One of the best productivity tablets I've tested is not an iPad Pro or Remarkable

As a full-time writer and mom of three, I’m always looking for ways to enhance my productivity. I love having a dependable tablet — for work or entertainment — to take along to my kids’ various activities. Usually, I rely on my iPad — with a reliable keyboard case — for these purposes, but I’ve been testing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra recently and have some thoughts. 

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Visually, the Tab S10 Ultra’s design and display have not changed much compared to the previous generation, which I tested last year. Physically, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is so similar to its predecessor that it fits seamlessly into the case I got to protect the S9 Ultra last year. Instead, Samsung focused its efforts on enhancing the tablet’s performance, AI capabilities, and software longevity.

At 14.6 inches, the S10 Ultra is a very large tablet. Its AMOLED 2X display features vibrant colors and supports a 120Hz refresh rate, and the tablet itself is water- and dust-resistant with an IP68 rating. However, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s imposing frame detracts heavily from the portability factor. While I love a large screen, I can’t say the S10 Ultra is a tablet I’ll take wherever I go, especially without a case. 

The tablet doesn’t include a case, which is normal, but the Book Cover Keyboard, Samsung’s official keyboard case, costs $350, with the Slim option costing $200. If you’re looking for a tablet that doubles as a laptop, the added keyboard expense must factor into a decision to buy the S10 Ultra.

Samsung launched the new Galaxy Tab S10 Plus and Ultra tablets with a new processor a few weeks ago, formalizing its breakup with Qualcomm chipsets. The new S10 Ultra tablet has a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, which Samsung says is best suited for tasks running on artificial intelligence (AI). 

The tablet’s performance feels snappier than the previous generation, but the processing upgrade shines especially in the AI integrations. The S10 Ultra supports Sketch-to-Image, an improved version of Note Assist, and Circle to Search, among other Galaxy AI tools. Even Bixby is smarter than ever, which I never thought I’d see. 

The generative AI features run very well in the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and make for a fun productivity tool for those looking to bypass an iPad Pro, for example. While Apple Intelligence is beginning to roll out to customers with new OS updates, most of the features you can use on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra right now will likely not be available on Apple devices until next year. 

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These AI tools are enhanced by the included S Pen, Samsung’s IP68-rated Bluetooth stylus that offers high-precision sketching and writing. I love using the S Pen to take notes and color on the tablet, but the AI tools, like Sketch-to-Image, are a new, fun way to make the most of this tool.

My biggest gripe with the S Pen is that it stows on the back of the tablet, which means it’ll constantly detach if you use it on your lap without a case.

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As for longevity, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra runs on Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 and supports up to seven years of OS upgrades. This makes it a great option for users invested in the Samsung ecosystem, who can benefit from fast and reliable device syncing between Galaxy phones, Buds, and Watch. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

After testing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra for almost two weeks, I’ve found it a superb option for creative professionals and productivity-focused users looking to take advantage of a strong processor and reliable AI features. 

Even those looking for an AI-powered tablet like an iPad Pro would do well to consider the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, especially while we wait for the Apple Intelligence features to arrive. 

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The S10 Ultra is a futureproof tablet with a powerful chipset, Wi-Fi 7 support, and long-term OS updates, perfect for power users. But the tablet won’t come cheap; the S10 Ultra starts at $1,200. If you like having a tablet that doesn’t cost a mortgage payment and that you can carry anywhere to work at odd hours of the evening and play during downtimes, you’d probably do best getting a Samsung Tab S9 FE or an iPad 10th Generation.