Samsung Galaxy TabPro S review

Measuring in at 11.43 x 7.83 x 0.25 inches (W x H x D; 29.1 x 19.9 x 0.63cm) and 1.5 pounds (0.69kg), the TabPro S is one exceedingly compact Windows tablet. Throwing on the keyboard accessory adds a centimeter of bulk and bumps up the weight to a considerable 2.4 pounds (1.09kg), but it's still lighter than most Ultrabooks.

Comparatively, the Surface Pro 4 is a heftier device at 1.73 pounds, and that's just the tablet portion. Adding the keyboard increases the weight of Microsoft's darling tablet to 2.37 pounds (1.07kg) – a hair lighter than Samsung's.

By itself, the TabPro S is even lighter than the 1.57-pound (0.71kg), 12.9-inch iPad Pro. In terms of thinness, Samsung also comes out on top, as Apple's productivity slate measures 0.27 inches (0.69cm) thick.

Spec Sheet

Here is the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S configuration sent to techradar for review:

• CPU: 900MHz Intel Core M3-6Y30 (dual-core, 4MB cache, 2.2GHz with Turbo Boost)
• Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515
• RAM: 4GB
• Screen: 12-inch Super AMOLED Full HD+ (2,160 × 1,440 resolution) multi-touch
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Ports: USB-C 3.1, headset jack
• Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5GHz), VHT80 MIMO, Bluetooth v4.1
• Camera: 5MP front-facing webcam; 5MP rear camera
• Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Size: 11.43 x 7.83 x 0.64 inches (W x D x H)

Equipped with the components as shown above, the TabPro S comes competitively priced at $899 or £849 (about AU$1,181). That price even includes keyboard, which is more than can be said for Microsoft and Apple's contenders.

Also priced at $899 (£749, AU$1,349), the Surface Pro 4 comes equipped with exactly the same configuration save for a slightly sharper and larger 12.3-inch, 2,736 x 1,824 resolution PixelSense display. While Microsoft doesn't include the $129 (£109, AU$199) Type Cover, you do get the excellent Surface Pen packed into the box.

Purchasing Apple's $949 (£799, AU$1,499) iPad with 128GB of storage nets you even fewer packed in goodies, limited to just the necessary charging cable and adapter. If you want a keyboard it'll cost you $169 (£139, AU$269), and the $99 (£79, AU$165) Apple Pencil doesn't come cheap either.

From a purely mathematical standpoint, the TabPro S comes out on top. It's a flagship tablet that offers plenty with a great screen and a thin, yet solid build quality. That said, I almost wish Samsung also offered this 12-inch device as a slightly cheaper standalone tablet because it's that good.