The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series is one of the best of the trio of Android tablets, but none of them are perfect. The very wide aspect ratio is one of the most obvious drawbacks for those who want to use the tablet in portrait mode, but we'd like to see other improvements as well. Although we probably won't see new models until the end of 2024, it's interesting to think about what the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10, Tab S10 Plus and Tab S10 Ultra can offer us. Let's take a look at my 2024 Samsung flagship tablet wish list.
5G is optional for the entire Tab S10 lineup
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is the only model to offer a 5G option. correctly; If you want the Tab S9 or Tab S9 Ultra, your only option is the Wi-Fi-only model. This seems like a silly oversight, especially on the Ultra, which has a large screen that could make it a good companion for those who need something that can double as a giant performance machine. I think all Galaxy Tab S10 models should have 5G as an option. I don't think it will significantly increase production costs, so it seems like a low-risk change for Samsung.
Of course, 5G isn't the only requirement that makes the Tab S10 a great device for business trips. Let's talk about the current state of Samsung keyboards.
The best official keyboard dock
Ryan Whitwam/Android Authority
With the development of mobile processors, we see more and more users using tablets to replace laptops, even if only as a backup solution. The best laptop parts have one thing in common: a great keyboard accessory. The most obvious and popular example is the iPad Pro, which offers excellent keyboard options for turning the tablet into a makeshift laptop. Unfortunately, Samsung doesn't know that yet.
The current Galaxy Book cover is a case that houses a Bluetooth keyboard, and Apple's solution, with additions like USB ports and more, ensures that the iPad feels almost like a real laptop. Samsung should do the same and offer a keyboard that doubles as a docking station with ports for things like extra USB-C ports and maybe even add-ons like HDMI. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra clearly benefits from this, as its size and performance make it a very strong partner for the iPad Pro series.
A redesign that changes the aspect ratio
Ryan Haynes / Android Authority
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 uses a 16:10 aspect ratio, which has its advantages and disadvantages. Still, it's definitely a squarer feel than many other tablets, despite being roughly the same width as the OnePlus panel. The overall design makes everything narrower and heavier, even though the screen size of the Tab S9 series starts at 11 inches.
Personally, I'd like to see the Galaxy Tab S10 models keep the same overall design language, but switch to a 4:3 aspect ratio like the iPad series. This aspect ratio is better for web applications, browsing websites, and even for light tasks like writing, but not for multimedia use. However, Samsung's Tab S series packs a lot of punch, and I think it should be more than just a glorified media playlist.
The capabilities of a smart home hub would be great
To be honest, I don't think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 family needs to go the smart home hub route to stand out. It's clear that Google has the biggest ambitions, and Google Assistant is better suited to that than Bixby. Of course, Samsung no longer supports Bixby, so the Galaxy S10's hub capabilities don't have the ability to use Google Assistant as an alternative.
Still, I think it would be a welcome addition, and Apple is rumored to be considering using iPads as the brains for the next generation of Apple Home speakers. It's less clear how Samsung is solving this problem.
I don't think a forced path to accessories for the Pixel tablets would make sense. A better idea might be to create a hybrid accessory/smart speaker that can work independently as a Bluetooth speaker and a simple Google Assistant or Bixby enabled speaker. It can be paired with the Galaxy Tab S10 to create a complete smart home that provides wireless connectivity from any room. Let's not forget the elephant in the room, Bixby Home.
Bixby Home was Samsung's smart speaker that was discontinued before it even existed, although the company did release a more pathetic and less powerful version of the Bixby Home Mini. The truth is that Samsung does not have a good reputation in the field of smart speakers, so developing a standalone speaker may be considered too risky for Samsung.
Samsung needs to combine these four points and develop a next-level iPad competitor
Ryan Whitwam/Android Authority
I'm adamantly against the idea of a tablet, mainly because my entire experience with Android tablets has been pretty mediocre, and even my family's iPad makes me question its purpose other than playing a game to pass the time. Now I'm starting to change my mind.
I recently purchased an iPad Pro. I also spent some time with the new Chromebook Plus model, which turns into a tablet (although it's big and heavy). After combining these two experiences, I started to fall in love with the idea of creating a smaller device for situations where I don't need a keyboard, but can turn into a real workstation when needed. I need it. I feel that mobile and cloud computing have become so advanced that it is time to finally introduce these hybrid computing devices.
It's no secret that the Android tablet experience has lagged behind the iPad experience, although Google seems intent on changing that with the Google Pixel Tablet and Android's improvements to big screens, making it a better platform for tablets and creating sophisticated devices. There are also some great Chromebooks that can work as Chrome tablets. However, many still see Samsung as a natural "alternative" to the iPhone, especially in markets where the brand's availability is limited, such as the US. I strongly believe that the Galaxy Tab S10 can play the same role for Android tablet users as Galaxy phones do for Android phones.
To achieve this, Samsung needs to redouble its efforts. The Galaxy Tab S series has always been good, but it needs to do more. It should prove to be a good laptop replacement that can compete with the iPad family. By improving all the above factors, Samsung will deliver a device closer to the Android-based iPad Pro.
Instead, Samsung should focus less on upgrades and more on price.
Ryan Haynes / Android Authority
I admit that I am only one person. While this is my wish list, I want to put it out there to provide a fair and balanced approach: Samsung can keep doing what it's doing and drop the prices a bit.
There's nothing fundamentally wrong with the current strategy, and it's been so successful that Samsung has become the only company to consistently produce tablets while other companies lag behind. Samsung is the second largest tablet vendor in the world, and it shipped around six million devices in the third quarter of 2023. It's not the same as selling a lot of devices, but the point is still the same.
Samsung is constantly criticized by consumers and reviewers for being too expensive, and of course there are plenty of cheap Android tablets out there. The cheapest Galaxy Tab S9 model starts at $799.99, while the iPad starts at $449, or even as low as $329 if you're willing to pay for the older 9th generation model. To be fair, Samsung recently introduced the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE Plus, which for the price act as a standard iPad.
However, if Samsung doesn't want to go ahead and buy the iPad Pro, the company could at least simplify its lineup and release the FE-priced model sooner instead of waiting a few months.
What features would you like to see more on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10?
125 votes
Will there be a Samsung Galaxy Tab S10?
Ryan Haynes / Android Authority
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 – August 11, 2023
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 – February 9, 2022
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 – August 5, 2020
There aren't any concrete rumors regarding the Galaxy Tab S10 yet, but there's absolutely no reason not to expect a Galaxy Tab S10 unless the company radically changes its name. Samsung has increased its number to provide more consistent messaging across its products; Maybe we'll see the Galaxy Tab S24 instead of the S10? It's unlikely, but you never know.
When will we see the Galaxy Tab S10, Tab S10 Plus and Tab S10 Ultra? It is difficult to predict. The Tab S is usually released annually, although the actual release takes place between February and April or even August. The situation became even more complicated when the pandemic started, which led to a two-year gap between the Tab S7 and S8.
Given that the Galaxy Tab S9 was released just a year after the Tab S8, it's likely that Samsung will return to an annual release cycle. It will likely be released in mid to late summer as most of the older Tab S models will be on the market. That means summer 2024 is the most likely release date, but that's just a guess at this point.
Should we wait for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10?
Ryan Haynes/Android Authority
Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series is still very new, and while we didn't love everything, we really liked the overall impression and would recommend it. This is definitely one of the best Android tablets out there. If you still don't like Samsung's current flagship tablet, the best Android alternatives are the OnePlus Pad ($479 at OnePlus) or the Google Pixel tablet ($499 at Amazon).
If you're not just relying on Android, you might also want to consider members of the iPad family, especially the iPad Pro.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
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