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In May, we exclusively revealed the model numbers of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S10+ and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. The following month, we confirmed that the company had begun software development for the duo. We also gave you an exclusive first look at the Ultra model. All this while, there has been no talk about the base Galaxy Tab S10. Turns out it doesn’t exist. Samsung plans to release its next-gen flagship Android tablets in only two models.
Galaxy Tab S10 series tipped to come only in Plus and Ultra models
Samsung‘s last two generations of S series flagship tablets have come in three models. The company released a base model, a Plus model, and an Ultra mode of the Galaxy Tab S9 (2023) and Galaxy Tab S8 series (2022). The Galaxy Tab S7 series before that (in 2020) came in base and Plus models. It appears Samsung is returning to a dual-variant lineup with the Galaxy Tab S10 series. But this time around, it’s making Plus and Ultra models.
The information comes from the Korean media and corroborates our previous findings—we have yet to spot a base Galaxy Tab S10 in Samsung’s product pipeline. According to the new report, this is a strategic shift from the Korean firm to compete against Apple’s new iPads. This year, Apple switched to an OLED display for the iPad Pro, eliminating Samsung’s long-standing display tech superiority in the tablet market (it has made OLED tablets since 2014).
In response, the Korean conglomerate plans to take the fight to the screen size. It aims to differentiate its flagship tablets from Apple iPads with larger OLED screens. The Galaxy Tab S10+ will sport a 12.4-inch display, while the Ultra has a 14.6-inch OLED panel. The iPad Pro (2024) is available in 11-inch and 13-inch variants. This strategy seemingly made a base model with a 10.95-inch display redundant and Samsung decided to cancel it altogether.
A MediaTek chip is on the cards
Last month, the Galaxy Tab S10+ appeared on Geekbench running MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300+ flagship chipset. It appears it’s a deal done. The new report says Samsung is considering using the MediaTek processor on one or both new tablets in some markets. The tablets will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in other markets. If true, this will be the first instance of a flagship Galaxy tablet featuring a MediaTek chipset. Maybe it’s a cost-cutting measure, we shall find out soon.
There are even rumors of Samsung considering equipping the Galaxy S25 phones with a MediaTek chip. The company is trying hard to reduce Snapdragon’s share in its products, likely because of successive major price hikes from Qualcomm. Time will tell how much truth is in these rumors. The Galaxy Tab S10 series is expected later this year, while the Galaxy S25 series will arrive in early 2025. Samsung is launching new foldables and watches on July 10.