Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Review: Is a Stylus Enough?

Value When Reviewed

From $499.99

You received’t discover a better-specced premium Android pill than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Extremely, however it’s merely an excessive amount of of all the pieces for most individuals. Luckily, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE ought to show greater than sufficient.

It packs an honest 10.9-inch show, a high-quality flat metallic design, and sufficient efficiency to do the on a regular basis stuff effectively. Samsung even bundles in an S Pen stylus with each unit, making it an excellent selection for creativity.

In fact, I may have written that precise final paragraph about final 12 months’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE. In reality, I’ve simply checked my assessment, and I just about did.

So what does Samsung have to point out us that’s really new? You’d hope that there’s been some type of progress, given the £50/$50 worth bump to £499/$499 for the newest Fan Version slate.

We’re largely speaking nips and tucks right here, and whereas the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is one other good mid-range pill possibility, you must definitely go searching earlier than deciding. Right here’s why…

Design & Construct

• Acquainted flat metallic design
• IP68 certification
• S Pen bundled in

What does the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE feel and appear like? That’s a straightforward one: it appears to be like and feels precisely just like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

Earlier than you accuse me of lazy journalism, simply click on on that hyperlink above and examine the photographs of the 2 pill generations. I’ve even been certain to seize a lot of the similar angles for simple comparability. Suffice to say, Samsung actually is leaning into its iterative method right here.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Enhancements have been made, however they’re virtually imperceptible. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE has precisely the identical 254.3 x 165.8mm footprint, however it’s half-a-millimetre thinner at 6mm.

With a weight of 497g, it’s an entire 26g lighter. It nonetheless looks like a premium little bit of package, nonetheless. The type of creak-free all-metal construct goes an extended option to making this really feel costlier than it’s.

So too does the availability of IP68 certification. Even the £999 iPad Professional M4 doesn’t provide you with that stage of water resistance, making it a much better wager for tub time and poolside use.

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Right here’s one other factor the much-vaunted iPad Professional doesn’t provide you with: a bundled stylus. Each Galaxy Tab S10 FE, however comes with an S Pen within the field. When not in use, it attaches to the again of the pill utilizing good sturdy magnets.

Samsung’s stylus implementation is the very best within the enterprise. You’ll be able to ignore the S Pen is there proper up till you wish to use it, at which level scrawling a fast be aware is just a button maintain and double display faucet away.

Press and drag to spotlight textual content, or leap into Samsung’s highly effective Notes app and scribble away with a variety of pen varieties. The writing expertise is fluid and warranted, and Samsung’s handwriting recognition and auto-justification are as incredible as ever.

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As soon as once more, there’s a fingerprint sensor stashed behind the facility button on the highest edge. This works effectively whenever you discover it, however I typically discover such pill provisions a little bit difficult to find within the first place. Apple’s safe Face ID system actually needs to be extra broadly used throughout the pill area.

The color choices are predictably drab. Samsung solely offers you Silver, Grey, and Blue – and the latter color largely applies to the antenna and emblem accents, with solely a vaguely blueish tint to the physique. Would you even guess that the system examined right here was the Blue mannequin if I didn’t inform you? Precisely.

I perceive that the pill type issue is now mature, and there’s solely a lot you are able to do with a giant slab of metallic and glass, however as soon as factor you’ll be able to certainly do is provide some pronounced and interesting colors. Possibly subsequent time.

Display & Audio system

• 10.9-inch IPS LCD
• 90Hz refresh fee
• Stereo audio system
• Respectable, however falling behind the opposition on all counts

I’m a little bit stunned that Samsung despatched this explicit mannequin of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE via for assessment, as a result of by far essentially the most attention-grabbing addition to the FE roster for 2025 is the choice of a bigger 13.9-inch Plus mannequin.

As issues stand, there’s little to say about this smaller mannequin’s display that hasn’t already been stated. It’s one other 10.9-inch IPS LCD with a 1440 x 2304 decision and a 90Hz refresh fee. Can you actually count on extra for £500/$500?

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Sure, I feel which you could. The OnePlus Pad 2 additionally offers you an LCD panel reasonably than an AMOLED, however it’s a bigger 12.1-inch variant with a significantly extra fluid 144Hz refresh fee and a sharper 2120 x 3000 decision. The Honor Pad V9 affords an 11.5-inch 2.8K 144Hz panel for simply £399.

With all that stated, I’ve no complaints in regards to the Galaxy Tab S10 FE display’s high quality. It’s vibrant sufficient, sharp sufficient, and outputs good pure colors when you activate the default ‘Vivid’ display mode within the Settings menu.

Once more, although, the shortage of Dolby Imaginative and prescient and HDR10+ assist isn’t look when the OnePlus Pad 2 has been providing such issues since 2024.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Samsung’s tablets (like most Android tablets) are a lot wider than any iPad, with a 16:10 facet ratio. This can be a double-edged sword, which means that the Galaxy Tab S10 FE feels far more comfy when consuming content material in panorama orientation than in portrait.

Sound output isn’t fairly as spectacular as a few of its mid-priced rivals both. You continue to get a stable pair of stable stereo audio system with good separation, however the OnePlus Pad 2 offers you a extra immersive six-speaker set-up, whereas the Honor Pad V9 offers you a whopping eight.

Specs & Efficiency

• Exynos 1580
• 8 or 12GB RAM
• 5G possibility

Maybe essentially the most significant enchancment with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE (after that Plus possibility) pertains to its efficiency.

In supplying its newest mid-range pill with an Exynos 1580 chip, it basically enjoys a two-generational leap over the Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

It’s not that it is a significantly spectacular processor – it’s the identical chip that powers the Samsung Galaxy A56 telephone – however it’s quick sufficient to supply fluid navigation and little in the best way of stutter.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

It probably helps that Samsung has nudged the reminiscence provision up a little bit, with both 8- or 12GB of RAM. I at all times really feel that Android begins to purr when you hit that 8GB mark.

For all that progress has been made, the OnePlus Pad 2 fingers out one other chastening with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. That’s an ageing flagship, however a flagship chip nonetheless, and it handily trounces the Galaxy Tab S10 FE throughout the same old benchmark checks.

We haven’t completed placing the Honor Magic V9 via its paces, however its MediaTek Dimensity 8350 additionally appears to be like to be a way more succesful chip on paper. And the Xiaomi Pad 7 (assessment additionally coming very quickly) has an honest Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3.

It’s one other case of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE being good in isolation, however slipping behind the usual set by its extra formidable mid-priced rivals.

At this level, I ought to problem a shout-out to Samsung and its Apple-like market saturation, which implies which you could specify your Galaxy Tab S10 FE with or with out 5G connectivity. That’s an possibility neither of these aforementioned rivals can provide.

Cameras

• 13Mp rear digital camera captures barely enough photographs
• Ditto the 12Mp ultra-wide selfie cam
• Helps 4K video at 30fps

Samsung has swapped the solitary 8Mp essential digital camera of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE out for a 13Mp different.

It’s a nominal improve, however we’re nonetheless speaking about an especially restricted digital camera that you simply’d solely wish to seize pictures with as a final resort. Just about any midway first rate smartphone digital camera will do a greater job.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Samsung’s skilled picture processing, along with these further pixels, will guarantee a fundamental stage of competence in perfect lighting. However everyone knows by now that you simply shouldn’t depend on your pill for pictures.

That applies doubly so to the 12Mp ultra-wide entrance digital camera, which ought to actually solely be employed for video calls. It’ll take selfies, however there’s a normal lack of readability and depth to those photographs.

On the video recording entrance, 4K/30fps assist is welcome, however once more, you wouldn’t wish to depend on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE as something however a final resort. The shortage of OIS (optical picture stabilisation), for one factor, guidelines out regular footage, and there’s no 60fps assist at 1080p.

Battery Life & Charging

• 8000mAh battery
• 45W charging assist
• No charger within the field

At first look, Samsung hasn’t introduced something new to the desk relating to stamina. Nonetheless, the positive factors made by the a lot newer and extra environment friendly Exynos 1580 are fairly noteworthy.

Whereas the Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s 8000mAh battery makes a return alongside the identical 10.9-inch show, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE lasted for much longer.

Samsung’s new pill managed to attain 13 hours 28 minutes in our typical PC Mark Work 3.0 battery check, which simulates a combined workload. That’s a startling three hours longer than its predecessor, and about the identical size of time because the OnePlus Pad 2 with its considerably bigger battery.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Should you’re utilizing the Galaxy Tab S10 FE as supposed, for gentle net searching, be aware taking, and media consumption duties, you’ll be able to count on it to final via a number of days on a single cost. It must also final you a full working day of sunshine productiveness duties with room to spare.

The charging provision is similar as earlier than, with assist for Samsung’s 45W charging (very like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely). You don’t get this charger within the field, however I had one at hand.

Utilizing this official charger, I used to be capable of cost the S10 FE from empty to 27% in quarter-hour, and to 49% in half-hour. A full cost took precisely 1 hour half-hour.

Software program & Apps

• Android 15
• One UI 7
• Seven years of software program updates

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE runs on the corporate’s present One UI 7 interface, with Android 15 working beneath. Samsung’s software program in 2025 is a comparatively straightforward on the attention, extraordinarily highly effective and customisable, but in addition just a bit bit congested and even annoying for somebody who likes their Android to be as near the Google perfect as doable.

The positives are pretty overwhelming, nonetheless. Samsung’s icons, widgets, and menus have by no means appeared as crisp and interesting as they do in One UI 7.0. It’s no nice departure from earlier variations, however it’s a pleasant tackle the corporate’s acquainted home model.

One UI can be extraordinarily versatile and totally featured. Samsung DeX optimises the UI for keyboard and mouse use, turning the Galaxy Tab S10 FE into a light-weight laptop computer of kinds. The multitasking/app switching menu makes good use of the additional display area, and break up display app use is a doddle to make use of right here.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

I’ve already talked about S Pen implementation, however it actually is the very best within the enterprise. Navigating with Samsung’s stylus is at all times a pleasure, with a sub-UI at all times there simply behind the scenes that will help you however you by no means really feel strong-armed into utilizing it.

The Air Command menu affords you the flexibility to shortly write on the display, create a be aware, or enter AI choose. The latter enables you to flip movies into GIFs or extract textual content from no matter’s on display with a easy circle.

I discussed the highly effective Samsung Notes app, however you additionally get PenUP for serving to to discover your inventive facet with colouring-in initiatives, in addition to works shared by different customers.

Jon Mundy / Foundry

Samsung-flavoured irritations embrace the best way it’s a must to fiddle round to get Google Password Supervisor working not like each different Android system the place it simply works out of the field. There’s additionally a normal sense of litter, with plenty of Samsung’s personal apps and a Settings menu that sends me to the Search perform greater than some other.

I’m not an enormous fan of Samsung’s determination to hitch the development for splitting the notification and shortcut toggles menus, however it appears to make extra sense right here on the large display than it does on smartphones just like the Samsung Galaxy S25.

Samsung has promised six years of OS and safety updates, which is among the greatest you’ll discover in any pill, no matter worth.

Value & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy S10 FE is available for purchase now in most territories, together with the UK and US. You should purchase immediately from the Samsung web site, in addition to from Amazon and an entire host of outlets each main and minor.

Pricing begins from £499/$499.99 for the 8GB/128GB entry mannequin. That represents an unlucky £50/$50 worth hike over the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. I do know that costs have risen throughout the board, however the lack of significant developments nonetheless makes such a hike stick within the craw considerably.

Step as much as 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and also you’ll be paying £599/$569.99. That’s a a lot greater £100 worth hike for the UK in comparison with $70 for the US. Final 12 months’s step up mannequin got here with a £70/$70 premium, by the use of comparability.

Naturally, you’ll pay extra for 5G connectivity, ranging from £599/$599.99 for the 128GB variant.

Try our checklist of the very best tablets for extra choices.

Must you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is one more achieved mid-range pill from the corporate, with a wonderful (and now barely lighter) design and the very best bundled stylus within the sport.

Efficiency has taken an considerable step ahead, whereas the brand new Exynos 1580 chip additionally seems to have nudged battery life in the precise course.

All of those tweaks and adjustments really feel a little bit like fiddling on the margins, nonetheless. That is nonetheless, to all intents and functions, the identical system because the 2023 Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

Iteration is anticipated, to some extent, particularly within the pill market. Nonetheless, with an accompanying worth bump and a few very sturdy competitors, this lack of development sees Samsung’s Tab FE vary slipping again within the pecking order.

Specs

• Android 15
• 10.9in, 1440 x 2304, IPS LCD, 90Hz
• Facet-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Qualcomm Exynos 1580
• 8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage
• 13Mp, f/2.0 essential digital camera
• As much as 4K @ 30fps rear video
• 12Mp front-facing digital camera
• Stereo audio system
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e
• Bluetooth 5.3
• 8000mAh battery
• 45W charging
• 254.3 x 165.8 x 6mm
• 497g
• Launch colors: Silver, Grey, Blue