One of the Samsung devices we have never properly taken a look at happens to be the tablet series. Though funny enough, we have recommended to many because of the experience it entails – this year, especially after the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Series hands-on we had – I am convinced that they have done the work to turn this into a productivity champ.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Series Hands-On
As always, there are two Sizes to choose from
It’s been some time since Samsung discontinued the mid-sized tablet, and they now offer a two-size option for all users. You could go for the 11”, which I feel is the right size for a tablet, as it’s more usable handheld-wise and feels great, all of that for sure, or you can go for the monstrous 14.6” Tab S11 Ultra, which I still think is a ridiculous size for a tablet.
Not to forget, this time they have also made the entire tablet like crazy thin, and the bezels are like 5.1mm thin, giving you a higher screen-to-body ratio. Both the tablets do have a nice weight to them – the normal Tab S11 weighs at 469g and the big-a** S11 Ultra weighs at 469g – nice. You get the usual colours to choose from: Grey and Silver.
We have a New S Pen
For one, the S Pen now does not stick to the back of the tablet – instead, it sticks to the top of the tablet. And they have redesigned the S Pen entirely. It now has a hexagonal grip, which is much better to hold and grip, and the tip is replaced with a cone-shaped silicone tip.
Combined with Samsung’s pressure sensitivity, a silicone tip gives you better grip while drawing and writing. But my concern is how the wear and tear on the tip will be, and if Samsung will include replacement tips. We will have to find out later.
Comes Included with the Keyboard in the Box
A big change this time around – now, you don’t have to go out of your way to get the accessories for these tablets because Samsung is including the entire arsenal in the box. You get the tablet, keyboard and pen – all included inside the box. We didn’t record the keyboard sleeve because the team on the floor weren’t sure if that’s the exact keyboard that’ll come included inside the box.
Hardware-wise
Improvement in the hardware is a no-brainer, of course – and Mediatek processor continues to reign the tablet space and this time you get the 3nm Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ processor with 12GB RAM default across all the variants. Storage-wise, the Tab S11 only comes in 256GB, whereas the Ultra comes with an option of 256GB or 512GB storage.
On the back, you have a dual 13MP and 8MP camera on the Ultra and a single 13MP on the Normal Tab S11. On the front, this time, both tablets only have one front-facing 12MP camera. Samsung has ditched the dual front-facing camera setup from the S10 Tab Ultra, and honestly, it’s a good thing – though the bezels are thin and you get this hideous notch, which I despise with every being of my fibre.
The Software is the Main Highlight here
Personally, I look for good software on Android tablets because the last thing you want is a blown-out phone UI and OS on a tablet, which makes zero sense. Samsung understood the assignment, and this time, they have amped the experience up with OneUI 8 in the right direction possible.
For starters, the AI features here are all improved and present: you have Gemini Live, Writing Assist, Drawing Assist, and the Galaxy AI gets a movable overlay – so, multitasking is more convenient. My favourite happens to be the new Samsung Dex because now you have support for an extended Display when you connect to a monitor, you can set up four different workspaces, and it really is like a proper tablet with a multitasking feature.
We had limited time to explore these, so hopefully we can try them out when we get to review either of the tablets.
For more tech, gaming, and lifestyle content, make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Better yet, stay tuned to The Adventures of Vesper.
