Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Review: Solid But Unspectacular

Worth When Reviewed

From $529.99 (Wi-Fi), $669.99 (5G)

Greatest Costs Right this moment: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

Not too way back, Samsung was the one actual Android rival to Apple within the pill area.

However that’s begun to vary, with iPads and Galaxy Tabs removed from the one tablets price contemplating. How concerning the extra inexpensive Tab S7 FE, although? Right here’s our full evaluate.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE nonetheless price shopping for?

The Tab S7 FE was launched again in 2021, however it remained the newest mannequin of Samsung’s mid-range pill line till late 2023.

That’s when the Tab S9 FE arrived, full with a number of key upgrades and a extra inexpensive beginning value $499/£449. A brand new Tab S9 FE+ mannequin was additionally revealed.

Given the upgrades on the newer fashions, it’s harder to suggest the S7 FE. Even at launch, it was held again barely by hit-and-miss efficiency, a 60Hz LCD show and Android software program that’s merely not optimised for tablets.

Since then, solely the software program has been improved, by way of updates. The premium construct, glorious battery life and succesful included S Pen stylus will all maintain up effectively, however it’s solely actually price contemplating the Tab S7 FE if you’ll find a giant low cost.

Design & construct

• Premium design
• Fundamental S Pen included
• Twin stereo audio system

Samsung’s high-end tablets normally impress on the subject of design, and it’s the identical right here. The Tab S7 FE combines the same old glass entrance with an aluminium again, making it simpler to carry and extra proof against fingerprint smudges than glass-backed gadgets.

This stripped-back, minimalist aesthetic is one thing I actually like, and it provides the phantasm of a tool that’s considerably costlier.

The S Pen stylus included within the field is a passive model, that means it doesn’t want to carry a cost for fundamental makes use of. It will possibly nonetheless be hooked up below the rear cameras or on the edges of the gadget, however weak magnets imply it’s not price it. If you happen to’re planning on getting common use out of the S Pen, I’d suggest getting a case with stylus storage.

There’s actually not a lot else to report on the again of the gadget, notably on the black mannequin I examined. The silver model can also be comparatively muted, however inexperienced and pink choices assist the S7 FE stand out a bit extra if that’s one thing you’d choose.

Nevertheless, you’ll spend rather more time wanting on the 12.4in display, surrounded by a slim bezel which provides it an 84.6% screen-to-body ratio – that’s similar to the Tab S7+. Even utilizing the gadget with each fingers can really feel cumbersome at occasions, particularly when the S7 FE weighs in at 608g.

There’s nonetheless area for a 5Mp front-facing digital camera with face unlock assist,.

One other space that’s been scaled again is audio, with a pair of stereo audio system versus the quad setup on the flagship tablets. Music loses a few of its bass and definition consequently, however speech is basically unaffected. Audio stays one of many S7 FE’s strengths, serving to to ship a extra immersive expertise.

Speaker grilles are positioned on the high and backside of the gadgets, able the place they’re not obstructed in panorama mode. The one different characteristic of observe here’s a USB-C port for charging. As is the case on Samsung’s different high-end tablets, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack.

You’ll discover connectors for docking the S7 FE right into a keyboard cowl on one facet of the gadget, however I didn’t have one in all these handy for this evaluate. The common quantity rocker and energy button are on the opposite, though an extended press of the latter nonetheless annoyingly triggers Bixby by default. This may be modified to show energy choices in Settings, however nonetheless feels pointless.

The 5G mannequin I examined additionally has a SIM tray which doubles as a microSD card tray on cheaper Wi-Fi-only fashions.

Show

• 12.4in LCD panel
• Solely 60Hz refresh price

Let’s speak about the primary occasion. The 12.4in panel on the S7 FE is 1600×2560 LCD panel.

Refresh price is arguably the most important loss right here – I actually missed the fluid, responsive you get on many flagship tablets. The S7 FE feels sluggish by comparability, and shortly results in a much less gratifying expertise.

Utilizing LCD is much less of a blow, however means you miss out on the deeper blacks and improved distinction of an OLED display.

Regardless of these two drawbacks, the show nonetheless doesn’t really feel like a weak point. It presents a formidable degree of element and vivid colors, making for an immersive viewing expertise. Watching YouTube or Netflix is an actual spotlight, even on movies which might be capped at 1080p.

It additionally hit a most brightness of 411 nits in testing, making use in direct daylight an actual risk. Until you’re immediately evaluating it to Samsung’s flagship tablets, you’ll in all probability be happy with what the S7 FE has to supply.

Specs & efficiency

• Snapdragon 750G on 5G fashions
• Extra highly effective Snapdragon 778G on Wi-Fi solely
• Strong efficiency doesn’t prolong to gaming

On the Tab S7 FE, selecting a mannequin with 5G assist is about excess of simply mobile connectivity; it additionally means the gadget makes use of a very completely different chipset.

On 5G fashions, that is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 750G, whereas Wi-Fi-only configurations use the marginally extra highly effective Snapdragon 778G – that’s regardless of each having a 5G modem built-in. It additionally means the built-in GPUs are completely different, with 5G gadgets utilizing the Adreno 619 whereas Wi-Fi fashions step as much as an Adreno 642L.

This resolution has presumably been taken with value in thoughts, given the extra prices of including 5G assist. I can solely touch upon the mid-spec 5G mannequin reviewed, which pairs it with 6GB of RAM.

Usually, efficiency from the Tab S7 FE is offered. You’ll be able to count on a clean and responsive expertise whereas searching the net, scrolling social media and streaming movies. Multitasking additionally works effectively, with the massive show coming into its personal. There are occasional stutters and hesitations, however nothing too important.

Sadly, that doesn’t fairly prolong to cell gaming. Loading up a demanding title resembling Name of Responsibility: Cell and Asphalt 9 is ok, however leaping into a web-based sport usually means loads of lag and a few enter delay. I additionally discovered FIFA Cell to stutter quite a bit, making it extra irritating than enjoyable. Informal video games resembling 8 Ball Pool are effectively inside attain, however it’s price wanting elsewhere for those who’re critical about cell gaming.

This mediocre efficiency is mirrored within the benchmarks beneath:

Inner storage is much less of a priority, regardless of the entry-level mannequin being restricted to 64GB. This may be upgraded to 128GB (the mannequin I examined) or 256GB, however all could be expanded by way of the microSD card slot.

Software program

• Now up to date to Android 13
• Nonetheless doesn’t really feel optimised for tablets

The Tab S7 FE ran Android 11 out of the field, however it’s since been up to date to Android 13. Nevertheless, that is with Samsung’s one UI excessive.

The software program expertise out of the field will probably be extraordinarily acquainted to anybody who has used a current Samsung cellphone, and that’s not factor. Numerous parts of the UI – resembling icons, the notification shade and Settings menu – simply really feel like they’ve been enlarged to suit the larger display. That extends to third-party apps together with Twitter and Instagram, making for a irritating person expertise.

One notable exception is multitasking, the place utilizing two apps in split-screen mode feels genuinely intuitive. It’s additionally nice to have the Google Uncover feed obtainable by way of a proper swipe from the house display, though it’s probably the most obtrusive instance of software program that’s been designed for a cellphone.

Nevertheless, primarily based on the Android 11 model at launch, software program is without doubt one of the Tab S7 FE’s main shortcomings.

Cameras & battery life

• Single 8Mp rear digital camera, 5Mp front-facing
• Nice battery life
• 45W charging assist, however solely 15W out of the field

You in all probability aren’t shopping for a pill for its cameras. But when pill pictures is vital to you, it’s price wanting elsewhere. The Tab S7 FE has only a single 8Mp rear lens.

Stills from the gadget are predictably mediocre. You will get usable stills in good lighting situations, however it repeatedly struggles with publicity and color accuracy. The 5Mp front-facing sensor takes respectable selfies, however you in all probability received’t be importing them to Instagram anytime quickly.

On the video facet, the S7 FE is restricted to 1080p footage at 30fps. You miss out on the choice for 4K, however that received’t be a giant loss for most individuals.

Battery life is altogether extra vital, and it’s an space the place the pill excels. The mixture of a ten,090mAh battery and fewer power-hungry LCD show means the S7 FE can run and run. Until you’re continually pushing the gadget to its limits, two days of utilization is effectively inside attain.

That’s mirrored in PCMark’s Work 3.0 battery take a look at, designed to simulate real-world utilization. With brightness set to 200 nits, I recorded a formidable 12 hours and 55 minutes – that’s considerably higher than you’ll discover on most tablets.

The S7 FE helps 45W quick wired charging, however you’ll want to purchase a separate adapter. Utilizing the 15W one within the field meant 16% cost in half-hour. Consequently, you’ll be ready a number of hours for a full cost.

Worth & availability

As you may count on, there’s loads of variation on the subject of Tab S7 FE pricing.

At launch, Wi-Fi solely fashions at the moment begin at $529.99/£449 for 64GB of storage, whilst you’ll pay a minimum of $669.99/£519 for 5G assist.

Nevertheless, given the gadget was launched in 2021, it’s price conserving an eye fixed out for reductions.

Verdict

The Tab S7 FE was a predictably cautious launch from Samsung, although it’s held up effectively over time.

A 60Hz LCD show is fairly good, albeit removed from one of the best on a pill. Efficiency is ok for on a regular basis duties, however you received’t wish to play demanding video games.

Nevertheless, you do get very good battery life, and it’s good to have an S Pen stylus included within the field.

You’ll in all probability discover higher worth for cash elsewhere, however the Tab S7 FE remains to be price contemplating if you’ll find a reduction.