Samsung Launches New Galaxy Tab S4 to Compete With iPad Pro

[MacRumors]

Samsung today announced the launch of its latest tablet, the Galaxy Tab S4, which, like Apple's iPad Pro, has been designed as a computer replacement with productivity in mind.

The new 10.5-inch Galaxy Tab S4 is described as the "ultimate entertainment and multitasking assistant" thanks to the inclusion of Samsung DeX, which is the first time Samsung has built the feature into a tablet.

DeX is a docking solution that is designed to allow Samsung smartphone owners (and now tablet owners) to connect their devices to a keyboard, mouse, and monitor through a USB-C port, an HDMI port, and two USB ports. DeX on the Galaxy Tab S4 works using a simple HDMI adapter or with the DeX dock options and it offers true multitasking capabilities with users able to open multiple windows at one time.

Samsung is offering a $150 Book Cover Keyboard alongside the Galaxy Tab S4, which can be paired with DeX to transform the tablet into a PC alongside a Bluetooth mouse, but it will also work with any Bluetooth keyboard and mouse option.

Like other Samsung devices, the Galaxy Tab S4 can also be paired with the included S Pen, a stylus for taking notes, drawings, artwork, and other purposes.

Apple's iPad Pro lineup, comparatively, includes an optional Smart Keyboard and Apple Pencil, along with the ability to pair third-party Bluetooth keyboards, but it does not support mouse functionality.

When it comes to hardware, the Galaxy Tab S4 is equipped with Qualcomm's octa-core Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB to 256GB of storage space that can be expanded with a microSD card, and a 7,300mAh battery that it boasts offers 16 hours of video playback, outpacing the iPad Pro's 10 hour battery.

The tablet includes a 16:10 AMOLED display, and there is no Home button or fingerprint sensor on the device, with Samsung instead relying on facial recognition and iris scanning for biometric authentication.

Other features include quad speakers much like the iPad Pro, Bixby integration, 13-megapixel front and rear cameras, and a fast charging feature that charges the battery to full in 200 minutes.

Samsung's new tablet is priced at $650 for 64GB of storage or $750 for 256GB of storage, which is on par with Apple's pricing for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. Apple charges $649 for the 64GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro, $799 for a 256GB version, and $999 for a 512GB version.

Samsung is releasing the new Galaxy Tab S4 on August 10, which is just after the company plans to unveil its new flagship Galaxy Note 9 device.

Apple also has a major tablet upgrade in the works with new iPad Pro models on the horizon, but it is not clear when the company will unveil them. The new tablets could come in September alongside new iPhones or Apple could wait until later in the fall, perhaps hosting a separate October event for new iPads and Macs.

2018 iPad Pro mockup via Álvaro Pabesio​

Apple's updated iPad Pro models are expected to offer a complete iPhone X-style redesign, doing away with the Home button, introducing slimmer bezels for more available screen space, and adopting Face ID and the TrueDepth camera system for biometric authentication.

Article Link: Samsung Launches New Galaxy Tab S4 to Compete With iPad Pro

 

[H3LL5P4WN]

So insecure, clunky, last year's hardware, and never going to be updated. How's this compete with the iPad Pro again?

 

[farewelwilliams]

or...just get a windows laptop.

 

[macduke]

Kinda surprised Samsung is doing this since the tablet market doesn't seem that lucrative nowadays and the margins are lower.

I think having purchased the 10.5" iPad Pro last summer I'm going to skip this iPad generation. I'm hoping the following generation in late 2019/early 2020 will have OLED @3X paired with iOS 13 that will hopefully have even more productivity baked in.

 

[Candlelight]

Tablets are so yesterday. Hardly anyone buys them.

 

[bitfactory]

Can't wait for all the Forbes / Business Insider 'iPad Killer' headlines.

lul

 

[aevan]

I literally don't understand who would get this instead of an iPad. Even the entry level iPad is a better value, and costs almost half as this.

You can like Galaxy phones and prefer them to iPhone, but I don't see how anyone would think this is better than iPad.

 

[asdavis10]

This doesn't compete with iPad. Lack of ecosystem, accessories, and integration with other iOS and Mac devices. Once you've mastered Handoff and Continuity, there's no reason to mess with something like this.

They should have had a tab that ran Android OS and then switched to Chrome OS when docked. That would have at least been unique.

 

[johnyslats]

Companies are now doing their own unboxings? Gotta feel for those Youtube influencers /s

 

[Jakewilk]

Samsung makes good stuff, but this is a joke

 

[Z400Racer37]

I wish the iPads had OLED screens, that's really my only beef with them anymore.

 

[Princejb134]

Tablets are so yesterday. Hardly anyone buys them.

Tablets have a long life. I still have a iPad Air 2 running like a champ. Only thing it needs is battery replacement since its can't barely hold 5 hours charged now. I'm willing to upgrade this year if they introduce bezel less with a notch

 

[cullenl87]

All I want is a better keyboard than that fabric ******** we have now with the iPad Pro.

 

[jeffhayford]

Aren't there enough desktop GUI OS options to select from, why re-invent the wheel?

 

[shanson27]

Monkey see, monkey do

 

[The Cappy]

"...and there is no Home button or fingerprint sensor on the device, with Samsung instead relying on facial recognition and iris scanning for biometric authentication."

And since it's Android, they only need to check the box. No major news outlet will point out that it's insecure and easy to fool.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Tablets are so yesterday. Hardly anyone buys them.

This is more of a copycat or the iPad ...
bezel size,
keyboard case,
BT Mouse connection - ok maybe in variety they may have Apple beat; for now.

Just another tablet in their plentiful plethora of tablets that get ignored for feature updates and security updates after the first 6mths. Don't worry Samsung consumers, you can always buy the next model to alleviate all your security woahs.
[doublepost=1533155221][/doublepost]

Monkey see, monkey do

Well Apple had them pay for the 'organ grinder' so now they can lol

 

[alpi123]

Still ugly with ****** OS, and these are only two out of the many reasons not to get this brick.

 

[The Cappy]

Tablets are so yesterday. Hardly anyone buys them.

I see people using them all the time. What cave have you been in?

 

[dantroline]

So insecure, clunky, last year's hardware, and never going to be updated. How's this compete with the iPad Pro again?

Tablets have their place: 90% as entertainment devices, 10% as point-of-service devices for sales, warehouses etc. I had a Samsung tablet once, but it never got much use. If their pen/pencil doesn't match the Apple Pencil then they have no chance. That said, even iPads are unsatisfactory once you start doing more than a few taps and swipes and need to enter a lot of text.

 

[mcfrazieriv]

Kinda surprised Samsung is doing this since the tablet market doesn't seem that lucrative nowadays and the margins are lower.

I think having purchased the 10.5" iPad Pro last summer I'm going to skip this iPad generation. I'm hoping the following generation in late 2019/early 2020 will have OLED @3X paired with iOS 13 that will hopefully have even more productivity baked in.

MacBook Pro 2.8GHz i7 · iPhone X 256GB · iPad Pro 10.5" 256GB LTE · Apple Watch Series 0 42mm SS · Apple TV 4 64GB
Sony α7R III camera · Samsung T5 2TB SSD · Nintendo Switch · Xbox One · AirPods · Apple Pencil · Tenba Messenger Bag

I think the real reason why you are skipping the iPad this year is because it won't fit neatly into your two signature lines.

 

[44267547]

Tablets are so yesterday. Hardly anyone buys them.

Define hardly? Because in my area, iPads are prevalent in the public school systems (And colleges), doctors offices, government buildings, restaurants, coffee shops, airports, ect. Especially in the educational sector, iPads have grown exponentially for students. So you can’t say that unless you have specific examples of why ‘hardly anyone buys them’, when you have multiple industries that invest in them for productivity.

 

[justperry]

Pay a little more and you've got yourself a much better Tablet....No thanks Samsung.

 

[sinsin07]

Kinda surprised Samsung is doing this since the tablet market doesn't seem that lucrative nowadays and the margins are lower.

I literally don't understand who would get this instead of an iPad. Even the entry level iPad is a better value, and costs almost half as this.

Samsung must match Apple item for item.
Otherwise their Execs can’t sleep at night.
They can’t afford another iPhone.
Notice they went with 10.5”. Why not 11”?

 

[Heineken]

I see people using them all the time. What cave have you been in?

A Deep one.