[Mania] The True AI Multi-Player... Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra

The S Pen Has Changed: Feels Just Like a Real Pencil
Same Resolution, Enhanced Quality, Color, Brightness, and Clarity
Evolved Samsung DeX: A Smarter Work Environment
All-Day Use with a Large-Capacity Battery, Launching on the 19th

Until now, using a tablet often felt like simply having a smartphone with a larger screen, but this product was different. It felt like a true "multi-player" that combines the strengths of both smartphones and desktops. Even the subtle changes in app execution and motion felt like sophisticated consideration and cutting-edge technology. These are my impressions after experiencing the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, unveiled by Samsung Electronics at the IFA 2025 stage for the first time in 11 years.

Changes Felt from the Exterior... A More Advanced S Pen

Usage scene of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra utilizing the Samsung DeX feature. Samsung Electronics

Encountering the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for the first time in Berlin, Germany, even the packaging was different. The previous model featured a photo of the S Pen placed on top of the tablet, but this time, the S Pen was displayed separately, hinting at its transformation.

The first thing that caught my eye was the new S Pen. It had a tactile feel reminiscent of a real pencil and was impressively lightweight. The hexagonal design of the S Pen made it feel exactly like a "pencil." It brought to mind the iconic writing instrument in Germany, the STAEDTLER pencil, with its yellow body and pink eraser.

The pen tip had also been upgraded. While the previous version felt sharp, the new one offered a firmer and more stable sensation. The newly adopted conical tip allowed for a wider tilt angle, enabling smoother and more stable drawing. The Quick Tools function, which allows you to instantly activate features like translation and highlighter with the side button, was also highly satisfying.

It was disappointing that Bluetooth features such as Air Actions were removed. While the reduced weight was a plus, the S Pen's premium feel seemed slightly diminished in terms of appearance.

As for the tablet itself, the most noticeable change in appearance was the swapped arrangement of the volume and power buttons. In landscape mode, the left index finger now touches the volume control instead of the power button at the corner. This had been a common user complaint, and it appears Samsung took user convenience into account with this adjustment.

Not Just About Size... Large-Screen Optimized Performance

Usage scene of the new Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra utilizing the new S Pen. Samsung Electronics

14.6 inches. It was not just about being big. Once powered on, the display quality was immediately apparent. Even to the eyes of a general user, the improved clarity and brightness were noticeable.

The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display supports a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits. Even after leaving a dark exhibition hall for bright sunlight, the vividness of the video colors remained clear. Checking the settings, the resolution was the same as the previous model, but the improvement in pixel technology alone was enough to make a tangible difference. The thinner bezels also contributed to a more premium feel and a heightened sense of immersion.

The expansive large screen is the greatest strength of the "Ultra" series. In particular, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra features an ultra-slim design at just 5.1mm, the thinnest ever. As a flagship model, it did feel somewhat weighty. Weighing about 690g according to the specs, it was a reasonable and portable option considering its large display.

From Subtle Motions to Galaxy AI: Optimized with New Technologies

'Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra' in use. Photo by Jang Heejoon

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra showed clear evidence of thoughtful design to make the most of its large screen. Even a small change was made to the Quick Panel: previously, the rest of the screen would blur when pulling down the panel, but now, the Quick Panel pops up while maintaining the existing screen, maximizing the advantages of the large display and providing a visually satisfying experience.

With the latest multimodal AI, the Galaxy AI optimized for the large-screen form factor offered an even more advanced user experience. When searching for international news sources to reference for an article and using the Circle to Search feature, the screen translation function easily converted the content into Korean. The translation remained active even when scrolling or switching pages.

It also became smarter. After opening a document filled with complex charts and tables, I summoned Gemini Live. When I commanded, "Summarize just the key points," the AI-generated summary was neatly saved in Samsung Notes. In addition, the writing assistant was useful for checking grammar and refining awkward expressions.

Breaking Down the Boundaries Between Smartphone and PC... The Power of Samsung DeX

Usage scene of the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra utilizing the Samsung DeX feature. Samsung Electronics

The Samsung DeX feature has also evolved. There is no longer a need to manually turn DeX mode on or off. After launching an app, simply tapping the small floating bar icon beneath the notch immediately brings up the taskbar and switches modes. Pulling the floating window to the top easily returns you to tablet mode.

Samsung Electronics introduced the upgraded DeX feature in the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra as a way to break down the boundaries between tablet and PC. In particular, the newly added "Extended Mode" allows you to connect the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra to an external monitor, creating a dual-screen environment. Using this feature, I could display reference materials on the external monitor while working on separate documents on the tablet screen, greatly enhancing work efficiency.

It was also impressive that up to four multi-workspaces (virtual workspaces) are supported. The screen could be divided into work, study, entertainment, and communication spaces, each customized as needed. The first workspace was set up with third-party apps for work, while the second was organized with over-the-top (OTT) apps for watching movies during leisure time. This allowed for efficient use according to each purpose.

All-Day Use Without Stopping... Improved Battery and Performance

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will be available in two colors, Gray and Silver, and will be released domestically on the 19th. Samsung Electronics

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is equipped with a 3nm (1nm = one billionth of a meter) process processor. Many expressed disappointment that it uses MediaTek's Dimensity 9400 Plus chip instead of Qualcomm or Samsung's Exynos.

However, the central processing unit (CPU) achieved about 24% improvement over its predecessor, the graphics processing unit (GPU) about 27%, and the neural processing unit (NPU) about 33%. This improvement was not just on paper; it was noticeable in real use. Even when editing large video files or running high-end games, usage was smooth with no frame drops.

To test the tablet's performance, I created an "extreme usage environment." Running three tasks simultaneously-high-end gaming, YouTube video playback, and internet browsing in multi-window mode-there was no noticeable lag on the screen. However, when running several heavy apps at once, a slight heat could be felt on the display surface.

The battery has a capacity of 11,600mAh, allowing for up to 23 hours of use. This means you can take it with you in the morning and use it freely until late at night. It also supports ultra-fast charging up to 45W.

The device will be available in two colors, Gray and Silver, and will be released domestically on the 19th. "One UI 8," which is being introduced for the first time in the Galaxy Tab S11 series, will be gradually rolled out to previous-generation devices such as the Galaxy Tab S10 series starting in October this year.