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We tested a range of apps and games, including making picture edits from our library, and we couldn't find the limits of the ARM-based 1GHz chip.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 scored a mediocre 5322 in our Antutu benchmark, which places it among the lower powered tablets out there. It's half the score of the Tegra 3-based Asus Transformer Prime, but just above the Kindle Fire, original Asus Transformer and Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in terms of performance power.
Games were universally fine, and Temple Run only suffered the occasional jitter during the game, which didn't affect our run. It ran smoother than on the original iPad, which shows that there's no shortage of oomph in this svelte seven-inch tablet.
As we already mentioned, this is not the photographer's camera, and quality of photos from the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 were way below par. Shots were grainy, washed out, bereft of colour, and this was before we enlarged them on a PC.
Normally we don't chastise tablets for poor photo quality, since it's the manufacturer's way of deterring you from looking foolish, but with the 7-inch form factor, we'd argue that photo quality is more important. You're more likely to record that opportune moment or once-in-a-lifetime memory, but with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, you'll have to settle for worse quality than on rival tablets.
Video is no different, and results were extremely grainy, especially in low light, although frame rates were excellent.
When we listened back we were also disappointed with the volume. The speakers were quiet, with barely enough sound to fill a room. The Samsung Galaxy S3 goes louder, and while it's really not a bugbear for us, if you like to watch a movie or listen to music in a hotel room you should either invest in a mini-speaker set or buy a different tablet.
Of course, there's always the option of Bluetooth headphones - but we think a tablet should have enough power to give decent volume under its own steam.
Battery life
Battery life was distinctly average, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 scored a mediocre 305 minutes in our stress tests. This involved streaming a looping, high definition UFO documentary (a cracking watch) from YouTube. We did find the battery drained fast, and you'll need to charge it every couple of days.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 packs in a 4000 mAH battery, which to put into perspective is almost double the size of the Samsung Galaxy S3, but substantially smaller than the Asus Transformer Pad 300. It's a pay off from the smaller form factor, and if you need the best longevity, it may be best to look to a larger tablet.
