Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Review

Lisa Gade reviews Samsung’s 2017 Android flagship tablet, the Galaxy Tab S3 with S Pen. The tablet runs Android 7.0 Nougat with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI on the 2.15 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 CPU with 4 GB RAM and 32 GB storage. The Tab S3 has a 9.7” Super AMOLED display with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 2048 x 1536 resolution.
- The general review is covered in the first 10 minutes. Watch that then skip to the end if you're not interested in the S Pen features.
- 10:28 begins S Pen review for note taking and with art programs for artists.
The S Pen is included in the box- a Wacom EMR pen with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. An optional keyboard case is available for $130. The Tab S3 has a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, WiFi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 and a GPS. At launch there’s no model with cellular, but that will likely come in the future. It sells for $599.

[@221Becca]

The "P" word? I will definitely be hiding my puppy pictures in the secure folder.

[@ravirajyaguru5905]

Headphone jack has now become a "luxury", Thanks to Crapple.

[@AxiomBrevity]

This seems very well built. I really enjoyed the video lisa. Thank you.

[@Deveal2014]

Lisa you are a world class tech reviewer! Very easy to follow , very thorough, and informative. I find your reviews delightful and pleasing. Appreciate the great work . The Tab3 seems very nice . S Pen is great

[@MrPenriquez]

I personally like 4:3 aspect ratio screens because of the fact that it's better for everything besides movies and I like to read a lot of things on the Web, Play Books and Amazon

[@vin8816]

Lisa your reviews are amazing. So detailed and thought for...Thank you.

[@heidisong6975]

Lisa you are a pro! I don't normally comment on tech reviews but this must be one of the best I've seen- so informative and fun to watch. Whatever floats your boat ..haha!

[@tavaresbutler44]

I just want to say I love all your videos and your reviews give the average person a good insight as to what a product entails. Thanks for the great videos I can't wait to watch more. :)

[@sureshkumar108]

Hey Lisa, I just love your reviews . You have a very natural conversational style of presenting ! THank you for this detailed review of Samsung Galaxy Tab S3

[@dillonc3252]

I love Lisa. Been watching her videos for years

[@chris-id6vk]

best reviewer by far

[@nixuser1980]

This, like your other reviews, is done very professionally and objectively - thanks.

[@Felipee85]

This a very good review, you give more details about the products than others reviews that just says the same basic things. Thanks.

[@rayahui3768]

It's always to see you smiling and enthusiastic in all your videos. Cheers.

[@davidfgranger]

It's a little disappointing that everyone's trying to put absurdly sharp screens on phones where no one can tell the difference, but tablets are still shipping with the same resolution as the retina iPad from five years ago.

[@charliewilson3234]

Great Point.

[@sahabuddinakhand481]

Prokiosk mode look cancel system you no

[@ghopper150]

Wonderful review. Just purchased my S3.

[@TheJesman007]

Generally, I do not take the time to comment. But, I love your reviews. You seem to touch on the things that matter and compare the things that matter also. Thank you and keep it up the good work!

[@TheDiscardedFoot]

Lisa's back at it again! Can't wait to watch this... :)

[@emil1322]

I love your channel. Straight to the point .

[@jstanovic]

Lisa...you do the best reviews!

[@Sammy10100]

This tab is awesome. Great pic and video play back. No lag and very quick going from page to page.

[@gbpatriot2]

As my go-to reviewer I've been waiting for this review, and as usual it didn't disappoint. I've been in two minds to wait for this tablet or go for an iPad Pro 9.7". After your thorough review that highlighted a couple of important issues (glass back, sporadic palm rejection) I've decided to go for the iPad Pro. Thank you Lisa, you're still the best tech reviewer on KZbin. Ray

[@XplodingTurtle]

Love the reviews!

[@callmemarc]

I still love my original Galaxy Tab S. Perfect for watching videos with the 16:10 aspect ratio and AMOLED screen. I don't do much else with my tablet but watch videos anyway.

[@jeeen1982]

thanks for pen/art apps review

[@troyr57]

I just picked this up today, March 27, 2018 , enjoying it so far. Thanks to Lisa for all the good information.

[@ASgfjyhgyi]

And what you can say now? After one year? Battery life, screen, camera, slow or not... etc?

[@troyr57]

Still using it! But I did just upgrad to the Tab S6

[@andrewcasanova108]

I literally bought this a day before you reviewed it. I was waiting for you to do a review! Thank you! @mobiletechreview

[@andrewcasanova108]

I have never been in more love with the tab s3. You can do so much more in my opinion than with the ipad. One of the things I hate about apple is how closed off from other app markets they are. With the tab s3 you have so much more versatility when it comes to customization and multitasking. The features of the s pen are ten fold compared to the apple pencil. The truth is there are not that many apps that work with the apple pencil whereas the s pen does not have any restrictions. The writing experience for the s pen makes it feel like a real pencil. Now I got a tempered glass screen cover for it and it actually adds a little bit of friction to the screen so writing on my tab s3 actually feels a little bit more like pencil and paper, plus its fun that samsung added a sound effect as you write that really makes it sound like you're writing with a pencil on paper. The colors on the tab s3 are beautiful and rich and watching any type of media is really nice. I also love that they added a blue light screen like amazon has on their kindles. I hate staring at a blue light for hours when I'm reading or editing documents so adding the screen helps me look at the screen without straining my eyes. They did a fantastic job with this tablet, go with the tab s3! it's even cheaper than some of the ipad pro's, plus....there's a slot for expandable storage!

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

Agreed i also prefer this Tab to an IPad.

[@peaceandquiet]

Hi, I want to ask you is it good enough to watch movies and youtube videos? is it full HD and clear? please I need advice because I think of buying it.

[@merveilmeok2416]

Thanks for your review!

[@_boyan]

I love your reviews :) x

[@JayCarroll]

1st off Lisa, I love all of your videos. I've been watching for years and it has helped me with many of my purchases. I absolutely love the SPEN experience on past devices. I even had the Note 10.1 tablet at one time and wish I still had it. I've always been frustrated at Samsung for their slow software updates. Some never get updated even though they may have higher specs. I'm just struggling with this decision. Would the Book 12 really be worth the extra money? Does Samsung have issues with updates on Windows based devices? Thank you for everything you do. Keep up the awesome work!

[@redlady120]

thank you so much. i now know which unit to take. no need for me to spend much on the much awaited note 8-I still have the note 2 since 2013. this is actually a better alternative for me. thanks again luv!

[@DoctorFranklinson]

Always fun to see a lefty camrade

[@JepoyA-rx8kj]

as always.. very informative!

[@DOHvideo2012]

Lisa Gade - My goodness you are a charming and wonderful presenter of information. So much of the tech world is dominated by smirking kids and rapid jabber. I never finish any of these sorts of videos, and I enjoyed this the whole way through. Thank you. Thumbs up, subscribed.

[@naperdood]

DOH2012 Yep. She's concise but not coming at you like automatic gunfire. Very informative and friendly. Gold standard right here.

[@lifeevent88]

I jerked off

[@Kazuki2122]

Great review, I really appreciate hearing an artist's perspective on this. Top quality videos! I must say towards Samsung though... only a Snapdragon 820!? Come on.... our Cell phones from last year are running 2.34, 821s. I also thought we would be moving past 4gig ram for this yrs tablet too. OnePlus hurry and start making stylis tablets pleeeeease!

[@fightfactory67]

I am still using my Samsung Galaxy Pro 12.2 Works like a champ!

[@doubledoubleandfries]

Loved mine! Had it for 3 years before I sold it for ipad pro. Kind of regretting it a little..

[@siyulbyun7829]

Same. Wish they upgrade it to 6.0.1, but still stuck with 5.0.1 :(

[@MrKamechan]

Fight Factory I still have my Galaxy Note Pro 12.2, and love it, (--display is great despite not being AMOLED). Prices for the Tab Pro S 12 inch have dropped, so l just bought one of those, too. And I wouldn't trade my Tab Pro S 8.4 for the S3---price is nuts, IMO.

[@10tenman10]

I'm watching with a Galaxy tab S2 and like it a lot. This one looks better than mine but it is a bit pricey. It should last a while though and is the right weight to lie on the couch and watch KZbin.

[@emooner]

Fight Factory same here! watching this video on my note pro 12.2 and still use it for work on the go. I was kinda of disappointed at first, but after software updates it became a beast.

[@joshualopez6563]

Love your vids!!!

[@DiegoWeissel]

You are indeed the best reviewer of all times

[@crampyslayer8175]

Nice review , loved it

[@alanweston6067]

Ebay

[@Tracks777]

I look forward to more content

[@phatcowboy76]

Thanks, Lisa, I value your tech opinion. You hit the pertinents and eschew the fluff.

[@Dexduzdiz]

Love hearing Lisa's voice before I go to sleep, so soothing ahh

[@1946dfb]

Lisa is a brilliant reviewer

[@jerrycaughron7378]

Excellent analysis!

[@phenixboy1]

Great review!

[@Skobie1kanobie]

Make sure you talk about video output to tvs when doing tablet reviews please :) great review though as always!

[@edkensalexandre7043]

Hey Lisa. Nice review as always. You should do a review of the new Chromebooks from Asus and Samsung. They seem to be competing with tablets since they are convertibles and run android apps now.

[@hawkshillranch2100]

Thanks for the usage demonstrations on this new tablet. Your concrete examples really help me to see how it operates and significantly effects my desire to own one. PS, Was the white "THINK DIFFERENT" t-shirt meant for humor or does it add to your final recommendations ?

[@Blendedasian]

nice to see that they are finally adding stylus technology to the s series. being limited to the poorer screen on the a series was surely a deal breaker to some people.

[@niels3591]

Great review as always, Could I ask did you just state that Samsung Flow could work as a handfree! if say the tab was installed in a car including mic and speakers ???

[@Turburki]

Thanks for the great review ! Lisa ! any chance you can review and compare Huawei Mediapad M3 with Galaxy Tab S3?

[@keng8883]

I'd like to have a 13" tablet with pen support, but I don't want to pay $1000 for an iPad Pro.

[@Bond-ik1vn]

Just use a real pen and real white paper. The paper is a nickle 5cents and a pen $1 you don't have to pay $1000

[@keng8883]

Colin Lacivita Where's the fun in that? Lol

[@kkobayashi1]

There's the Samsung Chromebook Plus for $420, bit heavier but with a built-in keyboard. Or the Samsung Tabpro S (Windows tablet) available for under $800. Or the similar Huawei Matebook which is often on sale for under $500.

[@rnegoro1]

Get the ipadpro 9.7

[@ilyachap]

Ken G you can pay 600$ for iPad Pro 9.7" and 100$ for Apple Pencil. Where's 1000$ come from?

[@622Superman]

I bought my galaxy tab s2 almost 2 years ago, 8 inch. Sad to see the 8 inch go but man that is the best tablet ever made. Sounds like there's not much reason to upgrade to an s3 right now.

[@pandulathennakoon3826]

I like tab s2. Enjoying it so much. I like the plastic back.

[@Glamrgrl104]

Does it come w s pen?

[@weirdshibainu]

Great review lisa....what tablet would you recommend for laptop replacement? I'd use it for Web cruising and video watching, with MS office...not a gamer or artist.

[@sirchoinkz7156]

As always, another great review. You help me define whether i just WANT or NEED a certain tech. As for this tablet, it's a nahhh!!! 😊😊😊😊

[@stevenjames1138]

I'd really like to see how this tablet compares to the Samsung Chromebook Plus/Pro, especially the display and the S-pen. Also, if I own one of the new Samsung Chromebooks, will I be able to use the S-pen from the Tab S3 on the Chromebook? And will it still have the increased levels of sensitivity?

[@randleqgod]

I'm still getting it. The S-Pen is awesome.

[@hlcotten6587]

Stew, I still use my tab S to stream almost everything. I still think it was the best ratio. The screen is simply amazing.

[@emanueol]

Thanks for the video, but I wonder why 90% of tablet reviews in youtube forget to show one of the most important features of using tablet as a books reader ?

[@nerium8]

Thanks for your review, Lisa. There is however something you didn't mention. Handwriting mode with the S pen is a very good feature. I own a Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and I constantly use handwriting mode with the S pen instead of the keyboard whenever I write messages, e-mails, Word documents, etc. I suggest you try it :-)

[@zembryoz]

No Samsung Tablet has bettered the Galaxy Tab Pro 2014 edition. Sure, it's old but it's thin, high res, great pen experience, fantastic audio quality and good battery life.

[@RK-je9nc]

Mobile tech advances so fast, yet the best android tablet is 3 years old, before Samsung start going backwards and copying Apple.

[@Soccercrazyigboman]

why do you say that? Isn;t this one better except for the screen format?

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

Nah, this one has better specs.

[@jejunamja]

Nice one Lisa... Glass on the back? Not so sure why that is the thing at the moment... One of the reasons I got the HTC 10 and not the s7 was the glass on the back...looks nice ,but I got to wonder how easy it is to break.

[@alvin.johnson6799]

I was just wondering about giving up my 12.2 Galaxy Note, me myself dig the glass back, gotta get to Best Buy to give it a try. Thanks so much for the vid, you are absolutely the best at this. I'm wondering if all the split screen/four windows open like my 12.2, and I don't know if you went over it, Trump on the tele and can't find the remote; but what about the warmness while you're pushing the device. Thanks again for your videos.

[@tomwhittick3660]

I love the s3, I'm gonna get it

[@SkyKingKona]

love your reviews. You're one of the best. However, this was one of your lackluster reviews. Those of us who like this tablet are Note phone people and prefer navigating our devices with the S Pen. That's simply what this is all about. It may not be the world's best tablet, and it is a tad overpriced, but it's basically just a big S8 phone. The fingerprint thing always cracks me up. Reviewers rant on about how some devices get fingerprints on the back when you hold them, and then they take their fat hands and fingers and rub all over the device's screen to navigate on that device. They never say anything about the smudges all over their screen but they love to complain about the fingerprints on the back. We Note users like to use the S Pen so we can be more precise when using the device. In addition, I know you're a great artist, but most of us don't buy a Note device to do artwork. We simply like the integration of the S Pen in the software on the device. It works great and I've always been a note user and will continue to be so. By the way, the old S Note app is still available and downloadable. My biggest complaint about the new tab S3, that I have, is that I really prefer the 8-inch version. I advise many users around the world on tech devices and everyone is upset that there's not an 8-inch version of this S pen tab S3.

[@jeffreyheister3803]

Great review thx for the information 😁 maby I wil buy it 🤓

[@DeePal072]

by default the option for the digitiser is to work with the touch, that's why sometimes palm rejection doesn't work properly, you can switch it off, so that it will work only with the pen when you use that.

[@fightnight14]

My galaxy tab a 7.0 works good enough it got an update last month that made it smoother. I'm happy witg my $89 purchase. Also it has 16:9 aspect ratio

[@LitheFider]

You should try Artflow! It's my fav art app on my Note 3 phone. Easy interface, great brush and layer options similar to Photoshop. 💕 That said, been loving your reviews! I am in the market for a mobile sketch device. This one I want for web browing and sketching...but I also want a Samsung Notebook 9 pro for a full laptop. Love that S-pen. Really want that 13.3" pen one but you said it gets hot so that kinda worries me.

[@III-zy5jf]

Thank you for your comprehensive review, Ms. Gade. Does Chrome feel bogged down on the S3? Maybe it's just me, but in the past, Chrome is unbearably slow on my tablets' Exynos 5420 and Snapdragon 400 chips.

[@mobiletechreview]

No issues with Chrome. I haven't had issues with Chrome on any Snapdragon 820 Android device.

[@jamesmulharan4137]

I'm not quite halfway through the video where you reference the free video editor. I didn't catch a title for that app, and of course when I search, the market is flooded with them. What is your recommendation?

[@ElectricalisEasy]

I need to make digital handwritten notes, should I buy this or the iPad 2018...handwriting quality is my only priority....

[@MobilniReziser]

Hello Lisa, can we expect the new TAB S4 Review with DEX? It would be great, i am on the hunt for some travel multitasking device and cant deside between 2in1 small notebook, android tablet with DEX, or NOTE 9 :-(

[@gabd805]

Note can turn into a laptop. Is 2 in 1. Same for the tablet. Unless you need windows programs, buy a tablet. The extra screen space makes a difference

[@DanielFerreira-lt8mr]

Tab S4 review coming soon?

[@squatch545]

Hoping for a 12" version.

[@khemanibhakti707]

I might get this

[@RetroGamerTy]

Lisa, I love you 😂 "I won't say the 'p' word."

[@DebraDukes]

Lisa love this review very helpful I was hoping to hear that the speaker's were a little better and totally agree with the glass back I don't want to worry about carrying even with case only to find out it is in piece's.Especially when they are now out with Laptop that are light fold and do it all now.I own one of Samsung older version's and I really still like tablets but this looks Awesome not bad but I really wish they would slow down take some time to get back to the Samsung i know.Everyone knows that they have Awesome Displays and they are nice I just feel they are pushing things out to fast with not much thought.And stop with the Pasty skin nonsense nothing a cheap vitamin c cream can't handle or even good old Vaseline old school.I use when I'm in and not out in Sun.I think you have Beautiful skin and not insulting anyone by any means not my way I have seen some that throw all garbage on very young and not attractive.I have in last few years started experiment with makeup and because I have never wore when younger by end of the day it's almost gone.Like my profile pic was out in Sun went out and realized my sensitive skin was not happy and a glass of wine with family.All I'm trying to get out you have very nice skin that even some young would want.Thanks for Awesome Review P.S.I need to change my profile pic when I feel up to it.

[@welsh2266]

How does the tablet compete with the ipad pro 2017 for note taking, doing homework, at college & letter writing? are there apps for this tablet that make all the tasks I asked for easier to do? how easy is it to do real actual work on it? Would it be possible to make a video on this subject please Lisa? Many thanks

[@mkap6046]

Any chance we could see a Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 video?

[@KW-vm5fc]

Mixed feelings about this. Nice that they included the S pen, but at $600 ...I'm not sure people would wouldn't rather buy the iPad Pro 9.7" instead. Had they priced this at $500-$525 instead, it would make it more attractive. I would not buy this unless Bestbuy, etc priced it as $100 sale.

[@kendallstrahan4990]

Is the Samsung tab s3 s pen stylus compatible with other Samsung tablets? Mainly the Note pro 21.2

[@sdushdiu]

Glass back and a glossy glass front...hmm...purty, but an accident just begging to happen... Given that it lacks phone capabilities and integrated SSH/RDP remote terminal capabilities (thus not effectively replacing a phone and/or laptop), the point that with a keyboard you have just surpassed the price of an Acer Aspire laptop and you've lost me. SO close, yet so far. Excellent review - as always!!!

[@Del-Canada]

Not sure why they couldn't have kept the 8.4 inch size. It was perfect.

[@pepedecoatza]

will you review the galaxy book? Thanks!!

[@mobiletechreview]

Yes I'll review the Galaxy Book. Looking forward to it, and the Galaxy S8 too.

[@shaunharrison9618]

MobileTechReview I can't wait for that. I just preordered the S8 and will order the Galaxy Book as soon as it's released. I have a iPhone 6 Plus and iPad Air 2 now. I'm jumping ship. Done with Apple!

[@Bond-ik1vn]

when?

[@schizowallflower]

My current tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook. I mainly only use it for Reading, Netflix and stuff like that. Do you think this is a good replacement for it or should I look elsewhere?

[@lilivier]

Does Netflix work in HD on this tablet? I had to return my S2 because Netflix did not support HD playback on it :(

[@teejayhobbyartist1974]

Finally there is an art review.. how do you compare it with galaxy note 10.1 2014 do you think its a worth of an upgrade? i don't mind the new feature of the tab s3 ... im more interested in doing art with it. i didn't upgarde to the galaxy tab a with spen 10.1 2016 since theres not much of an upgrade its still the same with 3gb of ram ... and with this one has 4 gb of ram.. im not sure if that is good enough to upgrade (excuse my english)

[@mobiletechreview]

I'd say the display and performance improvements make it worth the upgrade and slight loss in terms of screen size.

[@margueritenicholson-schenk115]

Would like your thoughts on the new Galaxy Book!

[@sohazandhiscat6165]

So we can use Wacom bamboo with this tablet, right? :D

[@JoshKaufmanstuff]

@ 8:30 "whatever floats your boat" har har ;)

[@devil262786]

Hi there can you test if you can use the Tab S3 spen on the note 8

[@pwcorgi2000]

I want the S3, but there are at least two very stupid changes on it. 1. The glass back. There is absolutely no need for that. 2. No S pen slot.

[@Vall_Ey]

I want to know, if you have fullversion of arflow v2(newest), may I know how much the max resolution you get, and how much layer on that max resolution?

[@prospecktor1999]

What do they do with all the open-box reviewed tech? Do they have to return them, or do they give them away to staff?

[@abdallahyehia6448]

thanks you

[@jesuszorrilla3649]

Sorry, What do you prefer for take notes de iPad Pro and Apple Pencil or the galaxy tap s3?? I whould love to you respond mine cuestione, and i want a better pencil, because i hace a horrible letter.

[@rogierburlage]

can it charge wireless?

[@johnnynieves2112]

I have an ipad air. I have been considering the new ipad with pencil support for $329 and another $100 for the pencil. My concern is how well do these tablets hold up? My ipad has been holding up well and im opened to trying something different , im just concerned about the quality. Any advice would be appreciated