Samsung Announces The Galaxy Tab S In 8.4" And 10.5" Flavors, Complete With 2560x1600 Super AMOLED Screens

The casual observer might think that Samsung has too many Android tablets. Between the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (from 2013, of course), no less than four versions of Tab and Note Pros, and the fourth generation of low-end Galaxy Tab hardware, the casual observer is right. But that's not stopping Samsung's shotgun approach to market coverage. The company has just announced the new Galaxy Tab S line, modeled after the flagship Galaxy S5 in more ways than one.

The 8.4-inch and 10.5-inch tablets use the same looks as the S5, complete with a dimpled plastic rear and Samsung's ubiquitous physical home button, which still looks pretty awful on an Android tablet. But what will certainly turn heads more than the trim are the brand-spanking new screens, both of which use the Super AMOLED technology seen on most Samsung phones. Samsung hasn't made a Super AMOLED tablet since the Galaxy Tab 7.7 way back in 2011, instead opting for cheaper LCDs for the larger panels. Super AMOLED isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it's generally more bright and vibrant than even the best LCD screens. At 2560x1600 resolution for both Galaxy Tab S models, these are the highest-res AMOLED panels that Samsung has made yet for Android devices.

  

  

Underneath the screens are either 1.9Ghz Exynos 5 Octa processors or more typical Snapdragon 800 chips, the latter being reserved for models with wireless broadband. RAM is 3GB for both models, and both will be available in the usual 16GB and 32GB flavors with a MicroSD card slot. Both tablets use identical 8MP/2MP camera setups for the rear and front, respectively, complete with an LED flash. Each model is impressively slim at just 6.6mm, but the 8.4" version has a 4,900mAh battery, while the larger 10.5" tablet gets a full 7,900mAh version. Both tablets get the fingerprint sensor from the Galaxy S5, but not the built-in pulse oximeter. The only other difference between them is that the LTE version of the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 will have a smartphone-style proximity sensor, while the bigger tablet won't get one in any form.

  

Initially the Galaxy Tab S will be available in white and bronze (black with shiny gold trim) editions, and they'll come with Samsung's usual bevy of pack-in software and reward discounts, including a customized version of Amazon Kindle with a free (presumably pre-selected) book each month and three free months of Marvel's Unlimited comics service. Both tablets will run Android 4.4 and TouchWiz at launch. Naturally they'll be marketing various accessories for the tablets, none of which will be worth the retail price if previous Samsung cases and keyboards are anything to go on.

  

Samsung says the Galaxy Tab S will be available in "select markets" in July, and as usual, they haven't included a price. With those gigantic Super AMOLED screens and specs similar to the Tab Pro line, expect the price tags to go sky high. AT&T says they will be "among the first" US carriers to offer the Galaxy Tab S, though they don't say which one or when.

Source: Samsung Tomorrow

Samsung Electronics announced the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet to date. This Super AMOLED tablet combines the most advanced display technology with a full range of premium content for an unrivaled entertainment experience. The Galaxy Tab S is also powered with enhanced productivity features for effortless multitasking, all elegantly housed in a highly stylish, yet practical design.

“The tablet is becoming a popular personal viewing device for enjoying content, which makes the quality of the display a critical feature,” said JK Shin, CEO and President of IT & Mobile Division, Samsung Electronics. “With the launch of the Galaxy Tab S, Samsung is setting the industry bar higher for the entire mobile industry. It will provide consumers with a visual and entertainment experience that brings colors to life, beautifully packaged in a sleek and ultra-portable mobile device.”

Turn up the Color with the Industry’s Best Mobile Display – Super AMOLED

The Galaxy Tab S embodies the next evolution in mobile display technology, delivering a wider range of rich and crisp colors. Its industry-leading WQXGA (2560×1600, 16:10) Super AMOLED display delivers more than 90% of Adobe RGB color coverage – expressing more colors than ever before – and has a remarkable 100,000:1 contrast ratio which provides deeper and more realistic images by making blacks darker and whites brighter.

The Galaxy Tab S also features additional Samsung screen technologies that go beyond the hardware specifications. The tablet’s Adaptive Display ensures the best visual experience anywhere, anytime by intelligently adjusting gamma, saturation, and sharpness based on the application being viewed, the color temperature of the viewing environment and ambient lighting. Pre-set professional modes – AMOLED Cinema and AMOLED Photo – also let users manually adjust the display settings for bright, dynamic results for both video and photo content.

In addition, Galaxy Tab S users can fully enjoy content clearly and easily outdoors, even in bright sunlight. The tablet’s advanced outdoor visibility technology makes on-screen content look bright, natural, and easy to view.

Since Super AMOLED technology doesn’t require a backlight, the Galaxy Tab S consumes less energy than comparative LCD displays while maintaining a very portable design. Both models have a sleek 6.6mm profile and at only 465g (10.5-inch) and 294g (8.4-inch)^*, that are light and easy to carry. With its longer-lasting battery, and Ultra-Power Saving Mode, the Galaxy Tab S lets consumer enjoy hours of entertainment without having to worry about recharging.

* Device weights are measured with WIFI only version of Galaxy Tab S 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch

Premium Content Eco-System

The Galaxy Tab S is made for entertainment and comes packed with a variety of content including:

- Samsung’s magazine service, “Papergarden” debuts on the Galaxy Tab S. An optimized viewing environment for digital interactive magazines, users will be able to view a wide range of popular magazines with vivid and true-to-life colors.

- Galaxy Gifts: Samsung has teamed up with more than 30 of the world’s leading mobile content and service providers to offer its Galaxy Tab S users the ultimate home, work, and play entertainment experience through premium content and services across a wide range of industries. Some of these include:

o With Samsung’s strategic partnership with Marvel, Galaxy Tab S users will be able to access over 15,000 Marvel Comics through 3 months of unlimited free membership to Marvel’s “Marvel Unlimited” app.

o Kindle for Samsung: Exclusively for Samsung customers, and customized for the Galaxy Tab S, users will receive a free book every month through Samsung Book Deals, plus the ultimate e-reading experience with access to a vast selection of e-books in the Kindle store.

- Samsung has also partnered with Google Play, Google’s online digital entertainment store offering apps, games, music, movies, books and magazines. To get Galaxy Tab S users started, Samsung and Google Play are offering several gifts: access to a range of movie and entertainment content, including the Warner Bros. Academy Award winning movie “Gravity” as well a variety of books from top publishers through the “My Library" widget.

Furthermore, Galaxy Tab S users can now enjoy Netflix, available in high definition for the first time for Galaxy users in select countries.

Stylish Form Factor and Practical Accessories

Beautifully crafted and designed with architectural aesthetics, the Galaxy Tab S is modern and sleek.

Extending this design identity, the Galaxy Tab S offers a choice of several fashionable and practically designed custom accessories. The Book Cover accessory configures to three different display angles to provide the most comfortable position to watch videos, read or type. For users looking for the same protective structure of the Book Cover but with a slimmer design, Samsung offers the Simple Cover that offers a perfectly fitting, lightweight protection. The Bluetooth Keyboard is a new, ergonomically designed ultra-slim keyboard designed specifically for the Galaxy Tab S which perfectly pairs the device with the keyboard with a clasp for better protection.

The Galaxy Experience – Productivity Features That Help You Multitask

The Galaxy Tab S delivers an unmatched selection of enhanced productivity and security features that provide users with the ability to effortlessly and safely multitask. Users can make and receive calls directly from their phone to their Galaxy Tab S, anywhere at home, no matter where their phone is with the Call Forwarding feature via SideSync 3.0. The Galaxy Tab S also allows consumers to truly multitask, enabling them to surf the web, watch videos, share content and make calls simultaneously without having to worry about closing out of one to access another. With Quick Connect, Galaxy Tab S quickly finds and connects to nearby devices, for easy content sharing. These features are all available on both WiFi and LTE versions.

Additional useful features include a ‘Multi User Mode’ that enables users to create their own personal optimized profile, safe and convenient access with a built-in ‘Fingerprint Scanner,’ and a specially designed ‘Kids’ Mode’ with its own dedicated interface and kid-friendly applications.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S will come in a variety of connectivity options: Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi and LTE, available in 16/32GB* + MicroSD (up to 128GB). Users can also choose between the 10.5-inch and 8.4-inch versions, in Titanium Bronze or Dazzling White. The Galaxy Tab S will be available in selective markets from July, 2014.

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Michael Crider

Michael is a native Texan and a former graphic designer. He's been covering technology in general and Android in particular since 2011. His interests include folk music, football, science fiction, and salsa verde, in no particular order.

source: androidpolice