Numbers from global market intelligence firm IDC confirmed what we already knew through 2020. Tablets have made a resounding comeback. In Q3 2020 alone the segment registered a whopping 24.9% YOY growth with 47.6 million shipments globally. Samsung’s growth numbers were particularly impressive with a YOY growth of 89.2%. WFH and study from home fuelled this trend with consumers seeking screens that could get stuff done. A couple of months ago we checked out Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7+, the largest in the brand’s tablet portfolio but we think it’s the Tab S7 that might be that might be the premium Android tab that finds the perfect balance between form and function. Samsung has just added a new shade to the mix and it’s been my primary screen for a week now.
The Tab S7 is remarkably thin for a tab – just 6.3 mm. Samsung manages to keep the heft at 500 gm, impressive for a device with a 11-inch screen. This is easily one of the best looking tablets with its industrial design template and frosted aluminium back that plays out particularly well with the new Mystic Navy variant. I was earlier partial to the Mystic Bronze option that was also the highlight of the Note 20 series; this shade now has my vote with its understated elegance. Samsung bundles the S-Pen in the box and it latches on (magnetically) to the back of the device. Figuring out the exact placement takes a little while but once you do, you’re good to go. I’d also suggest investing in Samsung’s Cover Keyboard (Rs 13,299) if you’re looking at unleashing the tab’s productivity capabilities.
There’s one user case scenario that is an easy win for the Tab S7 – Content consumption. The 11-inch Super AMOLED display (2560×1600 pixels) packs an impressive 274 pixels per inch, and then there’s 120Hz refresh rate. Add the AKG-tuned quad speakers and you have the perfect screen for those Netflix marathons or intense gaming sessions. This screen is backed by a solid spec sheet – a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, 6GB of RAM, 128GB of Internal storage plus a dedicated slot for Micro SD cards (up to 1 TB). You also get a SIM slot – this device is 5G ready. Samsung’s claim of 14 hours of battery life (there’s an 8000 mAh battery under the hood) was validated by our standard video tests.
The other user case scenario for a premium tab is productivity. Can you ditch your laptop for this tab? That’s the tougher question to answer. The Tab S7 is weighed down slightly by the Android OS that doesn’t add too many tab-specific experiences. But that’s balanced by Samsung’s DeX solution that we’ve experienced in previous generations of Galaxy tabs that mimics a laptop user interface. This UI, the hardware specs and the keyboard do enough for those Word docs and Excel spreadsheets but you might need to lean on a conventional laptop for more complex tasks.
There’s little doubt that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (the 11-inch screen is the perfect size for ultra-portability) is the best Android Tab out there. It’s a great entertainment and Content consumption device. The improved S-Pen and the optional keyboard give it a serious productivity edge that make it the perfect play + work device many of us need.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 costs Rs 69,999/-. The Keyboard Cover costs Rs 13,299. The device comes in Mystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver and the all-new Mystic Navy.
