Shock! The Galaxy Tab S11 is again.
To make clear, that’s the common mannequin, which was not noted of final 12 months’s Tab S10 lineup. This 12 months, it’s the Galaxy Tab S11+ that’s lacking, which means we get a £400/$400 distinction between the beginning costs of the 2 new fashions.
Understandably, most individuals’s consideration will likely be drawn to the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely and its large 14.6-inch display screen. In the event you’re on the lookout for wow issue, that’s undoubtedly the system to get.
By comparability, the common Tab S11 is boring, with a design that’s unchanged from 2023’s Tab S9, which means that it’s beginning to look dated.
Nonetheless, appears to be like will be deceiving, and early indicators counsel it may very well be a compelling flagship pill in its personal proper. After reviewing the spec sheet and going hands-on with the Tab S11, listed here are my early impressions.
Boring design, good construct high quality
I’m not going to faux that the Galaxy Tab S11’s design isn’t a disappointment. It’s been greater than two years since its predecessor (the Galaxy Tab S9) launched, but nothing appears to have modified.
Samsung has nonetheless acquired all crucial issues proper
It means we nonetheless need to put up with a chunky bezel across the display screen, which appears to be like virtually laughable when side-by-side with the Tab S11 Extremely (albeit with out the ugly notch).
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nonetheless, that is removed from a dealbreaker. In terms of construct high quality, Samsung has nonetheless acquired all crucial issues proper.
I’m speaking a sturdy aluminium body that feels premium within the hand, an IP68 score that ensures flagship-level water resistance, and a stunning 11-inch AMOLED show that appears nice, even beneath harsh studio lighting.
From a sensible standpoint, all of those elements are extra necessary than whether or not a tool appears to be like ‘trendy’ or ‘cool’. Belief me, after utilizing it for just a few months, you most likely received’t even discover the bezel anymore.
Real portability
Portability is a promoting level of all tablets, nevertheless it’s very a lot a sliding scale.
In fact, you may take the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely anyplace with you, however would you wish to? The mix of an enormous show and ultra-thin design would make me very reluctant.
In contrast, the common Tab S11 is so much simpler to throw in a bag and never fear about. It’s slim (5.9mm) and lightweight (498g) sufficient to not take up a lot house or weigh you down. You can even comfortably apply it to the tiny tray tables on trains and planes, which is a plus for me.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Certain, the compact design has its downsides, particularly for those who plan on watching plenty of films or have to sort out any severe work. However for a little bit of net searching, watching Netflix or catching up with family and friends, the Tab S11 looks like the perfect dimension.
Upgrades beneath the hood
Thus far, virtually the whole lot I’ve mentioned concerning the Galaxy Tab S11 additionally applies to the Tab S9 from two years in the past. Nonetheless, there are some notable upgrades if you perform a little digging.
Maybe essentially the most important is the chipset. For the second 12 months in a row, Samsung is embracing MediaTek on its flagship tablets, with the Tab S22 powered by the Dimensity 9400+ chipset.
The Tab S11 felt completely speedy, particularly with the added fluidity of the show’s 120Hz refresh charge
It’s the primary 3nm processor we’ve seen on a Samsung pill, and a reputable rival to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite. I’m anticipating the outcome to be excellent efficiency in all eventualities, together with whereas utilizing demanding productiveness apps or superior cell video games.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
My temporary testing throughout a hands-on session wasn’t sufficient to show this, however the Tab S11 felt completely speedy, particularly with the added fluidity of the show’s 120Hz refresh charge.
The upgrades aren’t confined to efficiency, both. Samsung’s S Pen stylus has been redesigned, providing a cone-shaped nib and hexagonal design that goals to raised imitate an actual pencil. Creating handwritten notes feels easy and responsive, with mainly zero lag.
Samsung’s DeX mode can be getting extra succesful, permitting you to make use of an exterior monitor as a real second display screen and create as much as 4 separate workspaces.
A (comparatively) inexpensive price ticket
Regardless of these helpful enhancements, the beginning worth of the Galaxy Tab S11 has remained the identical. At launch, it’ll value simply £799/$799 for the 128GB Wi-Fi solely mannequin, which is already out there.
Contemplating the speed of inflation during the last couple of years, that’s spectacular. You’re getting a considerably higher pill with no additional outlay.
The place’s the competitors?
Admittedly, a part of the attraction of the Galaxy Tab S11 is the dearth of credible options round this worth level.
As you’ll see from our information to the perfect tablets, there’s little or no competitors across the £800/$800 mark. Elsewhere, it’s both a high-end system with an enormous price ticket, or a less expensive slate with greater compromises.
For many individuals, the Tab S11 would be the candy spot…supplied that these early impressions translate into long-term utilization. Look out for our full Galaxy Tab S11 overview quickly to know for positive whether or not it’s price your cash.
Within the meantime, you may try why you don’t wish to purchase the wonderful Galaxy Tab S11, what we actually need Samsung to deliver us, why the Galaxy S25 FE may make the S25 Plus out of date and what Samsung didn’t announce in the present day.
