The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has made a grand entrance, boasting remarkable features and high-end specs that could easily crown it as the best Android tablet to date. However, before you rush to add it to your cart, let’s take a moment to consider why buying one might not be the wisest decision after all.
First and foremost, let’s address the elephant in the room—the price. Starting at a hefty £1,199/$1,199, the Tab S11 Ultra demands a premium that not everyone may be willing to shell out. For the 5G models, the price escalates to a staggering £1,349, making it a luxury purchase that might not align with everyone’s budget.
Comparing it to the Apple iPad Air M3, which comes in at half the price, highlights the significant price gulf between the two devices. Even within the Android tablet realm, there are more budget-friendly alternatives that offer compelling features without breaking the bank.
Moreover, to truly unlock the potential of the Tab S11 Ultra, you’ll likely find yourself needing additional accessories, such as the ‘Book Cover Keyboard Slim.’ While the S Pen stylus is included, essentials like the keyboard come at an extra cost, further inflating the overall investment required for a complete user experience.
Size matters, and the Tab S11 Ultra’s 14.6-inch screen may be a double-edged sword. While it provides ample real estate for productivity tasks, its dimensions of 208 x 326mm make it unwieldy for handheld use. This poses a dilemma—opt for a laptop-like experience with the keyboard cover, or struggle with the tablet’s bulkiness in handheld mode.
Even the S Pen, a flagship feature of Samsung’s tablets, has seen a downgrade with the removal of Bluetooth Low Energy support. While the redesigned S Pen offers an improved writing experience, the absence of key functionalities found in previous models, such as remote control capabilities, leaves enthusiasts feeling shortchanged.
When it comes to software, the Tab S11 Ultra shines with One UI 8, offering a polished user experience. However, the inherent limitations of the Android ecosystem hinder its potential as a true laptop replacement. App developers often neglect optimizing their offerings for Android tablets, resulting in a lackluster experience for users seeking enhanced productivity features.
In conclusion, while the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra dazzles with its cutting-edge specifications and premium design, the exorbitant price tag, additional accessory costs, unwieldy size, S Pen downgrades, and software limitations may make it a hard sell for most consumers. Before making the leap, it’s crucial to weigh these factors against your needs and preferences to determine if the Tab S11 Ultra truly aligns with your expectations.
Stay tuned for our in-depth review to delve deeper into the Tab S11 Ultra’s performance and capabilities. In the meantime, explore alternative options and consider whether a more practical and cost-effective solution might better suit your requirements.