Although I was mainly using my 5-year old Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 for watching videos, running some apps when I needed to was becoming painfully slow. I was ready for something a bit faster, a little bigger and with more built-in storage. This new Galaxy Tab S5e (64GB) is exactly what I was looking for! The size is great! For a 10.5" screen, having a thin bezel all around and no physical front home buttons, it is not a whole lot bigger than my old 8" tablet. It quite a bit smaller than the (2016) Galaxy Tab A 10.1" tablets that my kids have. And SO THIN!! It's thinner than the 8" and weighs about the same, if not a little bit lighter! (check out the pictures comparing the sizes) This display is great, with the Super AMOLED screen and a resolution of 2560x1600. So far, the new OneUI that comes with the Android 9 (Pie) is quite a bit of an improvement over their previous UI (which is why I've never really liked Samsung phones, even though we love then many other Samsung items we own - from TVs to Appliances). Also, I like the "double-tap" to turn on the screen (similar to my LG phone, which I always seem to try on all screens), just wish it could turn the screen off the same way. My only nit-pick is that when scrolling to the next Home screen or application page, the "slide" when you barely swipe could be a little quicker, especially in Landscape (you can swipe fast to make it go faster, but it's not what I prefer to be required to do). Also, one thing I wish that would work with it is an S-Pen (the kids' Tab A tablets have them). The thin on/off button is on the side and is also the fingerprint scanner. It is recessed a little bit to keep from hitting it accidentally. The scanner seems to be fairly responsive, even with its smaller size, so no issues so far. You can also set up facial recognition, but I won't be using it. Battery life has been extremely good so far. When on Standby, it may use about 5-10% a day. After a week of usage, with maybe 7 hours of video and 5 hours of streaming radio, I finally decided to charge it again, and it was only down to 25% left. The cameras are OK, but I won't really be using it for pictures. It has a 13MP rear camera and a 8MP front camera. The rear camera does have some of the different modes you see on most phone cameras, such as Panorama, Hyperlapse and Live focus, along with the Pro mode to manually changes some of the exposure settings. Luckily, I mainly use bluetooth headphones when listening to music/videos as there is no longer a built-in 3.5mm headphone jack. But a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter is provided. All in all, this is a great Android tablet with a nice, lighter-weight design!

I knew it was time to replace my old Galaxy tab 4 as it was slow and not holding the charge. So, I was very excited to get the improved upgraded Samsung Galaxy SE5 tablet. When you read the specs, you have to say “WOW!”. When I opened the box I was really impressed with how sleek and modern the tablet looks but when I first held it, I was afraid I might drop it as it is so thin. After two days of use It became easer to hold, or I had more confidence. The back is a tad slippery but I will eventually buy a cover. .It is considerably bigger than the 8’ tablet which I pop in my bag and take to the gym and everywhere. The set-up instructions were sparse and even finding the help files was not easy. Fortunately, I had experience with a Samsun Galaxy tab. The YouTube videos were very scarce as it is so new. I would suggest that Samsung place the help file on the home page so when you first turn it on it is readily available for the setup. Authentication The on/off button is so indented it is hard to use. This may be by design to keep from accidently turning on/off. To open you can use a PIN, password or Biometrics type fingerprint scanner, or face recognition. I didn’t initially set up any authentication feature but will probably just use the PIN. It is nice to know that there are more options. Apps It was very easy to transfer files from my old galaxy to the new one, Some of the older apps don’t seem to work but that is okay. The one aspect that I find frustrating is moving apps to the micro SD card. You have to guess which apps can be moved and do each one manually. I am not sure when updates arrive if they will be automatically downloaded to the SD card. Sound • 4 speakers (Top: 2, Bottom: 2) Sound by AKG Cinematic sound with Dolby Atmos technology Really awesome and if you do need earphone there is an included Type C to 3.5mm adapter. Or use blue tooth earbuds. Both work well. Charging is really fast but I wish the screen would tell me how long to charge so I wouldn’t leave it in to overcharge. Perhaps with time I will have more of a feel for how long it takes. The 7,040mAh battery lasts a long time on a charge. Graphics – really really excellent. The screen size and super AMOLED display are great. Combined With the excellent sound the Galaxy SE5 creates a very nice experience for streaming. Camera – excellent. Gives the user a lot of control. Used outside in sunlight and still easy to see the screen. There are a lot of other features which I will have fun exploring, likeDeX for a PC-like environment , , Android Pie (9), AI The Galaxy Tab S5e offers the first Samsung tablet to feature the new Bixby 2.0, and it serves as a hub to control connected home devices. Users can turn on their TV and lights with Quick Command. Samsung - SmartThings Hub is listed as a freebie, but mine did not come with this device so I can’t review it. An Extra is the Secure folder: a secure space on the device to keep content such as apps, photos and documents private. In sum, the more I use the Samsung Galaxy SE5 the better I like it. After playing Microsoft Solitary I find I will definitely need a holder. I did use an older blue tooth keyboard, but that is not satisfactory for traveling.

So, after a few days with this tablet, I have to say I am a bit underwhelmed. It has a beautiful OLED screen, good battery life and is thin and lightweight. Performance is decent with very little noticeable lag. Rear camera quality is pretty good but the front camera is so-so. Fingerprint scanner works well. I only have to touch it once. Things seemed good at first but went downhill quickly. First, the OS crashed and the tablet became completely unresponsive within hours out of the box. I wasn't even using it at the time. I had finished setting everything up and sat the tablet down. Most infants probably don't get treated as gently as I treated this tablet during that time. I tried to use it a couple hours later and it was completely unresponsive. The screen was black and nothing could activate it. Holding the power button did nothing. I figured maybe the battery was drained, so I plugged it into the fast charger but it was still unresponsive after an hour of charging. I finally researched the issue online and discovered how to reset the tablet. Holding the volume down and power buttons together for about 10 seconds got it working again. Despite the fact that I got it working, a hard crash like that right out of the box is not a good start. As soon as I got that issue resolved, I ran into my next issue: the inability to text or call through my phone from my tablet. That issue is huge because the promise of text and call forwarding was the number one reason why I bought this tablet. I'm a 10 year Apple user who recently switched to Android after growing bored of Apple's never ending sameness. That switch involved buying a Galaxy S10+, a Galaxy Watch Active and this tablet. I like all three but the lack of cohesiveness and interoperability between the phone and tablet is driving me nuts. My iPhone and iPad may have gotten boring but at least they work nicely in tandem to deliver all my content, including texts and voice calls, on both devices. The iPad is WiFi-only, just like this Tab S5e. I didn't realize just how huge the effortless syncing between iOS devices was, nor how much I'd miss it, until I switched. Despite being made by the same manufacturer, this tablet and my S10+ feel like two unrelated stand alone items. I have activated call and message continuity on the tablet and I'm logged into my Samsung account on both devices. However, it appears the phone does not have the call and message continuity option. Why is this? Is this the dreaded fragmented updates annoyance that everyone warned me about before I switched to Android? Is it a carrier restriction? Whatever the reason, it's unacceptable. I had the same issue with my Chromebook and S10+. The Chrome OS also promised the ability to get messages from an Android phone but I cannot seem to activate it because the setting they instruct to activate is not on my Samsung phone. I have to honestly say, things aren't getting off to a running start for me with Samsung. My S10's ultrasonic fingerprint reader is frustratingly bad (10+ attempts and frequent lockouts are the norm). The Galaxy Watch Active's blood pressure monitoring feature was the main reason I bought the watch but that turned into a fiasco. Now I've discovered that I can't (yet?) use the primary feature that drove me to purchase this tablet. Even worse, I have no promises or assurances that I ever will be. Something like SMS and call sync between two mobile devices made by the same manufacturer shouldn't be THAT hard to pull off. If my Samsung watch can receive text messages from my Samsung phone, why can't my Samsung tablet? I'm honestly getting fed up with this iOS to Android migration attempt.

I just needed to inform you guys that I'm actually writing this review on the very tablet I'm reviewing using the Samsung keyboard cover. I have owned this for over a month since writing this so I feel comfortable speaking my mind. The first thing I need to say is that this tablet is the perfect size and aspect ratio for my needs. It's 10.5 inches and a 16:10 aspect so it has a similar feel to a small laptop. The screen itself looks incredibly good and has a high resolution so that I can watch stuff in 1440p, which makes this tablet all the more impressive. Another point to mention is the sound quality from the four speakers. They get loud and can actually produce a bit of bass. However, I would not depend on these to entertain a party, but if you don't want to bother with headphones the speakers do well enough. Speaking of headphones, this tablet unfortunately ditches the headphone jack. I find this less annoying because there is a USB C to 3.5mm jack adapter included in the box. But of course, bluetooth is always an option. Now when it comes to using the tablet itself, it is really great overall. I basically feel like this is a pro-level product at half the cost of other "pro" tablets. Yes, it runs android and yes, your phone can do the same thing. But your phone can't magnetically connect to a folio keyboard that also becomes it's case that can very easily be typed on comfortably. Yes, you do have to pay extra for it, but with the money you're saving compared to the competitors from the Cupertino Space Donut, I say it's worth it. Not to mention that you can still put in an SD card to expand the storage as much as you want, and 64gb as the base storage isn't that big of a deal because of the epandability. Oh yea, this tablet also packs a USB C port, so you can connect almost anything else to it and it'll work. I have tried thumb drives, mice and others. I have yet to test a USB C hub, but will attempt it in the future to see if the screen can be extended or cloned to an external display. Another thing to note is that this tablet, like the Tab S4 before it, can launch into DEX mode. I like this because it allows me to have more flexiblilty when it comes to using this tablet more similarly to a laptop, but do not mistake this mode for a laptop replacement. Because no matter how hard I try, I cannot get any of the web browsers to behave like a desktop-grade one. Yes, you heard me, that means that if there is anything flash-based that needs to play in-browser it will not work. Mind you, this is not a deal breaker for me, just a gripe, so just know that this is not a chromebook in disguise. I really hope Samsung updates DEX to behave more like Chrome OS or at the very least have a seperate Samsung Internet Browser for DEX that behaves like a desktop net browser. Playing games on this with touchscreen controls can get super awkward super quickly, I would highly recommend a controller. Minecraft works like a treat on the larger screen and PUBG is playable. Obviously some of the simpler games can work on this, but don't expect console-grade performance from it. Thankfully Samsung doesn't try to market this tablet this way, unlike a certain Fruit-based company. Overall, I think this is an underrated tablet and Samsung needs to step up their marketing game with this. The fact that I have seen so few commercials for it and the fact that the only major tech youtuber that has had a sneak peak of it was Super Saf, I find it kinda shocking that Samsung doesn't seem to have too much faith in this thing. Sure, the main limitation is the fact that it's a tablet, but any of the shortcomings can VERY easily be fixed in software.

Model reviewed: SM-T720NZKAXAR The Tab S5e is Samsung’s latest Android tablet. It’s priced in the mid-range market and has mid-range hardware specs. It runs on a Snapdragon 670 with 3.5GB(?) RAM. Its screen resolution is 1600x2560. With past experiences on using Android tablet, I did not have high expectations going into this review. Don’t expect a lot of excitement. With a fresh install, the setup process is consistent across various Android devices. You connect to the WiFi network, log into your Google account, and start setting up from there. One of the best things about Android itself is its ability to customize your device. In my case, it’s going straight to Nova Launcher and setting it as the default launcher. Performance of the tablet has been smooth. Unfortunately, the only way to really know how well the tablet perform is to put it through daily usage for months on end. Thus far, it has handled anything I throw at it -- games, Chrome, Firefox, media playback. Battery performance has been nice, lasting a few days on half charge since taking it out of the box. Charging uses USB Type-C, which I like and prefer. However, given how thin this tablet is, there is one compromise. The headphone jack is absent. Samsung provided a Type-C to 3.5mm jack adapter should you still need to use a wired headphone. Unfortunately, this also means charging becomes unavailable while you use the headphone. On a related note, audio performance is average. There are two side-facing speakers, which will give you stereo sound, but only in landscape orientation. The audio is just good enough for casual listening. But if you need to immerse yourself, you’ll need headphones or a Bluetooth device. Testing wired headphones via Type-C adapter was strange, and an idea that I loathed. Yet given how thin the tablet is, it doesn’t make sense to keep the headphone jack. On one hand, I’d rather keep the jack by making the tablet thicker, which in turn can give you bigger battery capacity. Yet on the other, a thinner tablet makes it lighter and easier on the hand. The display is amazing as always. Samsung is pretty much the king of portable displays. The bezels around the display is decently sized and allows for easy one-hand use and hold. Watching movies and videos on it is great and colors are vibrant. There’s little to complain about it. Lastly, the software. Samsung runs a heavily skinned version of Android 9 (Pie) called “One UI.” It has everything Android 9 has to offer but with changes and small additions from Samsung. But there are two things that has always bothered me the most with regards to Samsung’s skin/mod of Android. The first is app duplications. Some of the most simple and basic apps are Samsung’s own version. Many of them are just unnecessary. And because they came preinstalled, they cannot be removed. The second is Samsung’s account system. By having a Samsung account, you can use several of Samsung’s services that they have available. These include their own app store (unnecessary), their cloud storage (unnecessary), and Bixby (absolutely unnecessary). Since this is a Samsung skin of Android, with lots of customisations made to make it Samsung’s own, you also run into the problem of system updates. Unlike Apple or Google, you’re left waiting when an update rolls out. In Apple’s case, you can get that update fast. In Google’s case, only Google’s own branded devices like the Pixel will get those updates fast. Because this is a Samsung device, one has to wonder just how long it’ll take for Samsung to roll out a necessary security patch. At the end of the day, the tablet is nice to use and is good for simple things. But at the same time, I cannot wholeheartedly recommend getting it because of the additional baggage Samsung puts into it. I prefer a clean and stock experience with security/feature updates that come quick. And you cannot get that on a Samsung tablet. Verdict: Need a tablet? Get an iPad instead. PS: I’m a big Android user in general. But I cannot stand that the Android tablet market is so pitiful. With no Google’s own tablet in the 300-400 price bracket, the best tablet in general is Apple’s iPad.

With this device, it's hard to narrow down what to mention -- there are so many positives. I had a minor issue scanning my fingerprint; I don't know if it's partly because the sensor is on the very narrow side (on the power button), but this does provide for faster opening up the device without using a password. Security also includes facial recognition. The Super AMOLED display gives you the best quality for viewing videos, pictures, and whatever else you're using the device for. I also loved the sound quality of video playback on this tablet. It supports UHD 4K playback and recording. My first thought is that it seemed like a very large phone, and it syncs up with my Samsung phone easily. You can even use the tablet for phone calls and text messaging. It came with a cable and charger, a mini instruction manual, and an adapter for headphones, which uses the charging port (USB C to 3.5mm). It's so thin and lightweight (less than a pound) it won't add weight to my bag, but still feels sturdy and well made. The best features are the display and the Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa-Core processor, which keeps the system running at a fast pace. It includes voice commands through Bixby, and can control household devices through the SmartThings app. The 64GB of storage can be expanded using a micro SD card (not included), and users can purchase a keyboard for this tablet. It does not include the S pen, which helps keep this to a lower price point than some previous models; this wasn't an problem for my use, and I am more than impressed with the appearance of the device and its functionality. Other key features are the One UI Android P based operating system, long battery life and 13 MP rear camera. I'm not really familiar with this OS, and am still trying out it's capabilities. My biggest issue with this isn't the device, but rather the limited options for cases and screen protectors. Since it's brand new, this should change as time passes, and users will find a lot more to choose from. I highly recommend this device.

I received my tablet the day I came home from the hospital, in which I was bedridden for a couple of weeks. Not being able to work or lift anything heavy, the extremely thin and lightweight Galaxy Tab S5e sat very comfortably on my stomach as I watched movies / shows on all the apps (Hulu, Prime, HBOGo, Netflix, CW, TBS) while using the included stereo to USB-c adapter and noise cancelling headsets, I was getting a mini-movie experience in the dark. I had originally planned to just use it to connect to my Samsung TV, as the built in apps on the TV do not work well and have limited capabilities. Now that I am able to move around, I am streaming it to big TV and stream Pandora onto blue tooth speakers I have around the house. Pros: Extremely lightweight Quick boot up and shutdown Good battery life Works well with older Samsung TV for streaming SmartThings app works well with this for your other Samsung SmartThings products (vs IOS app) Cons: TOO lightweight? I almost dropped it once and realized a small drop will probably destroy it, so you'll need a good case Samsung Galaxy is Android so navigating around isn't as easy or intuitive like Apple iOS Front/Back Camera - I would prefer a version without cameras/mics, positive for most, con for me Privacy concerns: You have to accept quite a few pages of Terms & Conditions & Privacy policies, which are so long that it is kind of frightening how powerful this little guy is and how much information you give up about yourself and life to it/Samsung. I'm sure most people just accept and not think about it, but I do, hence the desire for a camera-less and microphone-less version. Overall, I was expecting to use this simply as a companion to my Samsung TV, but I find myself using it for everyday browsing/music streaming - everything I used to do on my IPhone, because of the large screen and comfortability of holding it, being so lightweight. This device saved me from being miserable for 2 weeks, and brought plenty of entertainment during my recovery.

It has been difficult to find a well-featured, appealing Android 8+ tablet at a reasonable price. Why Android 8+? I'm a fan of hi-resolution audio and have been looking for a multi-function tablet that supports the LDAC hi-res bluetooth codec. Why a tablet vs. one of the many nicely equipped Android phones now on the market? I have an iPhone. And Apple does not support hi-res audio on its platform. Only Android has stepped up. I have a couple different bluetooth headphones that I use for work, travel, and commuting, including the Sony WH-1000xm3 noise cancelling cans which supports LDAC, Pairing the Sony cans with the new Samsung S5E was easy, and quick. Enabling LDAC to work with the Sony cans was equally easy as it is a simple toggle on/off setting in the headphone setup selection, And the hi-res audio I listen to sounds amazing. The only tablet options I was comfortable with prior to the release of the S5E were too expensive to justify a purchase. I'm also very happy to find that this new tablet is an excellent all-around multi-function tablet. I've owned other Android tablets in the past and never really found myself using them much for one reason or another, Android 9 seems to bring a different experience to the mix. And the form factor and AMOLED screen of the S5E also help make this tablet more useful as well as appealing. And it has expandable storage. That's a big plus. Especially for holding media, I expect I will be using this often as my integrated media solution for air travel since adding downloadable music, movies, television shows etc. from Tidal, Netflix, Showtime, Kindle, Amazon Prime etc. is very easy. And content viewing on the AMOLED screen is excellent. Reading e-books, newspapers, and magazines is a quality experience. Viewing video is also a quality experience. There appears to be plenty of speed to accommodate this type of use. I don't consider the S5E to be a laptop replacement. I see it more as a good, general purpose "slate" in a high-quality, light-weight, and reasonable powerful package.