The Galaxy Tab S3 was just announced at World Mobile Congress alongside the new Galaxy Book. Here’s a closer look at the specs for both tablets.
The HDR-ready Galaxy Tab S3 comes with a 9.7-inch Super AMOLED display (with a glass back on the metal frame), while the Galaxy Book comes in a 10.6-inch TFT LCD version and 12-inch Super AMOLED version. The Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy Book 12-inch support videos in HDR (10bit colored).
Other features include Samsung Flow, using biometric authentication to log-in and the ability to wirelessly tether compatible devices to transfer documents from a mobile device to a tablet. It also syncs message notifications.
The S Pen has had a makeover, too, with a smaller 0.7mm tip and increased pressure sensitivity. Oh, and it doesn’t need a battery anymore. There’s Screen Off Memo to quickly jot down notes, PDF Annotation for editing and “professional-level drawing” with Advanced Drawing Tools.
Both tablets feature a a 13-megapixel rear camera with auto focus, and a 5-megapixel front camera. The tablets also include expandable storage and fast-charge capabilities, promising to support up to 12 hours of video playback on the Galaxy Tab S3 and up to 10.5 hours of video playback on the Samsung Book (12-inch). Both devices also support Pogo keyboards with no separate charging or pairing required.
As well as 4K video playback and a Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy Tab S3 is the first Samsung tablet to feature quad-stereo speakers tuned by AKG by HARMAN. The quad speakers’ output auto-rotates for landscape or portrait viewing. Due to a partnership with Amazon, there’s instant access to HDR original videos.
Gaming is a big focus, too – there’s a Vulkan API for “superior graphics” and Game Launcher “for an enhanced user interface and personalised gaming experience”. There’s also a “do not disturb” mode so that your game won’t be interrupted with notifications.
Samsung also promises faster charging and longer battery life.
Available in 10.6-inch and 12-inch models, the Samsung Galaxy Book is aimed at the professionals-on-the-go market. It’s a lightweight 2-in-1 with a 7th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, Dual Core 3.1GHz in the 12-inch and an Intel Core m3 processor, Dual core 2.6GHz in the 10.6-inch.
Built on Windows 10, the Galaxy Book and offer the full desktop Microsoft Office “experience”. There’s also a bigger, more tactile, backlit keyboard.
It’s got 8 GB of RAM, double that of the Tab Pro S. There’s longer battery life – 10 hours, apparently, and it comes with the keyboard and S-Pen.
Rhoda Alexander, analyst and director of IHS Technology said that with competitors such as Huawei and Amazon gaining share in the value portion of the tablet market, these new products are evidence of Samsung recommitting to its higher performance units.
“Like most of its competitors, Samsung has seen its tablet sales erode in recent years, as larger smartphones have pushed into tablet territory,” Alexander says. “Samsung’s unit shipments dropped 17.1 per cent YoY in 2016, following a similar drop in 2015.”
“With its AMOLED displays, Samsung is well positioned to produce highly differentiated products. The additional attention that Samsung has given here to audio, industrial design, and overall performance couple that display advantage with an understanding that premium products require similar attention to every detail.”