Tag Archives: S Pen

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Hands-On Experience!

Here is our hands-on look at the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra tablet, its new low-latency S Pen and its Book Cover Keyboard!

Find out why this tablet will offer you a 2-in-1 laptop-like experience!

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra + S Pen : Hands-On Experience!

Samsung just sent us the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra – their largest and most powerful tablet, with a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display!

As you will see in this video – this is a really large tablet, and it is pretty hefty too at 726 grams. But it is very solidly built, and weighs half as much as a typical laptop.

It also comes with a new full-size S Pen with an ultra-low latency of just 2.8 milliseconds.

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra runs on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform boasts a powerful Adreno 730 GPU as well as eight processor cores in a triple-tier architecture :

  • a Cortex-X2 prime core running at up to 3 GHz,
  • three sustained-performance Cortex-A710 cores running at up to 2.4 GHz, and
  • four energy-efficient Cortex-A510 cores running at 1.7 GHz.

Powering all that is a massive 11,200 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, with 45 watt fast charging capability!

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Book Cover Keyboard : Hands-On!

This year, Samsung included the really awesome Book Cover Keyboard with every Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra tablet.

This cover not only provides really solid protection for the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, it also converts it into a 2-in-1 tablet with a kickstand!

In addition, the Book Cover Keyboard has a special S Pen cover that prevents your precious S Pen from falling and getting lost.

As I shared in my Galaxy Tab S7 Book Cover Keyboard review last year, this is a must-have accessory, and I’m really glad Samsung included it as part of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra package.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Specifications

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Display 14.6-inch Super AMOLED Display
– 60 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate
Protection Gorilla Glass 5 (Front + Back)
OS One UI 4.1 (Android 12)
Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
CPU 1 x Arm Cortex-X2 core (3.0 GHz)
3 x Arm Cortex-A710 cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Arm Cortex-A510 cores (1.7 GHz)
GPU Qualcomm Adreno 730
Memory +
Storage
Options
8 GB RAM + 128 GB
12 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
16 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
External Storage microSD (up to 1TB)
Front Camera 12 MP main camera, f/2.2
12 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.4
Main Cameras 12 MP main camera, f/2.0
6 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2
Connectivity Wi-Fi : Up to Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth : BT 5.2
USB : USB 3.2 Type C
S Pen Yes, 2.8 ms latency
Fingerprint Sensor Yes, Under Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope,
Geomagnetic, Hall, Light, Proximity
GPS GPS, Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS
NFC No
Audio Quad speakers tuned by AKG
Battery 11,200 mAh Li-Po battery
Charging 45 watt wired charging
Dimensions 326.4 mm wide
208.6 mm tall
5.5 mm thick
Weight 726 grams

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Price + Availability

Samsung is offering the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra in five RAM + storage capacity options globally :

  • 8 GB + 128 GB
  • 12 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
  • 16 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB

But over here in Malaysia, it is available with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage for RM 5,899 (about US$1,387 / £1,063 / A$1,877 / S$1,892.

Here are some online pre-order options :

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Unboxing : What’s Inside?

Let’s unbox the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, and see what we find inside!

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Flagship Class Performance!

Samsung just launched the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra – their largest and most powerful tablet, with a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display!

It runs on the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 mobile platform, which boasts a powerful Adreno 730 GPU as well as eight processor cores in a triple-tier architecture :

  • a Cortex-X2 prime core running at up to 3 GHz,
  • three sustained-performance Cortex-A710 cores running at up to 2.4 GHz, and
  • four energy-efficient Cortex-A510 cores running at 1.7 GHz.

Powering all that is a massive 11,200 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, with 45 watt fast charging capability!

If you want the biggest and most powerful Android tablet, this is the ultimate choice!

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra Unboxing : What’s Inside?

Samsung just sent us the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, which comes in a large and hefty box, with two security stickers.

Please check the label to make sure you have the right device, and that the two security stickers are intact.

Now, let’s take a look at the box, and see what we find inside!

Once you fully unbox it, this is what you will find inside the box :

  • Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra tablet
  • Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra keyboard cover
  • Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra S Pen
  • Set of Galaxy Tab S8 documents
  • USB Type A to Type A data and power cable
  • microSD tray ejector pin

Unfortunately, the package does not include the 45 watt power adaptor, not even the standard 15 watt Samsung charger.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Specifications

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Display 14.6-inch Super AMOLED Display
– 60 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate
Protection Gorilla Glass 5 (Front + Back)
OS One UI 4.1 (Android 12)
Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
CPU 1 x Arm Cortex-X2 core (3.0 GHz)
3 x Arm Cortex-A710 cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Arm Cortex-A510 cores (1.7 GHz)
GPU Qualcomm Adreno 730
Memory +
Storage
Options
8 GB RAM + 128 GB
12 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
16 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
External Storage microSD (up to 1TB)
Front Camera 12 MP main camera, f/2.2
12 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.4
Main Cameras 12 MP main camera, f/2.0
6 MP ultra-wide camera, f/2.2
Connectivity Wi-Fi : Up to Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth : BT 5.2
USB : USB 3.2 Type C
S Pen Yes, 2.8 ms latency
Fingerprint Sensor Yes, Under Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyroscope,
Geomagnetic, Hall, Light, Proximity
GPS GPS, Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, QZSS
NFC No
Audio Quad speakers tuned by AKG
Battery 11,200 mAh Li-Po battery
Charging 45 watt wired charging
Dimensions 326.4 mm wide
208.6 mm tall
5.5 mm thick
Weight 726 grams

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra : Price + Availability

Samsung is offering the Tab S8 Ultra in four RAM + storage capacity options globally :

  • 8 GB + 128 GB
  • 12 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB
  • 16 GB + 256 GB / 512 GB

But over here in Malaysia, it is available with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage for RM 5,899 (about US$1,387 / £1,063 / A$1,877 / S$1,892.

Here are some online pre-order options :

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile | ComputerTech ARP

 

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 + Z Flip3 Video + Details Leaked!

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 official promo video just leaked ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2021!

Check out the leaked video, and find out what we know so far about the two new Samsung foldable phones!

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 + Z Flip3 Promo Video Leaked!

The official promotional video of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 smartphones was just leaked, ahead of Galaxy Unpacked 2021!

Get an early sneak peek at these two new magnificent Samsung foldable smartphones!

Here is what the 30-second official Galaxy Z Fold3 and Galaxy Z Flip3 revealed :

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3

  • It has a bigger and more versatile cover display.
  • Flex mode supports angles of between 75° and 115°.
  • IPX8 water-resistant – up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
  • Not dust-resistant

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3

  • Flex mode supports angles of between 75° and 115°.
  • IPX8 water-resistant – up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for up to 30 minutes.
  • Not dust-resistant

New Samsung S Pen Models

  • There are two models – S Pen Pro and S Pen Fold Edition
  • Both are sold separately

 

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 : Where + When?

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event will be held virtually, and streamed on Samsung official websites, YouTube and Facebook.

The livestream starts on 11 August at these times globally :

  • Malaysia + Singapore : 10 PM (GMT+8)
  • US : 10 AM EDT / 7 AM PDT
  • UK : 3 PM
  • India : 7:30 PM IST
  • Australia : 12 AM AEST (12 August)

If you register your interest from now until 11 August, Samsung will give you an e-voucher worth RM300 / US$100 / SGD$100 or a complimentary Samsung Care+ (Australia), which you can use with the purchase of your next Galaxy device.

 

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 : What To Expect?

Here is what you can expect Samsung to announce during Galaxy Unpacked 2021 :

Two Foldable Smartphones

Samsung will likely introduce two foldable smartphones, with a more robust folding design and upgraded hardware :

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3
    – available in Phantom Green, Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.
    – 256 GB variant will be priced around €1,678.51 (before VAT).
    – 512 GB variant will be priced around €1,783.10 (before VAT).
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3
    – available in Phantom Black, Dark Blue, Grey, White, Cream, Green, Light Pink and Lavender.
    – 128 GB variant will be priced around €978.13 (before VAT).
    – 256 GB variant will be priced around €1,029.20 (before VAT).

No Galaxy Note On The Horizon

We would normally expect Samsung to introduce a new Galaxy Note design, but this appears to be off the table in 2021.

However, you can expect Samsung to introduce t he Galaxy S21 FE as an affordable option for the new normal.

More Wearables, Of Course!

Look out for more wearables like Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 smartwatches, and Galaxy Buds 2 TWS earbuds.

 

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer /  PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

 

Recommended Reading

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Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Our Hands-On Preview!

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the new ultimate flagship smartphone with an iconic new design!

Find out if the new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the smartphone you have been waiting for!

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Our Hands-On Preview!

With a 6.8-inch display and support for the S Pen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is designed to maximise your productivity and creativity.

Its edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with curved edges, has a Quad HD+ resolution, with an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.

New Flagship Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 in the US, South Korea and China, and the new Samsung Exynos 2100 in other countries.

They are both flagship mobile SoCs, and here is a quick comparison of their key specifications :

Specifications Samsung
Exynos 2100
Qualcomm
Snapdragon 888
Fab Process 5 nm EUV
Processor 1 x Cortex-X1 (2.9 GHz)
3 x Cortex-A78 (2.8 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 (2.2 GHz)
1 x Cortex-X1 (2.84 GHz)
3 x Cortex-A78 (2.4 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz)
GPU Arm Mali-G78 Qualcomm Adreno 660
AI Processor Triple-Core NPU Hexagon 780
Memory Support LPDDR5 LPDDR5
Storage Support UFS 3.1 / UFS 2.1 UFS 3.1
Connectivity 5G (sub-6GHz / mmWave)
4G LTE (1024 QAM)
3G WCDMA
2G GSM / CDMA

Front + Rear Cameras

The Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a 40 MP front camera, with an f/2.2 aperture.

In the back, it has a new quad camera system, that consists of :

  • a 108 MP main camera, with an f/1.8 aperture
  • a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with an f/2.2 aperture
  • a 10 MP telephoto camera, with an f/2.4 aperture, and 3X optical zoom, and
  • a 10 MP periscope telephoto camera, with an f/4.9 aperture, and 10X optical zoom

For the first time on a Galaxy smartphone, you can now shoot in 4K at 60 fps on all front and rear cameras. In addition, you can choose to take photos in a 12-bit RAW format!

And its dual telephoto cameras powers its phenomenal 100X Space Zoom capability, with Zoom Lock capability.

It also comes with other improvements like :

  • Improved 8K Snap, that lets you capture clear images from your 8K video footage
  • Super Steady video now supports 60 fps video recording
  • Single Take lets you capture a variety of still and video formats with a single tap.
    It is now enhanced with new pro-style settings like Highlight Video and Dynamic Slow-Mo
  • New Director’s View that lets you see, switch and select the best shot… LIVE!

S Pen Support

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first S Series smartphone to support the S Pen, with Wacom’s technology.

You can use an existing S Pen from the Galaxy Note, or Galaxy Tab, or purchase a separate S Pen, or with a compatible case.

Samsung is offering two cases that are bundled with the S Pen – Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen, and Silicone Cover with S Pen.

Recommended : S Pen Covers For Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Showcase

Faster WiFi

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is also one of the first smartphones to support the Wi-Fi 6E standard.

This opens up the 6 GHz spectrum, introducing 14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 additional 160 MHz channels.

When used with a compatible Wi-Fi 6E router, it will allow for higher bandwidths and reduced congestion.

Samsung SmartThings Find

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the new SmartThings Find capability, which lets you quickly and easily locate compatible Galaxy devices, even when they are offline.

You can also locate non-connected devices using Samsung’s new Galaxy SmartTag Bluetooth locater. Simply attach it to your keys, bag or pet, and use SmartThings Find to locate them!

Protection

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is IP68-rated against dust and water, allowing you to immerse it in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water, for up to 30 minutes.

Its display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus against scratches in the front.

Battery + Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a large 5,000 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, and it supports 18 watt wireless charging, as well as 25 watt wired charging.

But here’s the bad news – the Galaxy S21 Ultra does NOT come with a charger in the box. It only ships with a USB-C to USB-C cable.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Specifications

Specifications Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Model SM-G998
Display Size 6.8-inch Edge
Display Panel Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Display Resolution 1440 x 3200 pixels
Pixel Density 515 ppi
Display Features 10~120 Hz refresh rate
1500 nits
3,000,000 : 1 contrast ratio
Protection IP68, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Operating System One UI 3.1 (Android 11)
Platform Samsung Exynos 2100 or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Memory 12 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5
Storage Options 256 GB / 512 GB
External Storage None
Front Camera 40 MP (f/2.2)
Rear Main
Camera
108 MP (f/1.8)
Rear Ultra-Wide
Camera
12 MP Dual Pixel (f/2.2)
Rear Telephoto
Camera #1
10 MP Dual Pixel (f/2.4)
3X optical zoom
Rear Telephoto
Camera #2
10 MP Dual Pixel (f/4.9)
10X optical zoom
Other Rear
Camera Features
Laser Autofocus
Connectivity 5G / 4G / 3G / 2G
Wi-Fi : WiFi-6E
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.2 Type C
GPS Support GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
Ultra Wideband Yes
NFC / MST Yes
S Pen Support Yes
Fingerprint Sensor In Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer,
Gyro, Geomagnetic, Hall sensor,
Proximity, Ambient Light
Audio Dual stereo speakers tuned by AKG
Battery 5,000 mAh
Charging 25 watt wired,
18 watt wireless
Width
Height
Thickness
75.6 mm
165.1 mm
8.9 mm
Weight 227 g

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Colour Options

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in just two colour options – Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Launch Price List

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in three variants globally, with these prices :

  • 12 GB + 128 GB : US$1199.99 / £1149 / A$1849
  • 12 GB + 256 GB : US$1249.99 / £1199 / A$1949 / S$1798 / RM5299
  • 16 GB + 512 GB : US$1379.99 / £1329 / A$2149 / S$1998 / RM5899

Here are some online purchase / pre-order options :

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile Devices | Home

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!


S Pen Covers For Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Showcase

Samsung just introduced two Galaxy S21 Ultra covers with built-in S Pen!

Take a look at both S Pen covers, and find out if they are what your Galaxy S21 Ultra needs!

 

S Pen Covers For Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Showcase

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first S Series smartphone to support the S Pen, with Wacom’s technology.

You can use an existing S Pen from the Galaxy Note, or Galaxy Tab, or purchase a separate S Pen, or with a compatible case.

Samsung is offering two cases that are bundled with the S Pen – Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen, and Silicone Cover with S Pen.

Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen

The Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen comes with antimicrobial coating, a built-in dock, and protects the Galaxy S21 Ultra from all sides.

Its clear view window lets you keep an eye on its Always-On display, with full control of your phone.

Silicone Cover with S Pen

The Silicone Cover with S Pen has a soft texture that feels great in your hand, as well as a built-in dock.

It protects your Galaxy S21 Ultra from the back and on all four corners.

 

S Pen Covers For Galaxy S21 Ultra : Price + Availability

Both S Pen covers for Galaxy S21 Ultra are available only in one colour option – Black.

Here are some online purchase options :

Smart Clear View Cover with S Pen

Silicone Cover with S Pen

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile Devices | Home

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!


Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : What You Need To Know!

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the new ultimate flagship smartphone with an iconic new design!

Find out if the new Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the smartphone you have been waiting for!

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Ultimate Flagship!

With a 6.8-inch display and support for the S Pen, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is designed to maximise your productivity and creativity.

Its edge-to-edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with curved edges, has a Quad HD+ resolution, with an adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.

New Flagship Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 in the US, South Korea and China, and the new Samsung Exynos 2100 in other countries.

They are both flagship mobile SoCs, and here is a quick comparison of their key specifications :

Specifications Samsung
Exynos 2100
Qualcomm
Snapdragon 888
Fab Process 5 nm EUV
Processor 1 x Cortex-X1 (2.9 GHz)
3 x Cortex-A78 (2.8 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 (2.2 GHz)
1 x Cortex-X1 (2.84 GHz)
3 x Cortex-A78 (2.4 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 (1.8 GHz)
GPU Arm Mali-G78 Qualcomm Adreno 660
AI Processor Triple-Core NPU Hexagon 780
Memory Support LPDDR5 LPDDR5
Storage Support UFS 3.1 / UFS 2.1 UFS 3.1
Connectivity 5G (sub-6GHz / mmWave)
4G LTE (1024 QAM)
3G WCDMA
2G GSM / CDMA

Front + Rear Cameras

The Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a 40 MP front camera, with an f/2.2 aperture. In the back, it has a new quad camera system, that consists of :

  • a 108 MP main camera, with an f/1.8 aperture
  • a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with an f/2.2 aperture
  • a 10 MP telephoto camera, with an f/2.4 aperture, and 3X optical zoom, and
  • a 10 MP periscope telephoto camera, with an f/4.9 aperture, and 10X optical zoom

For the first time on a Galaxy smartphone, you can now shoot in 4K at 60 fps on all front and rear cameras. In addition, you can choose to take photos in a 12-bit RAW format!

And its dual telephoto cameras powers its phenomenal 100X Space Zoom capability, with Zoom Lock capability.

It also comes with other improvements like :

  • Improved 8K Snap, that lets you capture clear images from your 8K video footage
  • Super Steady video now supports 60 fps video recording
  • Single Take lets you capture a variety of still and video formats with a single tap.
    It is now enhanced with new pro-style settings like Highlight Video and Dynamic Slow-Mo
  • New Director’s View that lets you see, switch and select the best shot… LIVE!

S Pen Support

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the first S Series smartphone to support the S Pen, with Wacom’s technology.

You can use an existing S Pen from the Galaxy Note, or Galaxy Tab, or purchase a separate S Pen, or with a compatible case.

Faster WiFi

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is also one of the first smartphones to support the Wi-Fi 6E standard.

This opens up the 6 GHz spectrum, introducing 14 additional 80 MHz channels and 7 additional 160 MHz channels.

When used with a compatible Wi-Fi 6E router, it will allow for higher bandwidths and reduced congestion.

Samsung SmartThings Find

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports the new SmartThings Find capability, which lets you quickly and easily locate compatible Galaxy devices, even when they are offline.

You can also locate non-connected devices using Samsung’s new Galaxy SmartTag Bluetooth locater. Simply attach it to your keys, bag or pet, and use SmartThings Find to locate them!

Protection

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is IP68-rated against dust and water, allowing you to immerse it in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water, for up to 30 minutes.

Its display is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus against scratches in the front.

Battery + Charging

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes with a large 5,000 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery, and it supports 18 watt wireless charging, as well as 25 watt wired charging.

But here’s the bad news – the Galaxy S21 Ultra does NOT come with a charger in the box. It only ships with a USB-C to USB-C cable.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Specifications

Specifications Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Model SM-G998
Display Size 6.8-inch Edge
Display Panel Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Display Resolution 1440 x 3200 pixels
Pixel Density 515 ppi
Display Features 10~120 Hz refresh rate
1500 nits
3,000,000 : 1 contrast ratio
Protection IP68, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Operating System One UI 3.1 (Android 11)
Platform Samsung Exynos 2100 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Memory 12 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5
Storage Options 256 GB / 512 GB
External Storage None
Front Camera 40 MP (f/2.2)
Rear Main
Camera
108 MP (f/1.8)
Rear Ultra-Wide
Camera
12 MP Dual Pixel (f/2.2)
Rear Telephoto
Camera #1
10 MP Dual Pixel (f/2.4)
3X optical zoom
Rear Telephoto
Camera #2
10 MP Dual Pixel (f/4.9)
10X optical zoom
Other Rear
Camera Features
Laser Autofocus
Connectivity 5G / 4G / 3G / 2G
Wi-Fi : WiFi-6E
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.2 Type C
GPS Support GPS, AGPS, GLONASS, BeiDou
Ultra Wideband Yes
NFC / MST Yes
S Pen Support Yes
Fingerprint Sensor In Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro, Geomagnetic,
Hall sensor, Proximity, Ambient Light
Audio Dual stereo speakers tuned by AKG
Battery 5,000 mAh
Charging 25 watt wired,
18 watt wireless
Width
Height
Thickness
75.6 mm
165.1 mm
8.9 mm
Weight 227 g

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Colour Options

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in just two colour options – Phantom Silver and Phantom Black.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra : Launch Price List

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra comes in three variants globally, with these prices :

  • 12 GB + 128 GB : US$1199.99 / £1149 / A$1849
  • 12 GB + 256 GB : US$1249.99 / £1199 / A$1949 / S$1798 / RM5299
  • 16 GB + 512 GB : US$1379.99 / £1329 / A$2149 / S$1998 / RM5899

Here are some online purchase / pre-order options :

 

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Mobile Devices | Home

 

Support Tech ARP!

If you like our work, you can help support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or even donating to our fund. Any help you can render is greatly appreciated!


2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked : Are You Ready?

The 2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event is almost here! Are you ready for the unveiling of the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones?

While we wait for the official launch on 14 January 2021, here is everything we know about the S21 series so far!

 

2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked : Are You Ready?

Samsung is kicking off 2021 with a big bang on January 14 – the first Galaxy Unpacked of the year!

Unlike previous years, they are going to announce their latest Galaxy S21 smartphones on the last day of CES 2021, instead of during Mobile World Congress in February or March.

Like the 2021 Samsung TV first look, this will be a global event that will be streamed online on the official Samsung website.

The 2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will be broadcast globally on www.samsung.com (www.samsung.com/my here in Malaysia) at 11 PM (GMT+8) on 14 January 2021.

If you register your interest at https://www.samsung.com/my/unpacked/ by 14 January 2021, you will be entitled to redeem a FREE Samsung Galaxy Fit2 worth RM179 when you pre-order any Galaxy S21 smartphone!

 

2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked : What We Know So Far!

The 2021 Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will be the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series of smartphones. Here is what we know so far… based on what’s been leaked.

Three Galaxy Galaxy S21 Models

Samsung will offer three models :

  • 6.2-inch Galaxy S21
  • 6.7-inch Galaxy S21+ (Galaxy S21 Plus)
  • 6.8-inch Galaxy S21 Ultra

Displays

All three models will come with a Dynamic AMOLED display, with dynamic refresh rates of up to 120 Hz.

  • Galaxy S21 : 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1080 x 2220, 120 Hz)
  • Galaxy S21+ : 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1080 x 2220, 120 Hz)
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra : 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1440 x 2960, 120 Hz)

Performance

All three Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone models will either use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, or the Samsung Exynos 2100.

Geekbench 5 Scores Single Core Multi Core
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 1,135 3,794
Samsung Exynos 2100
(Rumoured)
1,108 3,963

Samsung will offer memory options of 8 GB to 12 GB (Ultra), and storage options of 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB (Ultra).

Unlike the S20 series, the S21 series is rumoured NOT to come with a microSD card slot at all. 🙁

Front Camera

We believe the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will both come with a 10 MP front camera, in a central punch hole.

Only the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a higher-resolution 40 MP front camera.

Front Cameras

Both the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will come with a triple camera system :

  • 12 MP main camera
  • 12 MP ultra-wide camera
  • 64 MP telephoto camera

Only the Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a significantly better quad-camera system, with a laser autofocus system :

  • 108 MP main camera
  • 12 MP ultra-wide camera
  • 10 MP telephoto camera (3X zoom)
  • 10 MP telephoto camera (10X zoom)

S Pen Stylus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 will not have an integrated S Pen, like the Galaxy Note20 series.

However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support an external S Pen, with an optional case with a storage slot.

Battery

The three models will come with different battery sizes :

  • Galaxy S21 : 4,000 mAh
  • Galaxy S21+ : 4,800 mAh
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra : 5,000 mAh

 

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Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Launch : Get Ready!

The Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones are almost here! Are you guys ready for it?

While we wait for the official launch, here is everything we know about it so far!

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Series Launch : Get Ready!

The Samsung Galaxy S21 series of smartphones is scheduled to launch on 14 January 2021 – on the last day of CES 2021.

This is unlike previous years, when they would launch it during Mobile World Congress in February or March.

This time, it’s as if Samsung wanted to quickly kick off a fresh start for their smartphones on a new year!

Like the 2021 Samsung TV first look, this will be a global event that will be streamed online on the official Samsung website.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Series : What We Know So Far!

Until the Samsung Galaxy S21 series launches, here is what we know so far… based on what’s been leaked.

Three Models

Samsung will offer three models :

  • 6.2-inch Galaxy S21
  • 6.7-inch Galaxy S21+ (Galaxy S21 Plus)
  • 6.8-inch Galaxy S21 Ultra

Displays

All three models will come with a Dynamic AMOLED display, with dynamic refresh rates of up to 120 Hz.

  • Galaxy S21 : 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1080 x 2220, 120 Hz)
  • Galaxy S21+ : 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1080 x 2220, 120 Hz)
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra : 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display (1440 x 2960, 120 Hz)

Performance

All three Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone models will either use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, or the Samsung Exynos 2100.

Geekbench 5 Scores Single Core Multi Core
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 1,135 3,794
Samsung Exynos 2100
(Rumoured)
1,108 3,963

Samsung will offer memory options of 8 GB to 12 GB (Ultra), and storage options of 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB (Ultra).

Unlike the S20 series, the S21 series is rumoured NOT to come with a microSD card slot at all. 🙁

Front Camera

We believe the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will both come with a 10 MP front camera, in a central punch hole.

Only the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a higher-resolution 40 MP front camera.

Front Cameras

Both the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will come with a triple camera system :

  • 12 MP main camera
  • 12 MP ultra-wide camera
  • 64 MP telephoto camera

Only the Galaxy S21 Ultra will come with a significantly better quad-camera system, with a laser autofocus system :

  • 108 MP main camera
  • 12 MP ultra-wide camera
  • 10 MP telephoto camera (3X zoom)
  • 10 MP telephoto camera (10X zoom)

S Pen Stylus

The Samsung Galaxy S21 will not have an integrated S Pen, like the Galaxy Note20 series.

However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra will support an external S Pen, with an optional case with a storage slot.

Battery

The three models will come with different battery sizes :

  • Galaxy S21 : 4,000 mAh
  • Galaxy S21+ : 4,800 mAh
  • Galaxy S21 Ultra : 5,000 mAh

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Hands-On Preview!

We had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with the new Samsung Galaxy Note 20 smartphone.

Join us for our hands-on experience, and find out what the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 offers!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Hands-On Preview!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is a smaller version of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, designed for “those who are ready to make a switch“.

Super AMOLED+ Display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ flat display, with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a pixel density of 393 ppi.

Its display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, with 240 Hz touch rate, and support for HDR10+ colour.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is powered by the Samsung Exynos Octa 990 globally, with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in the United States.

To ensure optimal performance in any condition, it is kept cool by the world’s slimmest vapour chamber.

It comes with 8 GB of LPDDR5 memory, which is not only 50% faster but also uses 20% less power.

Recommended : Samsung Exynos 990 Performance : How Fast Is It?

Triple Camera System

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a triple camera system that consists of :

  • a 12 MP main camera, with f/1.8 aperture
  • a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, with f/2.2 aperture
  • a 64 MP telephoto camera, with f/2.0 aperture

The 64MP telephoto camera supports 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom, and up to 30X Super Resolution Zoom.

It also supports up to 8K video recording at 24 fps, as well as 720p video recording at up to 120 Hz, and a new Pro Video Mode, which introduces :

  • adjustable zoom speed, for smoother and more dramatic zoom action
  • adjustable audio source, letting you focus audio recording in a specific direction
    – default, front, rear, USB and Bluetooth (with Galaxy Buds Live)

Ultra-Wideband Technology (UWB)

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 supports Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, which enables the newly-announced Google Nearby Share feature – letting you share files by pointing at compatible devices.

UWB technology also allows it to function as digital keys. And in the future, Samsung will introduce SmartThings, which lets you locate objects using AR (Augmented Reality).

Samsung DeX

Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 supports Samsung DeX, which has been enhanced to support wireless projection. So yes, you no longer need a cable to use Dex!

Improved S Pen

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with an improved S Pen with much lower latency (9 ms), and a lithium titanate battery that gives it 24 hour standby time.

The new S Pen will also support Anywhere actions – general Air actions that will work with any app :

  • Move Backwards
  • Home
  • Recent App
  • Smart Select
  • Screen Capture

Bigger Battery, Faster Charging

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a 4,300 mAh battery, which is the same as the Galaxy Note 10+, and much bigger than the Galaxy Note 10‘s 3,500 mAh battery.

It also supports super fast charging, allowing it to recharge 50% of its battery capacity in just 30 minutes.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Specifications

Specifications Galaxy Note20 (US) Galaxy Note20 (Global)
Display 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display
Super AMOLED+ Panel
Display Features HDR10+, 60 Hz refresh rate
Display Resolution 1080 x 2400 pixels, 393 ppi
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, IP68
Operating System One UI 2.0 (Android Q)
Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ Samsung Exynos 990
Processor 1 x Kryo 585 Prime core (3.0 GHz)
3 x Kryo 585 Gold cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Kryo 585 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
2 x Mongoose 5 cores (2.7 GHz)
2 x Cortex-A76 cores (2.5 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 cores (2.0 GHz)
GPU Qualcomm Adreno 650 (660 MHz) ARM Mali-G77 MP11
Memory 8 GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 256 GB
External Storage Hybrid MicroSD Slot (up to 512 GB)
Front Camera 10 MP camera (f/2.2)
Main Cameras 12 MP main camera (f/1.8)
12 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
64 MP 3X Hybrid Optic Zoom camera (f/2.0)
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.1
WiFi-AX
USB 2.0 Type C
S Pen Yes, 9 ms response time, 4096 levels
Lithium Titanate battery (24 hours standby)
Fingerprint Sensor 3D Sonic Max
Battery 4,300 mAh
Dimensions 75.2 mm wide
161.6 mm tall
8.3 mm thick
Weight 192 g

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 : Price List + Pre-Order Deals

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will be available in three colour options – Mystic Bronze, Mystic Gray and Mystic Green.

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Note20 Ultra : Colour Comparison!

In Malaysia and Singapore, Samsung will bring in these models with these specifications :

  • Note20 4G (8 GB + 256 GB) : RM 3,899 | S$1,398 (about US$929 / £708 / A$1,295)
  • Note20 5G (8 GB + 256 GB) : RM 4,299 | S$1,548 (about US$1,205 / £780 / A$1,427)

In the United States, Samsung is introducing one model :

  • Note20 5G (8 GB + 128 GB) : US$ 999 (about RM 4,189 / £763 / A$1,398)

In the United Kingdom, Samsung is introducing two models :

  • Note20 4G (8 GB + 256 GB) : £849 (about RM 4,665 / US$1,112 / A$1,556)
  • Note20 5G (8 GB + 256 GB) : £949 (about RM 5,214 / US$1,243 / A$1,740)

In Australia, Samsung is introducing two models :

  • Note20 4G (8 GB + 256 GB) : A$1,499 (about RM 4,492 / US$1,071 / £818)
  • Note20 5G (8 GB + 256 GB) : A$1,649 (about RM 4,942 / US$1,178 / £899)

Malaysia

Here are the direct online pre-order links in Malaysia :

You will be able to pre-order starting 10 AM, 6 August until 20 August 2020, with these freebies :

  • Samsung Galaxy Buds+ (worth 599)
  • Samsung N3300 Wireless Charger (worth RM209)
  • Samsung UV Sanitiser (worth RM299)

Singapore

Here are the direct online pre-order links in Singapore :

You will be able to pre-order starting 10 AM, 6 August until 16 August 2020, with these freebies :

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Galaxy Note20 Ultra Video Leaked!

Just before the official launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 smartphones, an AT&T video leaked…

Take a look at the leaked video… and check out the key features and specifications of the Note20 and Note20 Ultra smartphones!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Galaxy Note20 Ultra Video Leaked!

This AT&T video of the Samsung Galaxy Note20 and Galaxy Note20 Ultra smartphones leaked ahead of the official launch, confirming earlier leaked information.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

The US market will receive the super-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ in their Galaxy Note20 / Note20 Ultra devices.

The Plus version offers a faster Prime core (3.1 GHz, instead of 2.84 GHz), and a 10% faster Adreno 650 GPU.

The Snapdragon 865+ also adds Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 capability, although it’s likely that Samsung may lock it at regular Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 for “consistency”.

Globally, we expect Samsung to use the Exynos 990 mobile SoC that powers the Galaxy S20 series.

Recommended : Samsung Exynos 990 Performance : How Fast Is It?

50X Space Zoom | 30X Space Zoom

Samsung is not going to use the Galaxy S20 Ultra‘s folded lens design, replacing 100X Space Zoom with :

  • Galaxy Note20 Ultra : 50X Space Zoom
  • Galaxy Note20 : 30X Space Zoom

Different Displays

The two models will come with different displays with different resolutions :

  • Galaxy Note20 Ultra : 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED (2K), curved edges
  • Galaxy Note20 : 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ (FHD+), flat

But both displays will support 120 Hz refresh rates, and HDR10+ colour.

Colour Options

Samsung will offer three colour options per model :

  • Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White

  • Galaxy Note20 : Mystic Green, Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze

Battery Capacities

The video also confirmed earlier leaked information that they will have different battery capacities :

  • Galaxy Note20 Ultra : 4,500 mAh
  • Galaxy Note20 : 4,300 mAh

They will both support wireless charging with reverse charging capability, of course.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note20 | Galaxy Note20 Ultra : Specifications

Specifications Galaxy Note 20 5G Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
Display 6.7-inch Infinity-O Display
Super AMOLED + Panel
6.9-inch Infinity-O Display
Dynamic AMOLED (LPTO) Panel
Display Features HDR10+, 120 Hz refresh rate
Display Resolution 1080 x 2400 pixels 1440 x 3040 pixels
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 7, IP68
Operating System One UI 2.0 (Android Q)
Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ / Samsung Exynos 990
Memory 8 GB LPDDR5 12 GB LPDDR5
Internal Storage 128 GB / 256 GB 256 GB / 512 GB
External Storage Hybrid MicroSD Slot (up to 512 GB)
Front Camera 40 MP camera
Main Cameras 12 MP main camera (f/1.8)
12 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
64 MP 30X Space Zoom camera (f/2.0)
108 MP main camera (f/1.8)
12 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
12 MP 50X Space Zoom camera (f/3.0)
Laser focus sensor
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.1
WiFi-AX
USB 2.0 Type C
Fingerprint Sensor 3D Sonic Max
Battery 4,300 mAh 5,000 mAh
Charging 25 W 45 W
Dimensions NA NA
Weight NA NA

 

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Samsung CNY 2020 Mega Giveaway : Here Are The Details!

Samsung Malaysia just announced a mega giveaway for CNY 2020! Find out how you can score one or more of these 1,094 smartphones they are giving away!

 

Samsung CNY 2020 Mega Giveaway : What’s Up For Grabs!

Samsung Malaysia has prepared RM 1.2 million worth of prizes, that consists of :

 

Samsung CNY 2020 Mega Giveaway : How To Win!

  • Campaign Starts : 10 AM, 15 January 2020
  • Campaign Ends : 11:59 PM, 16 February 2020

To win one of those great prizes, all you have to do is follow these steps :

Step 1 : Purchase any qualifying Samsung device

Step 2 : Take or create a picture representing the Year of Rat, and submit it with your details and receipt

Step 3 : Check the weekly announcement to see if you’ve won!

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Samsung CNY 2020 Mega Giveaway : Qualifying Devices

Galaxy Flagship Devices Galaxy A Series Galaxy Tablets
Samsung Galaxy Fold Samsung Galaxy A80 Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Samsung Galaxy Note10+ Samsung Galaxy A70 Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
Samsung Galaxy Note10 Samsung Galaxy A50s Samsung Galaxy Tab A
(2019, 10.1″, WiFi / LTE)
Samsung Galaxy S10+ Samsung Galaxy A30s
Samsung Galaxy S10 Samsung Galaxy A20s Samsung Galaxy Tab A
(2019, 8.0″, LTE)
Samsung Galaxy S10e Samsung Galaxy A10s
Samsung Galaxy Note9 Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S Pen
(2019, 8.0″, LTE)
Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung Galaxy S9

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (SM-N975) In-Depth Review!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (SM-N975) is the latest evolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note line of premium smartphones designed for those who want or need a stylus.

We finally got our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and here is our in-depth review!

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus (SM-N975) Smartphone

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (SM-N975) is the latest evolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note line of premium smartphones designed for those who want or need a stylus.

Powered by the latest Samsung and Qualcomm mobile platforms, it comes with a very large 6.8-inch Infinity-O display, 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

The iconic S Pen now supports Air Gestures, and Samsung introduced both Video Bokeh and Audio Zoom capabilities. However, it drops the 3.5 mm audio port and iris scanner. Samsung giveth, and Samsung taketh away.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Colour Options

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) is available only in these FOUR colours, with Aura Blue as an exclusive option.

Again, only two or three will be offered in most countries. Here in Malaysia, Samsung is only offering the Galaxy Note 10+ in Aura Glow, Aura Black and Aura White, at least initially…

We got our hands on all three colours, so we can compare them in real-life :

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy Note 10 | Note 10+ Colour Comparisons!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Price Comparison

Here are its official launch prices in four countries :

Model US UK Australia Malaysia
Galaxy Note 10+ (256 GB) $1099.99 £999 A$1,699 RM 4,199
Galaxy Note 10+ (512 GB) $1199.99 RM 4,799
Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (256 GB) $1299.99 £1099
Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (512 GB) $1399.99 £1199 A$1,999

And here are the online purchase options in various countries :

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Specifications Compared

We compare the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) against last year’s Galaxy Note9, but do note that it is a larger version of the standard Note 10 model.

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Display 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
– 1440 x 3440 pixels (498 ppi)
– HDR10+ support
6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
– 1440 x 2960 pixels (516 ppi)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Corning Gorilla Glass 5
IP Rating IP68 IP68
Operating System Android 9 Pie Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform Samsung Exynos 8925 or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Samsung Exynos 8910 or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM 12 GB LPDDR4x 6 GB LPDDR4x
Storage 256 GB / 512 GB eUFS 3.0 storage
microSD hybrid slot (up to 1 TB)
256 GB / 512 GB UFS 2.1 storage
microSD hybrid slot (up to 1 TB)
Front Camera 10 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/2.2) 8 MP camera (f/1.7)
Rear Cameras 12 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/1.5 + f/2.4, OIS)
12 MP telephoto camera (f/2.1, OIS)
16 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
3D VGA ToF sensor
12 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/1.5 + f/2.4, OIS)
12 MP telephoto camera (f/2.4, OIS)
Dual SIM Capability Dual SIM, dual active capable
– SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Dual SIM, dual active capable
– SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Connectivity 4G : LTE Cat 20
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
4G : LTE Cat 18
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
Iris Scanner No Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes, In Display Yes, In Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor
Bixby Yes Yes
S Pen Yes, Bluetooth LE Yes, Bluetooth LE
Battery 4,300 mAh
45 W wired charging
15 W wireless charging
4,000 mAh
18 W wired charging
10 W wireless charging
Dimensions 77.2 mm wide
162.3 mm tall
7.9 mm thick
76.4 mm wide
161.9 mm tall
8.8 mm thick
Weight 196 g 201 g

 

Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes in a premium black cardboard box. Let’s take a quick look at the box, before we take a look inside!

Once you fully unbox it, you will find the following items :

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  • One Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus smartphone with S Pen
  • One Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Quick Start Guide
  • One Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus bumper case (not shown here)
  • One 25 watt Samsung fast adaptive charger
  • One USB Type C power and data cable
  • One USB Type A to USB Type C adaptor
  • One micro-USB to USB Type C adaptor
  • One pair of AKG-tuned USB-C earphones
  • One SIM tray extractor pin
  • One S Pen nib extractor with two spare nibs

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Hands On + Performance!

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Hands On!

We were amongst the few to get our hands on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) here in Malaysia.

And we managed to get three of them in the Aura Glow, Aura Black and Aura White colours!

Let’s start with our hands-on videos of the three Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ models :

Samsung removed the Bixby button, and replaced it with the Power button. So you will find the Volume buttons and Power button now located on the left side.

You may recall that in the Galaxy Note9, the Power button was on the right side. Now, the right side is completely devoid of any buttons, which can be confusing initially for those upgrading from the Note9.

At the top, you will find the SIM tray, a microphone port and a speaker port.

The slightly larger hole is not an IR emitter, or the third microphone, as some sites have claimed. It is actually an extra speaker port for the top speaker.

At the bottom, you will find the S Pen port, a speaker port, a second microphone port and the USB Type C port.

The 3.5 mm audio port is gone. Unfortunately, the USB-C to 3.5mm dongle is not provided as part of the package.

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Faster Exynos / Snapdragon Platforms!

Globally, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) will run on the new Samsung Exynos 9825 mobile SoC..

It is a refreshed version of the Exynos 9820 that powers the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones, fabricated on the smaller 7 nm process.

Here is a comparison of the Exynos 9825’s performance against other devices.

Geekbench Samsung Galaxy
Note10
Samsung Galaxy
Note9
Apple iPhone
XS
HUAWEI
P30 Pro
Single Core 4495 3443 4821 3317
Multi-Core 10223 8778 11610 9819

In the United States, it will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 instead.

This puts it on par with the Samsung Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones, or the Xiaomi Mi 9.

Here is a comparison table we created of the two mobile platforms :

Features Samsung Exynos 9825 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Process 7 nm 7 nm
Design Tri-Cluster (2+2+4) Tri-Cluster (1+3+4)
Processor 2 x Mongoose 4 cores (2.7 GHz)
2 x Cortex-A75 cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Cortex-A55 cores (1.9 GHz)
1 x Kryo 485 Gold core (2.84 GHz)
3 x Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.42 GHz)
4 x Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.8 GHz)
GPU ARM Mali-G76 MP12 Qualcomm Adreno 640
Memory LPDDR4x-3600 LPDDR4x-4266
5G Modem Separate Exynos 5100 Integrated Snapdragon X50
LTE Modem DL : Cat.20 8CA (2 Gbps)
UL : Cat.20 3CA (316 Mbps)
DL : Cat.20 7CA (2 Gbps)
UL : Cat.13 3CA (316 Mbps)
Bluetooth 5.0 5.0

Whichever mobile platform your Note 10+ comes with, Samsung promises that it will have a 33% faster CPU and a 42% faster GPU than last year’s Galaxy Note 9.

 

More Memory + Faster Storage In Galaxy Note 10 Plus!

Along with a faster mobile platform, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes with 12 GB of LPDDR4x memory, of which a full 8 GB (67%) is available for use!

This is a crazy amount of memory, most of which will not be used. After all, even high-end mobile games like PUBG Mobile and Asphalt 9 use less than 1.2 GB of RAM!

You can literally run 6 different copies of PUBG Mobile simultaneously and have 800 MB of free memory left! In other words, you will never have to worry about running out of memory.

Like last year’s Galaxy Note 9, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes with a choice of 256 GB or 512 GB of internal storage. The main difference is that it uses UFS 3.0 storage, which is twice as fast as UFS 2.1 storage used in the Note 9.

Right out of the box, you will have 224.4 GB of available storage space. This should be more than enough to store 50,000 photos, or 27 hours of 1080p videos, or 10.5 hours of 4K videos.

256 GB of internal storage is definitely more than enough for the vast majority of users. If you need more space, you can add a microSD card for up to 1 TB of additional storage.

Unlike the smaller Galaxy Note 10, the Note 10+ comes with a hybrid SIM tray, where the second SIM slot can support a microSD card of up to 1 TB in capacity. If you don’t need the extra storage, you can use two nano SIM cards at the same time.

While some phones come with a dedicated microSD card tray, a hybrid SIM tray is generally good enough for most people. But if you need to use two SIM cards, you better opt for higher internal storage, because there is no way to add a microSD card.

Now, the internal storage should be more than enough for most users. But we personally prefer to use a microSD card to store our media for data safety reasons. In case anything happens to the phone, we can still retrieve the media stored on the microSD card.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus : Other Key Features!

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Infinity-O Display

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes with a 6.8-inch Infinity-O display, with a WQHD+ resolution and a punch hole for the front camera.

This would make it quite a bit larger than the 6.4-inch display of the Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy Note9, with a slightly higher display resolution but a slightly lower pixel density.

Its smaller brother, the Galaxy Note 10 has a smaller 6.3-inch display with Full HD+ display resolution.

The Infinity-O design, which was first introduced in the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones, allows Samsung to deliver a screen-to-body ratio in excess of 95%.

Instead of Galaxy Note9‘s thicker bezel, the Galaxy Note 10+ uses a round, central hole to accommodate its front camera. Functionally, it works like a waterdrop display, with the area adjacent to the punch hole reserved for notifications.

Including the notification area, the display has a WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 3440. However, the Galaxy Note 10+ defaults to a Full HD+ resolution to reduce power consumption and extend battery life.

 

Dynamic AMOLED Panel

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) uses the latest HDR10+ certified Dynamic AMOLED panel that was first introduced in the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones.

This is literally the best smartphone display in the industry right now, capable of producing 100% of the DCI-P3 colour range, with a maximum brightness of 1200 nits.

This Dynamic AMOLED panel was also engineered to reduce blue light by 42% without changing how colours appear. This would make for more comfortable viewing with less eyestrain, especially at night.

 

Gorilla Glass 6 Protection, Front + Back

Samsung started introducing Gorilla Glass 6 in the Galaxy S10 Plus (US | UK | MY), but even then, it was only in the front.

That changes with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus – both its front and back are protected by Gorilla Glass 6.

In case you are wondering, Gorilla Glass 6 is about twice as tough as Gorilla Glass 5. It will withstand over 15 drops from a height of 1 meter on a rough surface.

 

Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint Sensor

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) borrows yet another Galaxy S10 Plus feature – the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor.

In-display fingerprint sensors have already been introduced in smartphones like the OPPO R17 Pro, but these use optical sensors that basically take pictures for a 2D profile.

This in-display fingerprint sensor uses ultrasonic pulses to take 3D profiles of the user’s fingerprints. This allows it to be more accurate and secure.

In our tests, it proved to be surprisingly good. You just need to learn to press a little harder for the sensor to detect your fingerprint.

The bad news is – Samsung dropped the pressure sensor and haptic feedback for the virtual Home button. So you will need to tap twice on the Home button to activate it.

 

Iris Scanner + Intelligent Scan Removed

With the introduction of the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint scanner, Samsung removed the iris scanner. It was also removed to minimise the size of the punch hole in the display.

And with the iris scanner gone, there was no need for Intelligent Scan, which was first introduced in the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus.

Intelligent Scan, as you may recall, combines the iris scanner with facial recognition for faster identification in both bright and dark conditions.

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Improved S Pen With Air Gestures

The groundbreaking S Pen has been upgraded again, with the new version supporting Air Gestures.

It retains the single button, but comes with a built-in battery for about 10 hours of battery life, instead of a capacitor that powered the Note9 S Pen.

Now, Air Gestures is an interesting concept. However, after using it for 2 weeks, we have to be honest – it’s more gimmicky than useful.

For one thing – app support for Air Gestures is limited to a few built-in Samsung apps, like Camera, Gallery and Samsung Internet.

Secondly, control is pretty limited in certain instances – for example, it zooms in and out the camera in 0.1X increments. It’s much faster and more accurate to just pinch to zoom on the display!

Finally, it requires a fair bit of practice to get right. Otherwise, you will end up taking a photo, or flip the camera into selfie mode, when you want to just zoom in or out.

Overall, Air Gestures seem to be a solution looking for a problem. In our opinion, ignore it and use the S Pen for what it’s really meant to be – a stylus for writing and drawing!

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note10 Plus Cameras | Video Bokeh | Audio Zoom!

 

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Single Front Camera

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has a single 10 MP Dual Pixel camera in the front, like the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones

However, they reduced the aperture from f/1.9 to f/2.2, which would slightly reduce the amount of light and its low-light performance.

And as many critics have noted, a 10 MP front camera is puny in the Megapixel Wars, especially compared to the 48 MP front shooters in Samsung’s own Galaxy A70, or HUAWEI nova 4e and the HONOR 20 Lite.

However, this 10 MP front camera is arguably a superior shooter for two reasons :

  • it uses a Samsung S5K3J1 Dual Pixel sensor, which allows for faster and more accurate autofocus
  • that image sensor also has much larger 1.22 µm pixels, for lower noise levels and better low-light performance

Still, we wished Samsung stuck with the f/1.9 aperture from the S10 series, or even reused the f/1.7 aperture from the Galaxy Note9.

 

Triple Rear Cameras

In the back, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has a quad camera system, that is made up of :

  • 12 MP Dual Aperture Camera (f/1.5 and f/2.4) : 77°, Dual Pixel, OIS
  • 16 MP Ultra-Wide Angle Camera (f/2.2) : 123°, 0.5X optical zoom
  • 12 MP Telephoto Camera (f/2.4) : 45°, 2X optical zoom, OIS
  • 3D DepthVision Camera : ToF emitter and sensor with VGA (320 x 240 pixels) resolution

The 3D DepthVision camera is actually a pair of ToF (Time of Flight) emitter and sensor that provide 3D data to the main camera for features like Video Bokeh and 3D scanning. It doesn’t take any photos.

Look at how useful the three cameras are in aiding your creative composition :

Note that only the main dual-aperture camera, and the telephoto camera (both with 12 MP sensors) support optical image stabilisation (OIS). The 16 MP ultra-wide angle camera does NOT support optical image stabilisation.

This is important when you take videos, because you will lose optical image stabilisation if you switch to the ultra-wide camera. Your video will still be stabilised by electronic image stabilisation though.

 

The Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera vs The Competition

The 12 MP Samsung SAK2L4 image sensor used in the main and telephoto cameras is the fourth iteration of the S5K2L1 sensor from the Galaxy S7. It is still a great image sensor, but it is getting a little long in the tooth.

HUAWEI specifically pointed out how their recently-launched Mate 30 Pro uses far better image sensors. Not only do they have much higher resolutions, they are also much larger in size.

We should also point out that the 2X telephoto camera is also getting rather dated. The HUAWEI P30 Pro boasts a 5X optical zoom, and the HUAWEI Mate 30 Pro comes with 3X optical zoom.

Now, megapixels are not important. Even 48 MP shooters used in the Xiaomi Mi 9 and the Samsung Galaxy A80 default to 12 MP, combining four pixels into one to reduce noise and improve low-light performance.

However, Samsung definitely needs to increase the sensor size and the zoom range in their next flagship smartphone, or they will get left behind in the photographic department…

 

Video Bokeh

This is a really exciting feature for those who record videos. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) with its DepthVision camera can blur out the background of your videos using the Video Bokeh feature.

This will give your videos a real cinematic flair with adjustable depth-of-field effects. You can also add special effects in real-time!

Later in this review, we will share with you a video sample to show you just how easy or difficult it is to get the Video Bokeh effect, and how the effect looks like in real life.

 

Audio Zoom Capability!

This is an incredibly important new feature, at least for those who do a lot of video recording without using external microphones.

In addition to the usual two microphones, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes with a third microphone, which is hidden in the edge of the rear camera bump.

When you turn on Audio Zoom, the Galaxy Note 10+ will use the other two microphones to cancel out noise recorded by this third microphone.

The effect is adjusted on the fly, so it will change the range of sound captured as you “zoom” into the action, letting you “focus” on the subject that you are recording, and reducing ambient noise.

This is probably its most important video recording improvement over the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones. But we will share with you later in this review, how well Audio Zoom works in real life.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus : Audio Jack | DeX | Battery | IP68 | Ergonomics

 

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Time To Hit The Road, Jack…

Even as Xiaomi resurrected the 3.5 mm audio port in the new Mi A3 smartphone, Samsung removed the 3.5 mm headphone jack in the Galaxy Note 10 series.

Unfortunately, they did not include the dongle for free. Instead, you are going to have to cough up $14.99 / £10 / ~A$ 21.99 / ~RM 62.99 for the dongle.

And if you are thinking of buying a third-party USB-C dongle, make sure you get one with a DAC. Otherwise, they won’t work. Here are some options to consider :

There is some good news though – the box includes a pair of AKG-tuned USB Type C active earphones. At the very least, you can listen to music right out of the box!

But again, if you intend to use another pair of USB-C earphones, you MUST make sure it has a built-in DAC, like these options :

Recommended : Warning : Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Does Not Have A DAC!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Has Built-In DeX!

While not mentioned at all by Samsung, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has built-in DeX capability, that was first introduced in the Galaxy Note9.

This mean it does not require a separate DeX Station or DeX Pad accessory. All it requires is a simple USB-C to HDMI adaptor or cable!

It does not even require a Samsung-branded adaptor (looking at you and your MFi bullshit, Apple!) – ANY USB-C to HDMI adaptor or cable will do.

After you use the USB-C to HDMI adaptor or cable to connect the Galaxy Note 10+ to a TV or monitor, you just need to link a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to use it like a PC.

Best of all – you can continue to use your Galaxy Note 10+ while Samsung DeX is running!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Battery + Charging

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) comes with a 4,300 mAh battery – 300 mAh or 7.5% larger than its predecessor, the Galaxy Note9.

What’s new though is its improved 45 watt Fast Charging capability, which brings it close to OPPO’s 50 watt SuperVOOC charging technology after years of sticking with a 15 watt fast adaptive charger.

The downside – you will need to purchase a separate 45W Samsung EP-TA845 fast charger (US | UK). Samsung only bundles a 25 W fast charger with the Note 10+.

Samsung also improved its wireless charging capability, boosting it by 50% from 10 watts to 15 watts.

Wireless PowerShare is also supported, which allows the Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) to can function as a wireless charger for any Qi-certified device!

However, its recharging speed is still rather slow, so it’s really only useful to recharge the Galaxy Buds or the Galaxy Watch on a regular basis; and other smartphones in an emergency.

 

IP68 Dust & Water Resistance

It was rumoured that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) would boast improved IP69 water-resistance.

That would have been able to withstand high-pressure water (80-100 bar) for at least 3 minutes at a distance of 10 to 15 cm.

In the end, Samsung stuck with IP68, which is good enough to withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes.

This means you can take it for jogs in the rain, or reading in the bathtub. However, because it’s not designed to withstand water pressure, we do not recommend you take it into the shower or while you swim.

In fact, it is specifically in their IP68 guidelines that it should NOT be exposed to “water moving with force“.

Swimming or placing them under running water from a tap or a waterfall could result in water leaking into the chassis, and leaving you with a very expensive brick.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Ergonomics

Even though the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has a larger display and battery than the Galaxy Note9, it is actually about the same size and amazingly – thinner and lighter.

However, it is still a large phablet that requires two hands to use effectively. However, it comes with a One-handed assistance mode, if you prefer to use only one hand.

The Dynamic AMOLED display is just fabulous. Not only is it incredibly bright at up to 1200 nits, the display is HDR10+ certified with Dynamic Tone Mapping and 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut.

To see how much better it is, you need to compare it side-by-side with the already impressive Super AMOLED display used in the Galaxy S9 Plus and the Galaxy Note9. In particular, compare them in bright sunlight.

The display has been stretched taller though, giving you a 21.5:9 aspect ratio. While the extra-wide view is great for games, it will result in significant pillar boxing – a black bar on each side of a video.

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Setting Up The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) runs on Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, and is very easy to set-up. If you are setting it up as a new device, it should take you only 5-7 minutes to finish the setup process.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Performance

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Camera Performance

Samsung continued to use the excellent 12 MP dual-aperture camera from the Galaxy S9 Plus, and the Galaxy Note9, which automatically or manually switches between the f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures.

Its sensor, however, has been slightly upgraded to the 12 MP Samsung ISOCELL Fast SAK2L4, which should offer some improvements in image quality.

The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio, with 4032 x 3024 pixels, and a file size of between 3 MB and 5 MB.

Here are 10 high-resolution unedited samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.

There is no doubt that this is still one of the better smartphone cameras in the market, even though it was introduced 1.5 years ago.

You can see the intricate detail of the cloves, the flower pollen, and even the individual buds of the broccoli florets.

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It also did a great job of bringing out the colour of the subject matter. Every colour is accurately rendered and automatically “amped up” by AI algorithms.

The f/1.5 aperture naturally creates a very narrow depth of field, with a nicer bokeh effect. But if that’s not enough, you can use its Live Focus feature which allows you to create really awesome bokeh for the background.

No doubt, the Live Focus bokeh is artificially created, but the dual camera design allow for precise separation of the subject from the background. Live Focus also allows you to adjust the amount of bokeh for the background.

Recommended : Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : Senado Square At Night!

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Recording Performance

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Recording Performance

Like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) is capable of recording 4K videos from both front and back cameras.

Samsung no longer limits the 4K recording time to just 10 minutes. So you can take 4K videos for as long as you wish.

However, there is still the 4 GB limit – if your video grows beyond 4 GB, the Note 10+ will cut it to 4 GB chunks with a slight delay between the chunks.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #1 : Piano (1080p)

You can see the amount of detail the sensor captures, even at just 1080p. There was good control of the exposure, although the foreground was darker than we like.

You can also see how well its OIS capability worked, even when we switched between the main camera and the telephoto camera. Its ultra-wide camera does not support OIS, but still has good EIS capability.

Samsung appeared to have mostly eliminated the lag in switching between cameras that we saw in the Galaxy S10 Plus. But you can still see it sometimes, like at 0:15 when we switched from the wide-angle camera to the main camera.

The Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) still does not support Hi-Res Audio recording, but its new Audio Zoom capability helps to reduce background noise… a little. The effect could have been stronger IMHO, but it’s better than the Galaxy Note9 which lacks this feature.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #2 : Piano (4K)

The resolution at 4K is incredible. You can clearly read the notice outside the store, way behind Mr. Yang.

There is a slight lag and artifact issue at the 4K resolution when we switched cameras. You can see that at these points in the video :

  • 0:14, 0:40 and 1:33, when we switched from the main camera to the telephoto camera
  • 0:27, 1:16 and 2:16 when we switched from the main camera to the wide-angle camera

When we zoom right in, you can hear a drop in ambient noise. But again, it was milder than we would have liked. Perhaps Samsung can add the ability to adjust the Audio Zoom effect.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #3 : Video Bokeh

The new Video Bokeh feature uses its DepthVision ToF camera to judge the distance to the subject, and artificially apply a bokeh effect to the background.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) will automatically apply the effect when it is able to isolate the subject from the background.

However, the DepthVision ToF camera has a range of 150 cm – you must move in until the subject is closer than 1.5 m for Video Bokeh to work. And it is also limited to the 1080p resolution.

Notice how the effect is automatically turned off when the subject moves beyond range.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #4 : Street Market (1080p)

The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has great image stabilisation capability, minimising handshake to deliver a silky-smooth video.

We also did not notice any wind noise, which is still a problem for some smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #5 : Street Market (4K)

Its image stabilisation capabilities were not diminished with the higher resolution. Overall – very good OIS and EIS performance.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Video Sample #6 : Super Steady

Samsung introduced the Super Steady mode in the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e smartphones, which promises to deliver even better image stabilisation.

It does deliver better image stabilisation, but at the expense of resolution – you are limited to 1080p video recording with Super Steady turned on.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Performance, Battery Life  + Recharging Speed

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Work Performance

We tested the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browsing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.

Work 2.0 Xiaomi Mi 9 Samsung
Galaxy Note 10+
Samsung
Galaxy S10+
Samsung
Galaxy Note9
Mobile Platform Snapdragon 855 Exynos 9825 Exynos 9820 Exynos 9810
Performance Score
(Average)
9471 8981 7846 5557
Web Browsing 7792 8293 8583 5763
Video Editing 6038 9166 5524 5410
Writing 10919 9579 9076 5421
Photo Editing 20161 19376 10710 5898
Data Manipulation 7356 6155 6450 5316
Review Links Xiaomi Mi 9 Review Galaxy S10+ Review Galaxy Note9 Review
Price Check US | UK | MY USUK | AU | SGMY US | UK | MY MY | US | UK

The Samsung Exynos 9825 is much faster than the Exynos 9820 used in the Galaxy S10+. However, it is still not as fast as the Snapdragon 855 used in the US version of the Galaxy Note 10+ and of course, the Xiaomi Mi 9.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Gaming Performance

We tested the Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.

Ice Storm Unlimited Xiaomi Mi 9 Samsung
Galaxy S10+
Samsung
Galaxy Note 10+
Samsung
Galaxy Note9
Mobile Platform Snapdragon 855 Exynos 8920 Exynos 8925 Exynos 8910
Gaming Score 65518 56808 52693 42598
Graphics 106388 73362 63521 51199
Physics 27945 31741 33003 26825
Graphics Test 1 585.4 fps 397.5 fps 345.3 fps 330.2 fps
Graphics Test 2 382.3 fps 266.3 fps 230.1 fps 167.9 fps
Physics Test 88.7 fps 100.8 fps 104.8 fps 85.2 fps
Review Links Xiaomi Mi 9 Review Galaxy S10+ Review Galaxy Note9 Review
Price Check US | UK | MY US | UK | MY USUK | AU | SGMY MY | US | UK

The Samsung Exynos 8925 was not only slower than the Snapdragon 855 in gaming performance, it was actually slightly slower than the Exynos 8920!

Samsung really needs to work harder on improving the gaming performance of their Exynos platforms.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Battery Life

We then tested the Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.

Work 2.0 Xiaomi Mi 9 Samsung
Galaxy Note 10+
Samsung
Galaxy S10+
Samsung
Galaxy Note9
Battery Capacity 3,300 mAh 4,300 mAh 4,100 mAh 4,000 mAh
Battery Life 12 hours 12 mins 10 hours 32 mins 10 hours 17 mins 10 hours 15 mins
Battery Utilisation 3.61 mAh / min. 5.44 mAh / min. 5.32 mAh / min. 5.20 mAh / min.
Review Links Xiaomi Mi 9 Review Galaxy S10+ Review Galaxy Note9 Review
Price Check US | UK | MY USUK | AU | SGMY US | UK | MY MY | US | UK

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) uses slightly more power than the Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy Note9 smartphones, but its larger battery lets it last a bit longer.

10.5 hours of battery life is nothing to scoff at, but we should note that the Xiaomi Mi 9 lasts over 12 hours on a much smaller 3,300 mAh battery.

 

Battery Recharging Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus comes with a new adaptive fast charger with a power output of 25 W. Take a look at how fast it recharged its 4,300 mAh battery.

Recharging Speed Samsung
Galaxy Note 10+
Samsung
Galaxy S10+
Xiaomi Mi 9 Samsung
Galaxy Note9
Battery Capacity 4,300 mAh 4,100 mAh 3,300 mAh 4,000 mAh
Charger Output 25 Watts 15 Watts 18 Watts 15 Watts
Recharging Time 63 minutes 91.6 minutes 84.5 Minutes 107 mins
Recharging Speed 54.6 mAh / minute 35.8 mAh / minute 31.2 mAh / minute 29.9 mAh/ / minute
Review Links Galaxy S10+ Review Xiaomi Mi 9 Review Galaxy Note9 Review
Price Check USUK | AU | SGMY US | UK | MY US | UK | MY MY | US | UK

Thanks to its new 25 watt fast charger, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) has significantly better battery charging performance.

It fully recharged its battery from 20% to 100% in just 63 minutes. That is 52.5% faster than the Galaxy S10+, and 82.6% faster than the Galaxy Note9.

That also gives it a much improved battery life : recharging ratio of 10:1. A rule of thumb – for one hour of battery life, just charge it for 6 minutes.

The fastest recharging happened up to the 80% level. This took just 34 minutes. Then the recharging speed slowed down, and it took a further 29 minutes to top up the last 20%.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus Verdict + Award, Price,+ Specifications

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus – Our Verdict + Award

Samsung continues to refine and improve the Galaxy Note phablet, and the Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMY) is really quite impressive.

Adopting the punch hole design of the Galaxy S10 series, Samsung packed a larger 6.8-inch display and a larger 4,300 mAh battery into a thinner and lighter device!

Its Dynamic AMOLED display deserves special mention. It is incredibly bright at 1200 nits, with a wide colour gamut – 100% of DCI-P3 – and is HDR10+ certified! This is hands-down, the industry’s best display.

Credit also goes to Samsung for taking their time to perfect and introduce an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. This is definitely more secure and accurate than optical in-display fingerprint sensors. In our tests, it even works with damp fingers!

Samsung chose to reuse and enhance the triple camera system of the Galaxy S10+ with a ToF (Time of Flight) camera.

That gives you the Video Bokeh ability, as well as 3D scanning ability and a Quick Measure AR capability. However, that’s not as useful as the 5X or 3X telephoto camera in the HUAWEI P30 Pro and Mate 30 Pro.

The addition of an ultra-wide angle camera, however, is a nice upgrade from the Galaxy Note9. It’s not something you would appreciate until you actually start using it.

Its new Audio Zoom capability is a nice touch, although it’s much milder than what we would prefer. We hope Samsung will add the option to adjust the Audio Zoom strength.

One of the biggest upgrade is actually the greatly-improved fast charging capability. It now comes with a 25 watt wired charging capability, and a 15 watt wireless charging capability.

Unfortunately, the new S Pen Air Gestures feature is not practical… yet. We can see its potential, but its implementation still leaves much to be desired. Samsung needs to greatly improve its usability, and expand its support.

We should also point out the lack of a 3.5 mm audio jack. This will greatly reduce its appeal to those who rely on 3.5 mm earphones or external microphones. Even more so since the required USB-C dongle is not included in the package.

More critically – the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ (USUK | AU | SGMYlacks a DAC. This means passive USB-C dongle or earphones that do not have a built-in DAC will fail to work. For more information on what you should buy, read our special article on this subject.

Now, if you are already using the excellent Samsung Galaxy Note9, it will be hard to justify upgrading to the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. But that’s only because the Note9 continues to be an excellent phablet with a great S Pen.

We recommend upgrading to the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, if you are using the Galaxy Note 7 or older. Or if you want to switch to a smartphone with a stylus.

Again, Samsung has a winning combination in the Galaxy Note 10 Plus, and we have no qualms awarding it our Editor’s Choice Award. Great job, Samsung!

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ : Where To Buy?

Here are the online purchase options in various countries :

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus vs. Galaxy Note 9

Specifications Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Display 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
– 1440 x 3440 pixels (498 ppi)
– HDR10+ support
6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display
– 1440 x 2960 pixels (516 ppi)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 6 Corning Gorilla Glass 5
IP Rating IP68 IP68
Operating System Android 9 Pie Android 8.1 Oreo
System Platform Samsung Exynos 8925 or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Samsung Exynos 8910 or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
RAM 12 GB LPDDR4x 6 GB LPDDR4x
Storage 256 GB / 512 GB eUFS 3.0 storage
microSD hybrid slot (up to 1 TB)
256 GB / 512 GB UFS 2.1 storage
microSD hybrid slot (up to 1 TB)
Front Camera 10 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/2.2) 8 MP camera (f/1.7)
Rear Cameras 12 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/1.5 + f/2.4, OIS)
12 MP telephoto camera (f/2.1, OIS)
16 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.2)
3D VGA ToF sensor
12 MP Dual Pixel camera (f/1.5 + f/2.4, OIS)
12 MP telephoto camera (f/2.4, OIS)
Dual SIM Capability Dual SIM, dual active capable
– SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Dual SIM, dual active capable
– SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Connectivity 4G : LTE Cat 20
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
4G : LTE Cat 18
Wi-Fi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
Iris Scanner No Yes
Fingerprint Sensor Yes, In Display Yes, In Display
Other Sensors Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor
Bixby Yes Yes
S Pen Yes, Bluetooth LE Yes, Bluetooth LE
Battery 4,300 mAh
45 W wired charging
15 W wireless charging
4,000 mAh
18 W wired charging
10 W wireless charging
Dimensions 77.2 mm wide
162.3 mm tall
7.9 mm thick
76.4 mm wide
161.9 mm tall
8.8 mm thick
Weight 196 g 201 g

 

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 – Everything You Need To Know!

Samsung just unveiled the Galaxy Tab S6a new premium 10.5-inch tablet with a redesigned Bluetooth S Pen!

Here is everything you need to know about the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 – its key features, specifications, colour options, and more!

 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (SM-T860) Tablet

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is a new premium tablet with a brilliant 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display, and a redesigned Bluetooth S Pen that now attaches magnetically to its back.

Despite packing in flagship-class performance and capabilities, Samsung actually made it thinner at just 5.7 mm, and lighter at just 420 grams!

Samsung is also introducing a Book Cover case, a Book Cover Keyboard, and a POGO Charging Dock as optional accessories for the Galaxy Tab S6.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8150 mobile SoC, which is almost the performance equal of the Snapdragon 855 used in their Galaxy S10 flagship smartphones!

It also comes with either 6 GB or 8 GB of LPDDR4x memory, which makes it a breeze to use multiple apps at the same time.

Storage is also plentiful. The 6 GB model comes with 128 GB of storage, while the 8 GB model comes with 256 GB of storage.

If that’s not enough, there is a microSD card slot that supports up to 1 TB of additional storage!

Complete Redesigned S Pen!

Its S Pen has been completely redesigned. Like the Galaxy Note9‘s groundbreaking S Pen, it offers remote control functionality, and wireless charging capability.

It now magnetically locks to the back of the Tab S6, and  has a built-in battery that delivers 10 hours of battery life with just ten minutes of charging.

Improved Samsung DeX Capability

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 comes with a new, improved version of Samsung DeX, which creates a desktop-like work experience.

The optional Book Cover Keyboard even comes with a DeX function key, so you can launch and close DeX with a tap of the key.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (SM-T860) Specifications

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Tab S6
Operating SystemAndroid Pie 9
Display10.5-inch Super AMOLED display
- WQXGA resolution (1600 x 2560 pixels, 287 ppi)
System PlatformQualcomm Snapdragon 8150
Processor1 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold core (2.8 GHz)
3 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Gold cores (2.4 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kryo 485 Silver cores (1.7 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorQualcomm Adreno 640 GPU (600 MHz)
Memory6 GB / 8 GB LPDDR4x
Storage128 GB / 256 GB internal flash storage
MicroSD card slot (up to 1 TB)
Front Camera8 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture
Rear CamerasMain Camera
- 13 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture

Ultra-Wide Camera
- 5 MP sensor with f/2.2 aperture
S PenYes, 4,096 pressure levels
0.35 mAh battery capacity
Last up to 10 hours
ConnectivityLTE : Cat.20 (DL up to 2.0 Gbps, UL up to 150 Mbps)
WiFi : 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (dual-band)
Bluetooth : BT 5.0
USB : USB Type C
GPSGPS + GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo
AudioQuad speakers
- optimised by AKG
- supports Dolby Atmos
Dual microphones
SensorsPressure, Gyroscope, RGB light, Geomagnetic, Hall
Fingerprint SensorYes, In-Display Optical Sensor
Battery7,040 mAh lithium-ion
Dimensions159.5 mm wide
244.5 mm tall
5.7 mm thick
Weight420 g
Colour OptionsCloud Blue / Rose Blush / Mountain Grey

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Colour Options

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is available in three colour options – Cloud Blue, Rose Blush and Mountain Grey.

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Price + Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 is available right now at these recommended retail prices :

Wi-Fi Only

4G + Wi-Fi

Book Cover Keyboard

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Deals

Here in Malaysia, Samsung is offering a RM 499 discount on the Book Cover Keyboard, if you purchase a unit by 31 October 2019.

 

In the United States, Samsung is offering 50% off the Book Cover Keyboard, plus a free 4-month subscription to YouTube Premium.

In the United Kingdom and Australia, Samsung is only offering free delivery nationwide and 0% financing for up to 24 months.

 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 S Pen Gets Air Gestures + More!

We can now confirm that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 S Pen is getting a few BIG upgrades, including Air Gestures! Here are the full details!

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 S Pen

The S Pen is the hallmark feature of the Samsung Galaxy Note family. So it’s no surprise to see it headlining the official invitation video.

The S Pen got some groundbreaking upgrades with the Galaxy Note 9 :

  • Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity
  • A super capacitor power source
  • Remote control + remote unlock capability

You can read more about those features and more in The Ultimate Galaxy Note 9 S Pen Features + Tips Guide!

 

What’s New In The Galaxy Note 10 S Pen?

The Note9 S Pen may be awesome, but the Galaxy Note 10 will come with an even more powerful S Pen!

Here is what we already know about the Galaxy Note 10 S Pen :

Air Gestures

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 S Pen will support Air Gestures.

This apparently lets you control certain functions using gestures without the S Pen touching the display…

And as this leaked screenshot suggests, it will let you draw or write in the air… How mysterious! We can’t wait to see how it works!

Switch Between Cameras

The new S Pen will also allow you to remotely switch camera lenses.

However, we do not know yet whether this feature is activated by a separate button, or multiple presses of the same remote shutter button.

Gesture Commands

The new Note 10 S Pen will support Gesture Commands.

This will allow you to take a picture, change the music track or flip through slides… remotely, using the S Pen!

Want to know more about the Samsung Galaxy Note 10? Read our article – Samsung Galaxy Note 10 – Everything You Need To Know!

 

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The 3 New 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A Tablets Revealed!

Samsung just launched, not one, but three new 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablets! Here are the key features, specifications and prices of the new 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A series tablets!

 

The Three New 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A Series

This year, Samsung is launching three 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A series tablets

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A10.1
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S-Pen

Let’s take a quick look at each of these tablets, and find out what their key specifications and prices are!

The 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e

The Galaxy Tab S5e is Samsung’s premium range tablet for both professional and personal use. It is also the thinnest and lightest tablet in the world within the 10-inch segment.

Design 5.5 mm thick, 400g, Full Metal Unibody
Display 10.5” sAMOLED (16:10)
Sound Quad Speakers, tuned by AKG
Cameras 13 MP main camera + 8 MP selfie camera
Processor Octa-Core Processor
4 cores @
2.0 GHz + 4 cores @ 1.7 GHz
Memory 4 GB RAM
Storage 64 GB internal storage
Security Fingerprint (Integrated into Power button)
Battery 7,040 mAh lithium-ion battery
Keyboard Pogo KBD Cover (Optional)
Colour Options Gold / Black

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is available in two colour options – Black or Gold.

 

The 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 tablet is targeted at families, and comes pre-loaded with educational apps that are suitable for children.

Design 7.5 mm thick, 470 g (LTE) / 469 g (WiFi)
Display 10.1” WUXGA display
Sound Dual Speakers
Cameras 8 MP main camera + 5 MP selfie camera
Processor Octa-Core Processor
4 cores @
1.8 GHz + 4 cores @ 1.6 GHz
Memory 2 GB RAM (WiFi)
3 GB RAM (LTE)
Storage 32 GB internal storage (WiFi / LTE)
Battery 6,150 mAh lithium-ion battery
Colour Options Gold / Black

It is available in both black and gold colours like the Galaxy Tab S5e.

The 2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A with S-Pen

Like the Galaxy Tab A10.1, the new Galaxy Tab A with S-Pen is targeted at families, and comes pre-loaded with educational apps for children.

It also comes with an embedded S-Pen, which is useful for e-learning as well as work productivity.

Design 8.9 mm thick, 325 g
Display 8.0” WUXGA display
Cameras 8 MP main camera + 5 MP selfie camera
Processor Octa-Core Processor
4 cores @
1.8 GHz + 4 cores @ 1.6 GHz
Memory 3 GB RAM
Storage 32 GB internal storage
Battery 4,200 mAh lithium-ion battery
Colour Options Black / Silver

 

2019 Samsung Galaxy Tab A Price + Availability

These new Samsung tablets are available with immediate eff ect at these price points :

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The Ultimate Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features + Tips Guide

One of the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s most revolutionary features is its new Bluetooth S Pen. Everyone knows what it can do as a stylus, but here are FOURTEEN Galaxy Note9 S Pen features and tips that most people are completely oblivious to!

2018-10-04 : Upgraded to The Ultimate Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features + Tips Guide with additional tips and how-to instructions.

2018-09-03 : Originally posted as The 7 Secret Galaxy Note9 S Pen Features You Never Knew!

 

The Ultimate Galaxy Note9 S Pen Guide

The Samsung Galaxy Note9 S Pen looks deceptively like the S Pen from before.

In fact, it features the same design with a 0.7 mm tip and 4,096 pressure levels as the S Pen from the Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) and the Samsung Galaxy Note FE (Price Check).

But that’s where all similarity ends.

What You Probably Know About The Note9 S Pen

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What You Don’t Know About The Note9 S Pen

 

Where To Buy The Galaxy Note9

Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in Malaysia.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 with 128 GB storage : RM 3,699 (Web | App)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 with 512 GB storage : RM 4,599 (Web | App)

Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in the US.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, International Unlocked) : $849
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, International Unlocked) : $1,214
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99

 

What You Probably Know About The Note9 S Pen

Let’s run through what you probably know about the Note9 S Pen, since Samsung has been promoting them.

The Note9 S Pen Is A Bluetooth Device!

For the first time, S Pen communicates with the Samsung Galaxy Note9 via Bluetooth Low Energy. Opening it up reveals that the new S Pen uses the Dialog DA13580 Bluetooth Smart SoC.

The Note9 S Pen Is A Remote Control!

The Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity lets you use the shutter button to remotely perform a variety of tasks.

  • Hold the shutter button to open any app you wish. By default, it launches the Camera app.
  • When the camera is activated, press the shutter button once to take a picture, or twice to switch between the front and main cameras.
  • Press the shutter button once to go forward in an app or browser, or twice to go backwards.

You can customise this remote control feature in Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.

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The Note9 S Pen Battery Life

This S Pen will last a good 30 minutes once it is ejected from its dock, or up to 200 clicks – whichever occurs first.

Your Samsung Galaxy Note9 will alert you when the S Pen’s battery is down to 15%, with more reminders as the battery level drops.

It Writes In A Signature Colour!

Like previous versions, you can pop out the S Pen to immediately jot your thoughts using the Screen Off Memo feature.

The Samsung Galaxy Note9 though introduces the ability to write in its signature colour!

The Ocean Blue S Pen will write in bright yellow, while the Midnight Black S Pen will write in silver, the Lavender Purple S Pen will write in purple, and the Metallic Copper S Pen will write in brown.

The only downside? The Samsung Notes app has not been updated with the ability to change its background to black.

If you prefer to write in the standard silver colour, go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Screen Off Memo and disable Use S Pen signature colour.

Next Page > What You Don’t Know About The Note9 S Pen

 

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What You Don’t Know About The Note9 S Pen

The Note9 S Pen is more than just a stylus with a remote control button though. Here are some fun facts about it that most users are completely oblivious to!

It Will Work Even With Bluetooth Disabled!

The Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) communicates with its S Pen using Bluetooth Low Energy (formerly known as Bluetooth Smart) to keep power consumption low.

But we’ll bet you didn’t know that the S Pen will work even if you turn off the Galaxy Note9’s Bluetooth feature!

You can safely turn off your Galaxy Note9’s Bluetooth connectivity for security reasons, or to further reduce power consumption, and still have access to the S Pen’s full range of capabilities.

You Can Use It To UNLOCK Your Galaxy Note9!

To save power and protect your privacy, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) will turn off and lock its screen after a period of inactivity.

This can be annoying if you are using it to dictate notes or give a presentation… until you realise you can simply unlock the screen with your S Pen!

This does not mean anyone can use your S Pen to unlock your Samsung Galaxy Note9. This feature only works if you :

  • manually activate it at Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > Unlock with S Pen remote
  • unlock your Samsung Galaxy Note9 and then pull out the S Pen

It will not work if you pull out the S Pen while the Samsung Galaxy Note9 is locked. If you reinsert the S Pen into its dock, you will not be able to use it to unlock your Galaxy Note9.

This prevents strangers from using the S Pen to unlock your Galaxy Note9, while giving you the option to instantly unlock the screen if it locks up while you are using it.

Never Lose Your Note9 S Pen!

Its Bluetooth capability allows the Samsung Galaxy Note9 (Price Check) to sense when you forget your S Pen and set off an alarm to warn you.

It is more of a notification with an audio alert, but this incredibly useful feature will greatly reduce, if not eliminate, the chance of losing your S Pen.

This feature is enabled by default, but if you want to make sure it’s turned on, it’s the Alarm option under the Removal section of Settings > Advanced features > S Pen.

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It Is Powered By A Supercapacitor!

This S Pen is not powered by an internal lithium-ion battery, but a Seiko K8373 supercapacitor.

This supercapacitor is not only incredibly tiny and light, it is highly durable and withstands extreme temperatures. It can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without any loss in capacity.

It also recharges in a flash, and delivers long battery life – just 40 seconds of charging will give you 30 minutes of use! It is also simple to recharge – the S Pen recharges automatically whenever it is docked.

Note : The S Pen’s supercapacitor will start discharging once it is out of the dock. Don’t be surprised if the battery level drops even if you did not use its remote control. This is perfectly normal.

How To Check The Note9 S Pen’s Power Level

You can check the supercapacitor’s power level in your Samsung Galaxy Note9 at Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.

However, this is really not necessary, because the supercapacitor recharges so quickly! All you need is pop it in its dock for 40 seconds to get it up to 100%!

The Note9 S Pen Has TWO Power Sources!

Believe it or not, this S Pen has TWO power sources.

The supercapacitor is only used to power the Bluetooth Low Energy radio for its remote control functionality.

The stylus itself is still powered electromagnetically by close proximity to the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s display. This means its stylus functions will never run out of power.

Next Page > More Samsung Galaxy Note9 S Pen Tips

 

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How To Disable The S Pen Remote Control

If you do not like using the S Pen remote control features, you can simply turn it off.

  • Go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
  • Tap on the On/Off toggle to disable the S Pen remote control.
  • To re-enable it, just tap on the On/Off toggle again.

Note : If you can’t reactivate the S Pen remote control, the S Pen is probably out of its dock. To reestablish the Bluetooth connection, it needs to be inserted into the Galaxy Note9.

How To Connect Another S Pen

If you need to connect another S Pen to your Samsung Galaxy Note9, here are the steps :

  • Insert the S Pen into your Samsung Galaxy Note9.
  • Slide down from the top of your Galaxy Note9 to open the notification panel.
  • Slide it down again to expand the notification panel.

  • Slide the notification panel to the left.
  • Tap the S Pen remote icon.
  • Tap the S Pen remote icon again to activate the pairing of the new S Pen.

The S Pen icon on the status bar will flicker as your Galaxy Note9 pairs with the new S Pen. This may take several minutes.

When the new S Pen is successfully paired, the S Pen icon on the status bar will disappear.

How To Reset Your S Pen

If your current S Pen is not working properly, you will need to reset it this way :

  • Insert the S Pen into your Samsung Galaxy Note9.
  • Go to Settings > Advanced features > S Pen > S Pen remote.
  • At the upper right corner, tap the More Options icon.
  • Tap t he Reset S Pen option.

Note : It may take a few minutes for the  Samsung Galaxy Note9 to establish a new Bluetooth connection to your S Pen.

The Power Of S Pen Hovering

The S Pen is not just about writing or tapping. Many users are no aware of the power of hovering with the S Pen. These are not new features, but did you know that you can activate these features by merely hovering the S Pen over the screen?

Air View : Preview information, text and images by hovering the S Pen over the screen

Scrolling : Scroll up or down by hovering your S Pen over the edge of the screen

Translate : Translate words and phrases by hovering your S Pen over them

Bixby Vision : Search for products online by hovering your S Pen over their pictures

Magnify : Magnify areas of the screen by hovering your S Pen over them.

Glance : Minimise apps to a thumbnail that you can hover your S Pen over to expand.

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Picture Credit

Pictures of the internal parts of the S Pen are courtesy of the awesome folks at iFixIt!

 

Where To Buy The Galaxy Note9

Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in Malaysia.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 with 128 GB storage : RM 3,699 (Web | App)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 with 512 GB storage : RM 4,599 (Web | App)

Here are some direct links to purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note9 in the US.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, International Unlocked) : $849
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (128 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, International Unlocked) : $1,214
  • Samsung Galaxy Note9 (512 GB, US Unlocked) : $999.99

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (SM-T835) Tablet Preview

The new Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is here! This is not just an upgrade of last year’s Galaxy Tab S3, but a larger model Here are our first impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 that arrived in our lab last week!

 

How Does The Galaxy Tab S4 Compare To The Galaxy Tab S3?

Here’s a comparison of their key specifications :

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Tab S4 (2018)Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (2017)
Display10.5-inch Super AMOLED display
- 1600 x 2560 pixels (287 ppi)
- Corning Gorilla Glass protection
9.7-inch Super AMOLED display
- 1536 x 2048 pixels (264 ppi)
- Corning Gorilla Glass protection
Operating SystemAndroid 8.1 OreoAndroid 7.0 Nougat
PlatformQualcomm Snapdragon 835Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
Processor4 x Qualcomm Kryo 280 cores (2.35 GHz)
4 x Qualcomm Kyro 280 cores (1.9 GHz)
2 x Qualcomm Kyro cores (2.15 GHz)
2 x Qualcomm Kyro cores (1.6 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorQualcomm Adreno 540Qualcomm Adreno 530
RAM4 GB LPDDR4x SDRAM4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
Storage64 GB internal flash storage
microSD slot (up to 400 GB)
32 GB internal flash storage
microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
Front Camera8 MP camera5 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens
Rear Camera13 MP camera with single LED flash
- Up to 4K video recording @ 30 fps
13 MP sensor with f/1.9 lens
- Up to 4K video recording @ 30 fps
Network4G LTE
LTE Cat16 DL : 1 Gbps
LTE Cat13 UL : 150 Mbps
4G LTE
LTE Cat16 DL : 600 Mbps
LTE Cat13 UL : 150 Mbps
ConnectivityWiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)
Bluetooth v5.0
USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)
Bluetooth v4.1
USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C
GPS SupportGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDouGPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou
Iris ScannerYesNo
Fingerprint SensorNoYes
Other SensorsAccelerometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Proximity SensorAccelerometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, RGB Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor
NFCNoNo
S PenIncluded
Pen tip : 0.7 mm
Pressure levels : 4,096
Included
Pen tip : 0.7 mm
Pressure levels : 4,096
Battery7,300 mAh lithium-ion battery6,000 mAh lithium-ion battery
Dimensions164.3 mm wide
249.3 mm tall
7.1 mm thick
169.0 mm wide
237.3 mm tall
6.0 mm thick
Weight483 g434 g
Available ColoursBlack, GreyBlack, Grey

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Price + Availability

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is available in two colour options – Black and Grey. They are both available starting 21 September 2018. with these recommended retail prices :

 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (SM-T835) Tablet Up Close!

Last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 was a 9.7-inch phablet, but with the Galaxy Tab S4, Samsung decided to go bigger with a 10.5-inch display. Yet, it’s barely larger than the Tab S3. In fact, it is slightly narrower.

How is that possible? They reduced the bezel size, and removed the physical and capacitive buttons. This allowed Samsung to expand the display size by 8% while only increasing the form factor by 2%.

Of course, without the physical home button, the Galaxy Tab S3 lost its fingerprint sensor. A rear-mounted fingerprint sensor would be awkward in such a large tablet. So they replaced it with an iris scanner

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) also got a boost in performance with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC. It is not only faster, it is 35% smaller, and uses 25% less power.

Next Page > Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Key Features

 

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Better Performance + More Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) runs on the more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC.

It has four  Qualcomm Kryo 280 cores running at 2.35 GHz, and another four Kyro 280 cores running at 1.9 GHz. It also has a faster Qualcomm Adreno 540 GPU.

Like last year’s Galaxy Tab S3, it has 4 GB of RAM. This time, they are using the faster LPDDR4x memory. They also doubled its storage capacity64 GB of internal flash storage. This addresses one of the weaknesses of the Tab S3 – lack of storage.

 

New S Pen Stylus

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) comes with a redesigned S Pen with a glossy, rounded design. Samsung also removed the pocket clip, and replaced it with an odd metal fin to help you identify where the button is located.

Despite its new look, the new S Pen still has the same 0.7 mm nib and support for 4,096 pressure levels. It is also electromagnetically-powered by close proximity to the Galaxy Tab S4’s display. So it will never run out of power.

In case you are wondering, no, it does not come with the new remote control function that is the hallmark of the Samsung Galaxy Note9‘s Bluetooth S Pen.

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The Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) boasts a higher-resolution 8 MP Sony IMX320 sensor, up from the 5 MP shooter in the Galaxy Tab S3. It can take pictures with a resolution of 3264 x 2448 pixels, and record Full HD videos.

Samsung kept the rear camera resolution at 13 MP, which is really good enough. But they switched out the Sony IMX260 sensor for the Samsung S5K2L2 ISOCELL sensor, which is an improved version of the sensor used in the main camera of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphones.

Just like last year’s Galaxy Tab S3, this camera can record 4K videos at up to 30 frames per second, and supports electronic image stabilisation.

Next Page > More Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Features

 

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Improved Audio Capabilities

One of the key features of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is its quad speaker system tuned by AKG. That carries over in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App). But that’s not all.

This time, Samsung added support for Dolby Atmos. This allows the Galaxy Tab S4 to deliver a more realistic 3D audio soundscape using those four speakers. Incidentally, the Tab S3 is smart enough to detect when you rotate it and change the output accordingly.

 

SIM + microSD Tray

The SM-T835 is an LTE model, while a less common WiFi-only SM-T830 model is also available in some countries. The LTE model comes with a unique double-sided card tray – one side for a microSD card, and the other side for a nano SIM card.

It officially supports microSD cards of up to 400 GB in size, like the 400 GB SanDisk Ultra (Price Check), but could theoretically support higher capacity cards when they are launched.

 

Samsung DeX Built-In

This is a great new feature that was first introduced in the Samsung Galaxy Note9. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) has Samsung DeX built-in. You won’t need to purchase a DeX station or a DeX pad. You just need a simple USB-C to HDMI adaptor. You don’t even have to use a Samsung-branded adaptor (looking at you and your MFi bullshit, Apple!)

Just hook up a monitor to the Galaxy Tab S4 using the HDMI adaptor, and you can use a mouse and keyboard to enjoy a desktop working experience. While using Samsung DeX, you can also use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 (US | UK | MY Web | MY App) as a very touch pad, a digitiser or a touch keyboard.

All in all – this is a very useful feature if you are always on the go, and yet would like to enjoy a desktop working experience.

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Review – In A Class Of Its Own

We loved last year’s Samsung Galaxy Note7 and were sad to return it to Samsung before we could complete our review. We are glad to see it return as the Galaxy Note FE, but if you are one of those who were impressed by the Note7, you will be even more impressed with the new Samsung Galaxy Note8. It is literally in a class of its own.

In fact, we are so impressed with the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check), we gave it our Editor’s Choice Award. Find out why we think it deserves no less!

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is more than just a Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+ with an S Pen. While it shares many similarities, it introduces numerous improvements. Here is a table that compares the specifications of the Galaxy Note8 against the Galaxy S8+ and the Galaxy Note7 (now known as the Galaxy Note FE)

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Note8Samsung Galaxy S8+Samsung Galaxy Note7
Display6.3" Super AMOLED dual-edge display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (521 ppi)
6.2" Super AMOLED dual-edge display
- 1440 x 2960 pixels (529 ppi)
5.7" Super AMOLED dual-edge display
- 1440 x 2560 pixels (577 ppi)
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5 (front & back panels)Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front & back panels)Corning Gorilla Glass 5 (front & back panels)
Operating System (At Launch)Android 7.1.1 NougatAndroid 7.0 NougatAndroid 6.0.1 Marshmallow
System PlatformSamsung Exynos 8895 Octa
or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Samsung Exynos 8895 Octa
or
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Samsung Exynos 8890 Octa
Memory6 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM
Storage Options64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB internal flash storage
One microSD slot (shared with SIM 2) - supports up to 256 GB
64 GB internal flash storage
One microSD slot (shared with SIM 2) - supports up to 256 GB
64 GB / 128 GB internal flash storage
One microSD slot (shared with SIM 2) - supports up to 200 GB
Front Camera8 MP sensor with f/1.7 lens8 MP sensor with f/1.7 lens5 MP sensor with f/1.7 lens
Rear CameraDual Lens Camera with Dual OIS

Wide-Angle Camera
12 MP (1.4 µm) sensor with f/1.7 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash

Telephoto Camera (2X optical zoom)
12 MP (1.0 µm) sensor with f/2.4 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash
12 MP Sony / Samsung (1.4 µm) sensor with f/1.7 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash12 MP Sony / Samsung (1.4 µm) sensor with f/1.7 lens, optical image stabilisation (OIS) and LED flash
Dual SIM capabilityHybrid dual SIM (dual standby capability)
- SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Hybrid dual SIM (dual active capability)
- SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
Hybrid dual SIM (dual active capability)
- SIM 2 + microSD shared slot
ConnectivityNetwork : LTE Cat. 16 (1 Gbps / 150 Mbps)
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), MIMO (2 x 2)
Bluetooth : Version 5.0 LE, ANT+
Others : USB 3.1, NFC, GPS
Network : LTE Cat. 16 (1 Gbps / 150 Mbps)
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), MIMO (2 x 2)
Bluetooth : Version 5.0 LE, ANT+
Others : USB 3.1, NFC, GPS
Network : LTE Cat. 16 (1 Gbps / 150 Mbps)
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz), MIMO (2 x 2)
Bluetooth : Version 5.0 LE, ANT+
Others : USB 3.1, NFC, GPS
Fingerprint SensorYes, Rear MountedYes, Rear MountedYes, Home Button
Iris ScannerYesYesYes
Other SensorsAccelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Barometer, Hall, HRMAccelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Barometer, Hall, HRMAccelerometer, Proximity, RGB Light, Geo-magnetic, Gyro, Barometer, Hall, HRM
BixbyYesYesNo
S PenYesNoYes
Water & Dust ResistanceIP68IP68IP68
Battery3,300 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capability (wired & wireless)
- wireless charging (WPC and PMA)
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capability (wired & wireless)
- wireless charging (WPC and PMA)
3,500 mAh lithium-ion battery (non-removable)
- fast charging capability (wired & wireless)
- wireless charging (WPC and PMA)
Dimensions162.5 mm tall
74.8 mm wide
8.6 mm thick
159.5 mm tall
73.4 mm wide
8.1 mm thick
153.5 mm tall
73.9 mm wide
7.9 mm thick
Weight195 g173 g169 g
Colour OptionsMidnight Black, Deepsea Blue, Orchid Gray, Maple GoldMidnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple GoldBlue Coral, Silver Titanium, Gold Platinum, Black Onyx

 

Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy Note8

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) comes in the premium black Samsung box. Let’s unbox it, and see what’s inside!

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When you unpack everything, you should find the following items :

  • One Samsung Galaxy Note8 phablet with S Pen
  • One Samsung Galaxy Note8 TPU bumper case
  • One set of Samsung Galaxy Note8 documents
  • One 15 W Samsung Quick Adaptive Charger
  • One USB Type C cable, with USB Type A and micro USB converters
  • One pair of AKG earphones with replacement ear buds
  • One set of spare S Pen nibs, and nib extractor tool
  • One SIM tray extractor pin

Next Page > The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Up Close, Cameras, Hybrid SIM & Fingerprint Sensor

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Up Close

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) has a large 6.3″ Super AMOLED display with a WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. But thanks to its Infinity Display design, the Galaxy Note8 is just 2.2 mm wider than the Galaxy S7 edge, which only has a 5.5″ display! This means it will better fit smaller hands, while offering a much larger display.

Just as we saw with the Galaxy S8 (Price Check), the new Infinity Display covers almost the entire frontal aspect of the Galaxy Note8. Samsung achieved this by removing the physical Home button and making it part of the display. It is pressure-sensitive, and works like a physical button.

The same metal-glass design philosophy from the Galaxy Note7 was retained, with the glass protection upgraded to Gorilla Glass 5. The Samsung Galaxy Note8 continues to boast the same IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating of its predecessor, as well as its iris scanner.

The Infinity Display required the fingerprint sensor to be moved to the back, as it was in the Galaxy S8 (Price Check). There is also a dedicated Bixby button, as well as a new dual-lens camera.

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Cameras

Like the Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) has a new 8 MP front camera with f/1.7 lens. It is capable of recording 4K videos at 30 fps, and has great low-light capability.  its low-light capability will come in handy, as the front camera does not have flash support, not even screen flash.

But what’s unprecedented is the new dual-lens main camera that beats everything else in the market today. It boasts a regular wide-angle 12 MP camera with a very fast f/1.7 lens, as well as a telephoto 12 MP camera with f/2.4 lens. However, unlike other dual-lens cameras, it works like two separate cameras that captures images simultaneously!

This allows it to create pictures with amazing adjustable bokeh through its Live Focus feature, while giving you the Dual Capture option to capture photos from both cameras simultaneously! Learn more about these two features in our article – The Samsung Live Focus & Dual Capture Explained & Tested.

This is also the world’s first dual-lens camera to boast optical image stabilisation (OIS) for both lenses! This is especially important for the telephoto camera, as it is paired with a “slower” f/2.4 lens. What this ultimately means is better photos and videos with either camera, even in low-light conditions.

If that’s not enough, the Galaxy Note8’s dual-lens camera is also the first in the world to allow you to switch between the two lenses on-the-fly while recording videos! This is an incredibly useful feature. Once you tried it on the Galaxy Note8, you will wonder why on Earth can’t other dual-lens cameras can’t do the same thing!

We will share with you photo and video samples later in the review. You will be able to see for yourself, the quality of the images captured by the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check). Be sure to also check out how useful it is to switch between the two lenses on-the-fly in our video samples. This is, no doubt, the best dual-lens camera system in the world today.

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Hybrid SIM & Fingerprint Sensor

This is the South East Asian model (SM-N950FD), which supports Dual SIM, dual standby capability, and comes with a hybrid SIM tray. This gives you some flexibility – you can choose to use either a second SIM card, or a microSD card, but not both at the same time. The microSD slot supports microSD cards of up to 256 GB in size.

With the removal of the physical Home button, Samsung moved the fingerprint sensor to the back of the Galaxy Note8. This is not unique as many smartphones have a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor (e.g. Huawei Mate 9, Honor 5C). However, the Galaxy Note8 fingerprint sensor is awkwardly placed next to the camera sensor, instead of the more natural position below the camera sensor.

The higher position makes it harder for the user to reach, because the Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is a tall device. Being offset makes it harder for left-handed users to use, and makes it easy for all users to smear the main camera lenses with their oily fingerprints.

Obviously, we do not like this fingerprint sensor at all. It is harder to use, as our Galaxy Note8 set-up video will show, although its usability improves with practice. But the good news is – the Samsung Galaxy Note8 also supports alternative login methods like iris scanning and face recognition, that work better.

Next Page > Iris Scanner, Facial Recognition, IP68, S Pen Stylus

 

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Iris Scanner & Facial Recognition

These are not new abilities for a Samsung Galaxy Note device. They were first introduced in the Galaxy Note7, The iris scanner was easy to set up and use, and so, it quickly became our favourite way to log into the Galaxy Note8.

The iris scanner works best if you are not using glasses or contact lenses though, and it may not work in bright sunlight. Its accuracy may also be affected by dirt and fingerprint smudges on the iris camera and LED sensor. Finally, the iris scanner takes longer to log in than the fingerprint sensor, but the coolness factor is undeniable.

The facial recognition feature is easier and faster to use because it does not require you to align your eyes with the sensor focus circles. However, it is less secure than the iris scanner or fingerprint scanner.

 

IP68 Dust & Water Resistance

Like the Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is IP68-rated for dust- and water-resistance. Best of all, you don’t even have to prepare it in any way before you dunk it into water! For more information how how Samsung achieved this feat, take a look at The Samsung Galaxy S7 IP68 Engineering Explained.

Officially, the Galaxy Note8 can withstand complete immersion in water up to 1.5 m in depth, for up to 30 minutes. That means you can take it for jogs in the rain, reading in the shower or soaking in bath. Heck, you can even take it for a swim!

There are some caveats though. The IP68 rating applies to a specific set of test conditions : 15-35 °C, 86-106 kPa, 1.5 metre, 30 minutes. Even so, water may enter and damage the Galaxy Note8 if it is exposed to “water moving with force“, like running water from a tap or waterfall, or ocean waves.

In other words, this is not a waterproof phone like the Oukitel K10000 Pro or the Kenxinda ruggerdised smartphones. It is IP68 water-resistant, so you need to be gentle with it. You can read more about this in our article – The Samsung Galaxy S7 IP68 Engineering Explained.

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S Pen Stylus

This is the defining feature of the Samsung Galaxy Note8 – the S Pen stylus. This is the same S Pen used by the Galaxy Note7, with a 0.7 mm tip and 4,096 pressure levels. The S Pen is electromagnetically-powered by close proximity to the Galaxy Note8, so there is no need to worry about batteries – which is just awesome.

A set of spare nibs and a tweezer are included, so you can also swap the default black nib for a white nib, depending on your preference for more friction (black) or a smoother writing experience (white).

Next Page > The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Setup Process, Ergonomics, Memory & Storage

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Setup Process

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and is very easy to set-up. If you are setting it up as a new device, it should take you only 5-7 minutes to finish the setup process.

 

The Ergonomics

Looking at the specifications, you would expect the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) to be a large phablet. After all, it has a large 6.3″ display. Yet, it is about the same size than its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy Note7 with a 5.7″ display!

Despite its larger display, it is only 0.9 mm wider, so it fits most hands comfortably. But this is still a two-handed device, because of its height. If you prefer to use only one hand, you can turn on the One-handed mode option.

The Super AMOLED display is beautiful as always. However, the WQHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2960 results in a non-standard 18.5:9 display ratio. Watching movies will result in some pillarboxing – a black bar on each side of the movie.

The Gorilla Glass 5 back looks fabulous… at first. It is easily smudged by oily fingerprints, because it lacks the oleophobic coating of the front Gorilla Glass 5 cover protecting the display. The smudges are particularly obvious on the Midnight Black version. Perhaps that’s why Samsung threw in a clear TPU bumper case – it protects the Galaxy Note8 while keeping the shiny back smear-free.

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Available Memory & Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) comes with 6 GB of LPDDR4 memory, of which 2.8 GB (37.5%) is available for use. There is obviously quite a fair bit of bloat. That said, 2.8 GB of memory is more than what many smartphones ship with, and is more than enough to run many applications simultaneously.

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check comes with 64 GB of internal flash storage, with 51.1 GB of free space for you to use. That is enough space to store about 11,500 photos, or 6.25 hours of 1080p videos, or 2.5 hours of 4K videos. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).

Next Page > The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Camera Performance – Photos & Videos

 

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Camera Performance – Photos

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) uses the same excellent 12 MP sensors as the Galaxy S8 (Price Check) for both the wide-angle and telephoto cameras –  either the Sony IMX260 sensor, or Samsung’s own ISOCELL S5KL1 sensor. They are both identical in specifications and performance – with Dual Pixel autofocus technology and 1.4 μm pixels.

The maximum 12 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio. Each picture has a resolution of 4032 x 3024, and a file size of between 3.8 MB and 4.8 MB. Here are 6 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.

It’s no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) performed exactly as the Samsung Galaxy S8 (Price Check), in this respect. It still remains one of the best, if not the best, smartphone camera out there today.

What’s unique though is the Galaxy Note8 Live Focus feature, which allows you to create really awesome bokeh for the background. No doubt, the bokeh is artificially created, but the simultaneous use of both cameras allow for precise delineation of the subject and the background. Live Focus also allows you to adjust the amount of bokeh for the background.

You can read all about Samsung Live Focus and the accompanying Dual Capture feature in this separate article – The Samsung Live Focus & Dual Capture Explained & Tested.

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Camera Performance – Video Recording

Like the Samsung Galaxy S8, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is capable of recording 4K videos from both front and back cameras. However, this time, Samsung has limited the 4K recording time to just 10 minutes. This was likely done to ensure that the sensor does not overheat the battery that lies next to it.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge has no such limitations, and is thus, a better smartphone for 4K video recording. However, the Galaxy S7 edge is somewhat limited by the 4 GB file size limit. When you record a long 4K video, it will be broken up into separate files that are about 11.5 minutes in length, with a short recording gap in between. So its advantage is limited.

Samsung appears to be using a more efficient codec for the videos, allowing 1080p videos to be recorded to about 40 minutes before hitting the 4 GB file size limit. This is about 25% longer than the Galaxy S7 edge, which only managed about 31-32 minutes.

Below are four video samples, all taken without the use of gimbals.

Test #1 : Piano (1080p)

As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) did an excellent job capturing this live performance. The audio quality was very good, albeit lacking the wider dynamic range of the HTC 10 (when HiRes Audio is enabled). The noise reduction is decent, although the background noise is still audible.

We LOVE the ability to instantly switch between the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera while recording. You can also see how well the OIS worked for both cameras. In other smartphones, videos recorded with the unstabilised telephoto lens will often induce nausea…

Test #2: Piano (4K)

Note the incredible amount of detail capture by the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check). We are very impressed with its ability to capture such detail even in the bright background, which is often overblown in other smartphones. Note that you can still switch instantly between the wide-angle camera and the telephoto camera while recording in 4K.

Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)

In this test of the Samsung Galaxy Note8’s image stabilisation capability, you will note that it does a rather decent job of smoothing out the jerkiness during our walk. It is not the best we have seen, but it’s still pretty good.

Test #4 : Street Market (4K)

The image stabilisation for the 4K video was also good. In addition to OIS (optical image stabilisation), it appears to perform some EIS (electronic image stabilisation) as well.

Next Page > The Samsung Galaxy Note8 Work Performance, Battery Life & Recharging Speed

 

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Work Performance – PCMark

We tested the Samsung Galaxy Note8’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.

Work 2.0 Samsung Galaxy Note8 Samsung Galaxy S8+ Samsung Galaxy S8 Huawei Mate 9
Performance Score
5617 5285 5303 6316
Web Browsing 5433 5041 5155 5624
Video Editing 4872 5219 4998 5370
Writing 5696 5122 5158 6326
Photo Editing 8563 7003 7082 9864
Data Manipulation 4329 4369 4458 5333

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is powered by the Samsung Exynos 8895 SoC, which is really fast, albeit not as fast as the Kirin 960 SoC used in the Huawei Mate 9 (Price Check).

 

Battery Life – PCMark

We then tested the Galaxy S8’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.

Work 2.0 Samsung Galaxy Note8 Samsung Galaxy S8+ Samsung Galaxy S8 Huawei Mate 9
Battery Life 8 hours 50 mins 9 hours 34 mins 10 hours 32 mins 11 hours 27 mins

Of the four smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) has the smallest battery at 3,300 mAh. The Huawei Mate 9 (Price Check), in comparison, has a 4,000 mAh battery. Even so, it managed to deliver almost 9 hours of non-stop operation.

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Battery Recharging Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 comes with an adaptive fast charger with a power output of 15 W. Take a look at how fast it recharged the 3,300 mAh battery.

It took the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) just under 83 minutes (1 hour 23 minutes) to recharge its battery from 20% to 100%. That is a battery life : recharging ratio of 6.4 : 1 – a very good performance.

The fastest recharging happened up to the 85% level. This took just 53 minutes. Then the recharging speed slowed down, and it took a further 30 minutes to top up the remaining 15%.

Next Page > Overall Performance, Our Verdict & Award

 

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Overall Performance

AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.

AnTuTu Samsung Galaxy Note8 Samsung Galaxy S8+ Samsung Galaxy S8 Huawei Mate 9
TOTAL SCORE 178168 170991 175422 123167
3D SCORE 74302 72039 74336 40114
– 3D (Marooned) 43996 42844 43953 23313
– 3D (Garden) 30306 29195 30383 16801
UX SCORE 54965 50518 52159 39975
– UX Data Secure 8100 7822 7996 7943
– UX Data Process 6079 5830 5866 6985
– UX Strategy Games 11072 10359 11165 11860
– UX Image Process 24646 21998 22716 5580
– UX I/O Performance 5068 4509 4416 7607
CPU SCORE 38240 38274 38513 31992
– CPU Mathematics 10970 10958 10996 9680
– CPU Common Use 11135 11001 10939 11139
– CPU Multi-Core 16135 16315 16578 11173
RAM 10661 10160 10414 11086

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) sure is fast in AnTuTu. Its Exynos 8895 proved to be much faster in 3D rendering than the Kirin 960 used by the Huawei Mate 9 (Price Check).

 

Our Verdict & Award

The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is truly in a class of its own. It is the only phablet in the world with an electromagnetic stylus, an Infinity Display and a dual-lens camera. Nothing else, not even the new Apple iPhone 8 Plus (Price Check), is in the same league. It builds upon the excellent, albeit unlucky, Galaxy Note7, with a plethora of major improvements.

First and foremost is the Infinity Display, which is almost bezel-less and covers almost all of the front aspect. To achieve this, Samsung integrated a pressure-sensitive Home button into the display itself, and moved the fingerprint sensor to the back.

The Infinity Display also allowed Samsung to increase the display size while reducing the width of the device. The Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) has a large 6.3″ display in a form factor that equivalent to a regular 5.5″ device. It makes for a better fit for smaller hands, and most pockets.

The new 18.5 : 9 aspect ratio is useful for viewing two different screens at the same time, but introduces pillarboxing when you watch movies. Samsung allows you to stretch the videos to fit the entire screen, but you will lose the upper and lower parts of the videos. So it’s a trade-off.

As their flagship phablet, it comes as no surprise that the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) is very fast, thanks to its top-of-the-line Exynos 8895 octa-core processor. It also has an incredible amount of memory and it comes with a reasonably large storage capacity of 64 GB. This should be more than enough for even power users, even if they enjoy recording 4K videos.

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The Samsung Galaxy Note8 extended the amazing camera used in the Samsung Galaxy S8 by doubling it to create a dual-lens camera system that is unparalleled. Both cameras are optically-stabilised and work simultaneously. This allows the Galaxy Note8 to support the new Live Focus and Dual Capture features. It also gave us the ability to instantly switch between the two lenses while recording video.

It bears pointing out that Samsung took extra care with the Galaxy Note8’s battery, employing greater scrutiny and safety protocols to ensure its safety. Even though it has a relatively small 3,300 mAh capacity, it lasted just under 9 hours of non-stop operation in our stress test. Best of all – you can completely recharge it in less than 1.5 hours!

The offset fingerprint sensor, though, was awkward to use. We highly recommend that Samsung move the fingerprint sensor to the more conventional position below the main camera in their next device. We far prefer the iris scanner, which is really easy (and cool!) to use.

Samsung really went the extra mile with the Galaxy Note8, making sure it is in a league of its own. There is no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy Note8 (Price Check) deserves our Editor’s Choice Award. Job well done, Samsung!

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (SM-T825) Tablet Review

Samsung has finally introduced a new tablet – the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3! Their last tablet, the Galaxy Tab S2 debuted in September 2015 and ran on Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Now, find out what’s new in the Galaxy Tab S3, and what it offers over its predecessor!

Updated @ 2017-09-06 : Updated various parts of the review with additional information and some corrections.

Originally posted @ 2017-07-03

 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Specification Comparison

Unlike the Galaxy Tab S2 (which comes in 8″ and 9.7″ models), the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) only comes in the 9.7″ form factor. Here, we compare the specifications of the new Galaxy Tab S3 (SM-T820) against the 9.7″ model of its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S2 (SM-T819).

SpecificationsSamsung Galaxy Tab S3Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 (9.7")
Display9.7" Super AMOLED display
- 1536 x 2048 pixels (~264 ppi)
9.7" Super AMOLED display
- 1536 x 2048 pixels (~264 ppi)
Operating SystemAndroid 7.0 NougatAndroid 5.0.2 Lollipop
System PlatformQualcomm Snapdragon 820Samsung Exynos 7 Octa (5433)
Processor2 x Qualcomm Kyro cores (2.15 GHz)
2 x Qualcomm Kyro cores (1.6 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A57 cores (1.9 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.3 GHz)
Graphics ProcessorQualcomm Adreno 530 GPUARM Mali-T760
Memory4 GB LPDDR4 SDRAM (933 MHz)3 GB LPDDR3 SDRAM (800 MHz)
Storage32 GB internal flash storage
microSD slot (up to 256 GB)
32 GB internal flash storage
microSD slot (up to 128 GB)
Front Camera5 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens2.1 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens
Rear Camera13 MP sensor with f/1.9 lens
- Up to 4K video recording
8 MP sensor with f/1.9 lens
- Up to 1440p video recording
Audio4 AKG-tuned speakersTwo speakers
Connectivity4G LTE (LTE-enabled model only)
WiFi : 802.11 a/b/g/b/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
USB : USB 3.1 Type C
4G LTE (LTE-enabled model only)
WiFi : 802.11 a/b/g/b/ac
Bluetooth 4.1
USB : USB 2.0
S PenIncluded
Pen tip : 0.7 mm
Pressure levels : 4,096
None
Battery6,000 mAh lithium ion (non-removable)5,870 mAh lithium ion (non-removable)
Dimensions169.0 mm wide
237.3 mm tall
6.0 mm thick
169.0 mm wide
237.3 mm tall
5.6 mm thick
WeightWiFi only : 429 g
LTE-enabled : 434 g
WiFi only : 389 g
LTE-enabled : 392 g
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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Book Cover

Our review sample came unboxed, with the optional Book Cover, so there’s no unboxing video. However, you will get to check out how it works with the Book Cover.

As you can see, the Book Cover works just like the Apple iPad Smart Cover. It locks magnetically to the Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada), protecting the front and back glass covers against damage. Flipping it open automatically turns on the Tab S3. It also serves as a stand with three viewing angles.

The Book Cover offers much needed protection for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada). In fact, anyone who gets the Galaxy Tab S3 should at least The only downside is that, like other similar covers, you need to let the flip cover hang loose to use the rear camera. It also does not come with a stylus holder. If a stylus holder is a must, then you need to consider the Keyboard Cover option.

Next Page > The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Up Close, Cameras & S Pen

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Up Close

Superficially, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) looks like its predecessor, the 9.7″ Galaxy Tab S2. If you are hoping for a “bezel-less” display like the Infinity Display of the Galaxy S8 smartphone, you’re out of luck. It doesn’t come with the iris scanner either, just the same fingerprint sensor embedded into the Home button.

Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) comes in two variants – a WiFi-only model (SM-T820), and an LTE-enabled model (SM-T825). Our review sample is the SM-T825 LTE-enabled model, so it comes with a tray for a nano SIM card as well as a microSD card. The microSD card support, incidentally, has been doubled to 256 GB.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 also retained the front fingerprint sensor embedded into the Home button, as well as the dedicated capacitive touch buttons.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3’s biggest improvements are “hidden” from sight. It boasts the quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC, which offers 18% better CPU performance and 3X better graphics performance. It also has a longer battery life of up to 12 hours, partly due to its slightly larger battery and a more power-efficient design.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) now boasts a quad-speaker setup, which works great in the horizontal mode, when used with the optional Book Cover or Keyboard Cover. The four speakers have also been tuned by AKG.

 

The Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) also offers upgraded cameras. The puny 2.1 MP front camera of its predecessor was replaced by a 5 MP Samsung S5K4E6 ISOCELL sensor with f/2.2 lens. This is the same sensor used in the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge and the more recent HTC 10. The upgraded camera allows you to also record 1080p videos, and support Full HD video chats.

The main camera at the back was upgraded with a 13 MP Sony IMX260 sensor, up from the 8 MP shooter. This is the same excellent sensor used in top-of-the-line smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. It can record videos at up to 4K resolution, but does not support optical or electronic image stabilisation. We will share with you photo and video samples from this camera later in this review.

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The S Pen Stylus

New to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S series is the S Pen stylus. This is a redesigned S Pen with a thinner nib (0.7 mm) and 4,096 pressure levels. The S Pen is electromagnetically-powered by close proximity to the Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada), so there is no need to worry about batteries – which is just awesome.

It is thin at just 9.4 mm, and has a rectangular profile for a better grip. The metal clip at the end locks on to the magnets along the left side of the Galaxy Tab S3.

Next Page > Initial Setup, Ergonomics, Available Memory & Storage

 

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Setting Up The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) runs on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat operating system, and is very easy to set-up. If you are setting it up as a new device, it should take you only about 5 minutes to finish the setup process.

 

The Ergonomics

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) is now clad in glass, which gives it a more premium look and feel. However, the glass covers are very susceptible to fingerprint smears, and add about 10% more weight. The Galaxy Tab S3 with the Book Cover weighs just under 500 g, which is a significant amount of heft.

The glass covers are a little slippery to handle too, especially if you have oily or wet fingers. So it is recommended that you use it with the Book Cover, or the Keyboard Cover, for better grip.

 

Available Memory & Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4 memory, of which just 1.7 GB (42.5%) is free to use. This is far less free memory than other 4 GB devices we reviewed recently :[adrotate group=”2″]

That said, 1.7 GB of free memory is still more than what 3 GB devices have, so you don’t need to worry about running out of memory. Even so, we hope Samsung will seriously reduce the amount of bloat with their upcoming Android Oreo update.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) comes with just 32 GB of internal flash storage, of which 22.8 GB (71%) is free to use. For a 2017 tablet at this price point, we feel that Samsung should have given it at least 64 GB of storage. Of course, you can always top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).

Next Page > Camera Performance – Photos & Videos

 

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Camera Performance – Photos

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) uses the Sony IMX260 sensor for its main camera, paired with an f/1.9 lens. However, it lacks any optical or electronic image stabilisation. The full 12.8 MP resolution (usually quoted as 13 MP) is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio. Each picture has a resolution of 4128 × 3096, with a file size between 2.8 MB and 4 MB.

Here are ten full resolution, unedited photo samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos which you can download to examine.

This is the same sensor used in the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, so there’s no surprise that the pictures are excellent. The f/1.9 lens also allowed for very good low-light performance.

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Camera Performance – Video Recording

Thanks to the Sony IMX260 sensor upgrade, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) can now record videos at up to 2160p (4K) at 30 fps. Officially, it does not support any form of optical or electronic image stabilisation. However, our tests show that it actually performs some electronic image stabilisation at 1080p or lower resolutions. Take a look…

Test #1 : Piano (1080p)

The image quality is excellent, with great control of the bright background. The recorded audio was also quite clear. Surprisingly, the amount of handshaking was minimal.

Test #2 : Piano (4K)

When we recorded this clip in the 4K resolution, we noticed that there was significantly more handshaking. From this, we can surmise that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 actually performs some electronic image stabilisation at lower resolutions.

Test #3 : Street Market (1080p)

Even though this test involved walking down a street market, the video was surprisingly smooth. That is quite unexpected for a camera that officially does not support any form of image stabilisation.

Test #4 : Street Market (4K)

The jerkiness of the 4K video is readily apparent. The image quality is excellent, but the complete lack of image stabilisation (for real this time!) is nausea-inducing!

Next Page > Work Performance, Battery Life & Recharging Speed

 

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Work Performance – PCMark

We tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Huawei Mate 9 ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra HTC 10
Work Performance Score
(Average)
6434 7593 6313 6105
Web Browsing 6294 8717 6257 5782
Video Playback 3903 4987 4287 3321
Writing 6584 7883 7166 7463
Photo Editing 10599 9702 8262 9694

Not surprisingly, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) performed well, matching top-0f-the-line smartphones like the ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra and HTC 10.

 

Battery Life – PCMark

We then tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.

Samsung claims that the Galaxy Tab S3 has a battery life of between 8 hours (Internet use time) to 12 hours (video play time). This battery test shows that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) will last about 8.5 hours of non-stop work – web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.

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Battery Recharging Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 comes with a 10 W fast charger and a USB Type C cable. Take a look at how fast it recharged the 6,000 mAh battery.

It took the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) about 114 minutes (1 hour 54 minutes) to recharge its battery from 17% to 100%. Overall, it has a battery life : recharging ratio of about 4.4 : 1, which is rather low. Samsung should have packaged it with an 18 W fast charger.

Next Page > Gaming & Overall Performance, Our Verdict & Lowest Prices

 

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Gaming Performance – 3DMark

We tested the Galaxy Tab S3’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Huawei Mate 9 ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra HTC 10
Gaming Score 17878 27853 17719 23171
Graphics 18515 36605 21124 27512
Physics 15958 15164 11328 14925
Graphics Test 1 88.8 fps 202.5 fps 115.2 fps 136.6 fps
Graphics Test 2 73.6 fps 131.1 fps 76.3 fps 106.4 fps
Physics Test 50.7 fps 48.1 fps 36.0 fps 47.4 fps

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) is not the fastest gaming tablet, but it has good gaming performance.

 

Overall Performance

AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Huawei Mate 9 ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra HTC 10
TOTAL SCORE 131430 123167 76096 113813
3D SCORE 57553 40114 18816 50700
– 3D (Marooned) 36690 23313 10861 34778
– 3D (Garden) 20863 16801 7952 15922
UX SCORE 43151 39975 26794 30890
– UX Data Secure 6524 7943 5077 6319
– UX Data Process 3534 6985 4198 3379
– UX Strategy Games 9054 11860 7503 5433
– UX Image Process 21022 5580 6879 9521
– UX I/O Performance 3017 7607 3137 6238
CPU SCORE 24024 31992 23689 21915
– CPU Mathematics 8532 9680 6950 8494
– CPU Common Use 6041 11139 6311 5931
– CPU Multi-Core 9451 11173 10428 7490
RAM 6702 11086 6797 10308

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) did well in AnTuTu, coming in top actually. It bested even top-of-the-line smartphones like the Huawei Mate 9 and HTC 10.

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Our Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) is a long-awaited upgrade to the Galaxy Tab S2. If you are hoping for revolutionary changes that have been the hallmark of the Samsung Galaxy S smartphones, you will be sorely disappointed. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S team retained the same familiar design.

So there is no Infinity Display or iris scanner, as some of us have hoped for. Instead, they clad the Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) in glass, and focused on internal improvements. It now boasts a faster processor, a much faster graphics processor, more and faster DDR4 memory, and a quad-speaker system tuned by AKG.

Also upgraded were the cameras. The puny 2.1 MP front camera was replaced with the 5 MP camera used in the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge and the more recent HTC 10. The main camera also saw an upgrade to the excellent Sony IMX260 sensor used in the Samsung Galaxy S8 and the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

Other less obvious upgrades include the display and battery. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) used the same excellent Super AMOLED display, but it is now capable of displaying HDR images and videos. The battery also saw a slight increase in capacity, allowing the Galaxy Tab S3 to achieve a rated battery life of 8 to 12 hours. Needless to say, the  battery has also undergone the new Samsung 8-point battery safety check.

Arguably the biggest upgrade the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 introduces is the improved S Pen. This is the first time a Samsung Galaxy Tab S tablet comes with the S Pen. The new S Pen is still powered electromagnetically, but now has a thinner nib and 4,096 pressure levels.

The only issues we have with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) are the memory bloat and its rather limited internal storage. At its launch price of RM 2,999 (US$ 599 in the US), we would have expected at least 64 GB of internal storage, or a Book Cover (RM 199 / ~US$ 47) thrown in.

If you find the Galaxy Tab S3 too pricey, you will be glad to note that the older Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is now on sale at almost half the price! Now that’s a really great deal!

 

Availability & Lowest Prices

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 (Amazon | Lazada) is now available in Black and Silver colour options. The Pogo Keyboard Cover comes in Gray colour and retails at RM499 / ~US$119.

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The Book Cover is available in Black, White and Green colours, and retails at RM199 / ~US$47. Check out the latest offers below :

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 LTE (Black) : Amazon | Lazada
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 LTE (Silver) : Amazon | Lazada
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Keyboard CoverAmazon
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Book Cover (Black)Amazon | Lazada
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Book Cover (White)Amazon | Lazada
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Book Cover (Green)Amazon | Lazada

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2016 Galaxy Tab A Now Comes With S Pen

Samsung Malaysia Electronics is proud to announce the availability of the 2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen in Malaysia! Boasting 10.1-inch immersive screen and paired with Samsung’s signature S Pen for the bestNote experience, the 2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen promises a world of enhanced productivity anytime,anywhere.

Excellent for work and entertainment on-the-go, the new 2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen comes with alonger lasting battery at a whopping 7,300mAh that powers the device through day and night! With thismassive battery capacity, power through over 13 hours of web surfing, YouTube videos and workpresentations seamlessly.

Store more of everything as the tablet has a built-in internal memory of 16GB and is equipped with a MicroSD slot to expand the storage for another 256 GB. With this huge storage size, users can save large presentation files, copious amount of notes and artworks, as well as thousands of photos; and still enjoy more of their favourite music, movies and games on-the-go.

 

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2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen Pricing & Availability

The 2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen is now available in Malaysia at Samsung Experience Stores nationwide. Offered in Black and White, the tablet retails at an attractive recommended retail price of RM1,599 inclusive of 6% GST / ~US$ 399.

For a limited time only, Samsung is offering entertainment contents and services for every 2016 Galaxy Tab A with S Pen purchased. Users can redeem a three-month full access to iflix or listen to more than 20 genres of music via the Samsung Milk Music – both apps are available for download via the mySamsungapp.

 

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The Samsung Galaxy Note7 Knox Security Features Explained

On August 25, 2016, Samsung Malaysia hosted an exclusive Samsung Galaxy Note7 Enterprise Business Showcase at the Marriott Putrajaya. At this event, Samsung focused on the enterprise and business aspects of the Samsung Galaxy Note7, focusing on the new Samsung Knox 2.7 security features.  

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Knox Security Explained

Mr. Young Kim, Vice President of Samsung’s Global B2B Service Group, flew in to give a detailed explanation of the new Galaxy Note7 Knox security features. Check it out :

 

Five New Security Solutions

Thanks to its Samsung Knox security features, iris scanning capability, S-Pen and IP68 water-resistance, the Samsung Galaxy Note7 is designed to address the business and security needs of enterprise users in the field. They help enable the five new security solutions introduced by Samsung at the same event. [adrotate banner=”4″] The new Samsung Cloud Document Solution will benefit corporate professionals and government officials by providing them secured access to classified documents stored in the cloud. Knox Customization allows for software customization on the Galaxy Note7 where corporate IT administrators can add corporate boot image and wallpaper, preload certain applications, and pre-set the device settings. For officers on the field, Incident Report Solution allows them to report incidents and document cases to the system and track progress. Konnected Patrol, on the other hand, authenticates the security officers actual check-in to the sites assigned by the headquarters and identifies the right personnel at the premises. Finally, Secure Document Delivery works specifically to ensure that important parcels are delivered and signed by authorised personnel. These include military delivery of goods and food, weapons real-time monitoring, and security firms’ delivery of cash.  

Samsung Galaxy Note7 Key Features Revealed

For those who have not read up on the cool features introduced in the Samsung Galaxy Note7, don’t worry. In this video, Mr. Julian Thean, Senior Product Manager, Samsung Malaysia, goes through the new features in the Samsung Galaxy Note7.

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Samsung Galaxy Note7 S Pen Introduced

9 August 2016 – The Galaxy Note7 S Pen, the signature of the Galaxy Note series—provides an experience that extends beyond traditional writing and navigational capabilities.

With a smaller pen tip and increased pressure sensitivity, the S Pen of the Galaxy Note7 replicates the ease and accuracy of a real pen more so than any previous model. Furthermore, it is the first to be water resistant.

Its new Screen off memo on Always On Display feature provides users with a way to better remember important events and tasks, while the new, integrated Samsung Notes app lets them manage all their S Pen creations from one convenient location. New Air Command functions like Translate and Magnify expand the device’s usability. And, with more pen styles and brush types, the new S Pen lets users unleash their creativity to better express themselves.

Check out more of the improvements of the latest S Pen and how they bring the Galaxy Note7 to life, providing unsurpassed convenience so users can do even more, faster than before.

 

Note7 S Pen Key Features

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