Samsung "really contemplating" chipset for Galaxy Tab S10 series, Snapdragon X Elite ruled out

Samsung Electronics is actively considering various chipsets for its upcoming Galaxy Tab S10 series, as revealed by a recent leak and subsequent confirmation from a company employee. The leak, shared on Reddit, suggests that the tech giant is mulling over the Dimensity 9300+, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, and even the yet-to-be-released Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 for its new tablet lineup.

However, one thing is certain: the Snapdragon X series chipset that powers the newly launched Windows ARM laptops will not be featured in the Tab S10 series. This was echoed by another Redditor, who allegedly is a Samsung Electronics USA employee, stating that the company is indeed “really contemplating the SoC this time around but not X.”

This news comes as Samsung prepares for its Galaxy Unpacked event today, where the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are expected to take center stage. While the Galaxy Tab S10 series is unlikely to make an appearance, the company’s deliberations over the chipset indicate significant progress behind the scenes.

The leak also revealed that the Tab S10 series will likely inherit the design of its predecessor, the Tab S9 series. However, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may sport an anti-glare display, a welcome addition for users who often use their tablets in bright environments. Additionally, the batteries for the Tab S10+ and Ultra models have already been verified, suggesting that the development process is well underway.

Interestingly, the leak also hinted at the absence of a base model in the Tab S10 lineup, which aligns with rumors of Samsung focusing on its larger-screen tablets this year. This strategic shift may be a response to Apple’s growing presence in the larger tablet market with its 13-inch iPad Air.

As for the chipset, the final decision remains unclear. Samsung has traditionally used Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors for its high-end devices in the US market. To cut costs and maintain leverage in negotiations with Qualcomm, the company is reportedly considering MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300+ processor for other markets, a first for its premium tablet range.

The release date for the Galaxy Tab S10 series remains speculative, with most sources pointing to the second half of 2024 as the earliest possible timeframe. A fall launch seems plausible, although development issues with the Ultra model could push the release to 2025. The new tablets are rumored to come in two models: the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus with a 12.4-inch display and the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra with a 14.6-inch screen, both boasting Dynamic AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.

While Samsung’s chipset decision is still pending, the anticipation for the Galaxy Tab S10 series continues to build. With potential improvements in display technology, battery life, and overall performance, the new tablets should solidify Samsung’s position as the major player in the premium Android tablet market.

Featured image: Samsung