Screen to body ratio
This parameter shows how much of the tablet's front panel area is on the display. The higher the display/body ratio, the thinner the frames and the more compact the tablet (with the same diagonal), the more elegant and aesthetically pleasing it looks. This indicator is also important when holding the tablet with both hands at once (for example, in games):
thin frames or even
frameless models allow you to reach further with your fingers without removing your hands from the device.
CPU
The model name of the processor installed in the tablet.
The processor is the “heart” of the device. It is he who is responsible for performing all the computing operations necessary for the normal operation of the tablet, and largely determines the overall performance. Knowing the name of a specific processor model, you can easily find detailed information on it, incl. and comparison with other models.
The most popular chips these days are from
Qualcomm(in particular, the top solutions
Snapdragon 800 series and
Snapdragon 8 series),
MediaTek(budget and “mid-range”
MediaTek Helio processors and the line of advanced
MediaTek Dimensity chipsets with 5G support), and among Windows tablets
Intel processors (mainly the
Intel Core family) are often found. Quite a rarity are branded
Kirin processors from Huawei and Honor.
CPU speed
The clock speed of the processor installed in the tablet is actually the maximum number of operations performed by one processor core per second. This indicator is important for the speed of the system, but a high clock frequency in itself does not guarantee speed. The actual speed of the processor also depends on its architecture, the number of cores and many other features, and the overall speed of the device also depends on the amount of “RAM”, the installed OS, etc. Therefore, situations are not uncommon when
powerful advanced tablets have a lower CPU frequency than more modest models.
Graphics card
Model of the graphics card installed in the tablet. The graphics card in such devices is not a separate device, but part of the processor; however, she still has a clear specialization and is responsible for graphics.
Accordingly, the graphics capabilities of the tablet directly depend on the characteristics of the video accelerator. Theoretically, knowing the name, you can find detailed specifications of a graphics card, reviews, test results and other information and evaluate how it suits you. At the same time, in most cases there is no need to delve into such details — all system components, including the graphics card, are usually selected in such a way as to correspond to the general class of the tablet and the capabilities necessary for this class.
RAM
The amount of random access memory (RAM) installed in the tablet. This memory is used for direct data processing, and therefore its volume is one of the main indicators of system speed and power. However note that the optimal amount of RAM strongly depends on the OS used — different systems and even different versions of the same "OS" can vary greatly in terms of consumed resources. But models on the same OS can be compared with each other in terms of the amount of RAM.
As for specific values, indicators in
1 GB or less in our time are definitely a sign of a weak tablet.
2 GB and
3 GB can be called the entry level,
4 GB and
6 GB are middle class, and in the most advanced models,
8 GB, or even
16 GB can be installed (or even more) RAM.
Storage type
The specification primarily determines the memory speed and, accordingly, the overall flow Rate of the device (especially when working with large amounts of data or resource-intensive applications). Nowadays, there are two basic specifications - eMMC (embedded Multimedia Memory Card) and UFS (Universal Flash Storage); each of them has several versions. In general, the fastest and most advanced drives today are those with
UFS 3.1 and
UFS 4.0, but they also cost accordingly, and therefore are used mainly in premium tablets. A more detailed description of these standards looks like this:
— eMMC. One of the simplest and most accessible solid-state memory standards — for example, this is the specification used by most flash drives. In tablets and other portable gadgets, this standard was generally accepted until 2016, when UFS began to be introduced; however, it is still quite common — mainly due to its low cost and low power consumption. eMMC speeds are noticeably lower than UFS. Thus, in the current version of eMMC 5.1A (2019), the read speed is up to 400 MB/s, and the earlier and more common version of eMMC 5.1 provides up to 250 MB/s in read mode, up to 125 MB/s in sequential write mode, and only up to 7.16 MB/s for random write (in other words, in application mode).
— UFS. A solid-state drive standard created as a faster and more advanced successor to eMMC. In addition to increased data
...exchange rates, UFS also changed its operating format — it is fully duplex, meaning that reading and writing can be done simultaneously (while in eMMC these processes were performed in turns). Efficiency in random read and write mode was also significantly increased, which had a positive effect on the quality of work with applications. Specific data exchange rates and operating features depend on the UFS version; these days, the following options can be found on the market:
- 2.0. The earliest version; it was released back in 2013. Provides data transfer speeds of up to 600 MB/s on one line and up to 1.2 GB/s on two lines, the maximum available in this version. The newer version 2.1 has the same indicators, but it is supplemented with a number of important innovations. Therefore, UFS 2.0 memory is very rarely used in tablets.
- 2.1. The first of the widely used versions; it was released in 2016. In terms of speed, it is no different from the version 2.0 described above, and the main differences are in some improvements. In particular, UFS 2.1 introduced a drive status ("health") indicator, the ability to remotely update the firmware, and a number of solutions aimed at increasing overall reliability.
- 2.2. An evolution of the UFS 2.x standard, introduced in summer 2020. The key improvement is the introduction of the WriteBooster feature (originally introduced in UFS 3.1); this feature allows for a significant increase in write speed and, therefore, overall flow Rate in tasks such as launching applications.
- 3.0. Version released in 2018 and implemented in hardware a year later. The throughput was increased to 2.9 GB/s on two lines (1.45 GB/s on one), new versions of the electronic protocol M-PHY (physical layer) and UniPro based on it were implemented, the reliability of data handling was increased, and the temperature range of the controllers was expanded (in theory, it can range from -40 °C to 105 °C).
- 3.1. The successor to the UFS 3.0 standard, officially introduced in early 2020. It is positioned as a specification created specifically for high-flow Rate mobile devices and aimed at increasing operating speed while minimizing power consumption. To this end, UFS 3.1 implements a number of innovations: a non-volatile Write Booster cache to speed up writing; a special DeepSleep power-saving mode for relatively simple and inexpensive systems; as well as the Performance Throttling Notification function, which allows the drive to send signals to the control system about overheating. In addition, this standard may additionally provide support for the HPB extension, which increases the read speed.
- 4.0. UFS 4.0 doubles the bandwidth per lane (23.2 Gbps per lane) and improves power efficiency by approximately 46% (compared to the previous 3.1 specification). UFS 4.0 memory modules provide maximum read speeds of up to 4,200 MB/s and write speeds of up to 2,800 MB/s.
Max. memory card storage
The largest amount of memory card with which the tablet is able to work correctly. For more information about the cards themselves, see "Memory Card Slot"; here we note that capacious media often use advanced technologies that are not supported by early models, and sometimes tablets simply do not have enough power to process large amounts of data. Therefore, for the convenience of choosing in our catalog, the maximum supported volume is indicated.
In fact, there are cases when some devices may exceed the claimed characteristics — for example, work with 8 GB of media with the claimed 4 GB of maximum capacity. However, it is worth focus on official data, because. if they are exceeded, normal operation with the card is not guaranteed.
SIM card
The tablet's support
for SIM cards means that it supports mobile networks (3G, LTE or even 5G - depending on the model). At a minimum, installing a card allows you to connect to the Internet to always stay connected. Note that modern tablets can use several different types of SIM cards. Before choosing a SIM card, you need to check what size card is suitable for the device.
- micro-SIM. The largest type of SIM card widely used in modern devices: it has a size of 15x12 mm. It was introduced back in 2010; nowadays it is being replaced by more compact and advanced nano-SIM and eSIM. Note that, as a last resort, a card for the microSIM slot can be made by simply cutting a larger mini-SIM to the required dimensions. However, such an operation is associated with a certain risk and requires care, so it is better to contact your mobile operator to replace the SIM card with a suitable one.
- nano-SIM. The smallest form factor of classic (replaceable) SIM cards is 12x9 mm. In such cards, the frames are cut almost “to fit the chip itself,” so there is essentially nowhere to further reduce traditional SIM cards. This standard appeared back in 2012, but it is still extremely widespread.
-
e-SIM. A SIM card of this type is an electronic module built directly into the device and cannot be replaced. To authorize in the mobile operator’s network, you need to make the appropriate settings in t
...he e-SIM; Moreover, such modules are able to save several sets of settings at once, which allows you to easily switch between different operators - no need to bother with physically replacing the SIM card, just change the profile in the settings. Another advantage of such modules is their compactness. However, before buying a phone with e-SIM, it doesn’t hurt to check whether this technology is supported by your mobile operator - even nowadays, not every network is compatible with such modules.
At the same time, the tablet is not always limited to one card slot. There are also options for two slots - this allows you to use two numbers at the same time in one device. The main convenience here is that to choose between two connection options, you don’t have to change the card in your tablet every time (and also risk losing the unused one). And the ability to choose may not be superfluous, given that different operators offer different communication standards, coverage areas and payment terms.Communication standard
— 3G. Support for third-generation mobile networks
(3G) by the modem. Usually it means work in UMTS networks (development of the GSM standard); Depending on the data transfer technologies supported by the network and the tablet itself, the maximum connection speed can vary from 2 to 70 Mbps. This is comparable to the speed of terrestrial Internet connection channels, so 3G connection can be comfortably used for web surfing, downloading files, watching streaming video, video calling, etc. In many models, classic voice calls to mobile and landline numbers are also available; most often these are devices with a small diagonal, which allows you to hold the tablet to your ear like a regular phone.
— 4G (LTE). Tablet support for 4th generation mobile communications —
4G(LTE). Such a connection provides data transfer speeds up to 173 Mbps according to the official specification (1 Gbps in the future), which gives even more comfort when surfing the Internet and other similar tasks than in 3G networks. In many LTE-tablets, classic voice calls to mobile and landline numbers are also available; most often these are devices with a small diagonal, which allows you to hold the tablet to your ear like a regular phone.
Note that the implementation of LTE in different countries and even regions is uneven, so before buying a tablet with such a module, it's ok to clarify the availability of coverage.
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— 5G. Further, after 4G, the development of mobile communication standards. In the official specifications of this generation, a peak speed of 20 Gbps for reception and 10 Gbps for transmission, guaranteed reception and transmission speeds (at high network load) of 100 and 50 Mbps, respectively, as well as a number of solutions aimed at increasing reliability and overall communication quality. A set of such solutions includes, in particular, multi-element antenna arrays (Massive MIMO) and beamforming technologies (Beamforming) at base stations, as well as the possibility of direct communication between subscriber devices. With all this, this standard allows to reduce energy consumption in comparison with its predecessors.
Separately, it is worth touching on rumors about the dangers of 5G communications for health. According to modern scientific data, such a connection does not pose a danger to the human body, and the rumors mentioned are conspiracy theories that are not supported by any weighty arguments.