Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Feature Roundup: Android 2-in-1

Samsung’s Galaxy line has long been the very top of the line in terms of Android smartphones. However, their Galaxy Tab line has struggled to stay relevant as tablets themselves have fallen out of favor. Does the Galaxy Tab S4 have what it takes to put Galaxy Tab (and tablets) back on the radar of tech-lovers? The answer: sort of. It’s a step in the right direction, at least.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Feature Roundup

Design and Peripherals

It’s a Galaxy device, that much is sure at a glance. Trademark Samsung design is all over this simple, straightforward tablet. The major selling point, however, is the two-in-one functionality that makes it into a laptop-like device. The keyboard cover is another $150 on top of the device’s $650 price tag, but it’s a solid add-on. It’s not as bad as typing on a block of wood, but it’s not going to replace your home keyboard. The S Pen helps a lot in this respect, and thankfully the Tab S4 comes with it packed in. Unfortunately, the two-in-one functionality isn’t quite what you’d expect for the price.

Two-in-One

The Galaxy Tab S4 manages to be both a superfluous tablet and a sub-par laptop! Okay, jokes aside, it’s not amazing in either mode. The tablet mode is fine, but you have a smartphone. Why would you seriously need a tablet? It’s expensive and it performs a role you already have covered. In laptop mode, or “Dex Mode,” the touch screen is unreliable and unresponsive. That would be one thing if this was actually a laptop, but we’re talking about a tablet. You have to actually, you know, touch the screen to navigate through the operating system.

It sounds like we really hated this tablet, and that’s not exactly true. It’s not a terrible device, it just doesn’t do anything to justify its steep price tag. Especially when you consider that the amount of money you spend on this tablet could also just be spent on an iPad, which is a far superior piece of technology. The iPad is gorgeous, fast and responsive; all the things the Galaxy Tab S4 isn’t.

Bottom Line

Unless you really, really love the idea of an Android two-in-one, skip this. Android is a passable operating system on phones, but it was made for phones. Nothing proves that more than this Galaxy Tab. If you love Android, that’s fine, and you’re certainly not alone. It’s a popular OS, due in large part to its open nature. However, you’d much rather work with a two-in-one running Windows or iOS, and if you disagree then you’re lying to yourself.

That said, maybe this is the first step for Android devices into the 2-in-1 space. Perhaps Samsung is opening the door for another device to come along and make me eat my words. Until that time comes, though, I’ll remain unconvinced.