Category: Tablet PC

Forget the Surface Go 2 tablet, this challenger comes with a keyboard and stylus for half the price

The new Surface Go 2 tablet from Microsoft received a solid review from TechRadar; we described it as “an excellent affordable Windows 10 tablet that features a premium design found in the company’s more expensive devices”. 

However, if you want something even more affordable, you should check out the Pipo W11, which retails for about half the price of Microsoft’s diminutive tablet.

Pipo is not a household name, but we’ve known about the company since 2014 when it unveiled the Pipo W2 tablet. The W11 follows in the footsteps of that 6-year old device, which back in the day ran on a little-known OS called Windows 8.1.

The W11 also comes with a keyboard cover and stylus, all for the princely sum of $269.99 (£212.40/AU$383.51). For comparison, the cheapest Surface Go 2 configuration with pen and keyboard cover retails for $568.97 – more than twice the price. 

The W11 wins out when it comes to performance, with its Celeron N4100 CPU trouncing the Surface Go 2’s Pentium 4425Y, according to CPUBenchmark. It’s also superior when it comes to storage (Pipo’s candidate has 64GB eMMC plus a dedicated 180GB SSD) and connectivity (the W11 has three more ports than its rival).

On the other hand, the Surface Go 2 has a smaller screen with a higher resolution, which produces sharper pictures, plus a bigger battery capacity and a longer battery life, higher resolution cameras, faster Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and is far lighter. 

Businesses looking for a cheap business tablet are also likely to side with Microsoft’s device because of the return policy, the free technical support and in-store assistance.

Apple unveils all-new iPad Air with A14 Bionic, Apple’s most advanced chip

The most powerful iPad Air ever features new all-screen design with larger 10.9-inch display, new 12MP rear camera, next-generation Touch ID sensor, and more

Cupertino, California — Apple today introduced an all-new iPad Air — the most powerful, versatile, and colorful iPad Air ever. Now available in five gorgeous finishes, iPad Air features an all-screen design with a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, camera and audio upgrades, a new integrated Touch ID sensor in the top button, and the powerful A14 Bionic for a massive boost in performance, making this by far the most powerful and capable iPad Air ever made. The new iPad Air will be available starting next month.

“Today we’re excited to introduce a completely redesigned and far more powerful iPad Air, debuting Apple’s most powerful chip ever made, the A14 Bionic,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “With its gorgeous new all-screen design, larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, next-generation Touch ID, and a massive boost in performance with A14 Bionic, the new iPad Air brings customers powerful pro features at an even more affordable price. Along with major upgrades to the iPad Pro and eighth-generation iPad this year, and the powerful new features of iPadOS 14, this is our strongest iPad lineup ever, giving our customers even more ways to enrich their daily lives.”

All-New iPad Air Design in Five Beautiful Finishes

The new iPad Air features a completely new thin and light design in five gorgeous finishes: silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue. The new all-screen design features a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display for a stunning visual experience, with 3.8 million pixels and advanced technologies, including full lamination, P3 wide color support, True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating for an amazing visual experience. To allow the display to extend on all sides, a next-generation Touch ID sensor is integrated into the top button, providing the same fast, easy, and secure way to unlock iPad Air, log in to apps, or use Apple Pay that customers know and love. iPad Air is compatible with Magic Keyboard and its floating design, and built-in trackpad, Smart Keyboard Folio, and new Smart Folio covers, as well as Apple Pencil, which attaches magnetically to the side for easy pairing, charging, and storing.1

Most Powerful iPad Air with A14 Bionic

iPad Air delivers a massive boost in performance with Apple’s most advanced chip, A14 Bionic. Handling even the most demanding apps, A14 Bionic makes it even easier for users to edit 4K videos, create gorgeous works of art, play immersive games, and more. Using breakthrough 5-nanometer process technology, A14 Bionic is packed with 11.8 billion transistors for increased performance and power efficiency in nearly every part of the chip. This latest-generation A-series chip features a new 6-core design for a 40 percent boost in CPU performance, and a new 4-core graphics architecture for a 30 percent improvement in graphics.2 To deliver breakthrough machine learning capabilities, A14 Bionic includes a new 16-core Neural Engine that is twice as fast, and capable of performing up to 11 trillion operations per second, taking machine learning apps to a whole new level. A14 Bionic also includes second-generation machine learning accelerators in the CPU for 10 times faster machine learning calculations. This combination of the new Neural Engine, CPU machine learning accelerators, and high-performance GPU enables powerful on-device experiences for image recognition, natural language learning, analyzing motion, and more.

Upgraded Camera and Immersive Audio

iPad Air, which includes a 7MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera, now features the same 12MP rear camera used in iPad Pro for higher resolution photos and 4K video capture. The new design of iPad Air features stereo speakers in landscape mode, elevating the audio experience so users can enjoy wider stereo sound while watching video. 

iPad Air now features a USB-C port for up to 5Gbps data transfer, which is 10 times faster,2 for connecting to cameras, hard drives, and external monitors up to 4K. With Wi-Fi 6 performance and 60 percent faster LTE connectivity,3 along with A14 Bionic, this is by far the most powerful iPad Air ever. 

Distinct iPad Experience with iPadOS 14

iPadOS 14, available beginning Wednesday, September 16, brings new features and designs that take advantage of the unique capabilities of iPad, such as its large Multi-Touch display, and versatile accessories. iPadOS 14 further integrates Apple Pencil into the iPad experience for better note-taking capabilities, and new ways to work with handwritten notes. When taking notes on iPad, Smart Selection uses on-device machine learning to distinguish handwriting from drawings, so handwritten text can easily be selected, cut, and pasted into another document as typed text using the same familiar gestures. Shape recognition allows users to draw shapes that are made geometrically perfect and snap right into place when adding diagrams and illustrations in Notes. Data detectors work seamlessly with handwritten text, recognizing phone numbers, dates, addresses, and links, making it easy for users to perform actions like tapping a handwritten number to make a call.

iPadOS 14 also brings Scribble to iPad, allowing Apple Pencil users to handwrite directly in any text field, making actions like replying to a quick iMessage or searching in Safari fast and easy — all without ever needing to put Apple Pencil away. Scribble uses on-device machine learning to convert handwriting into typed text in real time, so writing is always kept private and secure.

iPadOS 14 makes the iPad experience even more distinctive and powerful in other ways, including:

New compact designs for incoming FaceTime and phone calls, Siri interactions, and Search to help users stay focused on the task at hand.

Universal Search to quickly find practically anything, from locating and launching apps, to accessing contacts, files, and information, to getting answers to common questions about people or places.

New sidebars for many apps including Photos and Files, and streamlined toolbars that consolidate controls into a single place, making them more useful than ever.

Beautifully redesigned widgets that present timely information at a glance right on the Home Screen.

Most Environmentally Friendly, Most Advanced iPad Lineup Ever

The new iPad Air is designed to be environmentally friendly and supports Apple’s plan to become carbon neutral by 2030. The iPad Air uses a 100 percent recycled aluminum enclosure and 100 percent recycled tin for the solder on its main logic board. The new speakers in iPad Air also use magnets with 100 percent recycled rare earth elements. iPad Air remains free of harmful substances, is highly energy efficient, and uses wood fiber packaging that is recycled or comes from responsibly managed forests.

iPad Air joins the powerful iPad Pro, the eighth-generation iPad, and iPad mini to form the most advanced iPad lineup ever. With support for Apple Pencil, best-in-class performance, advanced displays, and all-day battery life,4 whether customers prioritize portability, power, or price, there’s an iPad for everyone. Learn more about the iPad family at apple.com/ipad/compare.

Pricing and Availability

The new iPad Air will be available starting next month on apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, including the US. Wi-Fi models of iPad Air will be available with a starting price of $599 (US) and Wi-Fi + Cellular models start at $729 (US). The new iPad Air, in 64GB and 256GB configurations, will be available in five beautiful finishes including silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue.

iPadOS 14, the powerful operating system designed specifically for iPad, ships for free with the new eighth-generation iPad and new iPad Air, and will be available as a free software update tomorrow for all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later. 

Apple Pencil (2nd generation), available for purchase separately for $129 (US), is compatible with iPad Air.

Magic Keyboard and the Smart Keyboard Folio for iPad Air are available for purchase separately for $299 (US) and $179 (US), respectively, both with layouts for over 30 languages, including simplified Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Smart Folios are available for iPad Air for $79 (US) in black, white, and three new seasonal colors including deep navy, cyprus green, and pink citrus.

Education pricing for individuals, including current and newly accepted college students and their parents, as well as faculty, staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels, is available for $549 (US) for the new iPad Air. The second-generation Apple Pencil is available for $119 (US), the Smart Keyboard Folio is available for $159 (US), and Magic Keyboard for $279 (US). For more information, visit apple.com/us-hed/shop.

Apple One is the easiest way to get many Apple subscription services at a great value, so customers can choose the one plan that is right for them or their whole family. Customers can sign up for Apple One starting this fall.

For a limited time, customers who purchase a new iPad, iPhone, Apple TV, Mac, or iPod touch can enjoy one year of Apple TV+ for free.5

Customers looking for convenient, contactless service are able to find many of the same shopping and support services from apple.com. Customers can chat with an Apple Specialist and get shopping help, choose monthly financing options, trade in eligible devices, and get Genius support and no-contact delivery. In-store pickup is also available. Customers are encouraged to check apple.com/retail for more information on the health and safety measures in place, and the services available at their local store.

Customers in the US can trade in their eligible device for an Apple Gift Card or credit toward their purchase. If the device isn’t eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for free.6

When customers buy online from Apple, they can make iPad and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) their own with free engraving.

Customers in the US who buy directly from Apple can choose Apple Card monthly installments to pay for their iPad over 12 months, interest-free, and get 3 percent Daily Cash back all upfront. Customers who choose to pay in full with their Apple Card also get 3 percent Daily Cash back.

Customers can extend their limited warranty with AppleCare+ and get 24/7 priority access to technical support.

Every customer who buys iPad from Apple can enjoy a free Online Personal Session with an Apple Specialist to help them explore and discover all of the amazing things they can do with their new iPad.

iPad Air 4 With Slimmer Bezels, Single Rear Camera Based on Renders Gets Compared to 2020 iPad Pro in New Concept Comparison

In many ways, the upcoming iPad Air 4 may share similarities with the 2018 iPad Pro, at least on the outside. To see how the upcoming slate appears against the current-generation 2020 iPad Pro, North’s Globe Concepts decided to showcase a concept comparison between the two tablets to see what has changed and what might remain the same.

Firstly, and we’ve been saying this a lot, the iPad Air 4 might be just another 11-inch 2018 iPad Pro with a few changes to the internal specifications. The bezels in this concept comparison look nearly identical to the ‘Pro’ tablet, but according to previous pamphlet leak, the reduction of bezels doesn’t mean the iPad Air 4 will support Face ID. Instead, the side-mounted power button might double as a fingerprint reader, or in other words, Touch ID support might be present.

We also feel that the iPad Air 4 will lack Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion technology or run at the same resolution as the iPad Pro line. However, the upcoming tablet that’s rumored to arrive in March 2021 is said to be fueled by an A14 Bionic, and it might even offer support for Apple’s Magic Keyboard as it’s reported to feature a USB-C port instead of relying on the company’s proprietary Lightning port.

Though the leaks have arrived much earlier for the iPad Air 4 than for a product that’s slated to arrive next year, there’s also a possibility that Apple might surprise its customer base in the future by announcing the tablet much earlier than expected. While we await the arrival of this model, be sure to check out this concept comparison and let us know down in the comments on what you think about it.

2020 iPad Pro Update With A14X Bionic, 5G Support, and More, Could Arrive as Early as September

News of Apple introducing upgraded 2020 iPad Pro models have been circulating for months now, with a previous update talking about these slates featuring the powerful A14X Bionic fabricated on TSMC’s 5nm node. While it was mentioned that the new tablets would arrive in late 2020, no month was mentioned. Now, a new report states that updated iPad Pro models could arrive as early as September, and if the timing is right, it could mean they could be a part of the iPhone 12 keynote.

The Updated iPad Pro Models Could Also Be the First from Apple to Tout mini-LED Screens

If a report from MyDrivers is to be believed, the Chinese media has said that updated 2020 iPad Pro models could arrive between September and October. This can potentially mean that the new slates may be a part of Apple’s iPhone 12 keynote reportedly happening next month, though one tipster mentions that the company may only unveil the low-cost iPad 8 armed with an A12 Bionic.

It’s also not confirmed if the updated iPad Pro models will outright replace the previously launched tablets featuring the A12Z Bionic or if they will be positioned above this series. MyDrivers reports that it’s the latter, but we’ll still wait and see what Apple’s official plans are. There are also reports that these may be Apple’s first 5G-ready iPad models, supporting mmWave networks, as well as getting upgraded mini-LED screens.

However, before we get excited, there is also previously published info stating that due to the ‘complex design’ of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s mini-LED screen assembly, the product might get delayed to 2021. Notable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also reported that Apple’s first 5G-ready iPad Pro models will arrive next year, so for the time being, there’s a ton of uncertainty in the air as far as releases go, but we’re sure things will clear out in the near future.

For now, we recommend treating this Chinese report with a pinch of salt and like always, we’ll be back with more updates in the near future.

The Surface Pro X will soon help you pretend to pay attention to calls

After first announcing it last year, Microsoft has started rolling out the Surface Pro X’s highly-anticipated Eye Contact feature as part of its latest Windows 10 Insider Preview. The AI-powered software uses the tablet’s custom SQ1 ARM processor to make it look like your eyes are always directly looking at the camera while video chatting.

The feature is available with any app that works with the Surface Pro X’s front-facing camera, so you can use it with non-Microsoft apps like Zoom and Google Meet. However, you can’t take advantage of the feature while the tablet is oriented vertically. 

Because the software depends on Microsoft’s custom silicon, it’s unclear if the company will make the feature available on x86-based PCs. That said, Microsoft is not the only company working on this type of functionality. With the iOS 13 betas, Apple started testing a similar FaceTime Attention Correction feature. The company ultimately shelved the feature before releasing the operating system to the public. However, as The Verge notes, Attention Correction is one of the enhancements Apple says iOS 14 will include when it comes out later this year. 

If you don’t own a Surface Pro X, there’s still a good reason to check out the latest Windows 10 preview build. The update includes a nifty tweak to how the Alt + Tab shortcut works. By default, pressing the two keys will let you see all of your browser tabs alongside open app windows. If having the option to switch between all your tabs at once is jarring, you can tweak the feature to show only your most recent three or five tabs instead, or none at all. 

Here are the Galaxy Tab S7+’s specs

The Galaxy Tab S7 and Galaxy Tab S7+ are going to be Samsung’s flagship tablet offerings for 2020. The Tab S7 duo is expected to be unveiled alongside the Galaxy Note 20 series on August 5 at Samsung’s virtual Unpacked event, and we have already learned plenty about them, including what they might look like and some of their underlying specs. Now, reliable sources have revealed to us a mostly complete spec sheet of the Galaxy Tab S7+.

Galaxy Tab S7+ specs include Snapdragon 865+, Sub-6GHz 5G support

We had revealed a few months ago that the Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ would feature 11-inch and 12.4-inch displays, and we now know that at least the Tab S7+’s AMOLED display will have a screen resolution of 2800 by 1752 pixels. That equates to a pixel density of around 267 ppi, so the larger display on the Tab S7+ will not be as sharp as the screen on last year’s Galaxy Tab S6 despite the higher screen resolution.

The display will obviously support the S Pen. It will have Bluetooth built-in so it can be used as a remote control, which was also the case with the S Pen on the Galaxy Tab S6. We can’t confirm if the stylus will have gesture functionality like the Galaxy Note 10’s S Pen, or if it will support features like the improved pointer functionality that will debut on the Galaxy Note 20.

Pushing all those pixels will be the Snapdragon 865+ processor. The faster variant of the Snapdragon 865, made official by Qualcomm just a few hours ago, is the first mobile chipset to break the 3GHz clock speed barrier and brings 10% faster GPU performance over the 865. It will be paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, with 128GB and 256GB storage respectively. A microSD slot is no doubt going to be included, though the information we have received does not mention one.

We have also learned that the 5G variant of the Tab S7+ 5G will only support Sub-6 GHz frequency bands. That means Verizon customers in the US will not be able to use the carrier’s 5G network, at least initially, unless Samsung builds a custom variant for them like it did with the Galaxy S20. The lack of support for mmWave bands shouldn’t be an issue on other carriers and in other countries, however.

10,090 mAh battery, dual rear cameras

Both the LTE and 5G variants have a 10,090 mAh battery under the hood, and as confirmed recently, there’s no 25W or 45W super fast charging. That may or may not be a disadvantage depending on who you ask, but we think Samsung should have brought over the faster charging tech considering the kind of prices you have to pay for these flagship tablets. Even the iPad Pro, which is going to be the Tab S7/S7+’s direct competitor, supports charging speeds of up to 35W and has done so since 2018. (Update: The Tab S7+ may support 45W super fast charging after all.)

Like the Galaxy Tab S6, the Galaxy Tab S7+ will have a dual rear camera setup made up of 13MP and 5MP sensors and an 8MP front camera. It will run Android 10 and One UI 2.5 out of the box. The One UI 2.5 feature list is largely unknown, except that it will bring support for using Google’s navigation gestures in third-party launchers.

Finally, there’s an in-display fingerprint sensor on the tablet. We don’t know if it will be an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor like the one on the Galaxy S10, Note 10, and S20, but if we were to take an educated guess, we would say Samsung is going to stick with the former. That’s not a bad thing, as the optical fingerprint reader the company is using in 2020 is massively improved over the one it used last year.

Samsung quietly launches Galaxy Tab S6 Lite tablet w/ S Pen, Android 10

There have been rumors for several weeks now that Samsung has been preparing to introduce a new Android tablet with a lower cost of entry than its flagship Galaxy Tab S6. Today, those rumors have been made official as Samsung quietly posted the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite on its store in Indonesia.

Just like was rumored, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite looks a lot like the company’s flagship tablet, but with a few cutbacks. For one, the display is a bit smaller at 10.4-inches and has a resolution of 2400×1200. It’s also not an OLED panel, instead using a more affordable TFT panel.

That display also supports input from an S Pen and, just like the regular Tab S6, one is included in the box. Notably, though, it looks like this is just a stylus S Pen, it doesn’t have a battery/Bluetooth for the air gestures that launched with Galaxy Note 10.

Under the hood, Samsung says the Lite offers a 1.7GHz octa-core processor (with 2.3GHz boost), but it’s not named. Presumably, though, it’s an Exynos processor. That processor is backed up by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. There’s also a microSD card and a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. There’s a 7,040 mAh battery inside, too, which Samsung says should last around 12 hours.

A big pro compared to the regular Galaxy Tab S6? The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite has a headphone jack.

In terms of software, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offers up Android 10 and Samsung’s One UI 2.1 skin. DeX support is nowhere to be found, but otherwise this should be an identical experience to Samsung’s flagship tablet — for better or for worse.

How much does it all cost? Your guess is as good as ours. Samsung doesn’t detail pricing on this listing, though rumors have pinned it at around $400. Hopefully, a wider launch is right around the corner.

Samsung launches Galaxy Tab A 8.4 w/ LTE, 10-hr battery, USB-C, $279

Samsung has just announced a brand-new Android tablet for the masses. The new 2020 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.4 offers up LTE connectivity, solid battery life, and more all for an affordable price.

The 2020 Galaxy Tab A 8.4 is a tablet designed for an affordable price point. Obviously, it offers up an 8.4-inch display which has a resolution of 1920×1200, leaving a 16:10 aspect ratio which should be handy for content consumption.

The tablet also features Android Pie. That’s pretty disappointing considering how long Android 10 has been out, but at least it’ll include One UI. There won’t be DeX support like the more expensive Galaxy Tab S6. There’s a 5MP front-facing camera for video calls and an 8MP rear camera too. There’s also a 5,000 mAh battery, USB-C charging, and Samsung claims up to 10 hours of battery life on typical use.

How about specs? You’ll find 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage with a microSD card slot, and the whole system is running on an Exynos 7904 processor. There’s also a headphone jack and dual-speakers with Dolby Atmos.

For now, the 2020 Galaxy Tab A 8.4 is only available for Verizon Wireless. Of course, you’ll still be able to use it as a WiFi-only tablet if you’d prefer to. The Tab A is available in a “Mocha” color and has a full metal design.

Pricing lands at $279 with AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular, and T-Mobile models coming soon.

Upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab A4S pops up on FCC, revealing more key specs

Last week we got our first set of Samsung Galaxy Tab A4S specs – an upcoming mid-range tablet from the Korean manufacturer. The tablet was certified by the Bluetooth SIG bearing the SM-T307U model number and was previously spotted on the Wi-Fi alliance database.

The new certification reveals the tablet will sport an 8.39-inch display and a 4,860 mAh battery with 15W fast charging. In addition, the Tab A4S will come with GPS, LTE and dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 ac. The tablet measures 201.9 mm by 124.4 mm and runs Android 9 Pie.

Samsung still hasn’t provided any official teasers about the Galaxy Tab A4S but according to speculation, we might see the device get unveiled at CES 2020 which is next week.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 review: One of the best tablets around

If you’re a fan of tablets, Samsung has a few different options for you. But for top-of-the-line, you can’t do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6.

On the surface, it doesn’t look that much different than the Galaxy Tab S5e, which became available in Canada earlier this year. At 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm, the 10.5-inch device is slightly shorter and thicker than the Tab S5e but unless they were sitting next to each other, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. At 420 grams, the Tab S6 is also a touch heavier but it still ends up being lighter than the most lightweight iPad Air (456 grams). The weight is well-balanced but it’s a little wide to grasp in one hand. And I would recommend getting a cover of some kind as the back of the aluminum-bodied device is a little slippery. (Samsung sells both a BookCover case and a BookCover Keyboard attachment for the device separately. There are a few third-party options as well.)

Like the S5e, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 uses a WQXGA Super AMOLED (1,600 x 2,560) screen that’s absolutely breathtaking. Samsung has always excelled with its displays, offering some of the most colourful image quality for photos and videos. Also, like the S5e, this tablet has four speakers (one at each corner) that offer surround sound with Dolby Atmos technology. So videos and music sound great too, as audio reverberates through the device.

But what really makes the Tab S6 stand out is that, unlike the S5e, it comes with a stylus, which gives it similar functionality to the company’s phablet, the Galaxy Note 10. Though, the Tab S6’s S Pen is a bit bigger and allows for a better grip. So I could write more legibly on the Tab S6’s screen than the Note 10’s. It still didn’t compare to writing on paper but, to be fair, my cursive was never very good to begin with.

The Tab S6 also includes the same stylus-specific apps/functions as the Note 10, such as Screen Write, Translate and Smart Select. The Tab S6 can also convert what you’ve written with the S Pen into printed text. From my experience, it works quite well. While it made some mistakes, it did a better job of deciphering my horrific handwriting than I had expected.

The Tab S6’s S Pen can also do the Note 10’s air actions, which allows you to control your tablet without touching it. The S Pen has a button on its side that can be programmed (through both a single-press and double-press) to perform tasks in certain apps. You can also program gestures, so while moving the S Pen around like a wand (or more specifically, up, down, left, right or a circle either clockwise or counterclockwise) you can activate commands. For example, in the camera app, you can do such things as zoom in and out, switch cameras and take photos. (But like with most tablets, for the images themselves, they won’t be anything spectacular. The Tab S6 has 13 MP/ 5 MP rear cameras and an 8 MP front-facing ones as the image quality is OK, but can be a little grainy.)

The placement of the S Pen is a little weird. Instead of sliding into the side of the device, it fits into a groove on the S6’s back and is held in place magnetically. Presumably, it was designed this way to keep tablet itself thin but some people might find it aesthetically displeasing.

The Galaxy Tab S6 is also a faster and more powerful device than its predecessor. Running on Android 9 (Pie), the tablet uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 Mobile Platform. It has an octa-core processor with the faster core running up to 2.8 GHz. It comes with either 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage or 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage — and it can hold a microSD card of up to 1 TB.

There’s also a nano-SIM slot if you want to turn it into a phone and it includes the Samsung DeX desktop environment if you wish to plug it into another monitor or computer and use it like a PC.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 can be purchased from the company’s website and other retailers. Currently on sale, the 128 GB model is available for $699.99 and the 256 GB model is $779.99.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

OS

Android 9 (Pie) with One UI

Dimensions and weight

244.5 mm x 159.5 mm x 5.7 mm; 420 g

Display

10.5-inch 2,560 × 1,600 (WQXGA) Super AMOLED touchscreen

Chipset/CPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 Mobile Platform (1x 2.8 GHz, 3 x 2.4 GHz, 4×1.7 GHz)

Storage and memory

128 GB ROM/6 GB RAM or 256 GB ROM/8 GB RAM

MicroSD slot

Audio

Quad speakers

Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound

Cameras

Rear: 13 MP; f/2.0 aperture, 80-degree FOV (wide); 5 MP; f/2.2, 123-degree FOV (ultra-wide)

Front: 8 MP, f/2.0 aperture, 80-degree FOV (wide)

Battery

7,040 mAh

Ports, sensors and features

S Pen stylus (included)

Accelerometer

Fingerprint sensor

Gyro sensor

Geomagnetic sensor

Hall sensor

RGB light sensor

Nano-SIM slot

USB 3.1 Gen 1