Tech Reviews

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Review: Fuelling a Niche

Discover Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, a 14.6-inch powerhouse with a stunning display, superb performance, and an included S Pen.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra ($1,199 starting price) is Samsung’s biggest and most advanced tablet of 2024.

With its massive 14.6-inch AMOLED display and new MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip, it delivers a noticeable speed boost compared to earlier models. However, aside from the faster performance, there aren’t many big upgrades over the previous version.

While it doesn’t match power of Apple’s iPad Pro M4, the Tab S10 Ultra is still one of the best Android tablets for those who want a laptop alternative or a huge screen for work and entertainment.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Specification

FeatureDetails
📡 NetworkGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
📅 Launch DateAnnounced: Sep 26, 2024
🚀 Release DateReleased: Oct 3, 2024
📏 Dimensions326.4 x 208.6 x 5.4 mm
⚖️ Weight718 g (Wi-Fi), 723 g (5G)
🏗️ BuildGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
💳 SIMNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
💧 WaterproofIP68 (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
✏️ StylusIncluded, 2.8ms latency
🖼️ Display TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
📏 Display Size14.6 inches
📐 Resolution1848 x 2960 pixels (~239 ppi)
📱 OSAndroid 14, One UI 6.1
⚙️ ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+
🧮 CPUOcta-core
🎮 GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12
💾 Memory CardmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
📦 Storage256GB/12GB RAM, 512GB/12GB RAM, 1TB/16GB RAM
📸 Main CameraDual: 13 MP (wide) + 8 MP (ultrawide)
💡 Camera FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama
🎥 Main Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
🤳 Selfie CameraDual: 12 MP (wide) + 12 MP (ultrawide)
🎥 Selfie Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
🔊 SoundStereo speakers, no headphone jack
📶 ConnectivityWi-Fi 6e/7, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 3.2
🔋 Battery11200 mAh, 45W fast charging
🎨 ColorsMoonstone Gray, Platinum Silver
💰 PriceAbout 1200 EUR

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Price and Availability

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra starts at $1,200, the same as Tab S9 Ultra. It’s available now from Samsung, Best Buy, or Amazon, including the 5G model.

While the price includes S Pen, it doesn’t come with a keyboard case. Samsung’s official keyboards cost $200 or $350, bringing the total to over $1,500 if you want a laptop-like setup. At that price, you might consider a powerful laptop that offers more functionality than Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Design and hardware

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a premium design with thin bezels, a sleek aluminum and glass body and a stunning OLED screen. However, these design choices bring some frustrations.

Thin bezels allow little space to hold the tablet without unintentionally touching the screen and front-facing camera is located in an uncomfortable notch rather than within the bezel. For a $1,200 tablet, this design seems less practical and inventive.

Included S Pen charges on the back, which can be inconvenient as it often falls off when taking the tablet out of a bag. A side-mounted charging solution would have been better, along with a thicker build to make the camera bump flush.

Under-display fingerprint reader is another issue. It’s hard to reach on such a large tablet, regardless of how you hold it. Samsung previously placed fingerprint readers in power buttons but this thin design likely prevents that.

That said, the build quality is excellent. OLED screen with anti-glare coating, high-quality speakers and overall craftsmanship make the device feel premium, even if the design has its quirks.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Display and speakers

Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a 120Hz anti-reflective OLED display that looks great, with improved visibility thanks to the new coating, making it easier to use outdoors. Screen reaches 930 nits, which is brighter than Tab S9 Ultra, offering better readability in direct sunlight.

While 120Hz refresh rate is good, Samsung doesn’t let you lock it at 120Hz. Auto-adjusting system helps save battery but with a large 11,200mAh battery, you might not want it to adjust automatically.

S Pen works well for drawing, with only 2.8ms of latency. Large screen makes it great for creating art, although it may feel like drawing on glass rather than paper.

Side-firing speakers sound great, especially for music and media. However, they could be even better if they were front-facing, as they don’t project directly toward you.

With its excellent sound and widescreen ratio, the Tab S10 Ultra is great for watching movies and streaming. However, at $1,200, you could get better options for media consumption elsewhere.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Software

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra includes AI features like Note Assist, Sketch to Image, and Circle to Search. Circle to Search and Note Assist are useful for quick tasks, but Sketch to Image often feels like a gimmick with poor results.

Samsung also offers Transcript Assist, but Google already has similar tools, making it feel unnecessary. These AI features seem to push users into Samsung’s ecosystem without offering much new value.

Tablet also has useful features like multi-window support, which works well on the large screen, and Edge panels, which provide quick access to apps.

Software is stable, with a guaranteed seven years of updates and security patches until 2031. If you’re happy with Samsung’s software, Tab S10 Ultra will meet your needs.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Performance

I was concerned that MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip might impact performance but it works surprisingly well. Device runs smoothly with no lags while navigating through apps or browsing.

I tried games like Dead Cells and Genshin Impact. Dead Cells ran perfectly at 120Hz, whereas Genshin Impact maintained 60fps throughout. The Dimensity 9300+ chip performed well, matching or outperforming current Snapdragon chips.

  • CPU Single-Core: 2155 (S10 Ultra) vs. 2090 (S9)
  • CPU Multi-Core: 7125 (S10 Ultra) vs. 5719 (S9)
  • GPU: 12152 (S10 Ultra) vs. 9539 (S9)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Cameras

Cameras aren’t the highlight of the tablet but they do a good job for quick tasks like scanning documents or selfies. Front-facing cameras (12MP and wide-angle) are centered when held in landscape, making them easier to use for video calls or selfies. Rear cameras include 13MP primary and an 8MP ultra-wide camera, both producing decent photos in good lighting.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Battery and Charging

11,200mAh battery lasts for four to five days of regular use. Even with six days of use, I still had 61% battery left. Charging from 33% to 100% takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes using a 65W charger, but you’ll need to supply your own charger. Despite the large battery, charging speed is quite good.

Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has excellent battery life and charging speed, making it a solid choice for long-lasting use.

Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

ProsCons
🌟 Large, beautiful screen📸 Notch is unattractive
🔊 Great sound🤲 Hard to grip due to small bezels
✍️ Includes pen🖱️ Fingerprint reader is awkward
⚡ Solid performance🔊 No front-firing speakers
🔋 Long battery life💰 Expensive for some users

Conclusion

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a large, niche device with its 14.6-inch screen. It has a MediaTek 9300+ chip for good performance but if you don’t need such a large tablet, smaller Plus model is a more affordable and easier-to-hold option.

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