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Title: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra hands-on: Really thin, redesigned S Pen
and... remember Dex?

Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:30:15 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsu...

Someone recently asked me: Who even cares about Android tablets anymore? If
that's you, you're probably feeling the same indifference towards premium
Android tablets. Even Google has conceded it wonΓÇÖt be making new tablets
and seems to have already forgotten about the Pixel Tablet. But thatΓÇÖs not
stopping Samsung from releasing the 11th-generation Galaxy Tab S11 series,
comprising the 11-inch standard model and 14.6-inch Ultra. The latter is the
more interesting of the pair, as itΓÇÖs not only what Samsung says is its
thinnest tablet ever, but also offers new Dex multitasking features and, of
course, AI tools. Plus, in case you forgot, the companyΓÇÖs hallmark S Pen
stylus still exists, and has received yet another redesign alongside the
launch of the series.

These days, my stylus use is limited to the ones for e-paper writing tablets
like the reMarkable Paper Pro and the Kindle Scribe, but I remain a huge fan
of the S Pen. IΓÇÖve loved SamsungΓÇÖs stylus since my time as an Omnia II
owner, back when it was like a mini retractable pointer that extended like
old car antennas. The version accompanying the Tab S11 Ultra has a hexagonal
shape to its grip that makes it more closely resemble a No. 2 pencil, and its
nib has also been tweaked to be more conical.

From my brief time with it at a hands-on session, the latest S Pen didnΓÇÖt
feel remarkable. ItΓÇÖs certainly a lot lighter than the reMarkable Paper
ProΓÇÖs Marker Plus. But despite its similarity to a No. 2 pencil,
SamsungΓÇÖs new stylus didnΓÇÖt feel better to hold or write with than the
Kindle ScribeΓÇÖs pen, which is a simple cylindrical piece. I actually like
how smooth the latterΓÇÖs edges are, and both seemed to deliver similarly
fluid and responsive writing. I didnΓÇÖt feel much resistance as I dragged
the S PenΓÇÖs nib across the Tab S11 UltraΓÇÖs screen to scrawl out ΓÇ£Hello
Engadget.ΓÇ¥

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Unlike some previous S Pens that had Bluetooth-powered special features like
remote camera control, this version has no additional connectivity. It draws
power from the tabletΓÇÖs screen like other EMR (electromagnetic resonance)
tablets and wonΓÇÖt need to be charged. Samsung did make it attach
magnetically to the S11 Ultra, which can help prevent you misplacing it in a
cafe, for example. But from previous experience, I can say that the magnets
arenΓÇÖt strong enough to keep the S Pen on the tablet if you toss it in a
purse or bag. YouΓÇÖll need a case with a dedicated holder to truly secure
the stylus.

Speaking of, Samsung has made some new covers and keyboards for the Tab S11
Ultra, since its pogo pins have been moved from the bottom edge to its rear.
This means none of your old or existing Samsung keyboard cases will be
compatible, and youΓÇÖll have to buy the new version if you want to turn the
S11 Ultra into a competent 2-in-1. Samsung improved the cases for its latest
tablet, though, and it seems the repositioned pogo pins have allowed the
company to make its origami covers a single piece instead of a two-parter.
The new Pro keyboard case wonΓÇÖt be available at launch, so youΓÇÖll have to
wait to get it and perhaps rely on a Bluetooth accessory in the meantime. Or
you can get the Slim Keyboard, which doesnΓÇÖt have a trackpad.

Once you get a working keyboard connected, youΓÇÖll likely have a nice time
getting work done on the S11 Ultra. ThatΓÇÖs thanks in large part to the
improved Dex mode, SamsungΓÇÖs multitasking software for Android devices. The
new tablet ships with One UI 8, which gets new multitasking features like
Extended Mode and support for up to four dedicated customizable workspaces.
The former basically lets you wirelessly extend your display to other
screens, like another tablet or even a laptop or monitor, to simulate a dual-
monitor setup. I didnΓÇÖt get to see this for myself yet, so I canΓÇÖt speak
to the latency and ease of use, but the idea is nice in theory, and is
something iPads canΓÇÖt do yet.

You might not even need extra screens, though, since the Tab S11 UltraΓÇÖs
display is a roomy 14.6 inches, which Samsung says is its largest yet. It
offers the vibrancy and brightness thatΓÇÖs typical of the companyΓÇÖs
AMOLEDs, meaning colors are richly saturated and make for an enjoyable
multimedia experience. Like recent models, the S11 UltraΓÇÖs panel refreshes
at up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, and has a fairly sharp
resolution of 2,960 x 1,848. If you really care about numbers, then know that
the Tab S11 Ultra gets up to 1,600 nits of brightness, as well.

All this is powered by a 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor, which the
company said is a first for its tablets and brings 20 percent improved CPU
and GPU performance over the previous generation. The neural processing unit
(NPU) also sees a jump of 30 percent, according to Samsung. That means AI
tools like Writing Assist and Drawing Assist should be faster and smoother.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

In addition to those tools, which help you adjust the tone of your messages
or turn your rough sketches into full-fledged art, the Tab S11 Ultra will
also support GoogleΓÇÖs Gemini Live so you can have more natural
conversations with the assistant. Samsung is also rolling out a Galaxy AI
overlay for its Notes and browser apps, allowing you to drag around a
moveable panel on top of those windows for easier reference.

Despite how I started this article, IΓÇÖve actually long been a fan of
SamsungΓÇÖs Galaxy Tab S line. I love how thin and sturdy they are ΓÇö they
just feel like sharp gadgets to wield. And at just 5.1mm (0.2 inches) thin
and weighing just 1.53 pounds (692 grams), the Tab S11 Ultra is impressively
svelte. Holding it up with just one hand while I aimed my camera at it felt
effortless, and despite measuring 8.2 x 12.8 inches, the tablet was
relatively easy to maneuver.

By the way, the S11 UltraΓÇÖs bezels measure 5.2mm, meaning even the barely-
there borders are thicker than the device. And in case you needed a
comparison, the 13-inch iPad Pro from 2024 was also 5.1mm thin. The Tab S11
Ultra has a bigger screen while keeping that slim profile. It also is rated
IP68 so it can withstand about the same amount of dust and water ingress as
the average smartphone today.

While I wasnΓÇÖt able to test the battery life of the Tab S11 and Tab S11
Ultra at the hands-on event, I think their respective 8,400mAh and 11,600mAh
cells should provide ample runtime to get work done on the go. Samsung says
theyΓÇÖll both last about 13 hours on a charge. IΓÇÖll take this opportunity
to point out that the Tab S11 is a much less premium device, with noticeably
thicker bezels around its 10.9-inch screen. It supports Wi-Fi 6E, while the
Ultra gets up to Wi-Fi 7, and it has a headphone jack if you still want one.
The Ultra, meanwhile, does not have a 3.5mm audio socket.

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

In most other respects, the Tab S11 and its Ultra sibling share similar
specs. Both have 13-megapixel rear cameras and 12MP front sensors, though the
Ultra has an additional 8MP ultrawide setup. They support the redesigned S
Pen, have in-screen fingerprint sensors, use the same processor, start at the
same 12GB of RAM and go up to 2TB of storage, all while running Android 16.

IΓÇÖm truly intrigued and tempted by the Tab S11 UltraΓÇÖs promise of
portable productivity in a handsome package, but I simply donΓÇÖt use tablets
in my life. My personal laptop is a Samsung Galaxy Book, and that feels like
a suitable medium-screen to join my small screen (phone), big screen (TV) and
tiny screen (watch). I donΓÇÖt need to throw a smedium screen into the mix. I
already have a Kindle and a reMarkable Paper Pro that take the place of books
and notebooks, too.

That said, for the non-Apple people who use tablets as laptop replacements,
artists who want to sketch in color or simply anyone who just likes a 15-inch
thin and light touchscreen for whatever reason, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
should be a worthy option. ItΓÇÖs just going to be quite the hefty investment
at $1,200 to start. ThatΓÇÖs costlier than most laptops, and doesnΓÇÖt
include accessories like keyboard cases or mice yet. The base Tab S11 goes
for $800, which is also more expensive than the plethora of midrange laptops
on the market, so youΓÇÖll be paying a premium for portability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsu...
really-thin-redesigned-s-pen-and-remember-dex-093015036.html?src=rss

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