Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 10.9" SM-X520NZAAXAC Grey

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a mid-range Android tablet that impresses with its bright 10.9-inch 90Hz display, included S Pen, and IP68 dust and water resistance. Performance is snappy enough for daily use, but the lack of cellular connectivity and a mid-tier processor mean it's not suited for power users. At $500, it's a great value pick for students and casual media consumers.

Under the hood, Samsung's Exynos 1580 chip lands in the 83rd percentile among comparable tablets in our database, meaning it's one of the better performers in its class. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it juggles apps reasonably well; we could have a dozen Chrome tabs, YouTube, and a note app open without any stuttering. The 90Hz refresh rate on the 2304x1440 display makes scrolling and animations feel fluid, which is a nice bump over standard 60Hz panels.

When it comes to benchmarks, the GPU sits right around the 82nd percentile, so you can play games like Genshin Impact at medium settings, but don't expect maxed-out graphics or ultra-high frame rates. It's perfectly fine for casual gaming and media consumption. Load times are snappy enough thanks to UFS storage, though the 128GB base model is only middle of the pack in terms of capacity; you'll likely want to pop in a microSD card if you plan to download a lot of content.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE faces stiff competition. The Apple iPad Pro M5 (starting at $1,099) is on a different planet performance-wise, but it's also double the price and locks you into the Apple ecosystem, minus the included stylus. For Android loyalists, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro (around $600) brings a Snapdragon 8-series chip and a smoother 144Hz screen, making it the superior choice for gaming and heavy multitasking. If you want to keep costs even lower, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro (roughly $400) is a competent media machine, though its build quality and update commitment don't match Samsung's. The Microsoft Surface Pro is really a Windows PC in a tablet body and at far higher prices, so it's not a direct competitor unless you need full desktop apps. Ultimately, the Tab S10 FE's party trick is its IP68 rating and included S Pen at this price, which none of the others offer in the same package.

At $480 to $530, the Tab S10 FE positions itself as a value-packed alternative to both premium flagships and cheaper budget tabs. The fact that Samsung throws in the S Pen, which usually costs around $50 on its own, makes this a sweeter deal. Compare that to the iPad Air, where you'd still need to buy an Apple Pencil separately, and the Galaxy suddenly looks like a bargain. However, if you can swing an extra hundred dollars, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro offers a faster Snapdragon processor and a higher-res display. But for the price, the Tab S10 FE is hard to beat for students or casual users who just want a reliable Android tablet with no fuss.

If you're in the market for a tablet that won't break the bank but still lets you doodle, take notes, and binge shows in the park, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE might be exactly what you're looking for. Priced between $480 and $530, this mid-range Android slate delivers a 10.9-inch 90Hz display, an S Pen straight out of the box, and an IP68 rating that means it can survive a spill or a splash, which is rare in the tablet world.

Samsung markets the Tab S10 FE as a do-it-all companion for downtime, whether that's streaming, gaming, or getting some light work done. The Exynos 1580 processor and 8GB of RAM handle everyday tasks smoothly, and you've got 128GB of storage that you can expand via microSD, a feature Apple still refuses to offer. But it's not all sunshine; the connectivity options are limited to Wi-Fi only, which might leave you wanting if you're often on the go without a hotspot.

We tested the Tab S10 FE against its rivals, including the Apple iPad Pro M5 and the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro, to see where it shines and where it falls short. Let's get into the details.

You should skip the Tab S10 FE if you need constant cellular connectivity, simply because this model doesn't support it. It's also not the best pick for heavy multitaskers or gamers who want to run demanding titles at high frame rates; the Exynos 1580 and 8GB of RAM can't keep up with Snapdragon-powered rivals like the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro. If you're mainly into drawing, the iPad's Apple Pencil and ProMotion display offer a superior experience, though at a higher cost. In short, if any of those use cases hit close to home, save up for a beefier tablet.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE? If you're a student, a doodler, or someone who wants a durable tablet for Netflix and note-taking that can survive a little rain, then yes, absolutely. The included S Pen, bright screen, and IP68 protection are a killer combo for under $550. But if you plan to do serious video editing, play demanding 3D games, or need constant internet access away from Wi-Fi, look elsewhere. The Tab S10 FE is one of the best mid-range Android tablets right now, as long as its limitations fit your lifestyle.