Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Review

Samsung introduces the Galaxy TabS7 FE as a more accessible alternative to its premium counterpart, the Galaxy Tab S7. Positioned as a mid-range device, it strives to balance aesthetics and performance, making it an attractive option for users seeking work and leisure functionalities. 

Discover if this tablet aligns with your requirements in the comprehensive review by Android Authority on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is an attractive tablet with a good screen, solid software, and S Pen power, though it's held back by an older processor and other questionable spec choices for the 5G model. If you're buying one, the Wi-Fi version is the most sensible.

Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Specifications
Display 12.4-inch TFT LCD

2,560 × 1,600 (WQXGA)

Processor 5G: Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G

Wi-Fi: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G

Memory/Storage 4GB/64GB

6GB/128GB, 256GB

MicroSD supported to 1TB

Battery 10,090mAh

45Wh fast charging supported

Cameras Rear: 8MP, AF

Front: 5MP

Video: 1080p @ 30fps

Connectivity 5G/LTE

Wi-Fi 5

Bluetooth 5

Type C USB 3.2 Gen1 (DP Output)

GPS/GLONASS

Dimensions 284.8 x 185.0 x 6.3mm
Weight 608g
Colors Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Green, Mystic Pink

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE is priced at $479.99 for the 4GB/64GB variant, $499.99 for the 6GB/128GB model, $599.99 for the 6GB/256GB option, and $669.99 for the 5G-enabled 4GB/64GB version, falls between Samsung's budget-friendly Galaxy Tab A series and the premium Galaxy Tab S line.

While it scales back on some features compared to the Tab S7 tablets, it retains popular elements like its design and spacious display, aiming to deliver a similar Tab S7 experience at a more accessible price point.

Directly competing with Apple's iPad Air lineup, Samsung's Tab S7 FE mirrors Apple's strategy of offering tablets at various prices, catering to different consumer preferences. Positioned as a productivity-centric device, it targets users seeking enhanced capabilities rather than just leisure.

Notably, unlike many budgets and premium tablets, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE includes Samsung's S Pen stylus in the package.

Samsung offers four Galaxy Tab S7 FE versions, including an entry-level model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, alongside higher-tier options with 6GB/128GB and 6GB/256GB configurations. 

Additionally, a 5G variant is available, albeit limited to the 4GB/64GB option, supporting various carriers in the US and select international markets. Color choices span Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, Mystic Pink, and Mystic Green, with the 5G version exclusively available in Mystic Black.

With the introduction of the 2022 flagship Galaxy Tab S8 and 2023 Galaxy Tab S9 series, Samsung has adjusted prices, reducing the Tab S7 FE to a starting price of $479 from its previous $529. 

Moreover, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, an upgraded version of the Tab S7 FE, is now available. Considering these newer releases, the relevance of the Tab S7 FE warrants closer examination.

What is the quality of the hardware?

Simply put, Samsung has again mastered crafting exceptional hardware with the Galaxy Tab S7 FE.

This tablet embraces a more significant form factor akin to the Tab S7 (and S8) Plus, featuring a spacious 12.4-inch screen compared to the standard 11-inch Tab S7/S8 display. Its design, resembling a sleek aluminum slab with a more rectangular shape due to the 16:10 aspect ratio, exudes elegance. 

At dimensions of 284.8 x 185 x 6.3mm and weighing just 608g, it impressively balances thinness and lightness.

Like the Apple iPad Air, the Tab S7 FE boasts flat glass on the front and sharp-edged metal side edges, showcasing meticulous craftsmanship. The black color variant, observed in our 5G test unit, exudes sophistication despite its sizable build.

The tablet is designed with landscape orientation in mind, placing its controls, ports, and buttons thoughtfully for easy use. The power button and volume controls are conveniently located and provide satisfying click feedback.

While there's no fingerprint reader, the tablet offers a versatile USB-C port and a microSD/SIM card slot for expandable storage or mobile data connectivity. 

The user-facing camera is positioned in the center, along with AKG-tuned Dolby Atmos stereo speakers for clear audio and an immersive multimedia experience.

Furthermore, the tablet's Pogo pins at the bottom edge enable seamless connection to the Samsung-made folio keyboard (sold separately), eliminating the need for Bluetooth pairing.

Like its more expensive counterparts, the Tab S7 FE features a designated magnetic patch on the back to store the S Pen stylus securely. 

While not the most refined approach, it enables convenient transportation of the S Pen attached to the tablet, even during charging. However, the stylus is likely to become dislodged when carried in a bag.

The S Pen itself closely resembles the size of a standard pen and offers a comfortable grip and smooth usability on the screen.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Review

How is the quality of the LCD?

Like the Tab S7 Plus, the Tab S7 FE boasts a 12.4-inch display with an impressive resolution of 2,550 x 1,600 pixels, protected by Gorilla Glass 3. 

The screen is exceptionally sharp, offering ample resolution for tasks like reading small text and photo editing. With a 16:10 aspect ratio, the tablet benefits from added vertical space when used in landscape mode.

However, Samsung made two notable cost-saving decisions regarding the Tab S7 FE's display. Firstly, they replaced the AMOLED panel found in the Tab S7 Plus with an LCD screen, impacting contrast and brightness to some extent. While still vibrant, it lacks the dynamic range of a Samsung AMOLED display.

Secondly, the Tab S7 FE does not feature the 120Hz refresh rate seen in the Tab S7 series; instead, it is locked at the standard 60Hz rate. This may result in slightly less smooth scrolling experiences, particularly noticeable when browsing social media or websites.

Despite these differences, the display on the Tab S7 FE remains impressive. Many users will appreciate its generous screen size and high resolution, making it suitable for both media consumption and productivity tasks.

Is the battery life sufficient for a full day of use?

Absolutely! The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE impresses with its long-lasting battery, thanks to its robust 10,090mAh capacity. With the screen set to auto-brightness and 5G enabled, the tablet comfortably lasts over 12 hours of continuous screen-on time.

Adjusting settings further could extend this duration. Notably, the Tab S7 FE surpasses the Apple iPad Air, which manages only 10 hours of screen-on time. 

Regarding battery performance, the Tab S7 FE emerges as a clear winner, even outlasting the newer Tab S8 Plus, which achieves nine hours of screen-on time.

Charging the tablet reflects its value proposition. While it ships with a standard 15W charger (not always a given with Samsung products), the Tab S7 FE supports rapid charging up to 45W. Purchasing a faster charger separately enables quicker charging times. 

The included charger takes approximately 3.5 hours to fully charge the Tab S7 FE from zero, which is slightly longer than the iPad Air but comparable to the Galaxy Tab S7 series. While not tested, opting for the optional 45W charger would expedite the charging process.

How does the device perform?

Samsung deliberately decided to use a less powerful processor in the Tab S7 FE compared to the Tab S7 and S7 Plus, a move aimed at reducing costs. However, the situation is more nuanced than it seems.

There are two versions of the S7 FE: one with 5G connectivity and the other with Wi-Fi only. The 5G model features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, while the Wi-Fi model is equipped with a newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor, boasting updated Arm cores and other enhancements.

While we haven't tested the Wi-Fi model, based on specifications and comparison benchmarks, it will likely offer superior performance.

The Snapdragon 750G processor in the 5G model sometimes struggles, especially when handling multiple tasks or tabs in a web browser. The tablet's performance is adequate for basic tasks but may slow down with heavier use or graphics-intensive games. 

Benchmark tests reveal the processor's limitations, with scores trailing behind many devices in its class.

Regarding 5G connectivity, the Tab S7 FE supports mid-band spectrum, providing good browsing speeds on compatible networks like T-Mobile in the US. However, it lacks support for faster mmWave 5G used by carriers like AT&T and Verizon. 

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities vary between the 5G and Wi-Fi models, with the former limited to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5, while the latter supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2.

Overall, while the Tab S7 FE performs adequately for basic tasks, its processor may struggle with more demanding use cases than its higher-end counterparts or competitors like the iPad Air.

How effective is the software?

The Galaxy Tab S7 FE debuted with Android 11 featuring One UI 3.1 layered on top. We appreciated this iteration of One UI, although some may find it somewhat heavy-handed. There was ample opportunity for customization, and the device didn't come preloaded with excessive bloatware. 

Samsung's commitment to providing four system-level updates and five years of security updates mirroring its phones is commendable. Furthermore, the tablet received the Android 14-based One UI 6 update towards the end of 2023.

The app experience on Android tablets can be hit or miss. Many developers need to optimize their apps for the larger, wider screens of tablets, resulting in inconsistencies.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Review

Some apps may default to a portrait orientation even when used in landscape mode, while others may exhibit odd layouts or empty spaces when forced to adapt. This issue is not unique to the Tab S7 FE but is prevalent across all Android tablets.

For users focused on productivity, Samsung DeX is available. This interface transforms the tablet's home screen into a desktop Chrome machine, facilitating multitasking with moveable windows akin to a PC. 

While DeX mode enhances productivity, its opening and closing times could be more active, detracting from the user experience over time.

The included S Pen stylus seamlessly interacts with the screen and is supported by dedicated S Pen apps like Samsung Notes, Penup, Noteshelf, and Canva. Of these, Samsung Notes stands out as the most robust.

The Air Command feature activates automatically when the stylus is near the display, providing easy access to S Pen-optimized apps. However, the tablet's performance issues can hinder the overall usability of the S Pen, particularly during resource-intensive tasks such as image editing or multitasking.

Worth And Competitive Landscape

Samsung's Fan Edition models aim to enhance the value proposition of their pricier counterparts by offering a full-featured version with some specifications or features swapped out, resulting in a lower price while retaining essential functionalities. 

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE largely achieves this goal, particularly with its Wi-Fi version, the 5G model may have lost some appeal.

With the arrival of the Galaxy Tab S8 and S9 series, the Wi-Fi-only versions of the previous Tab S7 tablets have been discontinued. Nevertheless, the 5G versions are still offered at a considerable price. 

With the base Tab S7 FE now priced at $479, this model's value proposition in Samsung's tablet range has changed, particularly when considering the superior Wi-Fi version.

In terms of competition, Samsung faces its in-house challengers such as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE Plus, offering newer features like a 90Hz screen, faster chipset, and upgraded connectivity options. 

The Galaxy Tab S8 and Tab S8 Plus are viable options for those seeking premium performance in a more compact form factor despite the higher price tag.

Beyond Samsung's offerings, alternatives such as the OnePlus Pad, Lenovo Yoga Tab 13, and Lenovo P12 Pro provide appealing features at competitive prices. 

Apple's iPad Air (2022) also distinguishes itself with excellent performance and software support, albeit at a slightly higher cost. Lastly, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 offers an interesting choice for individuals seeking a compact Windows-based hybrid device with full functionality.