A productivity-minded tablet for less than the competition
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE (starting at $529.99) is a compelling alternative to the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch,2021) and Samsung’s own Galaxy Tab S7+. It has an immersive 12.4-inch display, supports the company’s S Pen stylus, and will even let you tack on 5G connectivity for a little extra. Those features, however, come with a few notable caveats. For starters, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE struggles with more hardware-intensive tasks, and its big display isn’t on par with what you’ll find on more expensive tablets. But it’s good for use with undemanding apps, and now that Samsung is improving the One UI ecosystem, you’ll get extra mileage out of using it in tandem with Samsung phones and laptops. Familiar Design The Galaxy Tab S7 FE sports a familiar design to the higher-end slates it’s competing against. Its unibody frame and chassis are made of aluminum. The Wi-Fi version is available in black, green, pink, or silver. If you want or need 5G connectivity, your style decision will be much easier, since that model is only available in black. The tablet measures 11.2 by 7.3 by 0.3 inches (WHD) and weighs 1.3 pounds. No doubt about it, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE is heavy, but the weight is well distributed. And though it’s not something you’d want to hold for hours on end, it’s light enough for your morning commute. In landscape mode, the slim camera stack and S Pen connector are positioned along the top edge of the case. The magnetic stylus dock isn’t as powerful as what you’ll find on iPad models that work with the second-generation Apple Pencil, so you’re probably going to lose your S Pen unless you spring for a case that holds it. On the top of the tablet, there’s a power button, a volume rocker, and a SIM/microSD slot. The buttons provide a satisfying click when tapped, but are difficult to reach in portrait mode. The power button lacks an integrated fingerprint sensor, which doesn’t seem like a big deal until you’re forced to enter your PIN every time you want to unlock the tablet. There’s a connector for the optional Bookcover Keyboard Case on the bottom. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s keyboard lacks the trackpad that’s on the keyboard for the regular Galaxy Tab S7. Speakers flank each side of the tablet, and there’s a USB-C charging port on the left. A 12.4-inch,2,560-by-1,600-pixel LCD dominates the front of the Tab S7 FE. The display is bright, with excellent color accuracy, but there’s something off about it. I found myself putting it down after an hour of reading or scrolling through social media due to eye fatigue. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s 60Hz refresh rate is a big step down from the Tab S7+’s 120Hz. Sure, the Tab S7 FE lacks the 120Hz refresh rate and AMOLED display of its more expensive sibling, but I don’t think that’s the issue. Most products I review have low-res LCD panels with 60Hz refresh rates, and I’ve never had a similar eyestrain experience with a comparable display. You’ll find two powerful speakers on the Tab S7 FE. Both are tuned by AKG and support Dolby Atmos. Maximum volume clocks in at 94db, which is loud enough to fill a room. Soundstage is immersive and the timbre is lush. You’ll even notice a hint of bass. Bluetooth 5.0 is on board for wireless audio. There’s also dual-band Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and wireless charging are missing from the mix. Midrange Hardware A Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chipset powers the 5G version of the Galaxy Tab S7 FE; the less-expensive Wi-Fi model has the newer Snapdragon 778 mobile platform.
