A close look at Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S

A Comprehensive Review of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S Series

Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series phones have been a benchmark in the smartphone evolution, and the brand has decided to extend its elite lineage to tablets with the Galaxy Tab S line. Samsung proudly states that the Galaxy Tab S epitomizes their tablet designing capabilities, primarily attributed to the striking Super AMOLED displays they feature.

The Galaxy Tab S series encompasses two specific models—a petite 8.4-inch variant and a larger 10.5-inch version. Aside from the disparity in dimensions, both models mirror superior adaptations of the Galaxy S5, harboring the same Exynos 5 Octa chipset—a fusion of a 1.9GHz quad-core chip, a 1.3GHz quad-core chip, and 3GB of RAM. They operate on Android 4.4 KitKat, enhanced by Samsung’s unique TouchWiz User Interface. Their home buttons incorporate fingerprint scanners, with their flagship feature being their exceptional screens.

The Super AMOLED technology is celebrated for its exceptional color contrast, deeper blacks, and brighter whites, all showcased amply on the Galaxy Tab S’s 2,560 x 1,600 screens. The 8.4-inch model boasts a higher pixel density, but it’s nearly impossible to distinguish individual pixels on either tablet.

The lucidity and dynamism of Galaxy Tab S displays starkly contrast with Samsung’s Galaxy Tab Pros, which appear comparatively dimmer. The screen performance is further optimized by the embedded RGB sensor, which adjusts the white balance as per the varying lighting conditions, mitigating eye strain.

Beyond a stupendous display, these tablets are no slouch when it comes to performance. Even though a detailed evaluation was challenging at its unveiling, both tablets exhibited competent performance in simple tasks such as flipping between pages, launching apps, and browsing digital content. They also displayed admirable performance during video playbacks.

Their slim profile—nearly the equivalent of five stacked up credit cards—adds to the comfort and portability. Despite their deceptive lightweight construction, the tablets exude a luxurious aura, largely courtesy of their substantial screens.

Samsung has also made significant software augmentations. The SideSync app steals the spotlight, which enables Tab S syncing with a nearby Galaxy S5 via Wi-Fi Direct, enabling seamless transition and file sharing between devices. Legacy security apps and Galaxy features have been retained to guarantee a user-friendly shift from other Galaxy devices.

Although rush judgments about Samsung’s latest tablet duo are premature, the Galaxy Tab S series offers a compelling mix of noteworthy enhancements, recognizable design, and truly remarkable displays. They are worth considering as they start appearing in stores this July.

Minor enhancements were applied in 2025 for readability.