I’ve been using the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for a little while now. I actually shared my first impressions on the channel. Since then, one main question keeps popping up in the comments. That question is simple. Is it worth upgrading to this new tablet? Especially if I already own the S10 Ultra?

Or, another question arises. Is it better to just buy the Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra today? It is much cheaper than the S11 Ultra. That’s an excellent question.

Hello everyone, this is Hugo. As you’ve gathered, we are going to compare these two tablets. These are two different generations. The goal is to find out if the new model is worth the price. Or if it’s smarter to buy the previous version. Let’s get started with the full comparison.

The Price: The First Breaking Point?

To get straight to the point, let’s talk about price. The current price of the S11 Ultra is high. Without any promotion, it starts at €1340. That’s a very significant budget.

In contrast, the S10 Ultra is logically much more accessible. You can find it new. It’s priced around €936 depending on the retailer. The gap is already large. But that’s not all.

The used market is very interesting. You can find the S10 Ultra for around €700. Sometimes, I even see it go for a lower price.

So, we have a massive price gap. We’re talking about at least a €400 difference for a new one. And almost double if you opt for a used model.

Now that we know the prices, let’s continue. This price difference must be justified. Does the S11 Ultra bring €400 worth of new features? That’s what we’re going to check, point by point. Keep these numbers in mind.

Design and Handling: A Family Resemblance

In terms of design, Samsung still shares the same philosophy. The brand wants a device for productivity. They want it to be powerful, yet ultra-thin.

Honestly, the two tablets have almost similar designs. The difference comes down to a few details. For example, the design of the camera block on the back changes a bit. The speaker grilles are also slightly different.

The notch at the front has also changed. There is a very specific reason for this. Don’t worry. We’ll talk about it again in the camera section.

You might ask me if the dimensions change. Is the S11 Ultra thinner? Or smaller?

Ultimately, the dimensions don’t vary that much. The only change is really minor. The Tab S11 Ultra is 0.3 mm thinner. In other words, there’s practically no difference to the touch.

Besides that, the S11 Ultra is a little lighter. We’re talking about a difference of between 28 and 33 grams. It’s a small bonus, but nothing revolutionary.

For the rest, it’s the same story. Both tablets are water-resistant. They share the same protection standards. The body is identical.

The only other difference is the keyboard. If you get the official keyboard, the attachment is not the same. The angle of the tablet when unfolded also changes. But on the tablets alone, the differences are almost non-existent.

The S Pen: The S11 Ultra’s Big Step Backwards

Now I come to the point that bothers me the most. Samsung has chosen to make a huge compromise. The company has made a major cutback on the S Pen.

To make the S11 Ultra thinner, Samsung had to remove components. The most impactful? The wireless charging slot for the S Pen. This slot, located on the back of the S10 Ultra, has completely disappeared.

You’re going to tell me: “Hugo, that’s normal.” Because yes, the S11 Ultra’s S Pen no longer works via Bluetooth.

You understood correctly. On the S11 Ultra, we lose one of the biggest features of the S Pen. You lose all the advanced features. They are called “Air Actions.” No more remote control.

Ultimately, the S Pen on the S11 Ultra is just a passive stylus. It is, of course, optimized for writing. It is also designed for the new AI functions. But let’s be clear. The S Pen from the Galaxy S10 Ultra already does the same things.

The new stylus also loses haptic feedback. It does, however, have a new design. It’s true that this new design is more comfortable. I find it more practical for daily use. But this in no way justifies losing the Bluetooth functions.

Furthermore, let’s talk about the stylus location. I find the new placement much less practical. On the S10 Ultra, it attached to the back. You could then secure it with the case. On the S11 Ultra, it sits on the edge.

When you transport the tablet, this is a problem. In a bag, between several books, the stylus will detach. You will lose it easily. It’s even possible to lose it without noticing. You move your tablet, you brush against a wall… Poof, the stylus falls.

I don’t understand this choice. The magnet on the back was an excellent solution. For me, this is a major regression.

Screen and Display: The Perfect Status Quo

Let’s move on to the front. I’ll be direct. Both screens are absolutely magnificent. It’s a real pleasure to use them. There is simply nothing better on the Android market.

Both tablets are equipped with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. They are both 14.6 inches. Yes, that’s a very large size. It’s often larger than laptops.

But this size is extremely practical. I use it for multitasking. It’s also perfect for video editing, for example.

Both tablets have the same resolution. They display 2960 by 1848 pixels. The ratio is 16:10.

Finally, both screens support an adaptive refresh rate. It varies from 1 to 120 Hz. It’s smooth and saves battery.

So, by and large, the screen is the same. Samsung kept its best panel. And that’s excellent news.

Performance: Is the Difference Real?

A new tablet also means a new processor. It’s a logical evolution. The S11 Ultra packs a new generation chip.

Here we have a Mediatek 9400. The S10 Ultra had a Mediatek 9300+.

When you look at the benchmarks, yes, there is a difference. The S11 Ultra is more powerful on paper. But the difference is not crazy at all.

Especially when you look at the competition. Some competitors have Snapdragon chips. Those chips are much more powerful.

For the average person, it’s simple. In real, everyday life, you will not see the difference. That’s the truth. Both tablets are ultra-fast. They will be sufficient for everything you do. There are no fluidity problems.

It’s worth noting, both tablets support the same Wi-Fi 7 standard.

Battery Life and Charging: Is It a Real Gain?

On the battery front, the numbers are close. You could say there isn’t a huge difference. We have 11,200 mAh for the S10 Ultra. We go up to 11,600 mAh for the S11 Ultra. That’s a small increase of 400 mAh.

But we must not forget the processor change. The Mediatek 9400 offers better power management. Therefore, the S11 Ultra has better battery life.

You gain hours of use in your day. But don’t expect an entire extra day. The gap isn’t that big.

Additionally, both tablets have 45W wired charging. However, I noticed one thing. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra does charge much faster. That’s a good point for it.

Cameras: Should We Even Bother?

Let’s talk briefly about the cameras. If you’re looking for a photo gap between the two, move along. There is no crazy difference. Not in photos, nor in video.

It’s clearly the same configuration for the external cameras. We find a 13-megapixel sensor. It’s paired with an 8-megapixel one.

The only change is on the front. The S11 Ultra sees the disappearance of the second selfie sensor. I find that a real shame. It was very useful for video calls.

Speaking of which, the tablet’s angle is a problem. When you put it on its keyboard, the angle isn’t good. It’s too steep for video calls. The viewing angle isn’t great. And this flaw applies to both tablets.

My Verdict: Should You Buy the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra?

So, here we are at the end of this comparison. The question is simple. Should you buy the Tab S11 Ultra over the S10 Ultra?

My answer is going to be clear and direct. For me, no, it’s not worth it. Especially when you look at the current prices. Indeed, the €400 (minimum) price gap is absolutely not justified for the Tab S11 Ultra.

Honestly, the S10 Ultra is a “carbon copy” tablet. It’s a truly accomplished tablet. It already does everything you ask of it.

In comparison, the Tab S11 Ultra doesn’t bring much more to the table. Frankly, the new features are minimal. Certainly, you gain a little in battery life. You also gain a bit in charging speed.

But on the other hand, we lose a lot with the S Pen. For me, this is a major step backward on this Tab S11 Ultra. Losing Air Actions and having a less secure stylus is a real problem.

My advice is therefore simple. Save your money. Ultimately, you’d be better off going for the S10 Ultra. You will get a much better deal.

Of course, I would love to get your opinion on this. Tell me what you think of the Tab S11 Ultra in the comments.