Review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, a powerful tablet for all occasions

Tablets remain the best option for those looking for a compromise between a computer and a smartphone. Knowing this, Samsung continues to invest in its first-class line of tablets with the new Galaxy Tab S4. The device combines robust hardware with the features of the new S-Pen.

A Samsung gave in one Galaxy Tab S4 ao showmetech for testing and, after a few weeks of use, we bring you a complete review of the device, highlighting its main qualities and some attributes that could be improved to ensure a better user experience.

Design and canvas

The Galaxy Tab S4 is a little thicker than its predecessor, but only when compared side by side. The device is 7mm thick and not heavy to hold for long periods of time. Currently, it is marketed in gray and metallic black colors.

You can see a great care taken by Samsung in the design of the tablet, as the gaps between the materials are very uniform and firm. When looking at it from afar, it looks like the device is made up of just one piece.

The arrangement of the volume and power buttons suffers from the same problem mentioned in review do A Galaxy Tab: due to its proximity to the upper right side of the device, it is very common to press any of the buttons by mistake. It is strange that Samsung insists on this design choice in its line of tablets, since in its smartphones the layout is different and causes less problems.

Another weak point in the design of the Tab S4 is its back made of glossy material. Even though the finish gives a more refined touch to the device, it harms the user experience by not providing much security when holding the tablet, making it very slippery. In addition, fingerprints are unavoidable in this type of material.

The Tab S4 has a screen Super AMOLED de 10,5 inches with an aspect ratio of 16:10, which runs at a native resolution of 2560 × 1600 and has a pixel density of PPI 288. The screen looks noticeably larger compared to the Tab S3, thanks to the Tab S4's reduced bezels.

Interestingly, Samsung has included HDR support in the Tab S4, but the screen isn't bright enough to take full advantage of the benefits the technology offers. However, the colors look rich and there are deep blacks thanks to its AMOLED display technology.

Samsung included an iris scanner for biometric authentication, although this didn't always work during testing and took a few seconds to unlock the device.

For this reason, we often resort to using the PIN code. The ineffectiveness of the iris scanner makes us wonder why Samsung did not opt ​​for the inclusion of a simple biometric sensor.

Audio

Once again, Samsung collaborated with AKG and Harman to create the Tab S4's four speakers. The speakers automatically adjust to the orientation the tablet is held in for a consistent sound experience, which works well in practice.

The speakers are great, although there is a noticeable lack of bass. Our test device reproduces the deep midrange tones well that help create an overall impressive sound quality. The speakers sound loud at full volume, but sound a little quieter than the Tab S3's speakers.

The Tab S4 also supports wired or wireless audio output using the 3,5mm jack and Bluetooth 5.0 respectively. The latter supports aptX and LDAC, which ensure good sound quality via Bluetooth.

Connectivity

Galaxy Tab S4 supports cards microSD from to 400 GB according to Samsung, specifically, SD, SDHC and SDXC cards. The device can only format microSD cards as external storage and will only save apps to its internal memory by default; this can be changed in “Developer Options”.

Samsung sells the Tab S4 with 64GB of internal storage in most regions, but it also sells a 256GB Wi-Fi version in the US for a higher price.

The tablet has a port USB Type-C that supports so much the USB On-The-Go (OTG) as for wired video output. It also primarily utilizes the latter with its DeX mode to project onto an external monitor, but the device also supports wired or wireless display mirroring should you need to use it.

Samsung hasn't included an NFC chip in the Tab S4, but the company has equipped the device with a modem supporting Bluetooth 5.0.

Hardware and games

Samsung has equipped the Tab S4 with a processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, a 2017 hit chip that is out of place in a premium mobile device released by an established manufacturer in 2018.

Samsung complements the processor with 4 GB of RAM, which is also not noteworthy for a high-end 2018 device, as some high-end smartphones like the OnePlus 6T have up to 8GB of RAM.

In all benchmark tests performed with the Antutu Benchmark, the Tab S4's hardware performance was very good, staying above the 60% and with minimal load on the CPU and its cores.

In the app rating, the Tab S4 is in the 40th position, right behind the Samsung Galaxy S8. Furthermore, during our tests we were able to verify that the system works smoothly, quickly and without problems for multitasking and with several open apps.

The Snapdragon 835 integrates a Qualcomm Adreno 540 GPU, which is still a powerful GPU by today's standards despite being over 18 months old. The GPU pairs well with the Tab S4's large high resolution screen and its quad speakers to deliver a great gaming experience.

Unfortunately, the games are only playable in tablet mode, which rules out using DeX to play games like PUBG Mobile on an external monitor with a mouse and keyboard, for example. This limitation is unfortunate, as the Tab S4 renders even complex games at playable frame rates.

Our test device achieved stable frame rates using the app GameBench for measurement. In addition to PUBG Mobile, we tested shadow fighter 3 and while playing the tablet showed good performance when running the game.

Perhaps the only downside to gaming on the Tab S4 is its size, which can be tricky when playing games while holding the device in your hand for an extended period of time. In PUBG, for example, fatigue in the arm is inevitable, requiring the tablet to be placed on some surface to continue the game.

Software

Galaxy Tab A runs version 8.1 (Oreos) of Android, however, with changes and software adjustments characteristic of Samsung devices. The interface runs the Samsung Experience 9.5. Although this interface program offers several additional settings for the device, the navigation is very similar to what Android users are already used to.

In addition, the device comes with the mandatory apps of the Google, as well as a selection of apps from ecosystem , the Word, Excel and Skype. Finally, there is still the package of apps from Samsung as a file manager and the app store Galaxy Apps.

If you swipe right from the home screen you will access the Bixby-Home, another app already installed on the tablet that offers a compilation of news, announcements, weather information and other activities that you can customize. You can still connect your social networks like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to receive updates directly through the Bixby Home interface.

Samsung also includes support for DeX, a feature the company has previously reserved for use with its premium Galaxy smartphones and a compatible DeX pad or docking station.

The Tab S4 can simply switch to DeX mode on demand, which gives the tablet a real laptop feel when used with the optional keyboard. DeX is particularly useful for multitasking as it works like that of a desktop operating system, rather than the split-screen mode that Android and iOS currently support.

It is important to point out that, during the tests with the device, no bugs or failures were found in the execution of native or installed apps, nor in the software interface. Moving icons or switching screens is quick and simple, without any “stuttering”, even when several programs are suspended in the background.

Cameras

Unfortunately this is an element of the tablet that leaves a lot to be desired. The Galaxy Tab S4 has basic cameras that are not appropriate for a device in its class. The cameras are disappointing compared to the sensors Samsung used in the Galaxy S8 or S9.

A frontal camera consists of a sensor Sony IMX320 8 MP. The camera uses fixed focus and produces photos that look washed out. The front camera supports stickers and a beauty mode, which helps make selfies more interesting. It can also record videos in up to Full HD, but the sensor lacks image stabilization.

Already back camera has a sensor Samsung S5K2L2SA 13MP. The camera is nominally the same as the Galaxy S8, but its image quality is considerably worse. The photos only have a mediocre dynamic range, while chromatic issues are quickly visible when looking closely at the photos.

The camera also performs poorly in low light conditions and can only produce photos that are overwhelmed by image noise. The main camera can also record videos at up to Ultra HD a 30 FPS and makes use of electronic image stabilization (EIS) to stabilize videos.

S-Pen

The Galaxy Tab S4 has a 10-point multi-touch capacitive touchscreen that connects to a glossy glass display. The monitor is easy to use and accurately reproduces input from our fingers or the S-Pen included. The pen has no battery and has the same features as the one Samsung included in the Galaxy Tab S3.

Accessing the S-Pen's extra functionality is simple: just bring the pen closer to the tablet's screen and a menu on the right side will expand. Also, one of the most useful features remains being able to take notes with the Tab S4's screen turned off.

Writing with the S-Pen is great, but it's no better than the experience of its predecessor. Also, the stylus looks cheap and simple too, which is a shame considering how expensive the Tab S4 is.

Battery

The Galaxy Tab S4 has a battery of 7.300 mAh, which is significantly larger than the 6.000mAh battery found in its predecessor. The new tablet has lower power consumption under load. However, our test device consumes more power on average than the Tab S3 in idle mode due to higher resolution display.

Samsung has included the same charger as the Tab S3. Predictably, the larger battery takes longer to charge: our test device takes around two and a half hours to fully recharge with the included charger.

The Tab S4 has good battery life, although comparatively disappointing compared to its main competitor, the iPad Pro. Even so, during the tests, the tablet lasted an average of 9 hours using resources such as video and Wi-Fi (tests were not performed using mobile data connections, such as 4G).

In addition, you can see an optimization in battery consumption, as after watching a 90-minute full-screen HD video, only a 12% drop in the device's battery was noticed.

Final thoughts and price

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is currently the strongest Android tablet on the market. The large Super AMOLED display is particularly convincing, while its integration with DeX is excellent for productivity, although there are limitations to its use for gaming and multimedia.

The 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM are plentiful too, although it's a shame that Samsung doesn't sell the 256GB in more regions and currently limits it to the Wi-Fi version only. The battery-free S-Pen remains a great tool as well.

However, Samsung got it wrong when trying to create a high-end tablet with a superior quality feel. The company put the Tab S4 as last year's flagship, while its storage, RAM and cameras are more befitting of a mid-range smartphone than a 2018 flagship handset.

A S-Pen The plastic cover and optional keyboard cover only add to our impression that Samsung could have gone further in delivering a flagship-level tablet experience.

The Galaxy Tab S4 can be found at major electronics retailers in Brazil from 3 thousand reais, being the most expensive Android tablet currently on the market and its optional accessories are hard to find. So think carefully before making such an investment.

Galaxy Tab S4 technical specification

YES	Just one NanoSIM card
Type of fabric	10,5″ Super AMOLED (2560 x 1600)
CPU and GPU	Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835 (4 x 2.35 GHz Kryo & 4 x 1.9 GHz Kryo) and Adreno 540
SO	Android 8.1 Oreo
RAM	4 GB
Storage	64GB (expandable to 400GB via MicroSD)
Screen Resolution	2560 1600 pixels x
Camera	13 MP; single LED flash; HDR
Frontal camera	8 SM
Wi-Fi	802.11 A/B/G/N
GPS	GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS
Audio	4 AKG speakers
Saídas	USB Type-C 2.0, Type-C; P2 (3.5mm) for headphones
Battery	7300 mAh (Fast charging)
Radio	FM radio
Product Weight	529g (WiFi), 534g (LTE)
Dimensions	249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm
Colors	Black and white
4G	LTE Cat4 up to 150 Mbps