HTC Flyer vs Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Optics

Samsung's Galaxy Tab 10.1 features a 3.15-megapixel primary snapper which performs adequately, with an LED flash and auto-focus included to make your life easier and while it won't set the world alight it should be ample for casual use. The device does capture video at 720p though, which should allow all you amateur film makers to exercise your creative muscle! The Galaxy Tab 10.1 also packs a secondary 2-megapixel camera for video-calling.

HTC's Flyer comes with an altogether more impressive 5-megapixel shooter which also features autofocus but, brace yourself, no flash! So you're golden if you're outside or in good lighting but step inside after dark or on one of the UK's infamous grey days and you might just be done for!

Video capture functionality on the Flyer is the almost-standard 720p and the device also boasts a secondary 1.3-megapixel camera.

Winner - Draw

Form

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 - 256.6 x 172.9 x 8.6 mm, 595 g
HTC Flyer - 195.4 x 122 x 13.2 mm, 420 g

HTC's plan to make the Flyer a super-portable tablet works. The device is small, light and comfortable to use but while you'll be stoked it isn't weighing you down while you're carrying it, you might not be as impressed when you crack it out to use. Sure, it feels balanced in the hand and is made of high-quality materials, but it just seems to exude a 'smartphone with gigantism' vibe. On the positive side it might make you feel like a kid again.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 is a well constructed, nicely designed device which looks good, performs well and is eye-catching enough to stand next to the likes of the iPad 2 without blushing. It is a little on the heavy side for a tablet though but in the aesthetics category we give it an enthusiastic A+.

Winner - Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

Software

Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the HTC Flyer run on Google's all-conquering Android platform and as such offer the user the ability to customise with widgets, download from the huge app catalogue that is the Android Market and browse with full flash support!

Tablet-only support is a little thin on the ground for Android at the moment though, so don't expect to enjoy the same sort of tablet-only support you'd get on Apple's gadget.

The notable difference between these two devices is the version of Android that they run. Strangely, HTC opted to install version 2.4 of Android on the Flyer, rather than the tablet-specific 3.0, which the Galaxy Tab 10.1 enjoys and as such certain nice features, like the new system and overhauled apps aren't present on the device. It does feature HTC's neat Sense UI but for once that isn't enough of a sweetener to clinch the deal, which means we're putting our tick firmly next to the Galaxy Tab 10.1 box in this round.

Winner - Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

So it's a pretty decisive victory for the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1! The device builds nicely on the foundation laid by its predecessor the Galaxy Tab, making it a great device for Android enthusiast and newbie alike. Build quality is second to none and the feature list is jam packed too!

The HTC Flyer is something of a damp squib though and while we can't help but admire its good looks and pedigree it generally doesn't fit in with the smartphone market, or the tablet, a fact cemented by the baffling decision to run the device on a smartphone platform rather than tablet software.

If you're looking for a more portable tablet it will serve a purpose but other than that we can't think of a single reason why you'd want to choose the Flyer over one of its big-screened peers.

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