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Sarah Tew/CNET
Samsung has announced the Galaxy Tab S, and it’s poised to take on Apple’s iPad.
On paper, the Galaxy Tab S beats the iPad in just about every way: a higher resolution, support for up to 128GB of expandable storage and faster wireless connectivity are packed into a body that’s just 6mm (0.23 inches) thick.
Samsung introduces the Galaxy Tab S (pictures)
The new Galaxy Tab S also borrows a few features from Samsung’s smartphones, like the ability to open two apps at the same time. You’ll be able to use SideSync to pair the Galaxy Tab S with supported devices like the Galaxy S5 . Once the devices are connected to one another via Wi-Fi, you can transfer files between them, or even make calls from your tablet. A tablet-optimized version of Samsung’s Milk Music service will also be available.
The Galaxy Tab S will be available with an 8.4-inch and a 10.5-inch display, though the specs will remain the same across both models. Check our chart below for all of the details.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S vs. the iPad Air
| Galaxy Tab S | iPad Air | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499/£399/AU$599 (10.5 inches), $399/£319/AU$479 (8.4 inches) | $499/£399/AU$598 (16GB) |
| Storage | 16GB | Up to 128GB |
| Thickness | 0.23 inches / 6.6mm | 0.29 inches / 7.5mm |
| Weight | 1 pound (454g) at 10.5 inches; 10 ounces (283g) at 8.4 inches | 1 pound (454g) |
| OS | Android 4.4 KitKat | iOS 7 |
| CPU | 1.9GHz Exynos S Octa CPU | Apple A7 chip |
| Display | 2,560×1,600 pixels | 2,048×1,536 pixels |
| RAM | 3GB | 1GB |
| Expansion slot | Up to 128GB microSD | No |
| Connectivity | 802.11ac, LTE | 802.11n, LTE |
| Battery | 11 hours of video | Up to 10 hours |
| Camera | 8 megapixels with flash; 2.1-megapixels front-facing | 5 megapixels; 1.2-megapixel front-facing |
