Samsung will launch its Galaxy Tab S3 next week where it will showcase its latest premium, 9.7” Android Tablet offering. And tell us how many piggy banks to raid.
The Galaxy Tab S3 (GTS3) has been in the international markets for a few months now and you can find it on-line. International reviews say it is the best Android tablet with a glorious QHD, 2048 x 1536, pixel dense, 439 nits, AMOLED screen and with High Dynamic Range (HDR10) content compatibility. This essentially means perfect blacks, no loss of detail in darker movies scenes and no flare-out for lighter sections.
When you can get QHD, HDR10 content it also has four AKG Harman tuned speakers and amps and to quote Techradar, “They reach a more powerful volume than so many other tablets. Better yet, they’re calibrated to your movements, so as you rotate the tablet the stereo speaker orientation changes, so you’re never holding it the wrong way for sound.” It has a 3.5mm audio combo jack.
The key to added productivity is the new S Pen included, not extra. The pen has 4096 pressure levels (same as the new Microsoft Surface Pro) is 9.4mm round, and has a .7mm tip (2B - the most common size used in mechanical pencils) to give as close to a “pencil on paper” writing experience. The Samsung Notes app allows choice of various pencils, brushes and colours.
{loadposition ray}
The optional Magnetic Snap-on keyboard connects via Pogo Pins for power and data and allows a variety of angles and acts as a screen cover. While I expect there will be quite a sell-through for both the pen and keyboard the latter has Bluetooth options from Logitech et al that may offer more of a natural typing experience.
It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and while some may ask why not the latest 835 there is simply not the need – the 820 was last year’s powerhouse chip and it handles Vulkan API and game broadcasting. There is 4GB RAM, 32GB UFS storage, a microSD slot for another 256GB, Wi-Fi AC, LTE Option, Bluetooth, USB-C 3.1 and two cameras – a front 5MP, f2.2 and a rear 13MP, f/1.9 - autofocus. It will record 3840 x 2160 @ 30fps and 60fps playback. The 6000mAh fast charge battery should be good for 12 hours video playback.
Perhaps one of the best features is Samsung Flow lets you move from phone to tablet and back again with ease. Send content from your phone to the Galaxy Tab S3 to see it on a bigger screen, plus keep track of mobile notifications without picking up your phone. There is also 15GB free storage in Samsung Cloud.
I have used the 10.5” Galaxy Tab S since its first iteration in mid-2014. The beautiful Titanium Bronze back is elegant and it has become the perfect “couch-companion” light enough to be used to quickly look up information on viewing shows.
The Tab S2 was released a year later and was more of a business tool coming in white, black and gold.
The Tab S3 is Samsung’s way to get serious about productivity running all the Microsoft apps in an Android environment – it seems the collaboration between Microsoft and Samsung is ready to pay off especially with the Samsung Flow integration on its S8, S8 Plus and Galaxy Note 8.
GSM Arena has a preview here.
iTWire will report more after the Australian launch and will review one soon.
