Being a experienced Techie type who loves Samsung devices, I purchased this Samsung Tab S4 with 256GB Internal Memory because I wanted to replace my 15.6 heavy Laptop that was too large/heavy for travel. Also I needed the large internal storage and the large, clear screen. Before I purchased this tablet, I read all the specs of both the 64GB Internal and the 256GB Internal. For 100 dollars more, I believe my purchase of the 256 GB version is the best choice for me as I have FOUR TIMES the storage space so this TABLET should last me a very long time as I am using it for productivity (MS OFFICE on a daily basis) as well as multimedia.
* My goal in this review is to help you with your decision of whether or not to purchase this tablet. Please note that this review reflects my personal opinion and my personal experience with this tablet and also the Samsung Bookcover/Keyboard (as well as DeX information). Please take a look at the 6 pictures below that show you the tablet with the optional 150.00 Keyboard installed as well as a generic cover/stand * (For tablet and DeX mode to work, it is NOT NECESSARY to have to purchase the optional Samsung Keyboard/bookcover. *
PROS:
1) 256 GB of Internal Storage. Yet after the OS and Factory Apps, it showed 228GB left after Oreo OS and factory apps, etc. Just the Oreo OS alone is 26GB! After I installed lots of personal Apps such as Word and Excel (free from Playstore) and several weather apps, Facebook, Twitter and Kindle, I now have 225 GB left. Plenty left if I want to install more apps or updates.
2) Since I purchased this S4 TABLET, I use it 100 percent of time and now I do not have to use my bulky Laptop for these reasons:
+ Productivity With Portability -- I personally have found that I use this tablet for creating, editing MS Office files, printing files, organizing schedules, and much more. * Because of the actual work that I get done using this tablet, I no longer use my 15.6 inch laptop.
+ Portability -- I carry this tablet everywhere so I purchased the accessory, the Samsung Bookcover to use for this tablet. So my tablet with keyboard cover, fits easily into my tote purse.
+ MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, etc) are free apps, however, tablets OVER a 10.1 inch size, the documents are read only, no editing. That's right, no editing UNLESS you purchase an Office 365 subscription. So I purchased the 9.99 one because of the 5 PCs, 5 Tablets, 5 Smartphones, and 1 TB Storage. The OneDrive Cloud storage from Microsoft gives me a choice of WHERE I save my documents: Internal Storage, SD Card or OneDrive Storage.
+ Printing from this TABLET...I print right from my TABLET using PrinterShare from the Playstore. I print Word, Excel Documents, emails, pictures and more, using a Wireless printer.
+ Wifi Calling...So I use Google Hangouts phone number/app if I want to use this TABLET as a phone. It works well, however, WIFI must be connected for it to work. I use my ATT phone plan with Unlimited minutes and texts.
+ This model does NOT have 4G LTE Data/Cellular capabilities. When Wifi is not available I use my Samsung Phone as a Data Hotspot to get on the Internet. (I called AT&T and the representative told me that tethering (using my Data for a Hotspot) is allowed on my plan).
3) DeX...How to use DeX...(Please see pictures 5 - 6 below for pictures of the DeX mode--I have great success with DeX using the S Pen and both the On-screen Keyboard and my Samsung Keyboard Bookcover...both of these work great in DeX). DeX can be used WITH or WITHOUT the optional Samsung Keyboard/Bookcover. To begin DeX, go to Settings, Advanced features, turn on Samsung DeX. To go back to Tablet experience, go back to Settings, Advanced, turn DeX off. However, for a more full DeX feature, you need to purchase the not included Samsung Keyboard/Cover for an additional 150.00. The total DeX Experience gives you a more Laptop experience using the included S Pen as a pointer/mouse, and you can use a mouse with DeX on and more. Personally, I decided to purchase this extra (150.00) keyboard because I l type so many documents and the Keyboard/Bookcover makes it easier for me to type faster and finish my files faster!
4) Android OS---My tablet arrived with Oreo 8.1, however, I read that Samsung flagship devices should receive two OS updates. So I should receive Android P and another 2nd update after that (like I did on my old Samsung Tab S2, which received 2 OS updates).
5) WiFi--This tablet has in the specs a dual band WiFi Radio (A/B/G/N, AC and dual band). If you have a 5GHZ capable router, it will connect to the fastest 5GHZ speed! My tablet connected right away with a super strong signal to my AT&T Uverse Router that has 2.4GHZ. I plan on upgrading my router to a 5GHZ one later this year. However, I have a large home and 2.4 GHZ goes a much longer distance than 5GHZ does. I just tested my router and I receive 144 speed mps (very fast). And it keeps a strong signal in every room of my home, even in my backyard.
6) Display---The 10.5 inch display is HUGE and very, very clear and colors are vivid and super sharp! Reading on the Internet, Kindle book or PDF Book, the text is very crisp. The videos in YouTube are very clear as well.
7) Speed and Performance---For my personal use, this tablet gives great speed and performance on my much used apps, such as Facebook, Twitter, Internet, YouTube, Email, MS Office etc. Also, I found all videos run very well. Performs wonderfully!
8) Battery Life / Coolness -- Amazing!!! This battery lasts about a bit longer than my Tab 2 tablet did. With 100 percent brightness and very heavy, constant use, I still have 15 percent left when it is 10pm and bedtime, time to recharge. ***When I am not using the Samsung Keyboard, my battery life is longer because the keyboard uses power from the tablet. So what I do is put this into my regular case when I am say using weather apps or just checking my email, this way I conserve my battery more.
This battery has never overheated, it stays between 71 to 85 degrees Farenheit, which is excellent.
9) External Slot for SD Card---So I installed a SanDisk 128gb Micro SD card which was loaded with my music, pictures, home videos and files. I still have 75 gb left on my SD Card. According to Gsmarena, this device accepts up to a 512 GB Micro SD card. I plan on purchasing a 200 GB SD card soon.
10) Camera--- Excellent! So I actually took some inside and outside pictures and saved them to my SD Card. The pictures (indoors and outdoors) are very clear, excellent for sending in email or even Facebook. My videos also came out well.
11) USB Port is a type C. And it has OTG (On the Go), which means with a USB/type C adapter, you can insert a USB Flash drive, USB mouse, USB keyboard (one at a time). I use this to copy files from my Flash drive to my phone or vice versa).
12) Sound: The sound quality is excellent as it has 4 small internal speakers. Well I listened to several songs on this and the sound was very good on the built in four speakers, amazing really. Then I tested it by making a phone call on Google Hangouts and the internal speakers were plenty loud and very clear. Most of the time, for music and videos, I use my Bluetooth headset or a Bluetooth speaker and the sound is outstanding.
In addition, this tablet has a headphone jack as I sometimes use my wired headset.
Cons (2)
1) This Samsung Tab S4 with 256 GB Internal storage is very pricey, however, the old saying that you get what you pay for is true.
2) Microsoft allows you to freely edit files IF you have a screen size of 10.1 inches or under. This tablet has a 10.5 screen so one must purchase a Microsoft subscription (6.99, 9.99 monthly) in order to edit documents. This is not the fault of Samsung, it is a Microsoft thing.
Would I buy this tablet again? Yes because of the large 10.5 inch screen and 256 GB internal storage. Yes, this TABLET is expensive, however, I knew this going in and I received so many great features with this TABLET, that I am glad that I purchased this TABLET.
Should you consider purchasing this Samsung Tab S4 TABLET (64 GB or 256 GB)?
** Yes, if you want a high end, super quality tablet and do not mind paying for it.
* No, if you do not want to pay a high price for a TABLET.
Bottom line...If the price of this Samsung Tab S4 is more than you want to pay, then I suggest you consider the Samsung Tab A 10.5 INCH model (2018 new model) with 32 GB Internal..this one is here on Amazon for 329 and this is a very nice tablet with many features for the price.
* Thank you for reading my review. I hope that it has helped you in your decision of whether or not to purchase this tablet.*
| Standing screen display size | 10.5 Inches |
|---|---|
| Max Screen Resolution | 2560x1600 Pixels |
| Processor | 2.35 GHz |
| RAM | 64 GB |
| Hard Drive | Flash Memory Solid State |
| Graphics Coprocessor | Adreno 540 |
| Card Description | Dedicated |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11abg, 802.11a |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
| Average Battery Life (in hours) | 16 Hours |
