As anticipation builds ahead of Samsung’s official reveal, the leaks surrounding the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra are painting a picture that is both exciting and frustrating. On one hand, the device promises several hardware and display improvements over its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. On the other hand, Samsung appears to be making a few controversial decisions that could stifle its position as the market leader in Android tablets.
Among the most contentious points includes the continuation of the notch design, and the apparent decision to use the Dimensity 9400+ chipset instead of the more cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 chip expected in many premium Android flagships in late 2025.
A Refined Design, But That Notch Still Lingers
From leaked CAD renders and prototype images, it’s clear that Samsung is staying the course with the overall form factor of the Tab S11 Ultra. It features the same ultra-slim bezels, premium aluminum build, and a massive display. But perhaps too much has stayed the same.
Most notably, the notch is still present — a lame choice. While it looks like they removed dual front cameras, you’ll still get a siggle camera though. Many users hoped Samsung would adopt an under-display camera or eliminate the notch entirely through clever design.
Compared to Apple’s iPads and some Android competitors like the Lenovo Tab Extreme, which are moving toward uninterrupted screen real estate, Samsung’s insistence on the notch feels outdated. For a company that positions this tablet as the pinnacle of its ecosystem, worthy of replacing a laptop—the notch remains a visual and ergonomic compromise.
Display: Incremental Improvements, But Not Revolutionary
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is expected to come with a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, similar to its predecessor, but with a slightly brighter panel (up to 1,200 nits) and adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. The resolution remains 2960 x 1848, with HDR10+ support.
These are meaningful, if modest, upgrades. The increased brightness is a welcome touch for outdoor usage and improved HDR performance, especially for video creators and media consumers. The bump to 120Hz will appeal to gamers and power users seeking smoother animations and scrolling.
However, when compared to the Tab S10 Ultra, which already offered an impressive visual experience, the improvements may not be dramatic enough to entice current users to upgrade, especially given the unchanged notch and limited innovation in screen technology.
Performance: Where Is the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2?
Arguably the most disappointing aspect of the leaked specs is Samsung’s decision to go with the Dimensity 9400+, rather than Qualcomm’s newer and more efficient Snapdragon 8 Elite 2.This is a major point of criticism for the Tab S11 Ultra. For a tablet that markets itself as a premium workstation and gaming beast, settling for a slightly older chip feels like a step back, especially when the Elite 2 offers better thermal efficiency, higher clock speeds, and improved AI processing cores.
The Dimensity 9400+ is no slouch, it remains capable for multitasking, 4K video editing, and demanding games. But in a product that costs upwards of $1,300, using anything less than the best available silicon is a head-scratcher. Samsung appears to be repeating the same mistake it made with the Tab S10 Ultra, which launched with last-gen silicon just months before newer chipsets became standard in competing devices.
RAM, Storage, and Software: As Expected
Leaks suggest the Tab S11 Ultra will ship with 12GB and 16GB RAM variants, paired with 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options. There’s still microSD expansion, which remains a rare luxury in modern devices, especially tablets.
Samsung is expected to debut One UI 8 based on Android 16, with enhanced multitasking, improved DeX mode, and tighter integration with Galaxy AI features. This includes things like AI-driven note summarization, multilingual transcription, and photo editing tools similar to Google’s Magic Editor.
While these software enhancements are welcome, they are largely iterative and tied closely to Google’s own AI developments for Android. Samsung is playing catch-up, and these features, while polished, don’t feel uniquely innovative on their own.
S Pen: Better Latency, But No Major Surprises
The S Pen gets a mild upgrade. According to tipsters, latency has dropped from 2.8ms to 1.6ms, which might be imperceptible to casual users but meaningful for artists and designers. It still charges magnetically on the back and supports Air Actions.
There are whispers of new creative software tools, such as “Scribble to Shape,” improved 3D modeling compatibility, and a more robust DeX drawing canvas. However, none of these are fundamentally changing how the S Pen is used, and the stylus hardware itself appears unchanged physically.
In contrast, Apple’s new Pencil Pro (with haptic feedback and squeeze gestures) has pushed the stylus experience further, making Samsung’s once-innovative S Pen feel a bit stagnant.
Battery and Charging: No Fast Charging Breakthrough
The Tab S11 Ultra is rumored to pack an 11,600 mAh battery, thats 400 mAh Increase Compared to the Tab S10 Ultra. Despite expectations of power efficiency gains from the newer chip, real-world tests will ultimately determine if battery life actually improves.
Samsung’s continued use of 45W fast charging is another area that feels behind the curve. Competing tablets and laptops have moved to 65W or even 100W fast charging, giving users much quicker top-ups. The Tab S11 Ultra is poised to take around 90 minutes for a full charge, which is passable but certainly not cutting edge.
In 2025, we should expect more from a “pro-grade” tablet. Samsung’s conservative approach here only adds to the narrative of safe iteration instead of bold progress.
Cameras: Useful, But Still Niche
Dual rear cameras are expected, one 13MP main sensor and a 13MP ultra-wide—while the front sports a 12MP selfie camera to support ultra-wide video calls and face unlock.
These specs are nearly identical to the Tab S10 Ultra. While the image quality is fine for video conferencing and occasional document scanning, the camera system is not a focal point, and rightly so. Most users won’t use this tablet for photography. But again, there’s no real upgrade here, just a carryover from last year’s model.
Tab S11 Ultra Price and Positioning: Premium Price, Safe Upgrades
If leaks are accurate, the Tab S11 Ultra will be priced similarly to the Tab S10 Ultra, starting around $1,199 for the base 12GB/256GB model, with top-end versions breaching the $1,500 mark. Accessories like the keyboard and S Pen will likely remain optional purchases.
At this price point, many expected more radical changes like a full-screen design, next-gen chipset, faster charging, or novel software features. Instead, what we have is a high-end tablet that plays it safe, improves modestly, but doesn’t redefine its category.
Samsung is clearly targeting professionals and premium users, but in doing so, it has to justify why the Tab S11 Ultra is a better buy than not just the Tab S10 Ultra but also a laptop, iPad Pro M4, or a Galaxy Book 4.
Final Thoughts: Premium, Powerful, Yet Predictable
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, based on current leaks is a beautifully engineered piece of hardware that will no doubt appeal to those upgrading from older tablets or seeking a large screen Android device with solid multitasking.
But it’s also a missed opportunity in key areas like The notch, which should be gone in 2025. The use of an outdated chipset, especially in a premium flagship. Minor display and battery improvements. rather than revolutionary leaps. Safe, iterative software updates, rather than bold innovation.
Samsung’s reputation for hardware excellence remains intact, but this time, innovation feels constrained. If you already own a Tab S10 Ultra, you likely don’t need to upgrade. If you’re looking for a cutting edge tablet, the Tab S11 Ultra will deliver but it won’t surprise or delight the way it should.
Source: AndroidCentral
