Since last year, I’ve been gradually changing my mind about tablets—and today, especially for certain types of professionals, solutions like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra can be an excellent choice.
It’s a step up from the S10+ (a dedicated review and comparison with that model are coming soon), ideal for those who need more performance, a larger display, and, more generally, a next-gen graphics tablet that’s truly well built. Here’s how my weeks with it went with the 5G version with 256 GB storage – but you can have it with up 1TB storage.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: our tops & flops
The Ultra Series of Galaxy Tabs is a different story altogether—essentially the only real Android alternative to the iPad Pro and Microsoft Surface Pro—with all the limitations and advantages that come with it.
It’s clearly a device aimed at professionals, especially those working in graphic design and photo editing, and less so at videomakers—unless we’re talking about reels or very lightweight video tasks. But still, it’s a remarkable product, hard to replicate in the Android world (and even in the Apple one), thanks to its outstanding display: not only is it top-tier in quality, it’s also matte, meaning it remains clearly visible even in direct sunlight—though it’s not very oleophobic, so you’ll need to clean it often.
It’s worth noting that the tablet isn’t really meant to be used with fingers; it’s much more suited to the included S Pen and an optional keyboard (which, unfortunately, isn’t bundled). In my test, I didn’t have access to the keyboard—otherwise, it could easily replace a lightweight laptop, and do so while being thinner and more portable.
With One UI 7, Samsung has boosted its AI features, integrating them smoothly into daily use and pen-based interactions. Features like Circle to Search let you select parts of the screen and dig deeper, then copy them directly into notes, documents, or social media.
In short, it’s a complete experience that showcases the excellent software optimization done specifically for tablets—actually, in some areas, it’s even better than on phones. And it doesn’t forget the multimedia side either: with a massive 14.6-inch OLED display and stereo, Dolby Atmos speakers, watching movies on the go or on the couch, or playing games (which it handles effortlessly), is pure pleasure.
Can it replace a computer? In 90% of cases, yes. But Android still has its limits: there’s no full Adobe Suite, and even Microsoft Office works worse than on Windows.
Also, it only has a single USB-C port with HDMI support, which makes using an external hard drive while charging tricky. You’ll definitely need a multi-port adapter if you want to charge it, plug in a drive, and connect it to an external display all at once.
What we like
- Incredibly thin and well built;
- The display is a joy to use;
- Excellent for graphic and photo editing work;
What we don’t like
- Only one USB-C port for everything;
- The display collects too many fingerprints;
- Productivity is still limited by Android
Prices in Scandinavia for the 5G version tested:
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: huge, yet thin
Let’s start with the size. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is an absolute giant with its 14.6-inch display, yet it manages to stay under 5.5 mm thick. At first, I was genuinely worried that applying pressure in the wrong spot might snap it in half. But no—thanks to the Armor Aluminum frame, it’s surprisingly rigid and well-built. Even when trying to bend it on purpose, the tablet holds its own.
That slim profile makes it easier to slide into a backpack, but forget about shoulder bags or anything compact: you’ll need a proper backpack—or better yet, a briefcase—to carry it around. And given its dimensions and weight of over 700 grams, using it one-handed is definitely not practical. Or at least, not without discomfort and some serious arm stamina.
The bezels around the display are quite slim too, which often leads to accidental thumb touches when trying to hold the device with one hand. The result? Missed touches or random inputs. It’s best to accept the two-handed or stand-based approach. And let me warn you now—it won’t be the last time the integrated S Pen falls off unintentionally during use.
The display is an absolute highlight—one of the tablet’s strongest features. We’re talking about a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 2960×1848 resolution. Out of the box, colors are super vibrant and saturated, in true Samsung fashion, but you can always switch to a more natural tone. The contrast is excellent, blacks are deep, and brightness is impressively high. The most interesting detail, though, is the anti-reflective finish, which keeps the screen legible even in direct sunlight. It’s right up there with the Armor Glass used on the Galaxy S24 Ultra (I’m avoiding comparison with the S25 Ultra since this tablet was released in 2024). It’s a blessing for anyone who uses it on the go, outdoors, or in bright environments.
The audio is just as impressive. The four integrated stereo speakers produce powerful, rich, and balanced sound. Dolby Atmos support is included, and there’s even a “Dialog Boost” feature that helps when music and sound effects overpower voices in films. Volume is more than adequate even in noisy surroundings, and the tablet manages to deliver a solid frequency range—yes, even some bass—despite its ultra-thin chassis.
The S Pen comes bundled in the box—which is great news, considering that on other Samsung devices it’s often sold separately. It’s larger than the smartphone version, but works in a similar way: it magnetically attaches to the back and charges there. However, it’s all too easy to knock it off by mistake, especially when storing the tablet in a bag. You’ll often forget it’s even there—until you’re digging through the bottom of your backpack looking for it. For that reason, the official case is almost essential, as it acts as a shell that protects and secures the pen in place. But it doesn’t come cheap—Samsung’s official version costs a hefty 1,699 DKK.
The S Pen features are familiar: handwriting, drawing, annotations, and tools like AI-powered sketch recognition and illustration generation. Apps like Clip Studio are also preloaded, although many of their advanced functions are locked behind a paywall. Still, with a screen this big, the pen turns out to be handy for everything—from web browsing to social media scrolling—not just creative tasks or note-taking.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is powered by the new MediaTek Dimensity 9300+, the same chip found in the recent Xiaomi 14 Pro. Performance is excellent, even under heavy multitasking with two or three apps open simultaneously in split screen.
The system is smooth and responsive: the Tab S10 launched with One UI 6.4 and Android 14, but the update to One UI 7 with Android 15, which rolled out during 2025 (with One UI 8 and Android 16 on the way), has made it much more enjoyable to use—just as it has improved the overall experience across Samsung’s mobile ecosystem. The interface is well-designed, the animations are fluid, and new AI features have been introduced (read here our review of the One UI 7), such as the ability to generate custom wallpapers, which are often quite appealing.
Multitasking works well: you can open up to three apps in split screen, resize them, and drag them around the screen. The interface doesn’t always behave perfectly, but overall it’s better than the iPad experience, though in terms of layout and multitasking logic, OnePlus’s OxygenOS on the Pad 2 and 3 remains my personal favorite.
If you want to use the tablet like a laptop, you can enable Samsung DeX, especially when connecting the optional keyboard (not included in my test). The interface shifts completely to a desktop-like layout, with mouse support, resizable windows, and advanced multitasking.
And speaking of multitasking, it’s worth highlighting that Samsung’s dock allows you to keep three active apps on-screen at once. Everything runs smoothly, even if resizing windows can be a bit clunky at times. Still, it’s a better solution than iPadOS, although it’s still far from what Windows can offer—in this area, the Surface Pro is still miles ahead.
AI features are abundant: Circle to Search, webpage summarization, voice recording transcription and translation, real-time interpreter, and even fun touches like translating British English into American English (though it still doesn’t support Danish or other Scandinavian languages).
Storage, cameras and battery
The base model of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra comes with 256 GB of internal storage, but you can go all the way up to 1 TB. On top of that, there’s microSD support up to 1.5 TB—a major advantage over many competitors. The version I tested is the 5G model, which means you can also insert a physical SIM card for connectivity on the go.
My review unit was the 256 GB 5G version, and with around 20 GB used by system files, expanding the storage is extremely easy thanks to the microSD slot. This flexibility gives it an edge, especially for those who plan to use it for media-heavy workflows like photo or video editing.
Camera-wise, you get a dual setup on both the front and the back: a 12 MP wide + 12 MP ultra-wide on the front, and a 13 MP wide + 8 MP ultra-wide on the rear. The front-facing cameras are more than adequate for high-quality video calls, even supporting 4K at 30 fps. As for the rear cameras… well, they’re there. But let’s be honest—who’s really going to use a nearly 15-inch tablet to shoot photos or videos while out and about? Maybe for document scanning, sure. But otherwise, they feel more like a formality than a real feature.
Under the hood, there’s a massive 11,200 mAh battery, necessary to power the huge display and the high-performance MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC. Battery life is excellent: with mixed use—video streaming, multitasking, web browsing, and some light gaming—I consistently reached 8 to 9 hours of screen-on time. The tablet easily lasts through a full day of use.
Charging is rated at 45W. It’s not blazing fast: a full recharge takes around two hours, so you’ll want to plug it in well ahead of a long trip or busy workday.
Performance-wise, the Dimensity 9300+ delivers outstanding results. Even with demanding games running at maximum graphics settings and 60 fps, the tablet performs smoothly. The large vapor chamber helps keep thermals in check, preventing overheating and frame drops. Touch input is always responsive, though naturally, gaming on a tablet this size isn’t as comfortable as on a phone. For a better experience, you’ll definitely want to pair it with a Bluetooth controller.
