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 completely different this time round.
In the case of specs, few might argue towards 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 dirt resistance imply it stays impressively sturdy.
Below the hood, MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+ chipset is correct up there with the Snapdragon 8 Elite within the efficiency stakes, whereas a big 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 checklist, 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 gained’t have the ability to advocate 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 opinions of the previous few Galaxy Tab Extremely fashions, we most likely sound like a damaged report. However value stays the only largest motive that the Tab S11 Extremely is so onerous to advocate.
For the 5G fashions, you’ll need to pay at the very 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 need to pay at the very least £1,349, which is a staggering sum of money for a pill.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
For context, our prime pill suggestion is the M3 iPad Air, which is actually half the worth (from £599/$599) and has higher software program in addition! Even when you’re set on an Android pill, there are many extra inexpensive options that are value buying and selling for a large display.
…and also you’ll most likely 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 all the pieces else is offered individually.
That features the ‘E book Cowl Keyboard Slim’, which is completely 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 value, however the Tab S10 Extremely model prices a cool £199/$199. I’d be very stunned if it obtained any cheaper.
It’s too rattling huge
Okay, a 14.6-inch display isn’t big by laptop computer requirements, so it is smart when you’ll solely use it with the keyboard cowl hooked up. 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. Wherein case, the Tab S11 Extremely is just too huge! Even with an ultra-slim bezel across the display, the size of 208 x 326mm make it unwieldy and cumbersome to make use of.
I’ve comparatively giant fingers, however nonetheless struggled to comfortably maintain it in a single hand and faucet on the display 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 sequence 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 be lacking a key function: BLE, or Bluetooth Low Power. On earlier Galaxy Tab Extremely fashions, you may use the stylus as a distant management throughout apps equivalent 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, but it surely most likely shouldn’t come as a shock. Samsung additionally sacrificed Bluetooth assist on the S Pen that’s constructed into the Galaxy S25 Extremely.
So, though 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 change your laptop computer
One UI 8 might be the perfect software program expertise you’ll discover on any Android pill. Based mostly 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, that means that its talents as a productiveness system are nonetheless severely restricted. For those who plan on utilizing the Tab S11 Extremely as a laptop computer alternative (and, given how a lot it prices, you most likely ought to), you’ll need to 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 repeatedly 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 latest Galaxy Tab gadgets are something to go by, the Tab S11 Extremely will likely be more proficient at net shopping and content material consumption than advanced productiveness duties. Nearly as good because the {hardware} is, that’ll at all times make it a troublesome promote if you’re paying a lot cash.
However might the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely show me mistaken? Look out for our full assessment quickly to seek out out.
Within the meantime, you’ll be able to take a look at why the boring Tab S11 is a greater wager, 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 immediately.