Oh look, Samsung’s gigantic pill is again.
The Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely is right here, and it follows within the footsteps of the Tab S10 Extremely, itself the successor to the Tab S9 Extremely and…you get the purpose. Yearly since 2022, Samsung has launched a high-end pill with a ridiculously giant show, and it’s no totally different this time round.
Relating to specs, few might argue in opposition to the Tab S11 Extremely being probably the most succesful Android pill we’ve ever seen. It boasts a surprising 14.6-inch AMOLED show inside an extremely slim 5.1mm chassis, but the aluminium armour body and IP68 water and mud resistance imply it stays impressively sturdy.
Beneath the hood, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+ chipset is correct up there with the Snapdragon 8 Elite within the efficiency stakes, whereas a enormous 11,600mAh battery is supplemented by 45W charging.
Elsewhere, you additionally get quad audio system, three cameras and Samsung’s magnetic S Pen stylus within the field. It’s an enviable record, with preliminary testing suggesting it could possibly be even higher than final yr’s Tab S10 Extremely.
Nevertheless, regardless of all that, I already know that I received’t be capable to suggest it to anybody. You see, 5 huge obstacles forestall the Tab S11 Extremely from being a worthwhile buy for most individuals, none of which have been addressed by Samsung.
It’s too rattling costly…
For those who’ve learn Tech Advisor’s evaluations of the previous couple of Galaxy Tab Extremely fashions, we in all probability sound like a damaged document. However worth stays the only largest cause that the Tab S11 Extremely is so exhausting to suggest.
For the 5G fashions, you’ll should pay at the least £1,349
The system begins (sure, begins!) at £1,199/$1,199, and that doesn’t even get you LTE connectivity. For the 5G fashions, you’ll should pay at the least £1,349, which is a staggering sum of money for a pill.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
For context, our high pill suggestion is the M3 iPad Air, which is actually half the value (from £599/$599) and has higher software program besides! Even should you’re set on an Android pill, there are many extra reasonably priced options that are price buying and selling for a large display screen.
…and also you’ll in all probability need additional equipment
To get probably the most out of the Tab S11 Extremely, you’ll want some additional equipment. The brand new S Pen is included within the field (extra on that later), however every thing else is offered individually.
That features the ‘Ebook Cowl Keyboard Slim’, which is totally crucial if you wish to flip the pill into something resembling a laptop computer.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Samsung hasn’t revealed how a lot the Tab S11 Extremely keyboard will price, however the Tab S10 Extremely model prices a cool £199/$199. I’d be very shocked if it bought any cheaper.
It’s too rattling huge
Okay, a 14.6-inch display screen isn’t enormous by laptop computer requirements, so it is sensible should you’ll solely use it with the keyboard cowl connected. But when that’s your intention, why not purchase a laptop computer as a substitute?
The scale of 208 x 326mm make it unwieldy and cumbersome to make use of
The fantastic thing about a pill is that it may be used as a handheld system, too. During which case, the Tab S11 Extremely is just too huge! Even with an ultra-slim bezel across the display screen, the size of 208 x 326mm make it unwieldy and cumbersome to make use of.
I’ve comparatively giant palms, however nonetheless struggled to comfortably maintain it in a single hand and faucet on the display screen with one other. It’s simply not sensible.
The S Pen had a downgrade
I’m grateful that Samsung continues to bundle its S Pen stylus within the field with its flagship tablets. The model for the Tab S11 collection has been redesigned, and now boasts a cone-shaped nib and a hexagonal design that’s harking back to an actual pencil.
I briefly tried it out, and the expertise of writing on the S11 Extremely feels extra pure and pen-on-paper-like than ever earlier than. I’m impressed.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nevertheless, the brand new S Pen can also be lacking a key function: BLE, or Bluetooth Low Vitality. On earlier Galaxy Tab Extremely fashions, you might use the stylus as a distant management throughout apps corresponding to Digital camera (as a shutter button), Gallery, Notes and Samsung Web. You would even navigate the system with out ever having the contact it.
I’m actually unhappy it’s been eliminated, nevertheless it in all probability shouldn’t come as a shock. Samsung additionally sacrificed Bluetooth help on the S Pen that’s constructed into the Galaxy S25 Extremely.
So, despite the fact that the brand new S Pen delivers a barely higher handwriting expertise, it nonetheless appears like a downgrade to me.
The software program nonetheless can’t exchange your laptop computer
One UI 8 might be the perfect software program expertise you’ll discover on any Android pill. Primarily based on Android 16, it contains helpful multitasking options and loads of Galaxy AI performance. You additionally get a full seven years of OS and safety updates.
All too typically, Android tablets are an afterthought for app builders
However, on the finish of the day, it’s nonetheless Android, which means that its skills as a productiveness system are nonetheless severely restricted. For those who plan on utilizing the Tab S11 Extremely as a laptop computer substitute (and, given how a lot it prices, you in all probability ought to), you’ll should ensure that the apps you need have a devoted Android pill app.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
All too typically, Android tablets are an afterthought for app builders. It means you typically merely find yourself with a bigger model of the telephone app, with no bespoke options for the bigger show, and desktop performance is often lacking.
Samsung has partnered with a number of apps that do play properly with the Tab S11 Extremely, together with Noteshelf, ArcSuite and Picsart. However these are frustratingly few and much between.
If current Galaxy Tab gadgets are something to go by, the Tab S11 Extremely can be more proficient at internet shopping and content material consumption than advanced productiveness duties. Pretty much as good because the {hardware} is, that’ll all the time make it a troublesome promote once you’re paying a lot cash.
However might the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely show me mistaken? Look out for our full evaluation quickly to search out out.
Within the meantime, you’ll be able to try why the boring Tab S11 is a greater guess, what we actually need Samsung to convey us, why the Galaxy S25 FE may make the S25 Plus out of date and what Samsung didn’t announce on the occasion.
