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Imagine an Android tablet so BIG, it practically begs to be mistaken for a laptop. That's the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, a device that pushes the boundaries of Android tablets with its size and ambition. This isn't the first time when Samsung has gone down the road. It has made big tablets in the past too. The other side to this is that these tablets are extremely powerful tablets with the best possible hardware in the market.
In fact, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is straight up Samsung's answer to Apple's iPad Pro. This means that it is equally expensive too. It is priced at Rs 1,08,999 which is a lot of money for a tablet. So, does this giant live up to its potential, or is it simply too much of a good thing? Keep reading to find out.
Display and design
I’ve clubbed these two categories because not a lot has changed from it’s predecessor Tab S9 Ultra. The display is still glorious, with the same 14.6-inch 2X Dynamic AMOLED panel, which is a sight to behold, with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a 120Hz refresh rate that makes everything feel buttery smooth.
Watching movies on this thing is an absolute treat, and even everyday tasks like browsing the web or reading articles feel immersive and engaging. Thanks to HDR10+; the contrast, the detail, the dynamic range – it all comes together to create a great viewing experience.
But here's the catch: this same massive screen comes at a cost. The Tab S10 Ultra is big. Like, really big. Infact I want to sign a petition to be marketed as a small laptop than a tablet, and it can be quite unwieldy to hold for extended periods.
Reading in bed? No, forget about it. Using it on the go? You'll need a pretty big bag. While the thin bezels look absolutely sleek, they also make it difficult to hold the tablet without accidentally touching the screen. This can be especially frustrating when gaming or watching videos or even scribbling at times.
So, you will ideally have to invest in a keyboard cover to get the best out of this tablet. Then, it can double up as a laptop while travelling or even if you are working from the comfort of home or office. Samsung hasn't sent me the keyboard cover so I can't really talk about its performance or efficiency as of now.
The quad speakers are a definite highlight, though. They deliver rich, powerful sound with impressive clarity and depth. Dolby Atmos support adds another layer of immersion, making movies and music sound even more cinematic.
Performance
This is fact that Android tablets have had a mixed reputation in the market when it comes to performance. But Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has the potential to reshape the this statement.
Under the hood, the Tab S10 Ultra is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor. This processor, which was a flagship just a short time ago, really elevates the tablet's performance. But trust me, this chip is still a beast. I threw lots and lots of things on this tablet – from scrolling on X to editing videos on Adobe Rush, from watching multi-tasking to gaming, it managed to gave me a smooth performance through ou t my testing period.
It was particularly impressive during gaming sessions. I fired up BGMI and set the graphics to HDR and Extreme, and even pushed it to Ultra HDR with Ultra Frame rate. To my surprise, I didn’t encounter any lags after a solid 30 minutes of gameplay. That's quite an achievement for a tablet of this size!
That said, I do have to mention that due to its large 14.6-inch display, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra isn’t the most comfortable device for mobile gaming. It’s a bit unwieldy for those quick, one-handed gaming sessions that some might prefer on smaller devices. But if you can manage the size, the performance is genuinely impressive.
For daily productivity tasks, the tablet shines as well. Whether you're drafting emails, creating presentations, or just taking notes, the Galaxy AI is there for rescue. Well, more on that in just a minute, but I’m happy to say that even after using intensive Galaxy AI features, such as generative edit – there was no stutter or lag in the performance.
Galaxy AI
One of the main highlight of this year’s Tab Ultra is Galaxy AI. Since the flagship Samsung phones are already equipped with AI, it makes total sense to bring that to their flagship tablet.
Imagine this: you take a picture, but you can make a cat sit on your shoulder, place a lamp beside you, or even remove people from the background? Well, that's the power of Galaxy AI, feels somewhat similar to having mini-Photoshop.
And it's not just limited to image editing. All the cool AI features you find on the S24+ and Ultra are here too: Live Translate for real-time translation, generative edit for tweaking your photos, Note Assist for note-taking, and Interpreter for breaking down language barriers. They're all here, optimised for this massive screen.
Naturally, with a tablet this size, you're more likely to use it for note-taking and creative work. And the S Pen, which comes included in the box (thanks a lot), makes those tasks a breeze. Whether you're jotting down notes or unleashing your inner da Vinci, the S Pen has got your back.
In case you buy the Galaxy Book Cover Keyboard Slim, it will come with a dedicated AI key. But honestly, I didn't really crave having a dedicated AI key in my usage. Maybe this is one of those things, that would grow on me eventually, once I started using it, who knows.
S Pen
The S Pen is another standout feature of the Tab S10 Ultra. It’s included in the box, which is a nice touch (Apple, you listening?). The S Pen is incredibly responsive and precise, making it perfect for taking notes, sketching, or even doing some serious digital art.
S Pen makes a big difference. It works seamlessly with the device as one and is especially useful for students or professionals who rely on quick, on-the-go workflows. The low latency is also impressive. Galaxy AI features enhance this experience further, providing smart tools that assist in editing and organizing your notes or images, making your work not just easier but also more enjoyable.
Cameras
Let’s be honest, no one buys a 14.6-inch tablet primarily for its cameras. And the Tab S10 Ultra’s cameras certainly reflect that. They’re…fine, serviceable. Adequate for video calls and the occasional document scan, but don’t expect to be wowed by the image quality.
The rear camera comprises of 13 megapixel primary camera, and an 8 megapixel ultrawide camera. In good lighting, the photos are fine, with decent detail and color accuracy. But in low light, things start to fall apart. Noise creeps in, details get smudged, and the overall image quality takes a noticeable dip. The ultrawide lens is a nice addition, but it suffers from the same limitations as the main camera.
On the front, there’s dual camera setup of 12 megapixel primary camera and ultra-wide camera each. The pictures can be called quite decent and it is suitable for video calls or occasional selfies. The ultrawide camera is also handy for group calls, ensuring everyone fits in the frame.
To be fair, the camera on a flagship smartphone can do a better job then the ones in this tablet, but for everyday video calls and casual snaps, the cameras are perfectly adequate.
Battery life
The 11,200mAh battery in the Tab S10 Ultra is a beast. In the various patterns of using it, I was able to squeeze out around 8 hours of screen-on-time on this, which is very good looking at the size of this thing. My usage basically comprises of watching videos, using it as secondary monitor, playing games, and browsing the web.
However, that massive battery also means that charging takes a while, even with the 45W fast charging support.
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is, without a doubt, one of the best Android tablets I’ve ever used. It has a stunning display, powerful performance, a versatile S Pen, and a long-lasting battery. It’s a true powerhouse that can handle anything you throw at it.
Yes, it's expensive. And yes, it's big. But if you're looking for the ultimate Android tablet experience, the Tab S10 Ultra is worth every penny. It's a device that can truly replace your laptop for many tasks, while also offering the portability and convenience of a tablet.
That said, I also feel that if you already have Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, there’s no point in upgrading to this newer model, as it stands tall upon the bricks that were laid by its predecessor.