MobileRead Forums - View Single Post

maximus83 · 02-15-2019, 10:30 PM

Like it. They've addressed multiple issues I had with the existing Galaxy Tab S4:

* The S4 at $650 base price was way too high-priced for the average home 'media consumption' user that wants the tablet as a portable browser, reader, and media viewer, to compete with the 9.7" Ipad. The S5e fixes that coming in around $399.
* The S4 inexplicably had no fingerprint reader. I read of multiple S4 users complaining about the hassle and silliness of not including a fingerprint reader. The S5e has one.
* The S4 came with Android Oreo 8.x, although in theory it'll get updated to Android Pie/9.x and the One UI interface. But S5e comes with One UI installed, a big advantage.
* As you say: the S5e is lighter (and thinner) than both the S4, and the classic Ipad 9.7. S5e at 14.1 oz, vs the S4 at 17oz, and the Ipad is a bit over 16.
* The S4 had an all glass back, which was stylish but fragile. S5e has a more practical metallic back.
* The S5e according to a review I read, has more pleasing and comfortable rounded corners and edges, for more ergonomic holding.
* Both versions have the 16:10 aspect ratio, which I think it's fair to say there's a consensus that this size is pretty good for media viewing in landscape mode, but somewhat less desirable for ebook reading and general computer usage. The 16:10 gives you the tall and skinny effect, unless you like to read ebooks in 2-column landscape mode.
* S4 has a slightly bigger battery and longer battery life, but not by a lot. The S5e still promises 14.5 hour life for all-day-plus streaming.
* One slight ding is they used a slightly older/outdated CPU (Snapdragon 670). All recent phones have WAY better chips than that, and so does the S4. But it'll be adequate for media consumption and keeps the cost down.
* If I hadn't already decided to go with the 8" form factor in my Android tablet (and my 13" HP x360 lightweight PC for any larger needs), I'd be seriously considering the S5e. In the niche of 10-11" tablets, I don't see anything out there with such a beautiful high res screen, Android 9, super lightweight for the size, and still pretty cost effective.

02-15-2019, 10:30 PM	#2
maximus83 Nameless Being	Like it. They've addressed multiple issues I had with the existing Galaxy Tab S4: * The S4 at $650 base price was way too high-priced for the average home 'media consumption' user that wants the tablet as a portable browser, reader, and media viewer, to compete with the 9.7" Ipad. The S5e fixes that coming in around $399. * The S4 inexplicably had no fingerprint reader. I read of multiple S4 users complaining about the hassle and silliness of not including a fingerprint reader. The S5e has one. * The S4 came with Android Oreo 8.x, although in theory it'll get updated to Android Pie/9.x and the One UI interface. But S5e comes with One UI installed, a big advantage. * As you say: the S5e is lighter (and thinner) than both the S4, and the classic Ipad 9.7. S5e at 14.1 oz, vs the S4 at 17oz, and the Ipad is a bit over 16. * The S4 had an all glass back, which was stylish but fragile. S5e has a more practical metallic back. * The S5e according to a review I read, has more pleasing and comfortable rounded corners and edges, for more ergonomic holding. * Both versions have the 16:10 aspect ratio, which I think it's fair to say there's a consensus that this size is pretty good for media viewing in landscape mode, but somewhat less desirable for ebook reading and general computer usage. The 16:10 gives you the tall and skinny effect, unless you like to read ebooks in 2-column landscape mode. * S4 has a slightly bigger battery and longer battery life, but not by a lot. The S5e still promises 14.5 hour life for all-day-plus streaming. * One slight ding is they used a slightly older/outdated CPU (Snapdragon 670). All recent phones have WAY better chips than that, and so does the S4. But it'll be adequate for media consumption and keeps the cost down. * If I hadn't already decided to go with the 8" form factor in my Android tablet (and my 13" HP x360 lightweight PC for any larger needs), I'd be seriously considering the S5e. In the niche of 10-11" tablets, I don't see anything out there with such a beautiful high res screen, Android 9, super lightweight for the size, and still pretty cost effective. Last edited by maximus83; 02-15-2019 at 10:39 PM.