Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) (Verizon Wireless)

Before the Google Nexus 7?came along, I would have recommended the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)?to anyone looking for a great small-screen Android tablet. It's still a good choice, but compared with the Nexus 7, it now looks a bit dated. One thing Google's flagship tablet lacks, however, is a mobile broadband connection. Enter the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) for Verizon Wireless ($349.99 direct) , which adds fast 4G LTE to Samsung's high-quality tablet. The Nexus 7 still beats the Galaxy Tab on most measures, but for those looking for a no nonsense small-screen tablet with LTE baked right in, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) is a good place to start.

Hardware, Design, and OS
The Verizon Tab 2 (7.0) is nearly identical to the original Wi-Fi-only model. It measures 7.6 by 4.8 by 0.41 inches (HWD) and weighs 12.13 ounces, roughly the same size as the Nexus 7.? The most obvious difference is the plastic back, which now features a dark blue dimpled texture instead of the smooth gray plastic of the original. Also new is an LTE SIM card slot above the microSD card slot on the left edge. A slight bump in processor speed, from 1GHz to 1.2GHz, yielded slightly improved benchmark results. In a battery rundown test, the Tab 2 (7.0) was able to stream Netflix over LTE for 4 hours, 24 mintues.?

Android 4.0 "Ice Cream Sandwich" with Samsung's TouchWiz skin remains and, luckily, everything is as smooth, stable, and responsive as on the previous model. You'll still find Samsung's usual array of content stores, apps, and the Quick Action bar. The IR emitter and Peel Remote app are also still in tow, and they both work well. There are a few new additions from Verizon, including an account management app and VZ Navigator.

Other than that, you'll want to check out our original review for a full picture of the device.

Network and Conclusions
Verizon was the overall winner of our most recent Fastest Mobile Networks?test. Currently covering more than 370 cities nationwide with LTE, Big Red delivered solid average speeds of 8.89Mbps on downloads and 6.46Mbps on uploads. From a windowsill in our office in New York, the Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) averaged a blazing fast 11.67Mbps down and 9.63 up. The Galaxy Tab 2 also works as a mobile hotspot for up to 10 devices.

The original Tab 2 (7.0) cost only $250, which was one of its strongest selling points. The LTE capability raises the price to $349.99, fortunately still without requiring a contract. Verizon only offers the Tab 2 for shared data plan customers. For existing accounts, adding the Tab 2 will cost $10 per month on top of whatever shared data plan you're currently on. Shared plans start at 1GB for $50 per month and head up from there.

On AT&T, you can get a Pantech Element?with 4G LTE for $399.99 without contract. Plans start at $14.99 per month for 250MB of data and go up to $50 per month for 5GB of data. AT&T doesn't force you into a shared data plan, but if you have a lot of devices, it might make sense to opt for one. Adding a tablet to one of its shared data plans costs the same $10 as on Verizon, and plans start at $40 per month for 1GB of data and go up to $200 per month for 20GB.

Another route to consider is a Wi-Fi only tablet, like the Nexus 7, plus a mobile hotspot. Verizon offers the Verizon Jetpack 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot 890L?for $19.99 with a 2-year contract or $249.99 without. Subsidized or not, you'll need to use one of Verizon's shared data plans; the hotspot costs $10/month more than using a tablet.?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) for Verizon Wireless remains a classy and agile Android tablet, and LTE makes it better. Yes, it's more expensive than the Nexus 7, but it's less expensive than a Nexus 7 plus an unsubsidized hotspot. For anyone looking for a solid Android tablet that can connect to the fastest 4G LTE network on its own, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) on Verizon is definitely worth a look.

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