Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE preview: A minor upgrade to an affordable slate
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Galaxy Tab S10 FE Intro
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE has just come our way, and just like its predecessor, it will aim to bolster Samsung's presence in the lower mid-range tablet niche.
However, unlike the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus, which got a bigger screen, the regular tablet has scored fewer upgrades––it has been merely treated to a newer chipset and a slight megapixel increase for the rear camera, but not much else.
Is that such a big problem?
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Galaxy Tab S10 FE Specs
Few upgrades here and there
Here's the Galaxy Tab S9 FE specs sheet, but it's pretty much similar to the one of its predecessor:
| Galaxy Tab S10 FE |
|---|
| Size and Weight 165.8 x 254.3 x 6.0 mm 500 gr (5G) / 497 gr (Wi-Fi) |
| Display 10.9-inch 2304 x 1440 pixels 90Hz IPS LCD 800 nits peak brightness |
| Processor Exynos 1580 (4nm) |
| Memory 8GB RAM + 128GB 12GB RAM + 256GB microSD card slot |
| Software Android 15 |
| Cameras 13MP rear 12MP front |
| Battery Size 8,000mAh |
| Charging Speeds 45W wired No wireless charging |
| Other features IP68 S Pen stylus in the box |
| Prices $500 (Wi-Fi) $600 (Wi-Fi + Cellular) |
| Colors Blue Silver Gray |
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Design and Display
A familiar sight
Galaxy Tab S10 FE looks rather familiar (Image Credit-Samsung)
Samsung hasn't reinvented the proverbial wheel with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE design language. It looks just like any other mid-range Galaxy tablet out there, featuring a standard all-aluminum body, relatively thick bezels, and a magnetically attachable S Pen at the rear.
We don't get any other changes in the design department, and we don't really feel like any are actually needed here. It's a mid-range tablet, after all.
With dimensions of 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.0 mm, this one is similar in overall size to its predecessor, but is half a millimeter thinner, which is always nice to see. A very decent design update that makes it a bit more compact, but it's unlikely you'd spot that difference so easily.
The new tablet still supports the full IP68 water and dust resistance standard.
At the front of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, we see the same IPS LCD 10.9-inch screen. That isn't ideal as it provides a worse experience in comparison with an OLED panel, but having an LCD in such a device is normal considering the market positioning.
The display boasts have a 2304 by 1440 resolution, as well as a fairly smooth 90Hz refresh rate (but not as smooth as 120Hz screens). Peak brightness reportedly reaches around 800 nits in high-brightness mode here.
Biometrics will be covered by an in-display fingerprint scanner, likely an optical one.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Keyboard and Stylus
Samsung released a keyboard accessory for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, and we largely expect the Galaxy Tab S10 FE to be either compatible with it or score a slightly revamped one, but we're leaning towards the former.
Called the Book Cover Keyboard, this accessory features a detachable tablet case with a kickstand and a separate QWERTY keyboard with a trackpad that attaches to the tablet magnetically. The Book Cover Keyboard is sold separately and costs $200.
Aside from it, Samsung also has a so-called Book Keyboard Slim accessory, which is basically a tablet case with a keyboard. It doesn't have a trackpad, but costs $140.
Aside from it, Samsung also has a so-called Book Keyboard Slim accessory, which is basically a tablet case with a keyboard. It doesn't have a trackpad, but costs $140.
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE comes with its own stylus. No extra charge for this one as it is available in the box.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Performance & Benchmarks
Performance upgrade inbound
The Exynos 1580 chip ticks inside the Galaxy Tab S10 FE. That's Samsung's 4nm mid-range chipset offering for 2025 that's already powering the recent Galaxy A56.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE came with the Exynos 1380 chipset, which was also powering popular devices like the Galaxy A35 5G. In comparison, the new Exynos chip offers a healthy improvement to both the CPU and GPU performance.
Memory-wise, the Tab S9 FE will be available in two variants: one with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and another one with 12GB RAM and 256GB of native storage. Both feature microSD card slots for expansion, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Interestingly, that's the only new tablet that has a cellular version available for $100 extra––the bigger Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus only comes with Wi-Fi connectivity in tow.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Software
Android 15 is making a natural appearance here, with all the bells and whistles one has come to expect of a Samsung tablet––the company's customizable and user-friendly One UI software, as well as a slew of AI features scattered throughout the interface.
Those include:
- Circle to Search––The latest trend in searching with Google is available right out of the box.
- Solve Math––Similar to iPadOS and the latest additions to Apple's Notes app, Samsung's latest large tablet lets you easily solve math equations in Samsung Notes, without switching apps.
- Handwriting Help––This feature aims to tidy up your handwriting and improve your note-taking.
- Galaxy AI Key––A dedicated Galaxy AI key on the Samsung keyboard accessories (see above) lets you quickly launch the AI assistant of your choice
- Object Eraser––This one is familiar and lets you quickly remove unwanted objects from your photos.
- Best Face––Automatically selects and combines your best facial expressions from a series of photos.
- Auto Trim––Creates highlight reels from your videos.
Samsung has also preloaded some productivity apps, like LumaFusion, Goodnotes, Clip Studio Paint, Noteshelf 3, Sketchbook, and Picsart.
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus will be supported for seven years, which means Samsung pledges to keep it in top software shape until 2032.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Battery and Charging
Are we getting an endurance upgrade?
There's an 8,000mAh battery in the back of the Galaxy Tab 10 FE. It's just as large as the one on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, but given the faster and more efficient Exynos 1580 chip in the newer tablet, we might get a sliiightly better battery life.
In terms of charging, Samsung is once again rubbing salt in the Galaxy S25's open wound by introducing 45W wired charging to its latest affordable tablet.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Camera
The sanitary minimum
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE has scored a slight upgrade of the rear camera, from 8MP to 13MP, similar to the one on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus. In fact, we wouldn't be surprised if both are completely identical and deliver similar image quality.
At the front, the tablet keeps a 12MP ultrawide selfie camera, which should be more than enough for video calls and the occasional selfie.
Should you buy it?
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a minor refresh if we've ever seen one. It's slightly thinners and has a new chip, but is also $50 costlier than before… And that basically exhausts the list of "improvements" to Samsung's new tablet.
Is that a major problem? Not necessarily! Samsung might have naturally cut some corners here and there, but overall, it might prove challenging to find any major flaws with an affordable tablet like this one. The use case for these is pretty broad, making them one of the cheapest ways to experience Android on a large screen.
With a starting price of $500, it's certainly a very affordable tablet that's also getting supported for seven years, so it's normal to expect fewer changes and improvements. The older Galaxy Tab S9 FE is also still pretty viable, so upgrading to the newer one doesn't make a lot of sense.
If you're about to jump into the Samsung ecosystem right now and want an affordable, no-nonsense tablet, this one is a pretty viable option.
If you're about to jump into the Samsung ecosystem right now and want an affordable, no-nonsense tablet, this one is a pretty viable option.
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