Important points of ZDNET
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is available starting at $1,200.
- This 14.6-inch tablet is a productivity powerhouse with a powerful processor and Galaxy AI tools for work and play.
- The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra isn’t exactly portable. It’s large, and the keyboard case is expensive and sold separately. Also, the S Pen is difficult to store on the back.
More purchasing options
As a full-time writer and mother of three, I’m always looking for ways to be more productive. I love having a reliable tablet that I can take with me to various activities for my kids, whether it’s work or play. Normally I rely on my iPad with its trusty keyboard case for these purposes, but I Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra I’ve been thinking about a few things lately.
Plus: This simple Kindle accessory just made my reading experience so much better.
Aesthetically, the Tab S10 Ultra’s design and display haven’t changed much compared to the previous generation we tested last year. Physically, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is very similar to its predecessor, so it fits perfectly into the case I bought last year to protect my S9 Ultra. Instead, Samsung focused on improving the tablet’s performance, AI capabilities, and software longevity.
At 14.6 inches, the S10 Ultra is a very large tablet. The AMOLED 2X display has vibrant colors and supports a 120Hz refresh rate, and the tablet itself is IP68 rated for water and dust resistance. However, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s impressive frame really takes away from the portability factor. I love a big screen, but I can’t say the S10 Ultra is a tablet you can take anywhere, especially without a case.
The tablet doesn’t come with a case, which is normal, but Samsung’s official keyboard case, the Book Cover Keyboard, costs $350, and the slim option costs $200. If you’re looking for a tablet that doubles as a laptop, you’ll need to consider the expense of the keyboard when deciding whether to buy the S10 Ultra.
Samsung officially announced its break with Qualcomm chipsets a few weeks ago by launching new Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Ultra tablets with new processors. The new S10 Ultra tablet is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, which Samsung says is ideal for tasks performed with artificial intelligence (AI).
The tablet’s performance feels snappier than the previous generation, and the processing upgrades especially shine in AI integration. S10 Ultra supports Sketch-to-Image, an improved version of Note Assist, and Circle to Search, among other Galaxy AI tools. Even Bixby is smarter than ever. This is something I never expected to see.
The generative AI feature works very well on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, making it a fun productivity tool for those who want to avoid an iPad Pro, for example. Apple Intelligence is starting to roll out to customers in a new OS update, but most of the features currently available on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may not be available on Apple devices until next year.
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These AI tools are powered by the included S Pen, Samsung’s IP68-rated Bluetooth stylus that provides high-precision sketching and writing. I love using the S Pen to take notes and color on my tablet, and AI tools like Sketch-to-Image are a fun new way to get the most out of it.
How Sketch to Image for Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra generated images from mediocre smartphone drawings using the ZDNET website.
Maria Diaz/ZDNET
My biggest complaint with the S Pen is that it is housed in the back of the tablet. This means that if you use it on your lap without a case, it will always fall off.
Related Article: Best Samsung Tablets: Expert Tests and Reviews
In terms of longevity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 and supports up to 7 years of OS upgrades. This will be a great option for users invested in the Samsung ecosystem who can benefit from fast and reliable device syncing between Galaxy phones, Buds, and Watches.
ZDNET purchase advice
After testing, Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Over the course of almost two weeks, we’ve found this to be a great option for creative professionals and productivity-minded users who want to take advantage of a powerful processor and reliable AI features.
Even those looking for an AI-powered tablet like the iPad Pro might want to consider the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, especially while waiting for Apple Intelligence features to arrive.
Related article: The best digital notebooks you can buy: Tested and reviewed by experts
S10 Ultra is a future-proof tablet with a powerful chipset, Wi-Fi 7 support, and long-term OS updates, perfect for power users. But tablets aren’t cheap. Prices for the S10 Ultra start at $1,200. If you don’t have to pay a mortgage and like a tablet that you can take with you wherever you go to work at odd hours at night or play during breaks, then it’s probably best to buy a tablet. Samsung Tab S9 FE or iPad 10th generation.
