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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 is compact and sleek but functionally flawed (pictures)

The largest tablet in the Galaxy Tab 3 lineup is smaller than most 10-inch tablets but, otherwise, is a dud with slow performance and frustrating functionality.

Xiomara Blanco
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
Xiomara Blanco
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1 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Thin bezels, small frame

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 10.1 features a more compact look than the Tab 2 10.1, thanks to its thinner border and bezels. It's one of the smaller 10-inch tablets available.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7577.jpg
2 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Skinny profile and lightweight

The tablet only weighs 1.12 pounds and is 0.31-inch thick -- a few hairs thicker than the ultraslim Sony Xperia Tablet Z.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7601.jpg
3 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Bright screen with vibrant colors

The Tab 3 10.1's 10-inch screen is impressively bright but features a 1,280x800-pixel resolution that leaves us wanting more.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7585.jpg
4 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Selfie-shooter

The front-facing camera is soft but does well at adjusting exposure -- for a 1.3-megapixel shooter.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7563.jpg
5 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Frustrating functionality

The Tab 3 10.1's bottom bezel houses a menu, home, and back button. The capacitive menu and back buttons have a large hit-box and can be triggered accidentally from a mile away. OK -- only an inch away, but you get the point.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7570.jpg
6 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Rear camera

At $400, you'd think Samsung could splurge a little and put something better than a just-OK 3.2-megapixel rear camera, but, unfortunately, that's all it gets.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7575.jpg
7 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Headphone jack, meet your neighbor, left speaker

The tablet's headphone jack is a little awkwardly placed on the top-left corner.
35781419_Samsung_Galaxy_Tab_3_10-7588.jpg
8 of 8 Josh Miller/CNET

Smooth, plastic back

The Tab 3 10.1's back is typical of Galaxy devices. It feels a little cheap but keeps the device securely gripped in your hands

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