Which I noticed right away

Samsung’s most important announcement on September 26 was probably the addition of two new devices to its Galaxy Tab lineup. The Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Ultra will define Samsung’s top-end tablet class; they come with premium pricing, premium finishes, and promise to make the most of Samsung’s ever-expanding set of artificial intelligence tools. These AI features were a major focus of Samsung’s announcements, as they were with most of the company’s releases last year. On tablets, you can expect help with handwriting, math problems, photos, and more. It can translate PDF files, allows you to search using gestures and photos of doctors with little more than scribbles. The Korean tech company also announced an LTE-enabled version of the FE S24 and an LTE-enabled version of the Watch FE.

Advertisement

In terms of hardware, both new models have a lot to offer, most notably the impressive anti-reflective Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays that are immediately noticeable upon laying eyes on the devices. There’s also a four-speaker system, and like Samsung’s TVs, the built-in AI can isolate dialogue during a TV show or movie, making it easier to hear – all indications are that these are excellent devices for media consumption. After the company’s announcement, I managed to get some hands-on time with both the S10+ and S10 Ultra.

Although my time with the new Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Ultra was limited, it was enough to make a solid impression. The first thing that catches your eye is the screen: the S10+ with its 12.4-inch 2800 x 1752 display seems quite average at first glance, but the size of the S10 Ultra – with a huge 14.6-inch 2960 screen x 1848 – definitely eye-catching. Some of the Tab S10+’s specs are still a work in progress, but Samsung has detailed the Ultra model’s hardware and includes everything from its quad-speaker system to its 120Hz refresh rate, IP68 durability rating, and MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ under the hood.

Advertisement

As for the display, we have the previously mentioned anti-glare coating, and while this is an extreme example, it’s worth noting that it wasn’t enough to ward off the direct blast of bright light that Samsung had surrounding the device (as you can see in our image above). Despite this, the screen was still readable and the lights did not have time to blind its entire surface. As for outdoor performance, direct sunlight will likely degrade the experience, but I’m guessing you’ll still be able to see it clearly on a bright day. Samsung makes the same claim, claiming that its display technology provides a “vivid yet natural viewing experience” outdoors.

When you handle a tablet, you’ll notice a lot about its level of finish. Thanks to the Ultra, it’s as premium as you’d expect from one of Samsung’s flagship devices – the same goes for the smaller, slightly cheaper S10+. Everything is perfectly made, there are no quality control oversights. Among other things, Samsung used improved Armor Aluminum in the design of the S10 series, noting that it is intended to help protect tablets from “bumps and scratches.” Both versions of the tablet are pleasing to the eye and comfortable in the hand. The included pen is also feather-light and comfortable to swipe and write.

Advertisement

Size-wise, the S10 Ultra and S10+ are almost absurdly thin, measuring in at 5.6mm and 5.4mm respectively. Still, some weight is noticeable, as the Tab S10+ weighs 576 grams and the S10 Ultra 723 grams in the 5G version (Wi-Fi-only variants are always slightly lighter). For comparison, the cellular version of the 13-inch iPad Pro M4 we reviewed earlier this year weighs 582 grams – but of course the Samsung Ultra display is much larger, which contributes to the extra weight.

The tablets seem to run smoothly, although I haven’t had a chance to test anything particularly demanding on them – and the included Dimensity hardware raises some questions about the multitasking these devices can handle. With limited time spent with the devices, I was only able to load basic Samsung-installed apps and switch between menus. It’s no surprise, then, that devices costing over $1,000 had responsive, comfortable touchscreens and were able to load basic apps instantly.

Advertisement

While tablet cameras are typically poor and should only be used in emergencies, Samsung’s efforts looked pretty good once they launched. It should be noted that the cameras observed the objects in almost perfect conditions because the lighting was very good. The camera hardware on both models is almost identical: dual 13MP and 8MP ultra-wide-angle cameras on the back, and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera on the front; the only exception is the addition of a second 12MP camera on the front of the Ultra. We can’t say at this point how well the cameras will perform at night, but that’s where some of its much-touted AI features could give it an edge.

Dave McQuilling/SlashGear

Overall, this hands-on session was a very gentle tasting, and it will be interesting to see how the tablets hold up to a full, detailed review. Considering the prices – $999 and $1,199.99 respectively – you can expect a lot from Samsung’s new flagship tablet and its younger brother. With industry-leading prices, you should see industry-leading results. First impressions are good, but there is definitely a lot more to see.

Advertisement