Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ review

Our rating:

What we like

Excellent S-pen included at no extra cost
Robust Samsung Kids mode with strong parental controls
High-quality 12.4” AMOLED display
Strong performance for games and entertainment
Useful AI features including writing-to-text
MicroSD card slot for expandable storage
Waterproof design (not tested personally, though)
Great battery life

What we don't like

High price tag at £999
No charger is included in the box
The camera quality is average

£999 from Samsung £1,099 from Amazon £999 from Argos

Key specs

Our verdict

Personally, I fall firmly in the Samsung camp when it comes to my technology. My mobile device is a Samsung, and I’ve owned and loved several Samsung tablets over the years - including the brand’s Galaxy Tab S2 when it was first launched a decade ago. So, upon opening, I wasn’t surprised in the least to find a premium, well-built tablet that’s sleek, modern and a pretty cool piece of tech.

Through testing, it quickly became apparent to me that the Galaxy Tab S10+ is a great choice as a shared family tablet - but it does come with a steep price tag, admittedly. Which, at £999, is a hard pill to swallow when you’re searching for a family tablet that’ll be used by younger DC like mine.

With that said, I do stand by the fact it’s a great choice for a family device, especially when you consider the tablet’s ability to create different profiles. However, it’s better suited for families with older children and teenagers. Why? During testing, I’ve found that it’s powerful enough for productivity and would be a great tool for a teen’s academic and entertainment needs IMO.

For younger DC (I’m talking pre-schoolers), it’s a great tablet thanks to its inbuilt Samsung Kids parental controls - particularly when you’re out and about in the car and want peace and quiet for 10 minutes - but I’d strongly recommend buying a child-friendly tablet case! The last thing you’d want is this £999 tablet breaking.

child playing with Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+

How we tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+

Three months of using the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ multiple times a day
Tested by adults and two pre-schoolers, aged three and four years old
Used to play games, browse the internet (for the parents) and draw with the S-Pen

What age group is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ suitable for?

Considering the tablet’s Samsung Kids features and parental controls, this tablet can be used from ages four and above IMO. My toddler, who’s three, was able to play a game once I’d given them it, but I wouldn’t trust this age to take care of such a device.

My four-year-old, however, was a little more cautious and for this reason, I’d say this age and above could use the Galaxy Tab S10+.

The Samsung Kids mode provides a completely locked-down environment, which requires a parent’s pin or finger/face recognition to get out of. The mode has pre-installed kids’ games included, and the included S-Pen is great for little hands who wish to draw and get creative with the tablet.

But as I’ve mentioned, it really is a better choice for older teens and adults. Largely due to its modern design, large screen, sleek dimensions and sophisticated AI features. Plus, for teens navigating their studies or moving into the working world, it’s a great tablet.

little boy playing games on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ really child friendly?

The Galaxy Tab S10+ is child-friendly as the inbuilt parental controls allow - parents to fully lock down the device to prevent unauthorised purchases or app downloads, plus the Samsung Kids mode can be pin protected. This security extends to content access and screen time management, making it easy to monitor and control what your DC can access.

Beyond the dedicated Kids app however, I’d argue that no, it’s not the most child friendly of tablets in our best tablets for kids roundup. But it’s certainly the best option for a shared family device or tablet for a teenager.

How parent-friendly is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+?

Given this isn’t a tablet that’s designed specifically for children, unlike Amazon’s Kindle, I’d say very! As a Samsung user and parent, I found it very quick to set the tablet up and was familiar with its features and design from the start.

I found the writing-to-text feature very useful for notetaking and planning both at work and in the lead up to Christmas (lots of lists are needed, after all!). The device’s inbuilt AI features help with tasks like note organisation, too, which is always an appreciated touch when you have a mind that’s like a browser with 27 tabs open at the same time.

It’s also a very useful tablet for productivity tasks like emailing and web browsing like online shopping, and the large 12.4” screen makes it very comfortable for reading - without any glare, too- another great feature for children.

I love the fact that the S-Pen is included and not an additional purchase (unlike iPad’s Apple Pencil, which costs extra), although you will have to buy a separate keypad to make full use of the DeX mode on the tablet for a laptop-like experience.

What are the main differences between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ and its predecessor?

Now for the technical parts. The Galaxy Tab S10+ builds on the Samsung S9+ with subtle but meaningful upgrades.

The most significant change between the new Tab S10+ and its predecessor is the switch from Qualcomm to MediaTek processors. Which, in layman terms, means it’s faster and better at handling tasks like gaming and multitasking, ideal for teens and adults alike.

It’s built stronger, as the Galaxy Tab S10+ is made with a tougher aluminium frame, which is 10% better at resisting scratches and dents compared to the S9+. It also features a better screen than the previous version, with an improved anti-glare coating and extended software support for seven years, plus it’s made with AI tools for enhanced photo editing, note-taking and browsing. Battery life has also improved slightly, lasting 45 minutes longer during video playback.

Whilst the core features like the 12.4-inch screen, water resistance, and S-Pen support remain unchanged, the Galaxy Tab S10+ focuses on refining the user experience rather than introducing revolutionary changes- and I can honestly say they nailed it!

What is the key standout feature of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+?

As I’ve mentioned, I’m a firm Samsung fan and I’d personally recommend this tablet to other parents primarily for its long-term value and family-friendly features.

Samsung Kids is a feature that transforms your Galaxy device into a child-friendly environment, offering educational and entertaining content while allowing parents to set limits on screen time and accessible apps.

While it's a standout feature, it's worth noting that Samsung Kids is standard across most Samsung devices and not unique to this particular tablet.

Instead, I’m going to argue that the standout is its seven years of software security updates, which means the tablet will stay safe and functional for years - great for kids and family use without worrying about out-of-date software and needing to replace it!

Plus, the exclusive Galaxy AI tools, like better photo editing and smart notetaking, make it great for capturing family moments and helping with both work and schoolwork. I also love the fact that you can set up different user profiles on the device, so you can restrict your child’s access to only the age-appropriate stuff.

Is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ good value for money?

At £999, it’s a big upfront investment but with a combination of long-term software support, improved performance compared to the S9+ and its exclusive AI features that aim to make life that little bit easier, I’d argue that the Galaxy Tab S10+ is a future-proof investment as a family tablet.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. As a parent of two DC, she knows how much time and effort is needed when searching for the best toys and technology for children.

Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog up and down country lanes.