of this device, like its hardware, performance, camera, software and battery life.

So you won’t feel like you’re getting the same kind of tablet when buying Samsung sm t211.

The most noticeable difference on this device is definitely its design, that takes design cues from Samsung GALAXY S4.


If there is one thing that really makes this tablet disappointing for users is definitely its display.

Having been released in 2013, Samsung sm t211 surprisingly still uses the same quality 1024x600 pixel screen on this model, which is the same one found on the previous models.

This can be really annoying given that rivals like Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire 7 HDX already use 1080p display.

So everything on Samsung sm t211’s screen will look less sharper and not satisfying enough for most of users who demand more on nowadays tablets.

The good thing is, Samsung sm t211 is a 7-inch tablet so its mediocre display is still pretty good for 7-inch tablet.

If we bring the 3G-enabled Samsung sm t211 against the Wi-Fi only Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire 7 HDX, then Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 might have a great chance to win there given that its 3G connectivity also allows users to make phone call and send text messages.

But then again, if otherwise, we bring the 3G model of Google Nexus 7 to the same table with Samsung sm t211, then Samsung’s tablet will find it really hard to compete because with Skype app, you can also make phone call on Google Nexus 7 tablet.

And If we put the Wi-Fi only model of Samsung sm t211 on the same table with the Wi-Fi models of Google Nexus 7 and Kindle Fire 7 HDX, then it’s just no brainer that Samsung’s tablet is not a great option for you.

Besides, its price is maybe still higher compared to Google or Amazon’s tablets.

So you definitely should choose between Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire 7 HDX.


Features will probably be something that Samsung sm t211 can be proud of.

Unlike other tablets like Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire 7 HDX, Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 offers a wide range of cool features on its TouchWiz UX, like multi-window app, attractive live wallpaper, good looking custom skin and many more.

With multi-window feature, you are able to float any app like video player or calculator on the same screen with other running apps like web browser or books.

So you can watch movies, use calculator, while browsing the web at the same time.

The TouchWiz UI on Samsung sm t211 also brings many great customization like awesome live wallpaper, cool widgets and some other cool features that just can’t be found on tablets like Kindle Fire HDX or Google Nexus 7.

MicroSD card slot is also something that makes Samsung sm t211 more valuable than Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HDX.

It allows users to cramp all of their files for up to 64GB plus the 8/16GB internal storage, making sure that you will never run out of storage for your files or documents, especially games that usually consume a lot of storage on tablet.

On Samsung sm t211, you are also allowed to make phone calls or send text messages, thanks to its 3G cellular connectivity.

And to support that feature, Samsung also provides a dedicated phone book where you can store all of your contacts from your SIM card into this phone book, making it a lot easier to make calls with this tablet if you forgot to bring your cell phone at your disposal.

So yeah, this is a great feature on this tablet.

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When it comes to performance, this tablet has its strength and weakness.

I mean, for basic use like for browsing, reading books, multitasking apps, watching movies, listening to music, using live wallpaper, playing some heavy games, the overall performance of this tablet can be considered as pretty good, thanks to its 1GB of RAM, a dual-core Marvel SoC Cortex A9 CPU and PowerVR SGX GPU.

However, when it comes to much heavier task, like playing much powerful graphically demanding games like Asphalt 8: Airborne, Modern Combat 4, Dead Trigger 2, GT Racing 2, GTA San Andreas, etc, then no doubt that this tablet will struggle really bad and are just not powerful to run these hardcore games smoothly and in full graphics.

And the story will be even worst if this tablet is faced with next year’s games.

For your information, next year, mobile games will look even more sophisticated than the games that you see today.

Most of these games will use higher quality graphics and more stunning visual effects.

So with that being said, then i don’t think Samsung sm t211 will be capable to run those games perfectly and in full graphics.

So if you’re looking for a much powerful gaming tablet that will be capable to run any graphics intense games even in the next 2 years, your choice is between Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire 7 HDX or Tegra 4 tablets like Tegra Note, HP Slate 7 Extreme or HP Slate 8 Pro.

These tablets are just way more powerful than Samsung sm t211, especially in terms of hardware specs.



It’s good to hear that, despite using the same exact 3.15MP rear-facing camera just like on the predecessors, the camera on Samsung GALAXY Tab 3 surprisingly can take some decent shots.

What makes me impressed with its camera are its speed and overall quality.

Even though the photos lack of details, however, overall, the quality still looks pretty good, with accurate colors and good exposure.

The sharpness of the photos taken with Samsung sm t211’s camera may not wow you, but they still look perfectly fine for sharing to your friends or followers around internet, like on Instagram or Twitter.


Besides its camera, the battery life of Samsung sm t211 is also something that can be proud of.

Based on the video reviews around the net, i’ve noticed how some users of this tablet are really satisfied with its battery life.

It may only have 4000mAh power battery in it, the same one found on the predecessors, but for basic daily tasks like watching movies, browsing internet, listening to music, checking emails or playing games, this tablet will run you in 1 solid day with one single charge.

However, if you intend to use this tablet to play some heavy games or watching movies in marathon, you can expect the battery life of this tablet to last around 7 to 9 hours.

But this is still pretty great though for a 7-inch tablet.


To be honest, i overall, i’m really impressed with the whole thing about this tablet.

I really like how this tablet comes with the abilities to make phone calls, send text messages or control any electronic or entertainment system in your house with its IR blaster.

I also like that Samsung puts the microSD card slot for up to 64GB on this tablet. I mean, this is really important for many users who want to throw all of their favorite files into the tablet.

However, there are some cons about Samsung sm t211 that are just inevitable to notice, like its mediocre 1024x600 pixel display, weak dual-core CPU and average PowerVR SGX GPU.

This can be pretty disappointing especially for those of you who love playing heavy graphically demanding games on tablet like this.

You will find it harder to play games like GTA Vice City, GTA San Andreas, Modern Combat 4, Asphalt 8: Airborne or Dead Trigger 2 in buttery smooth performance and full graphics.

On the other hand, for those of you who don’t really like playing games on tablet, then Samsung sm t211 can be a really good choice for you.

It has 3G cellular connectivity, microSD card slot, IR blaster, Bluetooth, Infrared, Wi-Fi, cool features like multi-window apps, pretty good camera despite using 3.15MP sensor, dedicated phone book to store your contacts from SIM card and many more.

So this tablet will definitely be great for reading books, browsing the web, listening to music, watching movies or playing pretty heavy games.

However, if you’re type of power users who like playing heavy games, then i recommend you to pick either Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire 7 HDX or Tegra 4 tablets like Tegra Note 7, HP Slate 7 Extreme or HP Slate 8 Pro.

It’s guaranteed that you’ll be able to play any graphics demanding games perfectly and smoothly with no lag whatsoever. Trust me on that.

And the best thing about these tablets is, i also believe that these powerful tablets will still be capable to run any heavy games in the next 2 years ahead.

So you don’t need to upgrade your tablet when the newest games launch next year or in 2015.


There are some great things but also some bad things that you’ll find on this tablet.

First of all, let me begin with the great ones.

Samsung sm t211 comes with the similar internals just like the 2 predecessors, from the same exact 1024x600 pixel display, dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM, 3.15MP camera, 3G cellular connectivity, TouchWiz UX, microSD card slot up to 64GB and other similar features found on the previous models.

The good news is, despite using the similar exact specs like the previous models, Samsung brings some improvements on this tablet, like much improved TouchWiz UI, much better camera, much faster performance, more powerful hardware and much longer battery life.

This tablet is now much faster, smoother and better than Samsung GALAXY Tab 2, in terms of performance, experience and hardware.

The bad thing about this tablet is, despite being the latest-gen tablet from the company, Samsung sm t211 still inherits the same mediocre specs of the predecessors, like the same 7-inch 1024x600 pixel display, 3.15MP rear-facing camera and the same quality hardware (like dual-core CPU, 1GB of RAM and average quality GPU).

And this is not great because, compared to other tablets in the same price range of Samsung sm t211, this tablet is already left behind by its rivals.

For example are Google Nexus 7, Kindle Fire 7HDX or Tegra Note.

These 3 tablets are just far more powerful than Samsung sm t211, in terms of hardware specs and will definitely blow this tablet out of the water. It’s just no brainer.

And it’s worsened by the fact that in the same price range of 3G-enabled Samsung sm t211, you can pick up either the 3G models of Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire 7 HDX, and have more powerful specs than Samsung sm t211.

So with that being said, then it’s kind of hard to recommend this tablet to you right now.

The story would probably different if Samsung sm t211 was released 2 years ago, when there were not many competitors around the market that time.

So it’s up to you now.

Are you willing to buy this 3G-enabled tablet at higher price point than the Wi-Fi only Google Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire 7 HDX? Or you want to get a much better tablet that is really powerful for gaming?

Have any question? Leave your comment here!