First look: Samsung Tab S

Size

Available in either 8.4-inch (16GB) or 10.5-inch (32GB) sizes, the Samsung Tab S will be available in both Wi-Fi and LTE versions here. The devices will be powered by the Exynos 5 Octa (1.9 GHz QuadCore + 1.3 GHz Quadcore) processor.

Screen

Both versions will feature WQXGA 2,560 x 1,600 pixel displays in a 16:10 aspect ratio. This is the second time that Samsung is using a Super Amoled display on a tablet device.

An Amoled screen offers higher contrast ratios and Samsung says the screen will be able to handle more colours than before, about 90 per cent of Adobe RGB colour coverage.

Its 100,000:1 contrast ratio will also provide deeper blacks, creating more realistic images. The screen will have an Adaptive Display setting that detects the type of content on screen, such as photos and videos.

SideSync 3.0

A feature for Samsung tablets and Galaxy smartphones, SideSync allows owners to link both devices using Wi-Fi Direct, such that the tablet's screen will mirror the phone's display.

This will allow a user to control his smartphone with his tablet. That is, he will be able to answer e-mail and WhatsApp messages, drag and drop files from one device to the other and make and answer phone calls from the tablet.

Biometric sensor

While several smartphone makers have started to add fingerprint sensors to their phones, none has put such a biometric sensor on a globally available tablet until now.

These sensors, such as the one on Samsung's Galaxy S5, allow users to access or lock a tablet, and even make secure payments with online payment services, such as PayPal, using a biometric sensor.

Battery

The 8.4-inch version comes with a 4,900 mAh battery, while the larger one has a 7,900 mAh battery.

The Super Amoled screen draws less power than other screen displays and both tablets also offer the same Ultra Power Saving mode as the Galaxy S5.

This lets the tablet keep on working but limits features as screen brightness, and disables connectivity, to extend battery life.

sherwinl@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 25, 2014.
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