With a massive announcement of the Galaxy Note 9 coming soon, Samsung surprised me with an update related to another productivity device, the Galaxy Tab S4. Samsung Electronics seems to be challenging not only the iPad Pro this time, but also the Surface laptop.
Samsung introduced Dex with the Galaxy S9 last year and has since evolved from dock to matte and now a single HDMI cable. You can also use the Dex interface on the tablet screen itself by connecting a compatible keyboard and mouse.
Android tablets aren't the dream thing, but Samsung is one of the few companies that can make Android tablets a device worth buying. So the Galaxy Tab S4 is an interesting pivot to productivity.
It's not that they haven't been able to get serious work done on the Galaxy Tab S3, but Samsung is all-in on Dex on the S4, positioning it as a real PC or alternative to a Chromebook. Apple and Microsoft don't have much to worry about, but those looking for a work tablet have a third option to consider.
Galaxy Tab S4 with all-screen design
The Galaxy Tab S4 is an all-out upgrade to the S3, focusing on a new design, better specifications and precise productivity. Let's look at the display first. While the Galaxy Tab S3 is equipped with a 9.7-inch 2048x1536 HDR Super AMOLED display, the S4's screen is about an inch larger with a 10.5-inch 2560x1600 resolution. This is almost identical to the 2224x1668 screen on the 10.5-inch iPad Pro.
Along with the new screen, a new design was born to manage the space of the Galaxy Tab S4. Samsung has eliminated the home button and made the bezels thinner, making all peripherals even. The result is an attractive and calming tablet that looks natural from any angle (Samsung even removed the logo from the front). The back of the S4 reflects the same all-glass aesthetic.
The following specifications of the Galaxy Tab S4 are expected for a premium Android tablet in 2018.
- Dimensions: 249.3x164.3x7.1 mm
- Processor: Snapdragon 835
- Weight: Approx. 481 grams (1.06 lbs)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB or 256 GB
- Camera: 13 MP, f/1.9
- Battery: 7,300mAh
- Speaker: Dolby Atmos surround sound
- OS: Android Oreo
Battery performance has been significantly improved compared to the S3, and the additional capacity of 1,300mAh can extend the lifespan of more than 2 hours even on a larger screen. Samsung estimates that the Galaxy Tab S4 can play 16 hours of video. That's 12 hours longer than the Tab S3's (though the 10.5-inch iPad Pro's 8,134mAh battery lasts up to 10 hours, so it's worth testing Samsung's claims).
The S3's quad-speaker system is also back, but this time Samsung has added support for accompanying HDR screens to Dolby Atmos. It's safe to say it's the best movie-watching experience you'll find on a tablet of this size.
But you won't find the Bixby button on the Galaxy Tab S4. Samsung has tenaciously pushed its own digital assistant into the Galaxy phone line with a dedicated key, but didn't add it to that. You can still access Bixby via voice, though. Samsung has also built a far-field microphone into the S4, allowing you to call up Bixby or Google Assistant from anywhere in the room.
Too much
work is n't good You can have fun with the Galaxy Tab S4, but there's no doubt that it's designed for work. Samsung is once again selling the keyboard dock for $150, but it doesn't make typing more comfortable on the S4. In addition, Samsung also unveiled Dex, the main factor in improving productivity.
Galaxy Tab S4 is an Android tablet that you want to be your work companion.
While Dex may have started out as a way to extend the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 to an external monitor, it makes a lot more sense on tablets.
Enter PC-style Dex mode on the Galaxy Tab S4's screen, for example, and you'll be able to resize windows and multitask just like you would on a Windows laptop. You can also easily extend the screen of the S4 using a single cable. Instead of a dock or pad, just connect a USB-C to HDMI cable from the S4 to the monitor, and you can enjoy the Dex environment in full screen.
As always, Samsung bundles the S Pen in the box, but it's still a mess compared to Apple's $99 pen. While there are strong rumors that the Note 9 will ship with an updated Bluetooth stylus pen, the Galaxy Tab S4 still ships with the same silly S Pen. Samsung says it's "refined," but in fact it only has 4,096 pressure points and a 0.7mm tip as it has so far.
Available in black or gray, the Galaxy Tab S4 will be available starting August 10 for $650 through Verizon, Best Buy, Amazon and Samsung.com. Customers who purchase a tablet through Samsung.com through September 8 will also receive a 50% discount on the $150 Book Cover Keyboard.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment