Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Review: Mid-range is smart

Samsung has lengthy dominated each the price range and flagship pill markets with its Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab S collection. While it’s been straightforward to advocate units at both finish of the spectrum, the mid-range has at all times been a tougher house. Facing fierce competitors from different Android rivals and the formidable iPad, Samsung hasn’t at all times discovered the right method for a mid-tier system.

Read: Samsung Galaxy S25 Review: Beautiful, highly effective, and secure

That is perhaps about to vary. With the brand new Galaxy Tab S10 FE, Samsung appears to have lastly discovered the best steadiness of efficiency and worth. This pill strikes an ideal chord, providing a “just right” expertise that’s neither an excessive amount of nor too little. I consider this mannequin has the potential to enchantment to a variety of Galaxy followers, and I’m excited to dive in and see if it really lives as much as its promise. In our in-depth Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE evaluation, we discover if Sammy has discovered the right center floor for those who want a do-it-all pill.

Design & Build

The design and really feel of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE are instantly acquainted as a result of they’re practically an identical to the earlier technology, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. This is a transparent signal of Samsung’s iterative strategy. While the brand new mannequin has the identical 254.3 x 165.8mm footprint, it’s barely thinner at 6mm and lighter at 497g. Despite these minor adjustments, the pill feels premium, because of its creak-free, all-metal development.

A standout function that units the Galaxy Tab S10 FE aside from its competitors—even the high-end iPad Pro—is its IP68 water and mud resistance. This makes it a a lot better alternative to be used by the pool or within the tub.

Another key benefit is the included S Pen stylus, which comes with each pill. The stylus attaches magnetically to the again of the system and integrates seamlessly with Samsung’s software program. From taking fast notes with a button maintain and double faucet to utilizing its highly effective handwriting recognition, the S Pen expertise is arguably the very best within the enterprise.

Security is dealt with by a fingerprint sensor on the ability button, which works nicely as soon as you discover it, although it may be difficult to find on a pill. The color choices are restricted and uninspired, with selections of Silver, Gray, and a vaguely blue-tinted Blue. This lack of vibrant color is a missed alternative for a tool that would in any other case stand out.

Display & Audio

Samsung despatched me the usual 10.9-inch Galaxy Tab S10 FE for evaluation, although the much-anticipated 13.9-inch Plus mannequin is arguably probably the most fascinating new addition to the lineup.

The display screen itself is a high-quality 10.9-inch IPS LCD with a pointy 1440 x 2304 decision and a easy 90Hz refresh fee. I’ve no complaints about its high quality; it will get shiny sufficient for many circumstances, and colors are vibrant and pure as soon as you turn to the ‘Vivid’ display screen mode. However, a noticeable omission is the dearth of assist for superior codecs like Dolby Vision and HDR10+, which is a disgrace on condition that rivals have provided these for a while.

The pill’s extensive 16:10 side ratio makes it an ideal system for media consumption in panorama mode, although it feels a bit unwieldy when held in portrait orientation.

As for audio, the stereo audio system get the job achieved. They produce clear sound with respectable separation, making them completely superb for common use. However, the sound high quality will not be as immersive as what you’d discover on some rivals. With rivals providing six and even eight-speaker setups, the S10 FE’s audio feels a bit of underwhelming by comparability.

Camera(s)

Let’s be clear: a pill is never a major digicam, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE doesn’t change that. However, the digicam {hardware} has seen a minor improve. Samsung has changed the one 8MP predominant digicam of its predecessor with a 13MP different. While it is a nominal enchancment, it’s nonetheless a primary sensor it’s best to solely use as a final resort. Almost any respectable fashionable smartphone will seize higher images.

In best lighting, Samsung’s professional picture processing and the additional megapixels guarantee a primary stage of competence. But the digicam is extraordinarily restricted and lacks the readability, depth, and element of even a mid-range telephone digicam.

The identical applies to the 12MP ultra-wide entrance digicam. It’s serviceable for video calls, however selfies lack readability and depth. On the video aspect, you get 4K/30fps recording, which is a welcome addition. However, the absence of OIS (optical picture stabilization) means your footage will likely be shaky, and there’s no 60fps assist for 1080p video.

Ultimately, the cameras on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE are there for utility—video calls and fast reference photographs—however not for severe images or videography.

Software

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE runs on Android 15 with the corporate’s One UI 7 interface layered on high. While somebody who prefers a clear, inventory Android expertise may discover it a bit cluttered, the positives of Samsung’s software program are laborious to disregard. One UI 7.0 is visually interesting, with crisp icons and a versatile, feature-rich design that builds on Samsung’s acquainted fashion.

One of the standout options is Samsung DeX, which transforms the pill’s UI for keyboard and mouse use, successfully turning it into a light-weight laptop computer. Multitasking can be a breeze, with the big display screen making split-screen app utilization a seamless expertise.

The pill’s software program really shines with the included S Pen. Samsung’s stylus integration stays best-in-class, providing a user-friendly expertise with out being intrusive. The Air Command menu supplies fast entry to features like display screen writing, word creation, and AI Select, which might flip movies into GIFs or extract textual content from the display screen. For artistic customers, apps like PenUP supply colouring initiatives and a group to share artwork.

However, there are a couple of minor frustrations. Setting up Google Password Manager, for example, requires a little bit of fiddling, in contrast to on different Android units the place it really works immediately. The Settings menu may really feel congested, typically requiring a search to discover a particular possibility. While I’m not a fan of the brand new cut up notification and fast toggles menus on smartphones, the bigger display screen of the pill makes this design alternative really feel extra logical.

An enormous advantage of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is Samsung’s dedication to software program assist. The firm has promised six years of OS and safety updates, which is likely one of the finest replace insurance policies obtainable for any pill in the marketplace right now.

Performance

Beyond the non-obligatory bigger display screen, probably the most significant enchancment to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is its efficiency. The pill is powered by the Exynos 1580 chip, which represents a major two-generation leap from the Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s processor. While the Exynos 1580 isn’t a powerhouse—it’s the identical chip used within the Galaxy A56 smartphone—it supplies a easy and responsive person expertise. You’ll encounter little or no stutter or lag throughout on a regular basis duties.

The efficiency can be bolstered by a rise in reminiscence, with configurations providing both 8GB or 12GB of RAM. This further RAM is a welcome change, as Android really begins to “purr” as soon as it hits that 8GB threshold.

However, a key level of comparability is how the Tab S10 FE stacks up in opposition to its rivals. While it’s performer in isolation, it doesn’t fairly match the uncooked velocity provided by rivals just like the OnePlus Pad 2 or Honor Pad V9.

On the opposite hand, Samsung gives a singular benefit: the choice of a 5G-enabled mannequin. This is a vital function that offers it an edge over those self same rivals, who don’t supply this stage of connectivity alternative of their mid-range tablets.

Battery

While the battery capability stays unchanged at 8,000mAh, the extra environment friendly Exynos 1580 chip supplies a major enhance to the pill’s stamina. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE lasts for much longer on a single cost than its predecessor.

For typical use—like mild net Browse, taking notes, and media consumption—you may count on the pill to final for a number of days. It may comfortably deal with a full workday of sunshine productiveness duties with energy to spare.

Charging speeds are according to the earlier mannequin, supporting 45W Samsung charging. However, you’ll must buy this adapter individually, because it’s not included within the field. Using an official 45W charger, I used to be capable of cost the pill from empty to 27% in quarter-hour, and a full cost took precisely 1 hour and half-hour.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE efficiently delivers on its promise of discovering a “just right” steadiness of options and worth. While its design is essentially an iterative replace, the premium, all-metal construct and essential additions like IP68 water resistance and the included S Pen make it a standout in its class.

On the efficiency entrance, the brand new Exynos 1580 chip supplies a easy person expertise, and the numerous enhance in battery life is a welcome profit. Samsung’s dedication to 6 years of software program and safety updates additional enhances its long-term worth.

However, the pill isn’t with out its compromises. The show, whereas good, lacks fashionable options like Dolby Vision, and the stereo audio system are outclassed by rivals with extra immersive audio setups. The cameras are additionally primary utility instruments relatively than a standout function.

Ultimately, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s strengths—particularly its S Pen integration, sturdy construct, and prolonged software program assist—make it a compelling alternative. It’s not a flagship killer, nevertheless it doesn’t must be. It carves out a near-perfect center floor, providing a complete and dependable pill expertise for a variety of customers.