Samsung isn’t pulling punches this year. The new Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra are here, and they’re loaded with Galaxy AI features meant to undercut Apple’s growing AI ambitions. After going hands-on with both tablets, it’s clear: Samsung is aiming higher and smarter.
Galaxy Tab S11 keeps the hardware classic but sharp
The standard Galaxy Tab S11 brings a compact 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, pushing a crisp 2,560 x 1,600 resolution at up to 120Hz. It peaks at 1,600 nits, offering high brightness and great contrast for outdoor use.
Surrounding the display is a thick black bezel that may feel traditional, but gives the tablet a strong, stable frame. And thanks to its slim 0.22-inch profile and weight of just over 1 pound, it’s easy to hold for extended sessions.
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Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra goes bigger, thinner, and brighter
The Ultra variant doesn’t hold back. Its 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X panel stretches across a nearly edge-to-edge screen, with 2,960 x 1,848 resolution and the same 120Hz refresh rate. The anti-reflective coating is a subtle but noticeable win.
There’s a small notch, less intrusive than before, carved into the top bezel to house the front camera. It’s a cleaner look compared to the Tab S10 Ultra.
Specs aside, the Ultra measures just 0.20 inches thick, making it thinner than last year’s model and tied with Apple’s iPad Pro in slimness. It’s also slightly lighter than the Tab S10 Ultra, improving handling for a device of this size.
Galaxy Tab S11 hardware refinements still matter
Despite AI grabbing the headlines, Samsung hasn’t ignored the physical design. The Armor Aluminum build keeps both tablets feeling premium without being heavy. They come in Gray and Silver, and both models feature:
- A 13MP rear camera
- 12MP front-facing cameras
- An extra 8MP ultra-wide on the Ultra
- S Pen support with storage on the back cover
Samsung’s S Pen feels just as responsive here as on previous models, and the included keyboard accessories sold separately feature a dedicated AI key to trigger Galaxy AI tools instantly.
It shows Samsung is serious about AI
From text summarization to image generation and voice interaction, Galaxy AI is embedded throughout the Tab S11 experience. But what makes it compelling isn’t just the features, it’s how tightly they’re integrated into Samsung’s ecosystem.
Combined with sleek hardware and sharper displays, the Galaxy Tab S11 series feels less like an incremental upgrade and more like Samsung’s next shot at owning the high-end tablet space.
Apple may have Intelligence. But Samsung’s playing smarter, and playing for keeps.
