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.
CPU cores
The number of individual cores provided by the tablet processor.
The core is the part of the processor that executes a single instruction stream. Accordingly, the more cores, the more threads the processor can simultaneously process and the higher its performance (ceteris paribus). On the other hand, numerous cores is not always an indicator of a high class processor and tablet as a whole. First, the actual performance of the chip depends on many other factors, and advanced dual-core processors often outperform inexpensive quad-core processors. Secondly, the development and cheapening of technologies has led to the fact that simple
quad-core CPUs have become quite affordable even for low-cost devices. And even
eight-core processors, which at one time were an unequivocal sign of advanced models, are increasingly found in relatively inexpensive tablets; the same can be said about relatively recent
processors with 10 cores. However it is worth noting that in such chips, the cores can be divided into main (with high performance) and additional (used in tasks that do not require power). For example, 8 cores can be divided into 4 main and 4 additional cores. However, such a division is often not a disadvantage, but an advantage: numerous full-fledged cores is rarely required in fact, and reduced power saves energy and improves battery life.
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 type
The type of random access memory (RAM) installed in the tablet.
All modern devices use LPDDR format RAM (
LPDDR4,
LPDDR4x,
LPDDR5,
LPDDR5x). In addition to its miniature size, it differs from regular computer RAM by supporting special data transfer formats (16- and 32-bit memory buses). But the versions of such memory can be different:
— LPDDR3. The earliest generation of LPDDR of the current ones — presented in 2012, implemented in devices since 2013. Standardly operates at speeds up to 1600 MT/s (megatransactions per second) and a frequency of up to 933 MHz; the “enhanced” version supports speeds up to 2133 MT/s. Nowadays, this standard is rare, mainly among outdated devices.
— LPDDR4. The successor to LPDDR3, officially presented in August 2014 (although the first hardware developments were released back in late 2013). The operating speed, compared to its predecessor, has doubled — up to 3200 MT/s; the frequency has grown to 1600 MHz; and the power consumption has decreased by 40%. In addition, the data transfer format has changed — in particular, two 16-bit buses are used instead of one 32-bit, and some security improvements have been introduced into the standard. — LPDDR4x. An improved version of LPDDR4 with reduced power consumption — the standard uses a voltage of 0.6 V instead of 1.1 V. In addition, this type
...of RAM has some improvements aimed at increasing the speed (it reaches 4266 MT/s) and general optimization of operation — for example, a single-channel mode has appeared for undemanding applications. Thanks to such characteristics, this version of memory has become much more widespread than the original LPDDR4.
— LPDDR5. Further development of "mobile" RAM, officially announced in early 2019. The operating speed in this version has been increased to 6400 MT/s, a differential signal format has been introduced to improve resistance to interference and errors, and dynamic frequency and voltage control has been implemented to reduce power consumption.
— LPDDR5x. A more energy-efficient and faster version of LPDDR5 RAM. Its data transfer rate has been increased to 8533 MT/s, and the peak throughput indicator has been increased to 8.5 Gbps. The number of memory banks per channel in LPDDR5x is always 16.Storage capacity
The volume of the tablet's own built-in storage. The larger it is, the more information (programs, games, movies, photos, etc.) can be stored on the tablet without resorting to removable media, rewriting to other devices, etc. At the same time, the amount of built-in memory significantly affects the cost. Therefore, some models are available in several versions, differing only in the capacity of the drive. And the variety of built-in memory is quite wide: from
16 GB to
1024 GB with a 2-fold increase (
32 GB,
64 GB,
128 GB,
256 GB,
512 GB).
Note that this paragraph indicates the total amount of internal memory. The operating system and default programs also take up space in it; therefore, the volume of the drive actually available to the user will inevitably be less than the total.
Many tablets allow you to add memory cards to the built-in drive (see below). Such cards are relatively inexpensive, but they are much slower, and the ability to work with them may be limited by the manufacturer — for example, not all tablets with this function allow installing applications on removable media.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth version supported by the tablet.
Bluetooth itself is a technology for direct wireless communication between various electronic devices. It can be used for various purposes, in particular, exchanging files with another Bluetooth device (laptop, mobile phone), connecting wireless headphones and headsets, peripheral devices (keyboards, mice), etc. The Bluetooth connection does not require both devices to be in line of sight and is stable as they move within range. The range and additional features depend on the connection version:
- 2.0. The earliest of the Bluetooth variations used in today's tablets. Provides a data transfer rate of about 2.1 Mbps.
- 2.1. This version differs from 2.0 in a number of improvements: enhanced security, reduced power consumption and compatibility with NFC technology.
- 3.0. This version is a combination of a Bluetooth 2.1 module and a high-speed add-on that allows you to transfer data at speeds up to 24 Mbps. Thanks to this, the connection is able to automatically adapt to the situation: for small amounts of data, a slow channel is used that does not consume much energy, and for large volumes, the high-speed part is used.
- 4.0. June 2010 version. It is notable for the fact that it combines three protocols: classic, high-speed and BLE (low power consumption). The latter is the most economical at the time of release - the power consumption is so low that the CR2032 "tablet" batteries la...st for several years of operation. The data transfer rate via the BLE protocol is up to 1 Mbps. According to the classical and high-speed protocol, Bluetooth 4.0 is almost the same as version 3.0 (see above).
- 4.1. Development of the version 4.0 described above. One of the key improvements was the optimization of collaboration with LTE cellular modules in order to avoid mutual interference. In addition, it became possible to operate Bluetooth devices simultaneously in several roles (for example, to broadcast audio to a headset and remotely control another device).
- 4.2. The next, after 4.1, is a key update to the Bluetooth standard. Introduced a number of key innovations for working in the "Internet of Things" (Internet of Things), as well as general improvements in speed and noise immunity.
- 5.0. Bluetooth version 5.0, introduced in 2016. In general, it continued the trend set by the 4.2 standard, has even more extensive opportunities for working with the Internet of Things. In particular, in the Bluetooth Low Energy protocol (see "4.0" above), it became possible to double the data transfer rate (up to 2 Mbps) at the cost of reducing the range, as well as quadruple the range at the cost of reducing the speed; in addition, a number of improvements have been introduced regarding simultaneous operation with a large number of connected devices.
- Bluetooth v 5.1. Update of the version described above v 5.0. In addition to general improvements in the quality and reliability of communication, this update has implemented such an interesting feature as determining the direction from which the Bluetooth signal is coming. Thanks to this, it becomes possible to determine the location of connected devices with an accuracy of a centimeter, which can be useful when searching for various accessories - for example, Bluetooth headphones or a wireless gamepad.
- Bluetooth v 5.2. The next, after 5.1, is the Bluetooth 5th generation update. The main innovations in this version are a number of security improvements, additional power optimization in LE mode, and a new audio signal format for synchronized parallel playback on multiple devices.
- Bluetooth v 5.3. The Bluetooth v 5.3 wireless protocol was introduced at the dawn of 2022. Among the innovations, it accelerated the process of negotiating the communication channel between the controller and the device, implemented the function of quickly switching between the state of operation in a small duty cycle and high-speed mode, improved the throughput and stability of the connection by reducing the susceptibility to interference. In case of unexpected interference in the Low Energy mode of operation, the procedure for selecting a communication channel for switching is now accelerated. There are no fundamental innovations in protocol 5.3, but a number of qualitative improvements are seen in it.
Main
— The number of lenses. The characteristics of the main (rear) camera of the tablet are represented primarily by the number of modules, which in most cases are 1, but there are also
tablets with a dual camera.
— Resolution. The second important factor of the camera is the number of megapixels. Many really believe that the more MP, the better the quality of filming. However, this is not entirely true: only the maximum resolution of the resulting images depends on the resolution of the matrix, and their quality is determined by many other parameters. However a large sensor resolution may be a sign of an advanced camera, but this is not necessary — two "eyes" with the same number of megapixels can radically differ in the quality of shooting.
Rear cameras in tablets may well be used for photo and video shooting; therefore, they have
cameras of 8 MP,
10 MP and even higher (
12 and
13 MP).
— Autofocus. For focus in such cameras, a movable lens system controlled by automation is responsible. It takes some time for the automation to work, and the lenses themselves turn out to be more complicated and more expensive than optics with a fixed focus (fixed lenses that are initially set to a large range of distances). However, the quality of the pictures is disproportionate
...ly higher than that of cameras without autofocus, and the systems themselves are constantly being improved, and their response time is increasingly approaching instantaneous.
— Flash. Flash significantly expands the capabilities of the camera. First of all, it allows you to shoot in low light conditions; in this case, the backlight, usually, can also be used in the constant glow mode — for video shooting. The second situation where a flash can come in handy is backlighting when the subject is in shadow. In addition, in many tablets, the flash LED can also be used as a regular flashlight, without a camera.