I've had these questions before, but I've also had some experience with Samsung Galaxy tablets over the past five or so years. After all this, I've narrowed everything down to two, maybe three types of tablets.
So, why should you buy a tablet? In my opinion, it's for the same reason you're buying a smartphone. For me, a Galaxy tablet is not a laptop replacement.
And, trust me, I've tried. I have used DeX for roughly a year without touching any other platform. It's promising, but somehow, I ended up with a regular laptop anyway. And you probably will, too. Why? Because laptops are purpose-built, and Tab keyboards are full of compromises.
The most enjoyment I got from Galaxy tablets was when I used them as large-screen smartphone replacements at home. And I must admit I kind of enjoy that Star Trek feeling they give me, assuming they're powerful and snappy enough.
Here's why a tablet is my smartphone replacements at home:
- Want to doodle something? S Pen is there and much more fun to use on a big screen than an Ultra phone.
- Reading articles? Way better on the tablet than phone.
- Playing chess? Again, so much better on a tablet.
- Want to stream videos while you're busy in the kitchen? Tablets are way superior than phones, not only because smartphone screens are small in comparison but also because tablets have better speakers.
- Want to relax on the couch with mobile games while your TV or sound system is running in the background? Tablets are again more fun than phones.
In essence, think about everything you do with your phone for entertainment at home. That's exactly what you will do with a tablet, except the screen is bigger, the UI is more comfortable, and the speakers are better.
For me, a tablet is a home device that replaces the smartphone when you're not on the road. I never used my tablet in public, train, or bus. I left it at home and used the smartphone instead. And when I got home, I barely used my phone for anything but phone calls.
With that in mind, I'm tempted to say that premium tablets are the only ones that are truly worth the money, assuming you can afford them. And that is especially true if you're used to premium Galaxy phones.
Here's how I ended up viewing the entire Galaxy tablet portfolio:
- Premium Tab S tablets: The only tablets that truly matter, especially if you're used to a premium smartphone. You'll want a smooth experience without UI hiccups and nasty slowdowns on the bigger screen, too. Anything but a premium tablet will make you question whether it's worth using the tablet when relaxing at home, rather than your more powerful phone.
- Fan Edition tablets: Only worth it if your main focus is watching videos in the kitchen or on your couch, and playing simple 2D games. Yes, in theory, you can use DeX on an old Tab S7 Fan Edition tablet if you really need to, but you'll probably end up wanting something different and better. The UI will never bee perfectly smooth, and performance hiccups on the big screen will start bothering you. You might end up thinking you've made a bad investment and give your tablet away to someone who enjoys it more, like a parent or an elder.
- Every other Galaxy A tablet: I might be harsh, but I've reached the conclusion that they are a waste of money in most cases. You'll likely stick it in a drawer after a week and use your Galaxy phone instead. Or you might use it as a permanent kitchen or bathroom accessory. Alternatively, it might make a good gift for a very young child or your elder who likes solitaire and Mahjong. But in the end, they kind of feel like a waste.
To conclude this, I hope my experience will somehow help you decide whether you should buy a Galaxy tablet. In short, go for premium if you can afford it, or pick FE if money is a concern and you can put up with some slow-downs and low performance in demanding games. Personally, I think anything but a premium tablet isn't really worth it.
Lastly, avoid Galaxy A tablets if you want anything more than a kitchen streaming device or a gift for someone who doesn't care about performance or features.
Keep in mind that this is just my opinion after a few years of experiencing Galaxy tablets, and your or someone else's mileage might vary.
