Alongside the Ultra (our review here), the other South Korean flagship is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+. Just ahead of the S11’s launch, this S10+ brings back (almost) everything we’ve seen on the Ultra, but in a more compact format.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+: top & flops
The Galaxy Tab S10+ is incredibly thin and lightweight, designed to be carried around without compromise. Compared to the Ultra, which with its size feels closer to a hybrid between tablet and PC, the Plus is much more practical: it’s comfortable to use even on the couch, thanks to its matte display that cuts down reflections and the included S Pen, always handy for writing or sketching. Performance-wise, it doesn’t disappoint: there’s more than enough power for everyday tasks, from browsing to productivity apps.
But once you step into more “pro” territory, the limitations become clear. Photo editing works well, but video editing is only really manageable for short social clips—nowhere near a proper professional workflow. On top of that, the single USB-C port drastically reduces the possibilities for expansion and external accessories. A real shame, since One UI 7—and the upcoming One UI 8—push hard towards a “desktop-like” experience, making the tablet feel more computer-like than ever.
As for price, it’s definitely not a budget device. However, with Samsung promising updates through 2031, the Tab S10+ becomes a long-term investment, perfect for those who want a premium tablet built to last.
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The Display: brilliant even under sunlight
One of the biggest upgrades this generation is the anti-reflective coating. It’s the same as on the Galaxy S24 and makes a huge difference: using the tablet outdoors, under direct sunlight or on a train with harsh lighting, is no longer a problem. Even though the brightness of the Plus doesn’t reach the same level as the Ultra, I never felt the need for more clarity thanks to this coating.
The 12.4-inch AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate is stunning: vivid colors, deep blacks, and buttery-smooth images. It’s simply perfect for movies, series, or social content. Paired with the quad-stereo speakers, the audio is surprisingly immersive.
Samsung continues to do something Apple stubbornly refuses: include the S Pen in the box. And it’s not just a stylus, but a full-fledged tool that unlocks tons of features. It’s precise, natural for writing and drawing, and charges magnetically on the back of the tablet.
One thing that struck me is how easy it is to just pick up the tablet and start using it. Thanks to the built-in biometric sensor and One UI, it takes only seconds to unlock and jump right back into the app you were using. Battery management is excellent too: even when left on standby, it stays ready for days, without the heavy drain that laptops often have.
And when it does need a top-up, fast charging takes it from zero to one hundred in about two hours.
Ecosystem & Integration
Integration with other Samsung devices is spot on: answering calls, transferring files via Quick Share, or using the tablet as a second screen for a PC with Link to Windows all work smoothly and without lag. Wireless sharing with non-Samsung devices is fast too, and broadly compatible.
If there’s one area where the Tab S10+ shines above all, it’s entertainment. Watching a movie on this screen rivals even some TVs. Thanks to the 16:10 aspect ratio, videos fill the screen better than on iPads, which are stuck with 4:3.
But it’s not just about movies—the tablet is also a gaming powerhouse. With a 28% boost in graphics performance over the S9, it handles native Android games with ease, runs cloud gaming services like Xbox or Steam smoothly, and absolutely excels with emulators.
Productivity: Great Potential, Some Limits
And what about work? That’s where things get trickier. The Tab S10+ handles multitasking and multiple windows very well, thanks to split-screen and Samsung’s Dex “desktop” mode. That said, Dex still feels a bit unfinished: useful when paired with an external monitor, but less convincing as a full desktop replacement.
The real bottleneck lies in the apps. As a photographer and videomaker, I hoped to replace my laptop for much of my workflow. To some extent, I can—Lightroom, CapCut, and LumaFusion all work well. But key apps like full Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, or Capture One are still missing. Importing heavy files from cameras also highlights limitations: for example, LumaFusion on Android won’t open H.265 10-bit videos.
So in short: the power is there, but the creative software ecosystem just isn’t up to par yet.
