Samsung Galaxy S2 as ebook reader

AlexBell · 04-13-2017, 05:40 AM

I'm seriously thinking of buying a Samsung S2, mainly for use as an ebook reader.

Does anyone have one? Could you comment on how effective it is as an ebook reader?

AnemicOak · 04-13-2017, 09:42 AM

I assume you mean the Galaxy Tab S2 (Not the Galaxy S2 which is a smartphone from 2012).

I don't have one, but a friend has both the 8" and 9.7" version. He uses them mostly for movies, but I did get him to let me install Moon+ Pro, Bookari and the Kindle app on them and the displays on both devices are gorgeous. For me with all tablets it comes down to the display quality and then your chosen reading app so it just depends on if you have any specific needs and if they can be met by your chosen app(s). The Tab S2's are certainly more than powerful enough to have no lag problems when turning pages and such.

downeaster59 · 04-13-2017, 11:25 AM

Although for my own use, I still rank an E-Ink device as best for reading, tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and the iPad Pro come a close second. As AnemicOak said, the displays are gorgeous and can be customizable to your own needs. Besides the display options, many reading apps offer a variety of themes and tweaks. You should be able to easily find the setup that feels best for you.

As for size, it's a matter of taste. I would find the 8 inch Tab S2 better for reading than the 9.7 one. But you may feel differently, depending on what you want to read. PDFs are best on larger screens.

Purple Lady · 04-13-2017, 06:44 PM

I have a Tab S 8.4 and it's great for reading. That one has a 16:9 format. I was going to get the Tab S2 until I found out that it is 4:3 format. I wouldn't want to read on that, and it also would not be good for watching videos because you would have the black bars then. I'm sure others would be fine with that, but it's not for me.

Edit: the older model also has a better resolution.
Tab S - 1600 x 2560 pixels (~359 ppi pixel density)
Tab S2 - 1536 x 2048 pixels (~320 ppi pixel density)

My husband got a 9.7, and the first time I saw it I had to ask what the resolution was because it didn't look too good to me since I was used to the better resolution.

barryem · 04-13-2017, 07:57 PM

I have an 8" Acer with a full HD screen. For me anything larger than 8" would be clumsy for reading. I have 9.7" and 10" tablets but I wouldn't use them for reading.

The Acer's screen is exceptional and I've tried to use it for reading but it's still too big for me and too heavy even though it's a fairly light tablet. I do read some on my phone and I've found that my eyes are bothered by reading on an LCD screen so I have to limit myself to about 20 minute sessions and I can read just fine. My new phone has an AMOLED screen and I can read nearly twice as long without eyestrain. If I go too long on either of them I can't read for the rest of the day. Of course not everyone has that problem with LCD screens but I do and a lot of people do.

Today I read for about 2 or 3 hours on my e-ink Kobo. I can't do that with a tablet or phone. It really makes a big difference.

If you like the size and you're not bothered by long sessions with an LCD you might like the Tab S. I had the original 9.7 Tab S. I didn't like it because I was always accidentally hitting the capacative buttons so I eventually sold it, but other than that it was a really nice tablet.

Barry

Tikker · 04-13-2017, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBell

Could you comment on how effective it is as an ebook reader?

the high end sammy tablets have nice screens and work great as e-readers

I'm a big fan of reading on mine

AlexBell · 04-14-2017, 12:38 AM

Many thanks to you all. I think I'll buy it when the shops reopen tomorrow.

04-13-2017, 05:40 AM	#1
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Samsung Galaxy S2 as ebook reader I'm seriously thinking of buying a Samsung S2, mainly for use as an ebook reader. Does anyone have one? Could you comment on how effective it is as an ebook reader?

04-13-2017, 06:44 PM	#4
Purple Lady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,698 Karma: 16542228 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Device: Huawei MediaPad M5, LG V30, Boyue T80S, Nexus 7 LTE, K3 3G, Fire HD8	I have a Tab S 8.4 and it's great for reading. That one has a 16:9 format. I was going to get the Tab S2 until I found out that it is 4:3 format. I wouldn't want to read on that, and it also would not be good for watching videos because you would have the black bars then. I'm sure others would be fine with that, but it's not for me. Edit: the older model also has a better resolution. Tab S - 1600 x 2560 pixels (~359 ppi pixel density) Tab S2 - 1536 x 2048 pixels (~320 ppi pixel density) My husband got a 9.7, and the first time I saw it I had to ask what the resolution was because it didn't look too good to me since I was used to the better resolution. Last edited by Purple Lady; 04-13-2017 at 09:56 PM.

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04-13-2017, 09:42 AM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I assume you mean the Galaxy Tab S2 (Not the Galaxy S2 which is a smartphone from 2012). I don't have one, but a friend has both the 8" and 9.7" version. He uses them mostly for movies, but I did get him to let me install Moon+ Pro, Bookari and the Kindle app on them and the displays on both devices are gorgeous. For me with all tablets it comes down to the display quality and then your chosen reading app so it just depends on if you have any specific needs and if they can be met by your chosen app(s). The Tab S2's are certainly more than powerful enough to have no lag problems when turning pages and such.

04-13-2017, 11:25 AM	#3
downeaster59 Wizard Posts: 1,217 Karma: 2957301 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Rochester, NY Device: iPad mini 6, Onyx Leaf 2, Onyx Tab Mini C, Nook Glowlight 4 Plus	Although for my own use, I still rank an E-Ink device as best for reading, tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 and the iPad Pro come a close second. As AnemicOak said, the displays are gorgeous and can be customizable to your own needs. Besides the display options, many reading apps offer a variety of themes and tweaks. You should be able to easily find the setup that feels best for you. As for size, it's a matter of taste. I would find the 8 inch Tab S2 better for reading than the 9.7 one. But you may feel differently, depending on what you want to read. PDFs are best on larger screens.

04-13-2017, 07:57 PM	#5
barryem Wizard Posts: 2,459 Karma: 68781975 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Arkansas Device: Paperwhite 4	I have an 8" Acer with a full HD screen. For me anything larger than 8" would be clumsy for reading. I have 9.7" and 10" tablets but I wouldn't use them for reading. The Acer's screen is exceptional and I've tried to use it for reading but it's still too big for me and too heavy even though it's a fairly light tablet. I do read some on my phone and I've found that my eyes are bothered by reading on an LCD screen so I have to limit myself to about 20 minute sessions and I can read just fine. My new phone has an AMOLED screen and I can read nearly twice as long without eyestrain. If I go too long on either of them I can't read for the rest of the day. Of course not everyone has that problem with LCD screens but I do and a lot of people do. Today I read for about 2 or 3 hours on my e-ink Kobo. I can't do that with a tablet or phone. It really makes a big difference. If you like the size and you're not bothered by long sessions with an LCD you might like the Tab S. I had the original 9.7 Tab S. I didn't like it because I was always accidentally hitting the capacative buttons so I eventually sold it, but other than that it was a really nice tablet. Barry

04-14-2017, 12:38 AM	#7
AlexBell Wizard Posts: 3,413 Karma: 13369310 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Launceston, Tasmania Device: Sony PRS T3, Kobo Glo, Kindle Touch, iPad, Samsung SB 2 tablet	Many thanks to you all. I think I'll buy it when the shops reopen tomorrow.

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