Impressions: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

A while back I bought a discounted Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 tablet on eBay to replace my Mi Pad 4 and 360 N7. Its job is watching videos and gaming, plus whatever else comes up.

The reasons were simple, just three:

1. The Mi Pad 4 has a “screen gets hot and touch stops responding” problem, so it can’t game
2. The 360 phone games fine but the screen is harsh on the eyes, and the system is basically abandoned after launch
3. Neither of them supports stereo sound for videos — both are single-speaker

Don’t ask why I didn’t get an iPad. I don’t use Apple, so Samsung was the only option — it’s the highest-performance Android tablet out there right now.

Eventually I searched Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 on eBay and found a US V version with a 4G module, model T837V. Got it for just over 3000 yuan. I’ve used it for almost a month now, so I can share my impressions.

Same old approach — whatever comes to mind:

You must upgrade the system to One UI:

Samsung’s stock system is hot garbage. Never mind anything else — the color shift between the input method and the status bar alone is disgusting. Fortunately Samsung made a big push with One UI this year, and finally has some design identity of its own. The direction is pretty close to stock Android, so it’s about the same.

Worth noting I bought the V version, model T837V. Firmware updates on this version are a bit different — connecting directly to US servers is basically doomed. You either need to route your router through a VPN (system updates ignore your proxy app), or update via PC. I recommend the PC route…

After updating, the system is almost usable, and you get the best thing: “Dark Mode.” For a tablet with an AMOLED screen like this, that matters a lot.

For accessories, go with Spigen

There are almost no proper Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 accessories domestically. You can find GOR screen protectors and some knockoff cases, but using them really feels cheap. I recommend buying from Amazon overseas. GOR’s glass protector has terrible light transmission — you can see the glass is filthy — and the other cases are thick and heavy, making this tablet painful to hold.

Personally I recommend the full Spigen set:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GTDGK32/ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FWL7P87/

With this set, the screen protector is fine, has an oleophobic coating, and the case is thin and light while still protecting. You get what you pay for.

On software and features

Not much to say about this Samsung tablet. One UI lets you switch to a third-party launcher — swap in Lawnchair and it’s basically a Pixel. Worth mentioning Samsung has a DeX mode for external displays.

But DeX mode is really useless — I mean for Chinese input methods. If you use a physical keyboard, you’ll find the input method’s candidate selection is placed above the Dock at the very bottom of the screen, in a very long strip. Apart from positions 1 2 3 4, you have no idea how to select anything else. Maybe this mode is better for people using English input methods.

This tablet also has a problem similar to the OnePlus 5 — screen jelly effect. Maybe Samsung mounted the screen horizontally when building this tablet, which causes tearing and jelly scrolling when you scroll vertically. Generally tearing can be fixed by rebooting, and jelly… just pretend you don’t see it.

This tablet supports styluses. Any generic Wacom stylus works — you don’t have to buy Samsung’s; a Note 7 one or similar is fine. I just haven’t found any good Android apps that make full use of the stylus.

The speakers need no introduction — AKG tuned. Fake or not, they’re genuinely loud. No distortion either; great for watching stuff.

4G support and battery life

Since I bought the 4G version, it actually supports domestic 4G SIM cards.

I put in a Unicom SIM and it has signal. It warns that the card isn’t Verizon’s but doesn’t stop you from using it. The signal is pretty sad though:

Despite the low bars, speed is surprisingly decent — at least I haven’t found any bottleneck. Enough for browsing and gaming. Maybe the signal reading is fake?

Battery life is genuinely impressive. Big battery, and Samsung has a strict power-saving feature that kills a lot of background apps. I played Honor of Kings for an entire afternoon and only used 50% battery. It’s a battery monster.

All in all, this tablet — whether it’s e-waste or a 14-day return unit, who knows — has strong performance, a good screen, awesome battery, and takes a SIM card. At just over 3000 yuan it’s a solid deal. Some people say the Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is already out and better. Bullshit — that thing doesn’t support a stylus, performs worse, and costs over 4000 (non-4G). Apart from being brand new, there’s really no comparison. I don’t know if those idiots on Reddit are all as socially clueless as Wu Lao Er.