It’s no secret that Samsung has been the undisputed king of the Android tablet space, but a king must constantly evolve to stay on the throne. The imminent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 series suggests a calculated and strategic evolution rather than a radical reinvention. While Samsung has yet to officially confirm the devices, a flood of credible leaks point to a virtual Unpacked event on September 4, 2025, for their unveiling. The leaks suggest a significant strategic pivot for Samsung, characterised by a continued and deepened reliance on MediaTek’s flagship chipsets and a redefined product hierarchy.
The Deal with the New Lineup
A major development indicated by multiple leaks is Samsung’s strategic revision of its flagship tablet lineup. The lineup is expected to consist of the premium Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the more portable Galaxy Tab S11, with the mid-sized “Plus” model notably absent from the flagship tier. This new structure creates a clearer, more polarised two-device flagship series, simplifying the customer’s choice and avoiding the potential cannibalisation that may have occurred with the previous generation’s three closely tiered models. This decision appears to be a deliberate effort to create a more distinct value proposition for each of its flagship tablets.
The Processor and Performance
The most profound observation from the collated information is Samsung’s continued commitment to MediaTek’s Dimensity 9400+ for its high-end tablets. This decision, which began with the Galaxy Tab S10 series, appears to be a core business strategy aimed at diversifying its supply chain and strengthening its negotiating position against Qualcomm. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is reportedly confirmed to be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chipset, with a prime core clocked at 3.73 GHz. Leaked promotional images suggest a 24% CPU, 27% GPU, and 33% NPU improvement over its predecessor.
Leaked Geekbench scores offer a performance preview, with the Tab S11 Ultra reportedly achieving a single-core score of just under 2,500 and a multi-core score of over 8,700. While a significant improvement over its predecessor, which scored around 2,200 and 7,500, respectively, it still falls short of a high-end Snapdragon chipset. This performance gap suggests a deliberate “good enough” strategy by Samsung, focusing on a powerful but more cost-effective chipset to maintain competitive pricing while differentiating on its software strengths like One UI and S Pen functionality.
The Design and Display
In terms of design, leaks indicate a thinner chassis for both flagship models, with the Tab S11 Ultra reportedly incredibly thin at 5.5 mm. The Ultra’s weight is also rumoured to be 692 g, a reduction from the S10 Ultra’s 718 g. A persistent and actively debated rumour is the inclusion of a “waterdrop” notch on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Some analysts view it as a calculated trade-off for achieving a slimmer bezel and a more immersive viewing experience.
The displays are expected to be a key selling point. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will reportedly retain its large 14.6-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2960 × 1848 px. The standard Galaxy Tab S11 is rumoured to have an 11-inch form factor with a 2.5K (2560×1600 px) AMOLED panel and a 120 Hz refresh rate.
Pricing and What We Know So Far
The leaks also provide a detailed view of the expected pricing for the new tablet lineup. The standard Galaxy Tab S11 is rumoured to start at €899 (~RM 4,430). The top-tier Tab S11 Ultra is expected to start at $1,200 (~RM 5,074) for the 12 GB RAM/256 GB storage configuration, with the price increasing to $1,700 (~RM 7,209) for the high-end 16 GB RAM/1 TB storage variant.
Other key details include a reported IP68 certification for the Tab S11, a rarity in the tablet market. The camera system on the Tab S11 will reportedly consist of a single 13 MP rear sensor and a 12 MP front-facing camera. Meanwhile, the Tab S11 Ultra will pack an 11,600 mAh battery, a small but confirmed increase over the Tab S10 Ultra’s 11,200 mAh cell. However, the charging speed is expected to remain at a modest 45 W.
A significant rumour about a “battery downgrade” has been debunked. The confusion arose from the minimal nature of this upgrade and the modest charging speed, but the capacity is confirmed to have a small increase. The leaked information also confirms the devices will be “powered by enhanced AI capabilities” and validates the rumours of Google Gemini integration.
Tune in for the official announcement
All of these leaks and rumours are leading up to a virtual event that is set to take place on September 4, 2025. It’s an event that promises to be a pivotal moment for Samsung’s tablet strategy, showcasing a renewed focus on performance, design, and a diversified product lineup.
Tune in to the official livestream of the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event to get all the official details on the new Galaxy Tab S11 series.
