Why I Recommend This Samsung Tablet Over Pricier Models - Especially The Ultra

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is simply a 13.1-inch tablet for $649.
• It's a bully iPad Air replacement for Android users, pinch reliable performance, a larger show than nan S10+, and an IP68 standing that nan iPad lacks; it besides includes nan S Pen.
• The value accrued by $50 for nan guidelines exemplary compared to past year, and nan tablet now has a azygous rear camera alternatively than nan precious dual cameras.

I for illustration nan portability of a tablet versus a heavy, bulkier laptop. I bask moving connected nan iPad Air daily, truthful I've looked guardant to testing nan caller Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ since its launch. This tablet is simply a nonstop competitor to nan M3 iPad Air that Apple conscionable launched, which has go my tablet of prime for writing, reading, and entertainment. 

But while nan Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is comparable to nan iPad Air successful immoderate ways, it exceeds Apple's tablet's capabilities successful others. 

Also: Why I prime this ultraportable Lenovo tablet complete nan iPad for mobile entertainment

The FE bid of Samsung devices is an affordable replacement to its flagship devices. Just for illustration location is simply a lineup of FE Galaxy smartphones, Samsung makes FE alternatives to its flagship tablets. I've tested nan Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and S10 Ultra, truthful I was eager to spot really nan S10 FE+ compares. 

I've besides precocious tested respective comparably priced tablets, for illustration nan Honor Pad V9 and nan latest iPad Mini, and nan Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ fared well. 

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ has an Exynos 1580 chip, which Samsung says makes nan tablet astir 32% faster than its predecessor, nan Tab S9 FE+. This isn't a high-end processor, but it's awesome for mundane tasks and is 1 of Samsung's compromises pinch its FE devices. 

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This tablet tin grip mundane media and activity tasks, and nan included S Pen is useful for notetaking and imaginative work. The Tab S10 FE+ isn't built for powerfulness users but is cleanable for ray work, including video calls, photograph editing, messaging, and utilizing Samsung DeX. 

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The 13.1-inch show is simply a size upgrade from nan erstwhile Tab S9 FE+, which had a 12.4-inch screen. The larger surface offers much abstraction for multitasking pinch divided screen, media streaming, gaming, and imaginative activity for illustration sketching. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The artillery life is reliably good, particularly erstwhile you usage this tablet for entertainment. The S10 FE+ has a large, 10,090 mAh battery, and its businesslike capacity ensures it lasts a afloat workday. For comparison, nan longest artillery life I've tested connected a tablet frankincense acold is nan Honor Pad V9, which has a 10,100 mAh battery. The 2024 iPad Pro has an 8,160 mAh battery, and nan 13-inch iPad Air M3 has a 9.705 mAh battery, for reference.

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I for illustration that Samsung's newer tablets are IP68-rated for h2o and particulate resistance. This whitethorn not sound for illustration a large deal, but arsenic personification who's gotten utilized to carrying my tablet astir everyplace pinch me, it is. I've often had to barren my tablet aft an accidental h2o spill aliases unknowingly putting it connected a bedewed surface. 

The panic that courses done maine arsenic I frantically barren my tablet each clip it touches moisture is only understood by anyone who has mislaid a instrumentality to h2o aliases had smartphones complete 10 years agone (RIP to my BlackBerry Bold, connected some accounts). 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

While you can't (and shouldn't) aquatics pinch nan Tab S10 FE+, you tin respire a small easier erstwhile it gets bedewed and move connected to barren it without experiencing throat-clenching anxiety. The IP68 standing isn't location to promote you to bring your tablet erstwhile you spell scuba diving, but to protect your investment. 

In benchmark testing, nan Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ proved acold much basal than nan comparably priced iPad Air from 2024 (M2) and 2025 (M3). If you're looking for a tablet to move betwixt dense apps aliases demanding video editing, you'd do amended pinch an iPad Air. But if you're looking for 1 pinch a longer artillery life, an included stylus, and h2o resistance, past nan Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is best. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is simply a awesome midrange tablet for entertainment, truthful media enthusiasts tin rejoice successful its ample 13.1-inch show and 90Hz refresh rate. But creators, students, and professionals alike tin besides use from it, particularly those looking for an mundane tablet wrong nan Galaxy ecosystem that doesn't scope premium prices. 

Also: I replaced my Kindle and iPad wrong hours of testing this tablet

The Tab S10 FE+ is slim and very lightweight. It's besides waterproof and comes pinch an S Pen, making it amended suited for portability than different comparable options. You tin return this tablet pinch you almost anyplace and usage it for entertainment, notetaking, aliases activity without 2nd thoughts astir nan elements you'll expose it to.

This communicative was first published connected April 22, 2025, and was updated connected July 31, 2025, pinch much applicable soul links and nan expiration of nan Prime Day deal.