This Samsung tablet has the power and polish to rival the iPad Air

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

• The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is simply a 13.1-inch tablet for $649.
• It's a bully iPad Air alternate for Android users, with reliable performance, a larger show than the S10+, and an IP68 standing that the iPad lacks; it besides includes the S Pen.
• The terms accrued by $50 for the basal exemplary compared to past year, and the tablet present has a azygous rear camera alternatively than the precious dual cameras.

I similar the portability of a tablet versus a heavy, often bulky laptop. I person enjoyed moving connected the iPad Air daily, truthful I've looked guardant to investigating the caller Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ since its launch. This tablet is simply a nonstop rival to the M3 iPad Air that Apple conscionable launched, which has go my tablet of prime for writing, reading, and entertainment. 

But portion the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is comparable to the iPad Air successful immoderate ways, it exceeds Apple's tablet's capabilities successful others. 

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The FE bid of Samsung devices is an affordable alternate to its flagship devices. Just similar determination is simply a lineup of FE Galaxy smartphones, Samsung makes FE alternatives to its flagship tablets. I've tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and S10 Ultra, truthful I was anxious to spot however the S10 FE+ compares. 

I've besides precocious tested respective comparably priced tablets, similar the Honor Pad V9 and the latest iPad Mini, and the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ fared well. 

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ has an Exynos 1580 chip, which Samsung says makes the tablet astir 32% faster than its predecessor, the Tab S9 FE+. This isn't a high-end processor, but it's large for mundane tasks and is 1 of Samsung's compromises with its FE devices. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

This tablet tin grip mundane media and enactment tasks, and the included S Pen is useful for notetaking and originative work. The Tab S10 FE+ isn't built for powerfulness users but is cleanable for airy work, including video calls, photograph editing, messaging, and utilizing Samsung DeX. 

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The 13.1-inch show is simply a size upgrade from the erstwhile Tab S9 FE+, which had a 12.4-inch screen. The larger surface offers much abstraction for multitasking with divided screen, media streaming, gaming, and originative enactment similar sketching. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The artillery beingness is reliably good, particularly erstwhile you usage this tablet for entertainment. The S10 FE+ has a large, 10,090 mAh battery, and its businesslike show ensures it lasts a afloat workday. For comparison, the longest artillery beingness I've tested connected a tablet frankincense acold is the Honor Pad V9, which has a 10,100 mAh battery. The 2024 iPad Pro has an 8,160 mAh battery, and the 13-inch iPad Air M3 has a 9.705 mAh battery, for reference.

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I similar that Samsung's newer tablets are IP68-rated for h2o and particulate resistance. This whitethorn not dependable similar a large deal, but arsenic idiosyncratic who's gotten utilized to carrying my tablet astir everyplace with me, it is. I've often had to adust my tablet aft an accidental h2o spill oregon unknowingly putting it connected a bedewed surface. 

The panic that courses done maine arsenic I frantically adust my tablet each clip it touches moisture is lone understood by anyone who has mislaid a instrumentality to h2o oregon had smartphones implicit 10 years agone (RIP to my BlackBerry Bold, connected some accounts). 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

While you can't (and shouldn't) aquatics with the Tab S10 FE+, you tin respire a small easier erstwhile it gets bedewed and determination connected to adust it without experiencing throat-clenching anxiety. The IP68 standing isn't determination to promote you to bring your tablet erstwhile you spell scuba diving, but to support your investment. 

In benchmark testing, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ proved acold much basal than the comparably priced iPad Air from 2024 (M2) and 2025 (M3). If you're looking for a tablet to power betwixt dense apps oregon demanding video editing, you'd bash amended with an iPad Air. But if you're looking for 1 with a longer artillery life, an included stylus, and h2o resistance, past the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is best. 

ZDNET's buying advice

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ is simply a large midrange tablet for entertainment, truthful media enthusiasts tin rejoice successful its ample 13.1-inch show and 90Hz refresh rate. But creators, students, and professionals alike tin besides payment from it, particularly those looking for an mundane tablet wrong the Galaxy ecosystem that doesn't scope premium prices. 

Also: I replaced my Kindle and iPad wrong hours of investigating this tablet

The Tab S10 FE+ is slim and precise lightweight. It's besides waterproof and comes with an S Pen, making it amended suited for portability than different comparable options. You tin instrumentality this tablet with you astir anyplace and usage it for entertainment, notetaking, oregon enactment without 2nd thoughts astir the elements you'll exposure it to.