Samsung has just announced a couple of new high-end tablets at the “Galaxy Premier 2014” event, the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 and the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. Samsung already launched high-end tablets in the form of the NotePRO and TabPRO range of tablets earlier in the year and now, the Tab S range is here.
The Tab S range is reminiscent of the Galaxy S5 and these new tablets do borrow a lot of features from the Samsung smartphone flagship. They feature the same dotted pattern back, there’s also the fingerprint scanner on the home button. The new tablets are also ultra thin, measuring only 6.6 mm thick. As you would have already guessed, the Tab S 8.1 features a 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display and the Tab S 10.5 features a 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display. The displays on these devices are said to be adaptive to apps. They adjust saturation, gamma, sharpness based on the app you are using.
Both the tablets feature a lot of similar specs. The displays on both the tablets have the same WQXGA (2560x1600p) resolution. They are powered by either the Octa-core Exynos 5422 or the Snapdragon 800 processor, depending on the region. They come with 3 gigs of RAM, 16 or 32 GB internal storage along with microSD expansion up to 128 GB.
Both the Tab S tablets feature an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2.1 MP front facing camera. The tablets will come in both WiFi and 4G LTE variants. Other connectivity options include Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, IrLED, GPS, GLONASS, Beidou.
They run on Android 4.4 KitKat along with Samsung’s latest TouchWiz features such as Kids Mode, Ultra Power Saving Mode and more. There’s also the latest call forwarding feature, which lets you receive your phone calls on your Tab S when your Samsung smartphone is synced. Samsung has also partnered with Marvel to bring the Tab S buyers three months of Marvel subscription for free via the Marvel Unlimited app. Tab S users will also enjoy Netflix in high defination in selected countries.
The Galaxy Tab S 10.5 packs in a 7900 mAh battery while the Tab S 8.4 features a 4900 mAh battery. The Tab S tablets go on sale in select markets by the end of this month, that is June. Both the tablets will come in Titanium Bronze and Dazzling White colors. The WiFi variants of the Tab S 10. and Tab S 8.4 are priced at US $499 (~Rs. 29,500) and US $399 (~Rs. 23,700) respectively. Samsung hasn’t revealed when they plan to bring the tablet to India but we should know soon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 & 8.4 Specifications:
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.5-inch Super AMOLED | 8.4-inch Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | WQXGA (2560x1600p) | WQXGA (2560x1600p) |
| Processor | Exynos 5422 Octa-core (A15 1.9 GHz ＋ A7 1.3 GHz) or 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor | Exynos 5422 Octa-core (A15 1.9 GHz ＋ A7 1.3 GHz) or 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor |
| RAM | 3GB | 3GB |
| Memory | 16/32GB | 16/32GB |
| microSD expansion | Yes up to 128GB | Yes up to 128GB |
| Camera | 8MP rear camera with flash 2.1MP front-facing camera | 8MP rear camera with flash 2.1MP front-facing camera |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat | Android 4.4 KitKat |
| Battery | 7900 mAh | 4900 mAh |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, IrLED, GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, IrLED, GPS, GLONASS, Beidou |
| Dimensions and Weight | 246.9 x 173.5 x 6.6mm 465g (Wifi) /467g(LTE) | 200.8 x 144.3 x 6.6mm 298g(WiFi) /294g(LTE) |
| Price | WiFi variant - approx Rs. 29,500 (expected) | WiFi variant - approx Rs. 23,700 (expected) |
Comparison:
Samsung’s new Tab S tablets are truly high end with some heavy duty specs and lots of feature packed in. At its price, there is some tough competition in the form of the Apple iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display. Let’s see if Samsung’s new tablets manage to give the Apple tablets a tough time.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 | Apple iPad Air 16GB WiFi | Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 | Apple iPad mini with Retina display 16GB WiFi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display WQXGA (2560x1600p) resolution | 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD display 1536x2048p resolution | 8.4-inch Super AMOLED display WQXGA (2560x1600p) | 7.9-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD display 1536x2048p resolution |
| Processor | Exynos 5422 Octa-core (A15 1.9 GHz ＋ A7 1.3 GHz) or 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor | Apple A7 chipset - Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) processor | Exynos 5422 Octa-core (A15 1.9 GHz ＋ A7 1.3 GHz) or 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor | Apple A7 chipset - Dual-core 1.3 GHz Cyclone (ARM v8-based) processor |
| RAM | 3GB | 1GB | 3GB | 1GB |
| Memory | 16/32GB internal storage microSD expansion up to 128GB | 16GB fixed storage 32/64/128GB options | 16/32GB internal storage microSD expansion up to 128GB | 16GB fixed storage 32/64/128GB options |
| Camera | 8MP rear camera with flash 2.1MP front-facing camera | 5MP rear camera 1.2MP front-facing camera | 8MP rear camera with flash 2.1MP front-facing camera | 8MP rear camera with flash 2.1MP front-facing camera |
| Dimensions and Weight | 246.9 x 173.5 x 6.6mm 465g(Wifi) / 467g(LTE) | 240 x 169.5 x 7.5 mm 469g(Wi-Fi) / 478g(3G/LTE) | 200.8 x 144.3 x 6.6mm 298g(WiFi) /294g(LTE) | 200 x 134.7 x 7.5 mm 331g(Wi-Fi) / 341g(3G/LTE) |
| Battery | 7900 mAh | 8820 mAh | 4900 mAh | 6471 mAh |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 8 later this year | Android 4.4 KitKat | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 8 later this year |
| Price | WiFi variant - approx Rs. 29,500 (expected) | Rs. 35,900 | WiFi variant - approx Rs. 23,700 (expected) | Rs. 28,900 |
The Samsung Tab S tablets surely pack a punch when it comes to specifications and if priced well, these tablets might sell pretty well. It should be priced on the higher side and with the competition being Apple’s offerings, it will be surely tough for Samsung. If you ask me, I would suggest you to go with Apple’s iPad tablets but if you are a fan of Android and Samsung then the Tab S offerings shouldn’t disappoint you.
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You tell us, are you impressed with the Samsung Tab S tablets or you prefer the iPads? Sound off in the comments section below, as we love to hear from you.
Sagnik Das Gupta
