Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 review

Key Features: 10.5-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 AMOLED display; Exynos 5 Octa 5420; 3GB RAM; 16GB storage; 802.11ac Wi-Fi; Bluetooth 4.0; microSD up to 128GB; 7,900mAh battery; 465g

What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5?

The Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is the big brother to the Galaxy Tab S 8.4 � it�s what the iPad Air is to the iPad mini 2. It has the same basic design and features. That means an outstanding 2,560 x 1,600 resolution Super AMOLED screen and plenty more besides. We loved the smaller version, so it�s no surprise that the 10.5-inch version is just as impressive.

SEE ALSO: Tablet Buying Guide

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5: Design

We like the the Galaxy Tab S 10.5�s design, but we don�t love it. The dimpled, soft-touch rear is pleasant to handle, but the bronze-gold colour scheme is an acquired taste. It�s nothing like as refined as the iPad Air, which is a shame given they cost the same.

But the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 is well put together and it�s a featherweight. It weighs just 465g, though this is only a few grams less than the iPad Air. It�s also thin � 6.6mm makes it 1mm thinner than the iPad Air. These are all fine margins, but the Galaxy Tab S 10.5 has less competition among Android tablets at this size. As 10-inch Android tablets go, it�s way out in front.

SEE ALSO: Best Android Tablets 2014 Round-up

The other interesting design point is case support. We weren�t sent a case for the 8.4, but we have one for the Galaxy Tab S 10.5. Like the 8.4, it fastens to the tablet via rather odd jacket style �poppers�. They don�t help the looks much, but they hold the case securely.

We like the case, too. It�s slim, so adds little weight. It also offers three angles from which to view the screen. The only issue is the folding required to make them takes some learning. Even after a week or so we�re still fumbling about each time.

SEE ALSO: Best Tablet 2014 Round-up

Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5: Features

This tablet has everything. You get the fastest version of Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.0. The Wi-Fi version has 16GB of storage built-in, but the microSD slot supports up to 128GB cards and there’s a 4G version that has 32GB built-in. There�s an IR Blaster for controlling your TV, too. We find the feature a little hit and miss, but it�s a nice extra. There are cameras front and back and there�s an LED flash for the main camera � a rare feature on a tablet.

Less impressive is the fingerprint reader. This is the same one found in the Galaxy S5 and it�s no more successful here. The swiping system is just too unreliable to use it to unlock your tablet. It only works 40/50% of the time, which isn�t a great hit rate