The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a high-end Android tablet designed for both entertainment and productivity. With its vibrant 12.4-inch AMOLED display, powerful processor, and included S Pen stylus, it offers a versatile user experience. In this review, we’ll take a close look at the Tab S10 Plus’s design, performance, features, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right tablet for you.

Unraveling the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus: A Tale of Two Tablets

Samsung has seemingly taken a minimalist approach to its flagship tablet lineup this year, presenting us with the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus as the solitary option for those seeking a premium experience without venturing into the ultra-high-end territory occupied by the Tab S10 Ultra. This raises an intriguing question: what does the “Plus” moniker signify in the absence of a standard, non-Plus variant? While we ponder this conundrum, let’s shift our focus to the device itself.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a generously proportioned tablet boasting a dazzling 12.4-inch AMOLED display, a long-lasting 10,090mAh battery, a dual rear camera setup for capturing life’s moments, flagship-level performance courtesy of the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, and the versatile S Pen stylus included as a standard accessory. At first glance, it might appear to be an incremental upgrade over its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, sharing a similar design aesthetic.

However, don’t let the initial impression deceive you. Beneath the surface, the Tab S10 Plus harbors a multitude of enhancements that refine the user experience and elevate its capabilities. Join me as we embark on a comprehensive exploration of each facet of this device, dissecting its strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately determining whether it’s worthy of a place in your tech arsenal.

Design and Aesthetics: Where Familiarity Meets Refinement

Samsung proudly proclaims “a touch of innovation in every detail” when describing the Tab S10 Plus’s design, but in reality, it bears a striking resemblance to the Tab S9 Plus. The dimensions are nearly identical, with the same flat-edged aluminum frame, uniform display bezels, and rear camera arrangement. Even the magnetic strip for securely attaching the S Pen makes a comeback, albeit in a contrasting white color that adds a touch of visual flair.

This design continuity isn’t necessarily a detriment. The Tab S10 Plus inherits the sleek and contemporary aesthetic of its predecessor, providing a comfortable and ergonomic grip despite its substantial size. The IP68 rating for dust and water resistance is a welcome addition, offering peace of mind for those who enjoy using their tablets in diverse environments, from the poolside to the bathtub.

One notable design enhancement is the integration of an in-display fingerprint sensor. This is a significant upgrade over the power button-based fingerprint sensors commonly found in other tablets, which can be cumbersome to locate and activate. While Apple’s Face ID remains the undisputed champion of biometric authentication, Samsung’s in-display solution offers a convenient and reliable alternative.

The quad-speaker configuration, with speakers strategically positioned along the left and right edges, delivers an immersive audio experience with loud and clear stereo sound. This makes the Tab S10 Plus an excellent choice for enjoying multimedia content and gaming, especially when headphones aren’t an option. Unfortunately, the 3.5mm headphone jack is conspicuously absent, a trend that continues to permeate even large-format tablets, much to the chagrin of audiophiles.

A microSD card slot is present, providing the flexibility of expandable storage, a feature that power users and multimedia enthusiasts will undoubtedly appreciate. The inclusion of the S Pen stylus is another compelling selling point, offering a level of precision and versatility that sets it apart from most competitors. Whether you’re jotting down notes, sketching intricate designs, or simply navigating the user interface, the S Pen is an invaluable tool to have at your disposal.

Display: A Visual Masterpiece

As one would expect from a flagship Samsung device, the Tab S10 Plus boasts a display that is nothing short of breathtaking. The 12.4-inch AMOLED panel, with its crisp resolution of 1752 x 2800 pixels and a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, is a visual feast for the eyes. Colors are rendered with stunning vibrancy, blacks are deep and inky, and motion is fluid and responsive, making it an ideal canvas for watching movies, playing graphics-intensive games, or simply browsing the web.

Samsung has opted for a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is wider than the 4:3 aspect ratio favored by Apple’s iPads. This wider format makes the Tab S10 Plus particularly well-suited for widescreen content, minimizing those unsightly black bars when watching movies or TV shows. However, it can feel slightly less comfortable when holding the tablet in portrait mode, especially for productivity-oriented tasks.

HDR10+ support further elevates the viewing experience, providing a wider dynamic range and more lifelike colors. Samsung’s Vivid mode is enabled by default, offering a punchy and saturated look that accentuates the visual impact of multimedia content. For those who prefer a more natural and accurate color palette, the Natural mode provides a more faithful representation.

In summary, the Tab S10 Plus’s display is a visual masterpiece, offering exceptional image quality, a smooth and responsive user experience, and a wide range of customization options to cater to individual preferences. Whether you’re a media enthusiast, a productivity powerhouse, or a casual user, this display will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

Performance: A Powerhouse Under the Hood

Beneath its sleek exterior, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300+ chipset, a departure from the Qualcomm Snapdragon processors that have powered previous generations of Samsung tablets. This strategic shift is likely motivated by cost considerations, but it doesn’t appear to have compromised performance in any significant way.

With a generous 12GB of RAM at its disposal, the Tab S10 Plus handles multitasking with effortless grace. Apps launch with lightning speed, and switching between them is seamless and fluid. Even demanding games run smoothly, with frame rates consistently hovering around the coveted 60fps mark. The tablet also manages to maintain a cool temperature under pressure, even during extended gaming sessions or resource-intensive tasks.

While the Dimensity 9300+ delivers impressive performance. In real-world usage, the Tab S10 Plus feels incredibly snappy and responsive, and it should be more than capable of handling any task you throw its way, from productivity-oriented workloads to immersive gaming experiences.

Storage options include 256GB or 512GB, providing ample space for your apps, games, photos, videos, and other digital assets. For those who require even more storage, the microSD card slot offers the flexibility to expand your digital horizons. While Wi-Fi 7 support is absent, the Tab S10 Plus does offer Wi-Fi 6E, the latest and greatest Wi-Fi standard, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity for seamless streaming, downloading, and online gaming.

Camera: Capturing Moments, Big and Small

Let’s be honest: tablets aren’t typically known for their photography prowess. Most people rely on their smartphones for capturing life’s precious moments, and the Tab S10 Plus is no exception. The dual rear camera system, comprising a 12MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, is adequate for casual snapshots, video calls, and documenting your surroundings, but it won’t replace your dedicated camera or high-end smartphone.

Image quality is generally decent in well-lit conditions, with Samsung’s signature color processing adding a touch of vibrancy and pop to photos. However, low-light performance is less impressive, with images exhibiting noise and a lack of fine detail.

The 8MP front-facing camera is arguably more important for a tablet, as it’s primarily used for video calls and virtual meetings. The Tab S10 Plus delivers good video quality, with clear images, accurate colors, and smooth motion. The ultra-wide field of view is particularly useful for group video calls, ensuring that everyone can comfortably fit within the frame.

While the Tab S10 Plus’s cameras aren’t groundbreaking or revolutionary, they’re perfectly serviceable for everyday use. If you’re looking for a tablet that can double as a capable camera, the Tab S10 Ultra, with its dual 12MP front-facing cameras, might be a more suitable choice.

Software and AI: A Feature-Rich Ecosystem

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus runs on the latest and greatest Android 14 operating system, adorned with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 skin. One UI is a mature and refined Android skin, offering a clean, intuitive, and visually appealing user interface with a plethora of customization options to personalize your tablet experience. Multitasking is a breeze, thanks to the split-screen view and floating windows, allowing you to effortlessly run multiple apps simultaneously and boost your productivity.

Samsung’s software additions are a mixed bag, offering a combination of genuinely useful features and somewhat redundant additions. Samsung Notes is a powerful note-taking app that’s particularly well-suited for use with the S Pen. It allows you to take handwritten notes, sketch diagrams, annotate documents, and even convert your handwriting to digital text with impressive accuracy.

Galaxy AI is a suite of AI-powered tools that can perform a variety of tasks, such as removing unwanted objects from images, summarizing lengthy articles, and transcribing voice recordings. While some of these features are more novelty than necessity, others, like the ability to resize and reposition people in photos, can be genuinely useful for enhancing your images.

Samsung DeX is another noteworthy software feature that deserves special mention. It transforms the Tab S10 Plus into a desktop-like environment, complete with a taskbar, resizable windows, and support for external displays, effectively blurring the lines between tablet and traditional computer. While a keyboard case is recommended for the full DeX experience, it’s a powerful tool for those who need to get work done on the go, offering a level of versatility that few other tablets can match.

Samsung’s software support is among the best in the Android world, with the Tab S10 Plus guaranteed to receive an impressive seven years of OS updates and security patches. This commitment to long-term support ensures that your tablet will remain secure, up-to-date, and relevant for years to come, providing peace of mind and a sense of longevity that is often lacking in the Android ecosystem.

Battery Life: Powering Through Your Digital Day

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is equipped with a robust 10,090mAh battery, the same capacity as its predecessor. However, it seems that Samsung has implemented some under-the-hood optimizations, as the Tab S10 Plus appears to offer slightly better battery life than the Tab S9 Plus, despite sharing the same battery capacity.

In our rigorous testing, an hour of HDR video streaming consumed a mere 7% of the battery, compared to 10% on the Tab S9 Plus. Gaming also had a minimal impact on battery life, with 30 minutes of Slay the Spire, a popular strategy card game, consuming just 4%.

With moderate usage, the Tab S10 Plus should comfortably last through a full day of work or play, from responding to emails and attending virtual meetings to browsing social media and indulging in your favorite mobile games. If you’re a particularly heavy user, you might need to top up the battery in the evening, but for most people, the Tab S10 Plus offers exceptional battery life that will keep you powered throughout your digital day.

Fast charging is supported at up to 45W, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery when needed. However, Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box, a growing trend among smartphone and tablet manufacturers. Using a 65W Samsung laptop charger, we were able to fully charge the Tab S10 Plus in approximately 90 minutes. While not the fastest charging speed available, it’s still respectable and ensures that you won’t be tethered to a power outlet for extended periods.

Final Verdict: A Premium Tablet with Minor Trade-offs

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is a highly capable and versatile Android tablet that excels in a variety of use cases, from media consumption and note-taking to productivity tasks and immersive gaming. Its stunning display, powerful performance, and included S Pen make it a compelling choice for those seeking a premium tablet experience.

While it’s not the absolute best tablet for productivity-focused users, it’s a strong contender, especially for those who prefer the flexibility and openness of the Android ecosystem. Samsung’s commitment to software support is commendable, ensuring that the Tab S10 Plus will remain relevant and secure for years to come.

The Tab S10 Plus starts at AED 3,799.