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

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 won’t be making new tablets and seems to have already forgotten about the Pixel Tablet. But that’s 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 it’s 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 company’s 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. I’ve loved Samsung’s 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 didn’t feel remarkable. It’s certainly a lot lighter than the reMarkable Paper Pro’s Marker Plus. But despite its similarity to a No. 2 pencil, Samsung’s new stylus didn’t feel better to hold or write with than the Kindle Scribe’s pen, which is a simple cylindrical piece. I actually like how smooth the latter’s edges are, and both seemed to deliver similarly fluid and responsive writing. I didn’t feel much resistance as I dragged the S Pen’s nib across the Tab S11 Ultra’s screen to scrawl out “Hello Engadget.”

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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 tablet’s screen like other EMR (electromagnetic resonance) tablets and won’t 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 aren’t strong enough to keep the S Pen on the tablet if you toss it in a purse or bag. You’ll 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 you’ll 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 won’t be available at launch, so you’ll have to wait to get it and perhaps rely on a Bluetooth accessory in the meantime. Or you can get the Slim Keyboard, which doesn’t have a trackpad.

Once you get a working keyboard connected, you’ll likely have a nice time getting work done on the S11 Ultra. That’s thanks in large part to the improved Dex mode, Samsung’s 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 didn’t get to see this for myself yet, so I can’t speak to the latency and ease of use, but the idea is nice in theory, and is something iPads can’t do yet.

You might not even need extra screens, though, since the Tab S11 Ultra’s display is a roomy 14.6 inches, which Samsung says is its largest yet. It offers the vibrancy and brightness that’s typical of the company’s AMOLEDs, meaning colors are richly saturated and make for an enjoyable multimedia experience. Like recent models, the S11 Ultra’s 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 Google’s 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, I’ve actually long been a fan of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S line. I love how thin and sturdy they are — 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 Ultra’s 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 wasn’t 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 they’ll both last about 13 hours on a charge. I’ll 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.

I’m truly intrigued and tempted by the Tab S11 Ultra’s promise of portable productivity in a handsome package, but I simply don’t 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 don’t 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. It’s just going to be quite the hefty investment at $1,200 to start. That’s costlier than most laptops, and doesn’t 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 you’ll be paying a premium for portability.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s11-ultra-hands-on-really-thin-redesigned-s-pen-and-remember-dex-093015036.html?src=rss https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsung-galaxy-tab-s11-ultra-hands-on-really-thin-redesigned-s-pen-and-remember-dex-093015036.html?src=rss