Last updated on March 9, 2021
A fast processor, lots of RAM and a top-class stylus. With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, the Korean manufacturer focuses equally on productivity and creativity and delivers what is currently possibly the most powerful Android tablet – GIGA has subjected the mobile flat computer to an extensive test and reveals what the tablet promises in terms of performance, features and handling.
Release: 08/05/2020
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 in the test: conclusion
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is currently the high-end tablet on the Android front. Whether for high-performance office applications, graphics-intensive games or just for mobile surfing. In our test, the tablet turned out to be a true all-rounder, which is one step ahead of most Android devices, especially in terms of performance and handling. Thanks to the many features and shortcuts for easier operation as well as the S Pen, work processes can be managed quickly, efficiently and precisely – whether in your own four walls or on the go.
These advantages also have their price, because at 681 euros (RRP, WiFi version), the elegant tablet is no longer a “price breaker”. However, if you compare it with Apple's iPad Pro 11, the Galaxy Tab S7 is not only a serious Apple alternative, but also proves to be the significantly cheaper tablet. Hardware compromises are only due to the lack of an AMOLED display or 5G support, as well as the lack of the option to choose 8 GB of RAM. Advantages that are unfortunately only reserved for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +. In terms of software, Android 10 is the brake block, so to speak: The selection of outstanding tablet apps can still be expanded and cannot keep up with iPadOS 14. However, Samsung is not solely responsible for this and has been a point to consider before buying an Android tablet for years.
Benefits:
- high quality
- strong 4K display with smooth 120 Hz
- high work pace and stable performance
- Multi-function stylus with a great writing experience
- Battery with enormous endurance
Disadvantage:
- AMOLED and 5G unfortunately only in the plus version
- Compared to iPadOS, Android still offers the poorer selection of customized tablet apps
Rating:
- Processing, feel & design: 9/10
- Display: 9/10
- Performance: 9/10
- Software and operation: 7/10
- Sound: 8/10
- Camera: 7/10
- Battery: 10/10
Total: 8.4 / 10
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 in the test: Welcome little high-end friend
With the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, the South Korean multimedia group is entering the 7th generation of its Galaxy Tab series and is presenting a chic high-end tablet from the Android group.
An elegant and modern design, robust workmanship and a weight of 500 grams. The first impression of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is quite convincing. The workmanship is at a high level and despite the thickness of just 6.3 mm, the thin tablet is quite handy thanks to its angular shape and lies comfortably in the hand.
In addition to the tablet, Samsung's well-known S Pen, a 15 watt power supply, a USB cable (Type-A to Type-C), a key to open the card slot and leaflets on warranty and safety information await you in the scope of delivery. The tablet is also available in three colors: "Mystic Silver", "Mystic Black" and Mystic Bronze ".
Display: 4K resolution meets smooth 120 Hz
With a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels and a corresponding pixel density of 276 ppi, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 shines with a razor-sharp and high-contrast LCD display (LTPS, Low-Temperature Poly-Silicon). The brightness is impressive with a total of 569 cd / m² and the colors are powerful and magnificent.
Compared to the direct predecessor models of the Tab series, the IPS panel with a diagonal of 11 inches does not have an AMOLED display, but offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Animations, scrolling movements or drawing with the S Pen feel buttery smooth on – a real added value in daily use! If desired, the refresh rate can also be reduced to 60 Hz, which extends the battery life a little. However, if you insist on a high-contrast AMOLED display, you will have to resort to the somewhat more expensive variant, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 +.
Performance: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a performance monster
Thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ and 6 GB of RAM, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has a high working speed and an extraordinary performance. With a clock rate of 2.4 to 3.1 GHz, the eight-core processor makes the tablet a real performance monster and masters demanding office applications or graphics-intensive games without any problems.
All in all, animations are particularly fluid and loading times are extremely short. Even with demanding games like Asphalt 9 Legends or PUBG, the tablet achieves a value close to the 60 FPS threshold in terms of frame rate, which hardly any other Android tablet can achieve. Thanks to its performance and shortcut functions, the tablet is ideally suited for multitasking with several applications and with the multi-window function, up to three apps can be operated in parallel on the screen. The plus version has an even higher level of performance with 8 GB of RAM.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 in the test: attractive features
If you want a powerful sound while gaming or watching movies on your tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is the best choice. Because the 4 stereo loudspeakers with Dolby Atmos deliver an excellent sound, in which only the bass is neglected at higher volume. With a clean sound up to a volume of 88 dB, it is still remarkable.
In terms of internal storage, 128 GB are available, which you can expand to up to 1 TB using microSD . For mobile surfing, the tablet has LTE (optional) and calls can also be made via the phone app and the corresponding SIM card. In addition to the SIM and microSD card slot, the elegant housing has a USB Type-C socket as well as three contact elements for docking a cover keyboard. In terms of the operating system, Samsung has given the tablet Android 10 with security updates from September 2020, including the beginner-friendly user interface called One UI. The Bixby voice assistant serves as the Siri counterpart and with Samsung DeX you can transfer your screen to a larger screen both with cable and wirelessly.
Galaxy Tab S7 with S Pen: An excellent writing experience
The included S Pen is the secret star of our test. The stylus not only impresses with its extremely pleasant and easy operation, it also creates an excellent writing experience. For example, the stylus generates a soft tone to make digital writing or drawing as authentic as possible.
In particular, the writing of handwritten texts and notes or creative work processes such as image processing can be approached much more professionally than with your fingers. Even when the palm of your hand is on the display, the tablet only recognizes the pen. If you want to work with the necessary efficiency on the go, you will enjoy the S Pen. On top of that, the pen acts as a multi-function remote control with which you can start apps or regulate the volume from up to 10 meters away. At the same time, you can use the stylus as a self-timer for the camera. For these actions, the stylus has its own battery that can be charged using the magnetic holder on the back of the tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: Three cameras for useful snapshots
The back is adorned with a dual camera, which consists of a 13 megapixel wide-angle and 5 megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. As usual for tablets, the image quality is by no means sensational, but it is completely sufficient for video calls or occasional snapshots. Video recordings are also possible in 4K. The front camera with its 8 megapixels, on the other hand, delivers somewhat blurred and sometimes overly blurred images.
Battery: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has enormous endurance
In terms of battery life, the tablet is in the absolute top league. With its 8,000 mAh, the battery has a running time of around 10 hours when surfing, and even 14 hours when watching videos. The charging time is just 2.5 hours, with the fast charger it takes less than 90 minutes. However, this is not included in the scope of delivery and must be purchased separately (approx. 50 euros) .
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7: what alternatives are there?
In addition to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, there is also the Plus version mentioned at the beginning ( Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 + ), which is equipped with a little more power and an AMOLED display and (optionally) with 5G. However, if you are looking for an alternative in a lower price range, you could be happy with the previous model, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 . This is also available in the even cheaper lite version ( Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite ), which we examined closely in our GIGA test .
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Source: giga.de
