Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus review: Samsung’s budget-friendly tablet hits the right notes


Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus

Pros

  • Sharp and bright screen

  • Amazing battery life

  • Micro SD card slot

  • Most of the same features as the standard Tab S10

  • Improved rear camera

  • S pen included

cons

  • Not as nimble as the regular Tab S10 (the Exynos 1580 is more than enough for most people, but a bit average)

  • The size is a bit unwieldy for manual use

Every year, Samsung releases Fan Edition versions of its flagship Galaxy Tab S series tablets that aren’t as powerful and have less advanced display technology — but cost much less. Again, this applies to the Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus Starting from $500 With 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space.

While the Galaxy Tab S10 FE retains the same 10.9-inch display as its predecessor, it’s larger Tab S10 FE Plus ($650) It has a 13.1-inch LCD screen, which is larger than the 12.4-inch screen on its predecessor and the standard Tab S10 Plus. Then again, the S10 Plus uses an advanced AMOLED display with richer colors and higher contrast.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus sits upright on a tan chair leaning on the arm of a wooden chair.

Josh Goldman/CNET

That’s not where the differences between the original S10 Plus and the FE Plus end; They also share many features. This includes Samsung bundling one of its excellent S Pens with the FE version, so you can draw and write on the screen (although you’re on your own to get a cover or keyboard). The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus also has exceptional battery life, lasting 17 hours and 45 minutes on our video streaming test. That’s longer than any other tablet we’ve tested recently, besting the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro and earning a CNET Lab award for longest battery life.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE specifications

weight 1.1 lbs (Tab S10 FE), 1.5 lbs (Tab S10 FE Plus)
Dimensions 10.1 x 6.5 x 0.2 inches (Tab S10 FE), 11.8 x 7.7 x 0.2 inches (S10 FE Plus)
Operating system Android 16
Screen size 10.9 or 13.1 inches
accuracy 1,440 x 2,304 pixels at 259 ppi (Tab S10 FE), 2,880 x 1,800 pixels at 249 ppi (Tab S10 FE Plus)
Display technology LCD display (90Hz refresh rate, 600nits/800nits outdoor)
CPU Samsung Exynos 1580
ram 8GB or 12GB configurations
Storage options 128GB/256GB
Micro SD card slot Yes
Battery life Up to 20 hours of wireless video playback
Rear camera 13 megapixel
Front camera 12MP ultra-wide
Pen support Yes (S Pen, included)

Both new tablets run on an upgraded Samsung Exynos 1580 chipset instead of the more powerful MediaTek processors found in their standard counterparts (the Exynos 1380 chipset powers the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets). In our benchmarks, I can’t say the Exynos 1580 delivered very fast performance, but the tablet’s overall performance should be more than enough for most people.

For example, on Jake Punch 6 In single-core and multi-core tests, the S10 FE Plus reached scores of 1,364 and 3,922. By comparison, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus achieved 2,127 points in the single-core test and 7,126 points in the multi-core test. Essentially, this isn’t a case of a low-cost tablet capable of exceeding its price in performance; The S10 FE Plus is a bit average compared to pricier tablets. So, if you need top-level performance, you’ll need to save up and get… Original S10 Plus Or the latest Galaxy Tab S11.

Metal back for Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus.

The S10 FE Plus has a metal back that gives it a high-quality look and feel and adds some durability. It is also water resistant.

Josh Goldman/CNET

Likewise, if you’re after the best colors and contrast in a tablet screen, you’ll probably want to save money and get a model with one of Samsung’s AMOLED displays. The LCD screens used in the Fan Edition are certainly nice looking with good color saturation. It’s also brighter than Samsung’s claim of 800 nits, reaching 836 nits in our lab tests. However, it’s not as good as the AMOLED found in the standard Tab S10 Plus.

On the other hand, it could be the LCD display that helps the battery last that long. As I mentioned above, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus lasted 17 hours and 45 minutes in our streaming video battery life test. That’s longer than any recent tablet we’ve tested, though Apple’s 13-inch iPad Pro isn’t far behind. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra tends to hit just over the 16-hour mark.

As for the design, there is a lot to like. Samsung says the Tab S10 FE Plus is 4% lighter than its predecessor. This is certainly great if you’ll be using it manually for reading, writing, or gaming, but I find tablets of this size a bit awkward; The 10-inch version may be better suited for portable use. Both sizes are equipped with a 13-megapixel high-resolution rear camera, although the Tab S10 FE Plus no longer has a second ultra-wide camera. The 12MP front camera is on the horizontal edge, so it can be positioned horizontally for video chats like a laptop screen.

A look at the three pogo-pin connectors on the bottom edge of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus.

The magnetic connector on the bottom edge lets you attach the keyboard for a laptop-like experience.

Josh Goldman/CNET

The bottom edge of the screen has a set of pogo-pin connectors for connecting the keyboard tray. It’s not included in the box, so if you’re planning to use Samsung’s DeX desktop interface for a more laptop experience, you’ll need to stretch your budget. Samsung has a keyboard cover for that It sells for about $100 on Amazon But there too Third party options at a lower price. Either way, I recommend getting one for protection and a place to put the included S Pen. It attaches magnetically to the back, just to the left of the camera, but it’s not secure.

And the S Pen is one of the best parts of the package. There’s a touch of cumin, and it doesn’t have the controls a serious artist might want, but it’s great for sketching out ideas, coloring, or doodling for fun. It’s especially great for taking notes, so if you’re thinking about using the S10 FE Plus for classes, this is a good way to start.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus with a white S Pen under its screen and the tablet lying on a gray blanket on a green sofa.

The included S Pen is useful for drawing, taking notes, or even Android’s Circle to Search feature.

Josh Goldman/CNET

The tablet’s stereo speakers performed well for gaming, movies, and music. They get respectably loud and stay clear while doing so. Although I’m still striving for a pair of good ones Wireless headphones or earphonesThe S10 FE Plus’ speakers certainly sound good enough for regular use. Overall, between the display and speakers, this tablet is a good choice for entertainment.

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s screen sizes don’t correlate with the standard Tab S10 Plus and Ultra’s screen sizes, the bottom line is that you’re getting about 75% of the tablet feel you get with the standard Tab S10 series for a lot less money. And if you have an old Samsung tablet to replace, the price becomes affordable.



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