The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is Samsung’s latest mid-range tablet for 2025, priced at ₹41,999 (~$500), and it’s making waves in the Indian market, where Samsung was the top tablet brand in 2024. With a new chipset, a lighter design, and an included stylus, this tablet seems like a promising option for casual users, students, and professionals. But does it live up to the hype? Should you buy it, or are there better alternatives? In this detailed review, we’ll break down the pros, cons, specifications, and performance of the Tab S10 FE to help you decide if it’s worth your money.
Why Samsung Dominates the Indian Tablet Market
Before diving into the Tab S10 FE, let’s understand why Samsung is a household name for tablets in India. Three key factors contribute to their success:
- Brand Value: Samsung is a trusted name, synonymous with quality and reliability.
- Retail Presence: You can find Samsung products in stores across urban and rural areas, making them easily accessible.
- Aggressive Online Sales: Samsung offers attractive discounts during online sales, appealing to budget-conscious buyers.
The Tab S10 FE builds on this legacy, offering a mix of modern features and Samsung’s signature software experience. But like any device, it has its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s explore them in detail.
Design and Build: Lightweight and Durable
One of the standout features of the Tab S10 FE is its design. Samsung has managed to reduce the weight compared to its predecessor, the Tab S9 FE, without compromising build quality. Weighing less than many competitors, it’s comfortable to hold for extended periods, whether you’re watching videos, reading, or taking notes.
The tablet sports an all-metal body with sleek metal frames, giving it a premium look and feel. The rounded edges and balanced weight distribution make it easy to grip, even during long sessions. Here are three highlights of the build:
- IP68 Rating: The Tab S10 FE is dust and water-resistant, a rare feature in this price range. You can spill water or tea on it without worrying about damage, making it ideal for clumsy users or families with kids.
- In-Built Fingerprint Sensor: The fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate, offering a more secure and convenient unlock method than PINs or patterns.
- Included Stylus: Samsung includes a stylus in the box, which magnetically attaches to the side of the tablet. While it’s not the Pro version with Bluetooth or air gestures, it’s perfect for note-taking, drawing, and sketching. The stylus is responsive with minimal lag, though the magnetic attachment could be stronger to prevent accidental detachment.
The 8,000 mAh battery is the same as last year’s model, but the lighter design makes the tablet feel less bulky. Overall, the Tab S10 FE scores high on portability and durability.
Display: Decent but Could Be Better
The Tab S10 FE features a 10.9-inch LCD display with a 90 Hz refresh rate. While the screen is bright, responsive, and suitable for most tasks, it falls short of expectations in a few areas. Here’s a closer look:
- Refresh Rate: The 90 Hz refresh rate is smoother than the 60 Hz on the iPad 11th Gen, but it’s not as fluid as the 120 Hz displays found on competitors like the Xiaomi Pad 7. A higher refresh rate would have made scrolling and animations noticeably smoother, especially on a larger screen.
- LCD vs. AMOLED: The LCD panel is decent, with good brightness and color accuracy for casual use. However, an AMOLED display would have offered deeper blacks, better contrast, and improved viewing angles, giving Samsung a competitive edge.
- Lack of Protection: Unlike some rivals, the Tab S10 FE lacks Gorilla Glass or similar display protection, making it prone to scratches. There’s also no oleophobic coating to reduce smudges, which can be annoying during prolonged use.
For watching videos, browsing, or reading, the display is perfectly fine. But if you’re used to AMOLED screens or expect top-tier visuals, you might find it lacking.
Performance: A Mixed Bag
The Tab S10 FE is powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset, the same processor found in the Galaxy A56. While this chip performs adequately in a smartphone, it struggles to keep up with the demands of a tablet. Here’s what you need to know:
- Everyday Tasks: For casual tasks like browsing the internet, watching YouTube, or taking video calls, the Tab S10 FE is good enough. Light games like Clash of Clans and Subway Surfers run smoothly without issues.
- Multitasking and Heavy Apps: The tablet shows signs of lag when opening apps, accessing the multitasking tray, or using multiple apps in split-screen mode. Writing with the stylus while multitasking can also introduce noticeable delays.
- Gaming Performance: The Exynos 1580 is not optimized for gaming. Popular titles like PUBG are capped at 30 fps, and even at this frame rate, gameplay feels jittery. If you’re a mobile gamer, this tablet might disappoint.
When compared to the iPad 11th Gen (A16 chip) or the Xiaomi Pad 7 (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3), the Tab S10 FE feels slower in benchmarks and heavy-duty tasks. While it’s not unusable, the performance may not hold up well over time, especially if you plan to keep the tablet for 3–4 years.
Software: Samsung’s Strength
Samsung’s software is where the Tab S10 FE shines. It runs on One UI 7, optimized for larger screens, and offers a polished, user-friendly experience. Key software features include:
- Multitasking: You can drag and drop apps for split-screen mode, run three apps simultaneously, or use a floating window. The taskbar is easily accessible, making navigation a breeze.
- S Pen Features: The stylus supports useful features like scribble-to-text, which is great for students and professionals. You can also save app pairs for quick access to your favorite split-screen combinations.
- Ecosystem Integration: If you own other Samsung devices, features like app continuity and auto-switch (e.g., answering phone calls on the tablet) enhance the experience. Switching from an Apple ecosystem to Samsung’s is surprisingly seamless.
- AI Features: Tools like Circle to Search and Object Eraser add fun and practical functionality. The Notes app includes tricks that students will find particularly useful.
- Long-Term Updates: Samsung promises seven years of software updates, ensuring the tablet stays relevant with new features and security patches.
The software is clean, intuitive, and packed with features that make the Tab S10 FE a joy to use for productivity and casual tasks.
Battery Life: Reliable and Long-Lasting
The Tab S10 FE’s 8,000 mAh battery delivers impressive longevity. With moderate use, you can expect around 8 hours of screen-on time, matching the performance of the Xiaomi Pad 7 and iPad 11th Gen. Whether you’re streaming videos, attending online classes, or browsing, the battery won’t let you down. Fast charging support ensures you can top up quickly when needed.
Audio: Good but Not Great
The tablet comes with stereo speakers that deliver balanced sound for movies, music, and video calls. However, they don’t match the fuller, louder output of the quad speakers on the Xiaomi Pad 7. For casual media consumption, the audio is satisfactory, but audiophiles might want to pair the tablet with external speakers or headphones.
Specifications Table
Here’s a quick overview of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s key specifications:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.9-inch LCD, 90 Hz refresh rate |
| Processor | Exynos 1580 |
| Battery | 8,000 mAh |
| Build | All-metal body, IP68 dust and water resistance |
| Stylus | Included (non-Pro version, no Bluetooth or air gestures) |
| Software | One UI 7, 7 years of updates |
| Audio | Stereo speakers |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor |
| Weight | Lighter than Tab S9 FE (exact weight not specified) |
| Price | ₹41,999 (~$500) |
Should You Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE?
The Tab S10 FE, priced at ₹41,999 (~$500), is a solid mid-range tablet, but its value depends on your needs and priorities. Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Reasons to Buy
- You’re a Casual User: If you use a tablet for watching videos, browsing, taking notes, or light productivity tasks, the Tab S10 FE is more than capable.
- You Love Samsung’s Ecosystem: The seamless integration with other Samsung devices and the polished One UI 7 experience make this a great choice for Samsung loyalists.
- You Value Durability: The IP68 rating and sturdy build ensure the tablet can withstand accidental spills and drops.
- Long-Term Support: Seven years of software updates mean the tablet will stay relevant for years to come.
Reasons to Skip
- You Need High Performance: The Exynos 1580 struggles with multitasking, gaming, and heavy apps, making it less future-proof than competitors.
- You Want a Premium Display: The LCD screen and 90 Hz refresh rate are decent but lag behind AMOLED displays and higher refresh rates on rival tablets.
- You’re a Gamer: The chipset’s gaming limitations make it unsuitable for demanding titles like PUBG.
- You Want Better Value: The Xiaomi Pad 7 and iPad 11th Gen offer superior performance and specs at similar or lower prices. The Tab S9 FE, available for ₹30,000 (~$360), is also a cheaper alternative with similar features.
Price and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is priced at ₹41,999 (~$500) in India. You can find it on Samsung’s official website or e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. Keep an eye out for online sales, where Samsung often offers discounts or bundle deals.
Final Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE, at ₹41,999 (~$500), is a well-rounded tablet for casual users who prioritize brand reliability, software polish, and durability. Its lightweight design, IP68 rating, included stylus, and long-term software support are major strengths. However, the Exynos 1580 chipset, LCD display, and 90 Hz refresh rate hold it back compared to competitors like the Xiaomi Pad 7 and iPad 11th Gen, which offer better performance and value.
If you’re a Samsung fan or need a tablet for basic tasks within the Samsung ecosystem, the Tab S10 FE is a safe choice. But if performance, gaming, or a premium display are priorities, you might want to explore other options. For budget-conscious buyers, the Tab S9 FE at ₹30,000 (~$360) is a compelling alternative.
What do you think about the Tab S10 FE? Let us know in the comments!
