Shock! The Galaxy Tab S11 is again.
To make clear, that’s the common mannequin, which was ignored of final yr’s Tab S10 lineup. This yr, it’s the Galaxy Tab S11+ that’s lacking, that means we get a £400/$400 distinction between the beginning costs of the 2 new fashions.
Understandably, most individuals’s consideration will probably be drawn to the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely and its huge 14.6-inch display. In case you’re searching for wow issue, that’s undoubtedly the machine to get.
By comparability, the common Tab S11 is boring, with a design that’s unchanged from 2023’s Tab S9, that means that it’s beginning to look dated.
Nonetheless, appears will be deceiving, and early indicators recommend it could possibly be a compelling flagship pill in its personal proper. After reviewing the spec sheet and going hands-on with the Tab S11, listed below are my early impressions.
Boring design, good construct high quality
I’m not going to fake 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 bought all crucial issues proper
It means we nonetheless must put up with a chunky bezel across the display, which appears nearly laughable when side-by-side with the Tab S11 Extremely (albeit with out the unpleasant notch).
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Nonetheless, that is removed from a dealbreaker. With regards to construct high quality, Samsung has nonetheless bought all crucial issues proper.
I’m speaking a sturdy aluminium body that feels premium within the hand, an IP68 ranking that ensures flagship-level water resistance, and a stunning 11-inch AMOLED show that appears nice, even below harsh studio lighting.
From a sensible standpoint, all of those components are extra necessary than whether or not a tool appears ‘trendy’ or ‘cool’. Belief me, after utilizing it for a couple of months, you in all probability 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 need to? The mixture of an enormous show and ultra-thin design would make me very reluctant.
In contrast, the common Tab S11 is rather a lot 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 area 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
Positive, the compact design has its downsides, particularly in case you plan on watching a number of motion pictures or must deal with any critical work. However for a little bit of net shopping, watching Netflix or catching up with family and friends, the Tab S11 seems like the perfect dimension.
Upgrades below the hood
To date, nearly every little thing I’ve stated in regards to 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 probably the most vital is the chipset. For the second yr 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 fast, particularly with the added fluidity of the show’s 120Hz refresh price
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 situations, 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 fast, particularly with the added fluidity of the show’s 120Hz refresh price.
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 principally 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 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 price simply £799/$799 for the 128GB Wi-Fi solely mannequin, which is already obtainable.
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 enchantment of the Galaxy Tab S11 is the shortage 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 machine with an enormous price ticket, or a less expensive slate with larger 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 assessment quickly to know for certain whether or not it’s price your cash.
Within the meantime, you may try why you don’t need to purchase the superb Galaxy Tab S11, what we actually need Samsung to carry us, why the Galaxy S25 FE may make the S25 Plus out of date and what Samsung didn’t announce in the present day.