Yes, I'm actually hopeful that an Android tablet will be somewhat competitive for the first time in years. The 670 should be just a bit slower than the 710, since it looks like the same configuration with lower clocks. It's tough to compare to iPads though. The single core performance of the 710 comes in around the A8X used in the iPad Air 2, which is not great since the Air 2 is over four years old. The multi core performance is closer to the A10 Fusion in the 6th generation iPad, which is good since that is presumably what this Samsung tablet is designed to compete against.
Except that ipad Air 2 level of performance is more than decent enough for 99% of users and anything that required more performance should be looking at a flagship device.
Now make an 8" version of this for under $300 CDN.
The 8" tablet market up here is either crappy throwaway kids tablets with 720p or less resolution and quad-A53 SoCs, or $400+ over-priced monstrosities (the Galaxy Tab S2 is over $600 CDN!). There's nothing in between.
Best hardware... If you want budget screen tablets, Samsung has those too. The tablet space is unique in certain ways, a company like Apple creates a "premium" tablet with budget screens and Samsung creates a "premium" tablet with budget internals. The tab S5 without the SE will likely have an 8xxx or comparable variant probably for an extra $200.
Exactly, I have no idea what Samsung is doing pricing their tablets so high. Their abysmal sales figures should tell them as much but they refuse to acknowledge reality. Tab A 10.5 costs > ipad for a bleedin' Snap 450 and no Neflix HD lol. What world do they live in
Yeah Samsungs pricing model on the tablets has always been off the mark. They try to price them like ipads when they are not. They don't have the same build quality, they don't have the same screens, they don't have the same eco system. Ok the last part isn't necessarily Samsungs fault but they cant price them like ipads when the hardware is not even up to par. The only thing Samgsung's tablets have over ipads is USB-c.
Yeah they should create some more versions of that design. I'd like a Pro version with the Snapdragon 8cx SoC. I'd consider this one but I don't really want worse performance than my year old phone.
8 inch devices do need a little more attention, but I think the perception is that the reduced size means a much lower implied cost so margins are tighter and fewer investments are being made in the segment by companies known for quality products. The other problem is that larger phones are encroaching with 6+ inch screens so they offer a single device that can cover most needs in the 7-8 inch space. I'd really like to see more 7 inch tablets priced in the middle ($100-200 and not $750 for those that use Anandtech's definition of midrange), but failing that, a few year old, once high end phone with a custom rom can get pretty close for less cost if you don't mind rolling up your sleeves.
Unfortunately if you want a 8" Android in the $200-300 range your options are limited to importing something from China via a reseller like Gearbest or Bandgood. I bought a Teclast T8 for $220USD last year (currently on sale for $130USD). It has a gorgeous high dpi screen and runs great for web browsing and light gaming (puzzle games basically). My only complaint is that the screen is rather scratchable; a screen protector is a definite must for it.
Sounds like the Alldocube X1 would be a good match for your needs.
Ordered the 10.5 in X myself as it sounded very interesting - has the same screen as the Galaxy Tab S4, and from what I read good build quality and audio.
It probably is a bit below the new S5E as far as technical specs are concerned, but price wise it sounded really interesting. Will see how good it is when it arrives from China.
The Alldocube M8 sounds nice (1900x1200, 8", decent SoC, MicroSD, Android 8.1, GPS, 802.11ac). Around $100 US on aliexpress.com, so around $150 CAD. Will have to look around a bit, but this might a nice little tax refund gift. :)
The bezels are too thin for a tablet, having both a Nexus 10 and an 8" Huawei tablet with similar bezels to this one, the Nexus is much better especially for the size. Otherwise this tablet looks gorgeous, with a proper high resolution screen, 2k should be the standard resolution for any mobile device.
Samsung’s own website is listing as the Qualcomm SDM 670. The website also shows video playback of 4K at 30 FPS. Last year y’all reported on the 670 with this, “The display controller also is less capable and only able to drive FHD+ resolutions as opposed to the QHD+ capabilitites of the 710.”
Will this device be able to stream 2K videos off of YouTube then?
I am constantly amazed, that tablets are given 2nd or 3rd grade SoCs.
They should be much less sensitive to power consumptions, given that their screens need much bigger parts of the power budgets and they carry the bigger batteries to compensate.
Evidently even really power sucking SoCs like the Kirin 950 and 960, which were considered unseemly thirsty right here, evidently didn't cause problems in that form factor any more.
But I'd actually like to have a top-of-the line SoC in my next tablet, because I am much more likely to actually require it there for desktop usage.
Why do they sell overpowerd smartphones and underpowered tablets? How does that make any sense?
No one’s going to point out how this is a literal design copy of the 2018 iPad Pro with the exception of the aspect ration and square lens vs round lens? Like total replica...
I think ( guess ) Since Samsung ( Or Android in general ) aren't winning in the Tablet Space, they decide to just price the tablet it at the lowest possible. This is half the price of an 10.5" iPad Pro. And even thinner.
Another reason, is that Samsung is an (nearly) fully integrated company. The decline of Smartphone has lots of consequence, from over supply of DRAM, NAND, Camera, Assembly, OLED... etc etc. All these needs to go somewhere. Not Operating in optimal capacity costs a lot. Both a Strength and Weakness of Samsung.
SD 670 is 2 CA A76 + 4 CA A55 -> Which implies it has better single threaded performance compared to higher models like 710/712, as the latter uses a A75 derivative core, which has lower ipc.
Very balanced chipset. GPU is more than adequate at around SD 820 level and can play anything.
If the rumors of SD 670 are true, this is a good piece of kit. 2 A76 cores are nothing to scoff at and the Adreno 512 is more than adequate for any game out there in the play store. Love the oled display and the Type C port.
The SDM 670 is confirmed with the Adreno 615 as the GPU. Should be a very nice performer indeed for the money. Check Samsung’s press release for confirmation.
Hmm, no headphone jack ? That is not ideal. I like to use a mixture of BT and wired headphones (depending on where I'm using my tablet), and I dislike dongles.
16:10 aspect ratio = no interest whatsoever. 4:3, √2:1, and 3:2 are the only aspect ratios I would consider at this point. Samsung bloatware is also a deal killer.
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MrCommunistGen - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
Other tech news sites have listed the SoC as a Snapdragon 670 - which should be pretty decent.imaheadcase - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
Correct, its a 670. Its even in the press release not sure how come anandtech didn't know.cfenton - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Yes, I'm actually hopeful that an Android tablet will be somewhat competitive for the first time in years. The 670 should be just a bit slower than the 710, since it looks like the same configuration with lower clocks. It's tough to compare to iPads though. The single core performance of the 710 comes in around the A8X used in the iPad Air 2, which is not great since the Air 2 is over four years old. The multi core performance is closer to the A10 Fusion in the 6th generation iPad, which is good since that is presumably what this Samsung tablet is designed to compete against.RSAUser - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
Except that ipad Air 2 level of performance is more than decent enough for 99% of users and anything that required more performance should be looking at a flagship device.bug77 - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Samsung tends to use Snapdragons in the US and Exynos in EMEA. Maybe that's what threw Anand off?phoenix_rizzen - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
Now make an 8" version of this for under $300 CDN.The 8" tablet market up here is either crappy throwaway kids tablets with 720p or less resolution and quad-A53 SoCs, or $400+ over-priced monstrosities (the Galaxy Tab S2 is over $600 CDN!). There's nothing in between.
WinterCharm - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
You can currently buy a really nice iPad for $250.Say what you want about Apple, but they have the best hardware and software in the tablet space right now.
abufrejoval - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Say what you want, but some people refuse to become iSlaves for the sake of owning a tablet.BenSkywalker - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Best hardware... If you want budget screen tablets, Samsung has those too. The tablet space is unique in certain ways, a company like Apple creates a "premium" tablet with budget screens and Samsung creates a "premium" tablet with budget internals. The tab S5 without the SE will likely have an 8xxx or comparable variant probably for an extra $200.wintermute000 - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Exactly, I have no idea what Samsung is doing pricing their tablets so high. Their abysmal sales figures should tell them as much but they refuse to acknowledge reality. Tab A 10.5 costs > ipad for a bleedin' Snap 450 and no Neflix HD lol. What world do they live inagent2099 - Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - link
Yeah Samsungs pricing model on the tablets has always been off the mark. They try to price them like ipads when they are not. They don't have the same build quality, they don't have the same screens, they don't have the same eco system. Ok the last part isn't necessarily Samsungs fault but they cant price them like ipads when the hardware is not even up to par. The only thing Samgsung's tablets have over ipads is USB-c.phoenix_rizzen - Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - link
Not $250 CAD, though. And definitely not an iPad Mini (which is the only one in the 8" range).An iPad Mini 4 is still around $1000 CAD these days. An original iPad Mini is still $400 CAD.
UtilityMax - Friday, February 22, 2019 - link
Can't upload movies over USB (not without iTunes), no stereo sound in landscape mode, no expandable storage.Sttm - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
Yeah they should create some more versions of that design. I'd like a Pro version with the Snapdragon 8cx SoC. I'd consider this one but I don't really want worse performance than my year old phone.pixelstuff - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
I'm with you. I'd like to see how much weight they could shave off with an 8" version for eBook reading.PeachNCream - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
8 inch devices do need a little more attention, but I think the perception is that the reduced size means a much lower implied cost so margins are tighter and fewer investments are being made in the segment by companies known for quality products. The other problem is that larger phones are encroaching with 6+ inch screens so they offer a single device that can cover most needs in the 7-8 inch space. I'd really like to see more 7 inch tablets priced in the middle ($100-200 and not $750 for those that use Anandtech's definition of midrange), but failing that, a few year old, once high end phone with a custom rom can get pretty close for less cost if you don't mind rolling up your sleeves.DanNeely - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
Unfortunately if you want a 8" Android in the $200-300 range your options are limited to importing something from China via a reseller like Gearbest or Bandgood. I bought a Teclast T8 for $220USD last year (currently on sale for $130USD). It has a gorgeous high dpi screen and runs great for web browsing and light gaming (puzzle games basically). My only complaint is that the screen is rather scratchable; a screen protector is a definite must for it.Irata - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
Sounds like the Alldocube X1 would be a good match for your needs.Ordered the 10.5 in X myself as it sounded very interesting - has the same screen as the Galaxy Tab S4, and from what I read good build quality and audio.
It probably is a bit below the new S5E as far as technical specs are concerned, but price wise it sounded really interesting. Will see how good it is when it arrives from China.
phoenix_rizzen - Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - link
The Alldocube M8 sounds nice (1900x1200, 8", decent SoC, MicroSD, Android 8.1, GPS, 802.11ac). Around $100 US on aliexpress.com, so around $150 CAD. Will have to look around a bit, but this might a nice little tax refund gift. :)ET - Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - link
I have a Teclast T8. It's pretty decent (2560 x 1600, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 2xA72+4xA53). Just order from a Chinese store like GearBest.Xex360 - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
The bezels are too thin for a tablet, having both a Nexus 10 and an 8" Huawei tablet with similar bezels to this one, the Nexus is much better especially for the size.Otherwise this tablet looks gorgeous, with a proper high resolution screen, 2k should be the standard resolution for any mobile device.
Jetcat3 - Friday, February 15, 2019 - link
Samsung’s own website is listing as the Qualcomm SDM 670. The website also shows video playback of 4K at 30 FPS. Last year y’all reported on the 670 with this, “The display controller also is less capable and only able to drive FHD+ resolutions as opposed to the QHD+ capabilitites of the 710.”Will this device be able to stream 2K videos off of YouTube then?
abufrejoval - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
I am constantly amazed, that tablets are given 2nd or 3rd grade SoCs.They should be much less sensitive to power consumptions, given that their screens need much bigger parts of the power budgets and they carry the bigger batteries to compensate.
Evidently even really power sucking SoCs like the Kirin 950 and 960, which were considered unseemly thirsty right here, evidently didn't cause problems in that form factor any more.
But I'd actually like to have a top-of-the line SoC in my next tablet, because I am much more likely to actually require it there for desktop usage.
Why do they sell overpowerd smartphones and underpowered tablets?
How does that make any sense?
Socius - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
No one’s going to point out how this is a literal design copy of the 2018 iPad Pro with the exception of the aspect ration and square lens vs round lens? Like total replica...bubblyboo - Sunday, February 17, 2019 - link
Or you know, the Tab S4, which was released earlier?Socius - Sunday, February 17, 2019 - link
Touché. I wasn’t aware of that. Cheers.ksec - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
I think ( guess ) Since Samsung ( Or Android in general ) aren't winning in the Tablet Space, they decide to just price the tablet it at the lowest possible. This is half the price of an 10.5" iPad Pro. And even thinner.Another reason, is that Samsung is an (nearly) fully integrated company. The decline of Smartphone has lots of consequence, from over supply of DRAM, NAND, Camera, Assembly, OLED... etc etc. All these needs to go somewhere. Not Operating in optimal capacity costs a lot. Both a Strength and Weakness of Samsung.
rubene66 - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
A crappy SDM 670 for $400 no thanks passdjayjp - Saturday, February 16, 2019 - link
So Snapdragon Cortex A75 and A55. Very impressive.LiverpoolFC5903 - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
SD 670 is 2 CA A76 + 4 CA A55 -> Which implies it has better single threaded performance compared to higher models like 710/712, as the latter uses a A75 derivative core, which has lower ipc.Very balanced chipset. GPU is more than adequate at around SD 820 level and can play anything.
LiverpoolFC5903 - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
If the rumors of SD 670 are true, this is a good piece of kit. 2 A76 cores are nothing to scoff at and the Adreno 512 is more than adequate for any game out there in the play store.Love the oled display and the Type C port.
Jetcat3 - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
The SDM 670 is confirmed with the Adreno 615 as the GPU. Should be a very nice performer indeed for the money. Check Samsung’s press release for confirmation.Haawser - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
Hmm, no headphone jack ? That is not ideal. I like to use a mixture of BT and wired headphones (depending on where I'm using my tablet), and I dislike dongles.oRAirwolf - Monday, February 18, 2019 - link
16:10 aspect ratio = no interest whatsoever. 4:3, √2:1, and 3:2 are the only aspect ratios I would consider at this point. Samsung bloatware is also a deal killer.UtilityMax - Friday, February 22, 2019 - link
Another great Android tablet ruined by the lack of 3.5mm jack. Sorry, the dongle is no good substitute. Will look elsewhere..