Tablet computer Samsung Galaxy 4 review. Samsung has made an interesting tablet: first look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. Convenient keyboard case and S-Pen

is a compact but powerful model with a 7-inch screen. It is convenient to carry with you every day, so the owner will always have a wide range of multimedia entertainment and an effective work tool at hand.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 is powered by a quad-core processor Marvell PXA1088 with a frequency of 1.2 GHz, which ensures instant loading of applications and content, quick access to videos, applications, games, and stable multitasking. This mobile device is equipped with 8 GB of internal memory, which can be expanded if necessary using compact microSD memory cards (up to 32 GB). This will be quite enough to store a photo album, music collection, applications, videos and other content.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7.0 tablet equipped with two cameras: main and front, which allow you to take photos, shoot videos and communicate via video chat. This model has a modern operating system for mobile devices. Android 4.4 KitKat. Thousands of games and applications are available in the Google Play online store.

All the glory of multimedia

The large 7" screen with WXGA (1280 x 800) resolution delivers bright, clear images. Support for true multitasking - up to 2 windows on one screen - makes it possible to simultaneously watch videos, check email, make purchases in online stores and chat with friends, without wasting extra time switching between applications. The 1.2GHz quad-core processor ensures smooth operation of all applications.

Slim and compact

The thin and light Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 7.0" tablet fits exceptionally comfortably in your hand. The black leather-textured back cover gives the tablet the appearance of a luxurious accessory, and thanks to its amazing compactness and smooth contours with rounded corners, it is extremely comfortable to hold in your hand - for as long as you like you want.

Share with friends

Group Play lets you share your favorite media content with friends and family. Moreover, by combining several tablets, you can assemble them into one large screen, and also listen to music, look at photos and play games together.

No more barriers between devices

With Samsung Link, you can easily share content between all your devices. To do this, simply log into your Samsung account - and all music, movies, photos and documents from other devices will be available on your Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 7.0 tablet.

Work where you want

View any Word, Excel and Power Point documents on the go using the Hancom Viewer application on the screen of your Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 7.0 tablet." If you want to edit a document, simply download the Hancom editor from the Samsung Apps online store.

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Shortly before the announcement of the long-awaited Galaxy Note 9 smartphone, Samsung introduced another tablet. Sales of the Galaxy Tab S4 began on August 10. This device also comes with an S Pen stylus. We can say that this is the best Android tablet of this year. It replaces last year's.

Instead of a 4:3 screen aspect ratio, it goes to a wider 16:10. The bezels around the screen are thin, the Home button is now missing, but there are four speakers with AKG support. It uses last year's Snapdragon 835 processor. Is such a device worth the asking price of RUB 53,000? Let's find out.

Specifications

• Dimensions and weight: 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm, 483 g
• Materials: glass
• Biometrics: fingerprint scanner, iris scan
• Colors: black, gray
• Stylus
• OS: Android 8.1, Samsung Experience
• Screen: 10.5 inches Super AMOLED, 1600 x 2560, 288 ppi, 78.07%
• Cameras: rear 13 MP f/1.9, LED flash, sensor size 1/3.06 inches, pixel size 1.12 microns; autofocus, video 4K 30 fps. Front 8 MP
• Processor: Snapdragon 820 8-core 64 bit, Kryo 2150 MHz, 14 nm, Adreno 530
• Memory: 4 GB, storage 64 GB, microSD up to 400 GB
• Battery: 7300 mAh

Contents of delivery

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 tablet
• S Pen stylus
• Fast charge adapter
• USB-C cable
• User guide

Design

As already mentioned, the tablet has a wider screen. Now it has become longer, but due to this it looks more compact. The back surface is glass, the frame is made of aluminum. This makes the device feel similar to the premium smartphones of today. Of course, the tablet weighs much more, 483 g.

The glass back is partly to blame for this weight. This tablet won't be easy to carry around without a case. When it heats up, it begins to burn your hands quite noticeably. Additionally, if you hold the device incorrectly, you may accidentally touch icons and switches near the edges of the screen.

Otherwise, the tablet feels like a solid device. The power and volume buttons are solid and click clearly when pressed. The internal vibration engine provides a distinct tactile feedback when you press the navigation buttons. You can turn this off in the settings if you don't like this interaction. There is a small camera protrusion on the back of the case.

Screen

It is not surprising that it uses a Super AMOLED panel made by Samsung, 10.5 inches diagonal. Samsung has been known for the quality of its OLED panels for many years, so it installs them even in budget mobile devices, not to mention such an expensive one.

The pixel density is 288 ppi, making individual pixels difficult to see. There are four different screen display modes. You can choose the most powerful AMOLED with bright colors or a more subdued basic mode.

AMOLED screens are known for slight color distortion at angles. On Samsung smartphones this is difficult to notice due to the small screen size. On the tablet there is a color shift at the edges. Not enough to spoil the impression, but still there is distortion.

Processor and memory

As usual, Samsung's new tablet runs on last year's mobile processor. In this case, it's the Snapdragon 835. Enthusiasts aren't usually too happy with an offering like this, but the Snapdragon 835 is far from obsolete status. There will be no problems with the speed of work.

Even heavy games like Rules of Survival run quickly and smoothly, just like on modern smartphones. There are no problems in office applications either. Even when multitasking, the tablet does not experience any difficulties.

4 GB of memory is also far from a record value. Modern, even not the most expensive smartphones often have 6 GB and even 8 GB. However, by modern standards this is quite an adequate volume. In terms of storage, there are 64GB and 256GB versions. In both cases, memory cards are supported.

Interface and functionality

As you might expect, the Samsung Experience bootloader is installed on top of Android 8.1. Depending on your preferences, this could be good or bad. Here you can find useful features such as a secure folder to hide files and images behind a password or fingerprint. There is also a set of Device Maintenance with reports on security, autonomy and tips for deleting files that take up too much space. Game Launcher configures hardware components, silences notifications during the game, and allows you to record gameplay.

The Samsung Gallery app lets you view photos and create short videos, animated GIFs, and slideshows of your favorite images. The calendar displays the necessary information no worse than Google Calendar.

We can say that the Samsung Experience shell has matured and is well suited for work-oriented users.

As mentioned above, there is no Home button. All navigation is done through a virtual panel. There are the usual back, home and recent apps buttons. What about biometric locking?

There is an iris scan, and the Intelligent Scan function is also supported. It mixes eye scanning with facial recognition.

If you hold the tablet in portrait orientation, unlocking is quick and discreet. If you turn it to landscape orientation, problems may begin. In about half of the cases, scanning is completed without problems. Sometimes you need to turn your head to the left and find a position so that the camera can see your eyes and face. In any case, unlocking is fast, although not as convenient as with a front fingerprint scanner.

Stylus

It's nice to see the Samsung S Pen stylus included with the tablet. It's a pity that there is no way to attach it to the tablet. If you don't have an additional accessory like a case, you'll have to be careful not to lose the stylus.

Powered by Wacom technology, the stylus has support for preventing accidental touchpad operation and supports Bluetooth connectivity. This standard requires a large battery to operate. However, even when it is discharged, you can write and draw. There are 4096 degrees of pressure. Just like on Galaxy Note smartphones, the stylus can create GIF animations, write on the screen when the screen is off, and translate text from language to language. The Penup app is useful for those who want to learn how to draw. There is a built-in guide for creating different images that is updated regularly. There is also an active community of artists who share their drawings.

You can use the stylus for a variety of tasks. If you press and hold the button while dragging the stylus across text, you can mark it up, copy and paste it. Inside apps like Samsung Calendar, you can highlight different items. Hovering the stylus over the screen gives you a pointer that lets you interact with sites like you would with a mouse.

Samsung DeX without dock

Introduced with the Galaxy S8 and is an interesting concept. You can take your smartphone with you and turn it into a computer. To do this, you had to carry not only a smartphone, but also a docking station. A monitor, mouse and keyboard would also be nice.

Now you can do without a docking station. You need to open the notification panel and tap on the DeX mode switch to get the desktop. You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, or use a Samsung keyboard case, sold separately.

Also, nothing prevents you from connecting a monitor. In this case, the tablet is used as an auxiliary screen.

This is a good option if you went somewhere without a laptop, stayed in a hotel or were visiting, where you have a monitor and keyboard. Once you connect them, you can go about your computer business.

Accessories

Samsung is also selling a special Book Cover Keyboard for the Galaxy Tab S4. This is a very good accessory to improve productivity. The keyboard is connected not via Bluetooth, but through a proprietary 4-pin connector on the left half of the device.

The keys have good travel and click clearly, despite their small thickness. As a result, typing is quite convenient. Since the keyboard is small, like the tablet itself, it will take some getting used to. If you type for a long time, you can get tired. Despite this, such a keyboard will help you type on the road, if necessary.

The keyboard includes a stylus holder, which makes it even more valuable. This reduces the chance of losing your stylus.

Another accessory is the Charging Dock Pogo, which is also sold separately. It is designed to hold the tablet in landscape orientation and charges it via a 4-pin connector. When the tablet is installed here, it can display a slideshow of your favorite images or a select number of photos as wallpaper.

It is unlikely that such a docking station is necessary. It should make it easy to hold the tablet in your hand, but not easy to connect it correctly. If you want to watch movies when the tablet is in landscape mode, it can come in handy.

Cameras

There is no optical image stabilization on the rear camera, so the quality is ok at best. Detail is quite good, although images can appear blurry or grainy.

Color reproduction is quite close to reality, but the dynamic range is quite poor. Even if you switch to HDR mode, which is in a separate menu and is not activated automatically, the camera still overexposes bright areas and darkens dark areas too much. This camera can come in handy when you urgently need to shoot something and have nothing else at hand. Obviously, the tablet will not be used as the main camera; this is inconvenient and simply strange.

The front camera captures facial features quite well. It also overexposes bright areas, but does not darken dark areas as much. It is quite suitable for video calls. There's a portrait mode that attempts to blur the background behind the foreground subject. The separation is not very good, especially if the background is complex.

Multimedia

All work, no play - that would be too boring. The Galaxy Tab S4 isn't that boring. The wide 10.5-inch screen allows you to watch interesting videos. This is also facilitated by four speakers, which provide an immersive listening experience.

On the back of the case there is the inscription Tuned by AKG, but the quality of the speakers is slightly disappointing. The sound is quite full and separates well. However, there is not enough lower sound range, which deprives the sound of full saturation. The volume is also not good. Activating Dolby Atmos gives a slight increase in volume; this will be enough to watch video in the room.

Don't think that the sound is completely bad. It's better than most other tablets. True, the main competitor in the form of the iPad Pro is still ahead. There are clearer bass, higher frequencies, and cleaner mids.

You can play great games on the Galaxy Tab S4, especially if you connect an external controller. Stereo speakers enhance the gaming experience, and the clear display also makes for an enjoyable gaming experience.

Autonomy

The battery capacity is 7300 mAh. This gives the Galaxy Tab S4 the ability to work for a very long time. He was tested throughout the day in the office. I used desktop multitasking mode, read articles, edited images, texted and played music. After six and a half hours, the charge level dropped to less than 10%.

This allows you to save your work before putting the tablet to charge. We can say that the tablet is enough for an entire day of work. If you use it primarily as a multimedia device, it may last a couple of days, depending on the load.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a good example of a new breed of productivity tablet. Samsung is not trying to enter the tablet-PC hybrid sector by relying on a touch interface. There is a stylus that will be useful for artists and designers, or just those who want to take handwritten notes. It has other uses for work and entertainment.

Samsung's DeX mode and optional keyboard case also bring the tablet closer to computers. You are given a familiar desktop, with all applications distributed on it as on Android.

Is such a device worth 53,000 rubles? This is a fairly high price, especially considering the not-so-advanced components inside. First of all, we are talking about last year’s processor. If you want a tablet that's both a workstation and an Android entertainment device, few models can compare to the Galaxy Tab S4.

Alternatives include Microsoft Surface Go, which is unlikely to appear in Russia. In the West it costs $400, the case and keyboard are sold separately for $100 each. The device runs on Windows S and can be upgraded to Windows 10, but cannot be changed back.

There is also an iPad Pro for the same price as the Samsung tablet. The stylus is sold separately for $100, the keyboard for $160.

We can say that Samsung has thought out its pricing strategy well and its tablet falls between the two mentioned above. We can say that it will be a worthy purchase for those who really need it.

pros

• Premium look and feel
• Desktop without DeX accessory
• Beautiful and smooth software
• One of the best styluses
• Four speakers with good stereo separation

Minuses

1. The sound from the speakers is normal at best.
2. Heavy body and glass back
3. Last year's processor
4. The iris scanner on a tablet may look strange
5. Camera quality

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Review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 tablet | Appearance

Galaxy Tab S4 is a typical candy bar with a screen that occupies almost the entire front surface. The thickness of all frames around the screen is 1 cm.

The screen has an oleophobic coating, which generally does its job well. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the back of the tablet - it is glossy and fingerprints instantly cover the entire surface. It doesn't look very good (we won't take a photo).

At one of the ends Tab S4 There is a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headset output. Also on this and the opposite end you can see the stereo speaker grilles.

The hardware power/lock and volume control buttons are located on the side. There is also a hybrid slot for nano-SIM and MicroSD.

Note that you can place both cards at once, on opposite sides of the slide (which, however, is not very convenient at the time of installation). However, only one SIM card is supported. What is important, like many Android tablets, the SIM card support is full, that is, you can make calls, send SMS and generally use the device as a phone (for example, if you have a Bluetooth headset, although without it too).

On the opposite side there is a connector for the docking station. Galaxy Tab S4 The manufacturer is positioning it as a business tablet - with the help of a keyboard case (sold separately), it can be turned into a laptop, and with an HDMI output (sold separately) - into some kind of analogue of a desktop PC on Android. At the same time, the screen can be used as a regular graphics tablet.

Also Tab S4 Works with the S-Pen stylus, which (very nicely) comes included.

Review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 tablet | Screen

The tablet's 10.5-inch screen has a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels, giving an aspect ratio of 16:10. Viewing 16:9 content in full screen results in black bars appearing along the long side (in the case of a movie, at the top and bottom). We don’t consider this a drawback - indeed, while smartphones quite naturally “stretch out” to 19:9 or more, on tablets even the “classic” 16:9 looks a little narrow.

In general, the screen is very bright, the colors are saturated, but the Super AMOLED matrix also has its own “trademark” disadvantages - for example, color changes (the screen literally turns into a “rainbow”) at large viewing angles, as well as barely noticeable color halos in some fonts.

Review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 tablet | Software

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 runs on the Android 8.1.0 mobile operating system with Samsung Experience 9.5 firmware. The latest firmware updates are dated August 31, 2018, Android security protocols are dated June 1, 2018. Today, this is no longer the latest version of the operating system, although it is still quite relevant.

The manufacturer did not overload the tablet with various pre-installed programs - there are only a couple of utilities from Samsung. For example, the Samsung Notes app allows you to take handwritten notes using the S-Pen and translate them into text.

You can also draw in notes with a pen using emulation of various types of tools: pencil, oil paints, watercolors, etc.

And in the PenUp application you can see the drawings of other people (some kind of analogue of a social network), including how they drew them in real time - and even repeat the drawing yourself.

CONTENT

Stylishly designed, productive and terribly expensive. It seems that Samsung has decided to combine all the best in its new tablet. Did this benefit the new product? Let's figure it out, sorting out the key characteristics of the Tab S4 along the way.

What does it look like?

Healthy and modern. The front and back panels are made of glass, the frame is aluminum. This is a rather fragile combination, so all hope is for the strong protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The manufacturer's logo and system keys disappeared from the front of the tablet, which had a positive effect on its dimensions: the screen grew well, but the body - not so much. In numbers, the case dimensions are 249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm, weight 483 g. The frames are very thin, and the protective glass is not rounded. There are only two color solutions - black and white (the official name of the latter is silver). By the way, the black color, coupled with the gloss of the glass, turned out to be very brand-name.

Is there moisture protection?

No, the tablet is not dust or moisture resistant. Apparently, the manufacturer expects you to immediately purchase a case for the tablet.

What screen?

The screen is made using SuperAMOLED technology, has a convenient diagonal of 10.5 inches and a resolution of 2560x1600, a pixel density of 286 ppi, and an aspect ratio of 16:10. Needless to say, this is a very good display, bright with rich colors, deep blacks and great viewing angles. The software provides a blue filter (with a custom schedule), automatic brightness adjustment, font change and screen scaling. Color balance is adjusted in four standard Samsung modes. High quality oleophobic coating.

How does it sound?

The sound of the tablet is rich and high-quality, it is provided by four multi-directional AKG speakers with Dolby Atmos support. The sound in the headphones also pleased me with its clarity and high detail.

What can the stylus do?

The stylus, made in a deliberately laconic design, has a very thin tip (0.7 mm) and distinguishes 4096 levels of pressure and tilt angle. Using the pen, you can not only draw, but also cut out screenshots, translate words and much more. A separate program, PENUP, is responsible for all the capabilities of the S Pen. By the way, unlike its Apple competitor, you don’t need to charge the pen, which is clearly good news.

How are things going with security?

There was no place for a fingerprint scanner, but there is facial or iris recognition. Both options can be considered acceptable and fairly safe, especially the latter. The problem is that they do not work as quickly as we would like. And due to the fact that the tablet is either in a vertical or a horizontal orientation, sometimes the Tab S4 has to be turned in your hands before it unlocks.

What are the specifications of the Tab S4?

We will not dwell on this point for long; you can always read in detail about the characteristics of the device in our catalog. In this text we will focus only on the main points. The tablet is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, this is a last year, but still relevant solution with sufficient performance, it is complemented by Adreno 540 graphics. From memory we have the following: 64 GB of built-in storage and 4 GB of RAM, that is, the size of flash memory has grown over the year doubled, but the RAM remained at the same level, there is support for memory cards.

What software options are available?

The Android 8.1 Oreo operating system is covered here with the Samsung Experience shell version 9.5. Considering that there are no buttons on the front panel now, it’s not superfluous to wake up with a double tap.
In this section, it would be worth noting that the tablet interface does not have any “tablet” features; all of them are concentrated in Dex mode, which we will talk about later. Many potential buyers were not happy with this, citing as an example the same iPad, where iOS was seriously redesigned. In defense of the Tab S4, we can only say that Android itself, without modifications, copes well with multi-windows and multitasking, but those for whom this is not enough can turn their attention to the analogue of a desktop PC - Dex mode.
By the way, on the Tab S4 you can take notes and sketches without even unlocking the screen. In theory, this should save the user a lot of time.

No need for a docking station anymore?

Yes exactly. Before we had time to “try” this tasty and interesting docking station, it faded into oblivion. Tab S4 connects to a computer without additional devices in a mode that retains its previous name - DeX. It only works in horizontal orientation and now there is no need to connect to an external monitor. You can activate it from the settings or quick access panel, and it is also automatically activated when you connect a keyboard. Here the user will find everything he might need for work: multi-window mode, a desktop with folders, a functional dock and a list of running applications. The first users described this mode as thoughtful, but very overloaded: they want to somehow systematize all the indicators or even remove them from view.
As for software adapted for Dex, there is already quite a lot of it, both among programs and among games.

Has the camera gotten better?

No, the camera module is the same as a year ago, 13 megapixels, with a single LED flash and phase detection autofocus. It cannot be called bad; it is still the same 13 megapixel high-quality matrix. And taking photos on a tablet is still as inconvenient as before.
The front camera is 8 megapixels, it is of good quality and will definitely please you during video calls. In Selfie Focus mode, the camera programmatically blurs the background, and there are also various beauty modes.
Video shooting is carried out in maximum 4K, accelerated shooting is carried out in FullHD format.
As for software capabilities, the camera can read QR codes, translate texts and recognize objects. Perhaps this is precisely the application that looks interesting, and not just photographing on a tablet.

How does the keyboard work?

For starters, this is not only a keyboard, but also a case for the tablet, and now it has a hole for the rear camera. That is, the cover does not have to be folded back when taking photographs. This accessory is called Keyboard Cover. Island-type keys with good response.

There are many keyboard shortcuts, which is good, considering that you may not have a mouse at hand, but most of them are not intuitive and to use these features you first need to specifically learn these shortcuts, there is also a problem with switching languages ​​- this option does not always work correctly . The keyboard has a cover for the stylus, made of a detachable unit. Unfortunately, it doesn't look very reliable. The tablet also comes with a proprietary adapter, which has HDMI, USB A, USB-C and Ethernet ports. Quite a “desktop” set, in general.

Is there a Tab S4 LTE version?

Yes, sure. It offers the user the same amount of memory as the Wi-Fi version, but at a slightly higher price. Moreover, only this option will be available in our official retail stores. The nano SIM format is used here and the tablet can even be used for calls.

What about other interfaces?

Everything is familiar here: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, you can use GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo for navigation. A full list of Galaxy Tab S4 technical specifications is available here.

Is there an audio port?

Yes, we decided not to skimp on this.

Is the battery durable?

Yes, it is quite. Its capacity has increased compared to last year: 7300 mAh versus 6000 mAh, there is fast charging. The tablet did not have wireless charging, despite the glass case.

Who is it created for?

The most obvious thing that comes to mind is that the Galaxy Tab S4 is a direct competitor to the Apple iPad Pro. Its target audience consists of designers and the business segment. Actually, people with less money are unlikely to want it, because among Android tablets you can find options with similar performance and for a much smaller amount, and not everyone needs a stylus.

How much does the Tab S4 cost?

The official price tag of the tablet starts at $650 for the younger version and approaches $1000. For an Android tablet, this is a very high price, and the tablet’s competitors are not even other tablets, but serious ultrabooks and laptops. And here every potential buyer will ask a logical question - does he need portability, branding, performance or something else. The final decision whether or not to buy a Galaxy Tab S4 will depend on what the user prioritizes.

What's the result?

As a result, we got a productive, cool, but at the same time very controversial tablet. Many people will want it, only a few will be able to buy it for themselves. The tablet's performance can be considered excessive for most, and given the high price tag, few will want to go out of their way for it. But no special shortcomings were noticed in it at all, except perhaps the easily soiled body and the lack of dust and moisture protection.

Specifications
DISPLAY	10.54 inches WQXGA (2560x1600 pixels), Super AMOLED, 16:10 ratio, 286 ppi density, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
CPU	8-core Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 (4x2.35 GHz Kryo & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo), Adreno 540 graphics
LTE SUPPORT	LTE Cat.16 DLCA, 4X4 MIMO
MEMORY	4 GB + 64 GB, microSD up to 400 GB
CAMERA MAIN	13 MP (SLSI_S5K2L2SA), autofocus, LED flash
FRONT CAMERA	8.0 MP (Sony_IMX320)
PORT	USB 3.1 (Type C), POGO
SENSORS	Accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, RGB sensor, proximity sensor, iris scanner, Hall sensor
WIRELESS CONNECTIONS	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, MIMO, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth® 5.0
GPS	GPS + GLONASS, BEIDOU, GALILEO
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS	249.3 x 164.3 x 7.1 mm 483 g
BATTERY	7300 mAh, fast charging
OS	Android 8.1
ACCESSORIES	Electronic S Pen (included)
VIDEO	Recording: UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 30fps Playback: UHD 4K (3840x2160) at 60 fps
AUDIO	4 speakers, tuned by AKG specialists, Dolby Atmos®
MATERIALS	Glass and aluminum frame
COLORS	Black and white
OTHER	No FM radio, no NFC or Samsung Pay, cameras have no stabilization
PRICE	52,990 rubles (pre-order before August 24 and get a keyboard case as a gift (costs 8,990 rubles separately)

Introduction

The site released a rather emotional first look at the new tablet from Samsung.

However, time has passed, I became familiar with the device and am now ready to give a review that claims to be objective.

To begin with, the tablet market as a whole has been declining for 15 quarters in a row. For example, in the first quarter of 2018 the drawdown was 11.7%, and in the second quarter it was already 13.5%.

In 2018, Samsung fared worst in this aspect. According to IDC, in the 1st quarter, if measured year-on-year, the company under-delivered 700,000 tablets, or 11.5% less, which is generally in line with the market; in the second quarter, Samsung outpaced the market - year-on-year shipments decreased by 16 %.

Among the companies in the TOP 5, Amazon is doing the worst. Year on year in the 1st quarter the decrease was 50%, in the second – by 33%.

Apple's shipments are stable - there are no declines, as well as growth.

Huawei has the best situation. The company is increasing supplies - by 13% in the 1st quarter of 2018 compared to the 1st quarter of 2017, and by 8% in the 2nd quarter.

However, so far this has not affected our position in the market in any way, and the places in the TOP 5 are stable:

If you start segmenting, tablets can be divided into two large categories - just tablets and tablets with a keyboard. And if the first and most extensive category is constantly declining and drags down market indicators, then the second is growing.

The life cycle of tablet computers is maximum. Consumers prefer to use a device until it breaks down or becomes hopelessly outdated (new versions of applications are not supported). The average lifespan of a tablet is 3-5 years. This is usually determined by battery degradation. Amazon's strong decline can be attributed to the long period of use. The company’s “tablets” are designed primarily for the consumption of branded content – ​​movies, books, purchases on the Amazon website. For these purposes, the device will be enough for a long time.

Huawei is increasing its position as it has occupied the mid-price niche, offering customers interesting solutions with support for stylus and keyboards.

Apple's share, as I wrote above, is stable, but this is due to sales of the cheapest iPad options. The average tablet price for the 3rd quarter of 2017 was $435, now (Q3 2018) it is $410. We can say that basic tablets from Apple (without a stylus or keyboard) are the standard on the market today.

In terms of positioning, Samsung decided to place its tablets in the business devices segment.

Positioning

Samsung, based on IDC data, believes that the market for tablets with a keyboard will grow in double digits in the next couple of years, and this is quite enough to present its own versions of products and compete. In addition, this market segment cannot be called highly competitive, since in fact there are iPad Pro from Apple and tablets from Samsung. In the same, but lower price segment, Huawei is trying its hand.

Apple, having presented its updated basic tablet with support for third-party styluses in the spring, is pulling the average price on the market down.

Samsung claims that the Galaxy Tab S4 will be useful for office workers, most of whose workday is spent using Microsoft software. I can agree with this. A tablet with a keyboard, especially in DeX mode where you can work with windows and drag and drop files, is quite enough for everyday activities that do not require a large amount of data input. If you connect an external monitor and a full-fledged keyboard, the tablet can replace a computer. Another question is how justified are such combinations?

The second target category is creative people who love to draw. The Tab S4 has an excellent screen, and also comes with a high-quality stylus that has minimal parallax, that is, the difference between the point where the stylus touches and where on the screen it is displayed. The S Pen has 4096 sensitivity levels, which allows you to draw, shade, in short, work with the stylus as with a regular pencil. I believe that here too the device acts as an auxiliary device, since professionals still prefer other equipment. Just right for work on the road and for amateurs.

Price and competitors

The cost of the tablet at the start is 52,990 rubles. By pre-ordering, you can receive a keyboard case as a gift. Separately, it costs 8,990 rubles. The case is not bad. The version from Huawei is better, since it has a rigid bend that allows you to work by placing the tablet in the case on your lap and without fear of it turning over.

Interestingly, the starting price has decreased compared to last year. The Tab S3 started at 59,990 rubles for the LTE version, and the Wi-Fi-only version was priced at 49,990 rubles. I believe that if Samsung had presented, in addition to the LTE version, only a Wi-Fi version for a conditional 45 thousand rubles, it would have completely outplayed Huawei. However, the Wi-Fi version, as I understand it, does not fit into the strategy of a business device, which must provide powerful functionality and maximum comfort. And you’re not much of a businessman if you go to a fast food chain for free internet.

The main competitors of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 are Apple's iPad Pro 10.5, Huawei MediaPad M5 Pro and Samsung Galaxy Tab S3.

iPad Pro 10.5

Price – 46,990 rubles + stylus 6,990 rubles = 53,980 rubles.

Keyboard – 11,490 rubles.

Apple's solution may be more profitable if you absolutely do not need a stylus, and iOS suits you. In terms of technical characteristics, there is plus or minus parity in terms of user experience. Although the Apple tablet has been on the market for a long time and an update will probably be released in the near future.

Huawei Mediapad M5 Pro

Price – from 42,990 + stylus included.

It has Android OS and also has LTE.

In terms of technical characteristics, there is parity here. It feels like Huawei is easier to perceive than Samsung. Everything seems to be the same, but not the same. The stylus works well, if not compared with Apple or Samsung. Actually, you can go through many parameters this way. However, on the gray market the price is quite attractive. Yesterday there was a mixture about presentations. I visited the Huawei flagship showroom, where all the tablets are available. I recommend visiting and making your own impression. On the way from Tverskaya metro station to the store there is a Samsung showroom, so you can go there first, and after 300 meters you can go to Huawei. And while your impressions of the Galaxy Tab are still fresh, you’ll understand what I mean.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

From a distance, the tablets are not very different from each other. Up close, it is noticeable that the Tab S4 has become sleeker and more elegant in terms of design. Also, the Tab S3 has a 9.7 screen, while the S4 has a 10.5 screen.

It is also immediately noticeable that the new version no longer has a fingerprint scanner. The screen and its resolution are larger (it was 1536 x 2048 pixels and a 4:3 ratio, now it is 1600 x 2560 pixels, a 16:10 ratio), thinner frames and edges. I wrote about the edges and started checking the characteristics. It turned out that the thickness of the Tab S3 is 6 mm, and the S4 is 7.1 mm. However, visually it seems that the opposite is true. The secret is that Samsung made the rounded beveled edges.

Otherwise, the devices are quite similar in appearance. The improvements are significant, but generally evolutionary: a new version of the chipset (835 for the new one versus Snapdragon 820 for the S3), the front camera is not 5 MP, but 8 MP, the sound has been tweaked, but it’s still 4 speakers from AKG, the screen has become better, and it has more settings. Ergonomics and user experience when working with the stylus have also been improved. All these and many other improvements are striking when directly comparing gadgets when they lie side by side.

The price of Tab S3 starts from 34 thousand rubles for Wi-Fi, LTE – already 44 thousand rubles. On the gray market, prices are much more interesting. I suppose if you want to save money, then perhaps this will be a better option for you than even the MediaPad.

As a conclusion, I will say that if you need an Android tablet and there are no budget restrictions, then the Tab S4 is optimal, otherwise you should consider the Tab S3 first, then Huawei. If you need iOS, then you have no options.

Separately, I would like to emphasize that Samsung has a DeX mode, which turns the tablet into a complete analogue of a laptop and significantly changes the user experience. Neither Apple nor Huawei have such solutions. This to some extent makes Samsung's solution unique.

Appearance

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a combination of aluminum and glass represented by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. There is no official confirmation of the manufacturer and version of the glass, so I am guided in this matter by the materials in the Tab S3.

Glass means fingerprints. A metal back would be more utilitarian, but in my opinion less beautiful.

In his review of the Tab S3, the boss complained that Samsung couldn't paint metal and recommended the unpainted silver version. I carried the tablet in my backpack because the case was taken away from me. Several times a bunch of keys to the apartment dangled nearby. There are no scratches on the screen or aluminum. Although, I’m probably not an indicator: my equipment is always in perfect condition. I’ll say right away that I’m not fussing over it, I’m just thinking about where I’m putting it.

On the right side of the tablet there is a power button, a paired volume button, and below there is a slot for a nano SIM card and a microSD card.

On the left side there are only connectors for the keyboard.

At the bottom there are 2 speakers, USB Type-C and a 3.5 mm jack.

On the top there are also 2 speakers and a microphone.

On the back, covered with glass, there are your fingerprints, a 13 MP camera lens, the Samsung inscription and a signature that the sound is “pumped” by AKG. I tested with an engineering sample with working stickers and covered with a protective film. I couldn’t peel off the stickers; Samsung, in addition to tablets, also produces glue, so I decided not to bother and didn’t touch the film either.

In front, above the screen, there is an 8 MP front camera, as well as an iris scanner.

At the ends of the device there are 4 speakers, which were worked on by AKG specialists.

For a tablet, the sound is very good - bright, powerful and rich. There is Dolby Atmos certification. But in order to enjoy this sound while watching movies to the fullest, I had to go to torrents, since not a single streaming service or video content store sells movies with this sound, and I can’t put the disc into my tablet. So, by the way, I found out that the tablet handles video files weighing 13-15 GB quite well. If you want to evaluate the sound in the store, there are official demo videos from Dolby on YouTube.

Screen and stylus

This is a top-end Super AMOLED screen. In fact, we can stop there, since most already have their own ideas about beauty.

For others, I’ll tell you the obvious. The screen is good, bright, juicy. For customization, there are both ready-made presets and you can configure it yourself. This was not the case with the previous tablet.

When reviewing the previous generation tablet, Eldar was unhappy that the screen was not as clear as the iPad Pro. This problem has been fixed in the Galaxy Tab S4.

The screen angles are excellent.

According to Samsung, the stylus has undergone significant revisions and improvements, both in terms of operation and ergonomics.

It's convenient to work with him. It feels like you're holding a ballpoint pen in your hands. The stylus allows you to both write by hand and draw, and depending on the pressure you press, you can get both light strokes and thick strokes.

Here we should, of course, give credit to the software. For example, Samsung has done a great job with its proprietary note-taking application, Samsung Notes. It allows you to type, write with a stylus, and also has sufficient powerful drawing capabilities.

I liked Autodesk's third-party editor better. It is free, its capabilities are much wider, but I think there is no need to talk about this, since the application is widely known.

A fun feature is drawing gifs, which can then be sent by mail or messenger. Previously, paper letters evoked warm feelings, but now - self-drawn gifs. The principle that efforts are made applies here and there.

All the capabilities of the Galaxy Note 9 stylus have also been transferred to the Galaxy Tab S4. The stylus can be used to open a context menu that allows you to create a note or take a screenshot of the entire screen or part of it. You can take a screenshot and recognize the text from it or automatically translate a foreign language.

You can also take notes while the screen is off. To do this, you need to bring the stylus to the screen, press the button, and then you can make notes. A very convenient option in situations where, for example, you urgently need to write down a phone number or make some other note.

In general, the tablet is entirely optimized for working with the S-Pen. The stylus is convenient for swiping across the screen, making it easier to type and edit text. In many programs you can write by hand, and the tablet will then recognize the text.

Performance

The tablet runs on an 835 chipset made using 10 nanometer technology. According to many (decisive and strict judges), the 835th turned into a pumpkin after the release of the 845th. In my opinion, nothing has changed and the power of the Snapdragon 835 will be sufficient for the next few years. The strength of the 845 for me lies not so much in increased performance, but in the AI ​​built into the hardware that optimizes resources. Samsung AI has a blemish in the form of software.

Below are the test results, which will probably tell you a lot:

Asphalt 9 is out. A new benchmark in the mobile racing market. It is logical that the tablet copes with a bang. Samsung has a special game mode where you can turn off distracting notifications, as well as record the screen and your face during gameplay.

PUBG is good to play on a big screen with high graphics settings.

DeX mode

Thanks to Samsung's DeX mode, the tablet turns into a full-fledged mini-computer. But if in smartphones Dex requires a special accessory, then in the Tab S4 everything can be switched in a couple of touches.

The strength of Dex mode is that it offers a windowed interface more typical of laptops than smartphones or tablets.

Also, unlike smartphones, the tablet can open any program, as in full screen mode. Thanks to DeX, the tablet has a truly convenient multitasking experience.

Another exclusive feature is the ability to connect the tablet via an adapter to an external screen, on which the DeX interface will be displayed, while the regular Android interface will remain on the tablet screen.

It is DeX that is the key advantage of the Tab S4 and, to some extent, justification for its cost, since competitors simply do not have anything like it.

I’ll emphasize once again for those who like to write in the comments that a stylus is not needed, neither is a keyboard, it’s convenient to work on a laptop, this DeX does not replace anything, I’d rather buy an iPad, and in general I need a tablet to watch cartoons at home. In that case, this device is not for you. For cartoons and bedside use, you should consider the basic options from Apple or Huawei, as they are cheaper. I hope this issue has been sorted out and we won’t see such nonsense in the comments.

Battery

The tablet has a 7300 mAh battery that supports fast charging. A full charge from empty takes about 3 hours.

In my opinion, battery life is the strong point of the gadget. If you turn on the video at maximum brightness and volume, you can get at least 13 hours of screen time.

In everyday use, the screen operating time is 10-12 hours. For example, here are the first use statistics. More than 10 hours. It should be taken into account that I downloaded and installed various software in large quantities.

However, these indicators are not too different from the usual use of the device:

Camera

The tablet's cameras have gotten better. However, my main complaint is that there is no stabilization here. The camera application here is traditional for all Samsung devices.

Here is an example of a front camera:

And here I was working on the image:

You can record time-lapses:

Taking pictures at night on a tablet is not the best idea, but it still can’t be said that it turns out outright bad.

The tablet is not intended for photography, but for photographing documents and video conferencing, the camera capabilities are enough for the eyes.

Communication capabilities and security

Only one version of the Galaxy Tab S4 will be sold in Russia – 64 GB + 4G LTE. And if the first problem can be easily solved with a microSD card, then those who wanted to save money by purchasing the Wi-Fi version were out of luck. With a SIM card, the tablet turns into a huge phone. You can send SMS and call. The downside is that you need a headset for calls, since the Tab S4 has 4 very loud speakers, so you can only talk in speakerphone mode.

There is no longer a fingerprint scanner on the tablet. Samsung has improved its eye scanning system, creating the so-called Smart mode, when the device not only focuses on the iris, but also recognizes the face. In the settings you can choose how the device will recognize you, but the face + iris combination works quickly. During use, there were no problems with unlocking the gadget even in complete darkness. Of course, the system will not recognize you if you are wearing sunglasses.

Compared to the Tab S3, the Bluetooth version has been updated, now it is 5.0, Wi-Fi supports two bands and the AC standard. The tablet can be used as a hotspot.

The tablet has GPS and GLONASS. Everything works perfectly. It is probably best to use it in a car, since looking at a large screen on the street while on the go is not very convenient.

Impression

The tablet is perceived as a flagship device with a good performance reserve for any task. When testing devices, I like to make them the main ones, it makes it easier to understand all the pros and cons. For example, this 3,000 word review ended up being completely typed and edited on the road on a tablet. A video review will follow on YouTube. KineMaster has become the main application for video assembly. In my opinion, by the way, this is the best video editor for Android, not counting Premiere.

Compared to its competitors, the advantages of the Tab S4 include a stylus with advanced capabilities - from drawing to working with text. The second main advantage is DeX, which has no analogues. The mode allows you to turn your tablet into a computer.

Indeed, the Samsung Tab S4 is designed for business users and creative people who can afford to buy a tablet. The cost is within the limits allowed for this category of devices.

The device has a lot of features and potential, but it's not for everyone. Of course, you can purchase it to read websites, play games and watch movies. A bright Super AMOLED screen and 4 speakers with Dolby Atmos support allow this to happen perfectly. Watching movies and playing games on such a screen with such excellent sound is a real pleasure, but, in my opinion, this is an overly expensive solution for such simple needs.

I suppose they might write in the comments that the tablet should have had an 845 processor, and Apple will soon release a new iPad. I partially agree about the processor, and not because it’s missing here, but it’s just nice when the latest solutions are available. There is absolutely no difference about the release of the new iPad, since the iPad and Galaxy Tab S4 cannot be called direct competitors. One is a tablet with a good screen and a stylus for drawing, which Apple positions as a device for creativity. The second is a business device, the stylus of which is designed not only for drawing, but also for working with data, and the tablet itself, thanks to DeX, can replace a laptop at the right time.

Conclusion

Samsung managed to make an interesting product that is clearly aimed at the business and creative public, since the tablet’s capabilities are impressive. Of course, it is also suitable as a home device for browsing the Internet, but for such simple purposes it is better to buy something cheaper - an iPad from Apple or a Tab S3 from Samsung.