Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsOutstanding Tablet - from an Apple Fan
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2020
I have mostly Apple and some Windows stuff, including a MS Surface Go tablet w/MS keyboard, and an iPad Pro 10.5" with Apple keyboard. I always wanted to try a Samsung tablet, but didn't want to spend a lot for an S6, so compromised with an S5e for a significantly lower price, but which still has great specs and terrific reviews. I have to say I'm very, very impressed. As an Apple guy, I seldom find products that match Apple's in quality - this clearly does.
I like my Windows Surface Go - with its excellent Microsoft keyboard with embedded touchpad and mouse capability, it's the closest small tablet I have seen in approximating a desktop environment and usability. However, the processor is decent but not extremely strong, and battery life is just OK. I absolutely LOVE my iPad Pro as an entertainment and communication device, and it's extremely powerful, but it's awkward to use as a laptop replacement. This Samsung does all of it well. The keyboard doesn't have a touchpad, but you can easily add a bluetooth mouse, and in DEx mode, it's just like using a laptop - it may be Android based, but it's fast, slick, and runs all the critical stuff (MS Office, Chrome, my many home control apps, email, etc).
I added some pictures of the Surface Go, the iPad Pro (last gen., not the newest one), and the Samsung S5e in the middle. I initially bought an aftermarket keyboard which I wasn't crazy about, and found the Samsung keyboard for this device at a local store on sale and have to say it's the best fit. It clasps to the tablet in much the same way the iPad does with connectors, and doesn't require a bluetooth connection or charging. Plus, the Samsung keyboard cover folds to a much slimmer profile than the aftermarket ones do.
Screen quality - phenomenal - every bit as good as an iPad, maybe even better in terms of color saturation. The Samsung device is noticeably smaller than an iPad Pro, but actually has more usable screen area due to its different aspect ratio and smaller bezels. All three machines here actually have good retina-like screen quality, though the iPad and the Samsung are both brighter than the Surface Go.
Sound - plenty loud and clear. Four speakers. Comparable to what an iPad offers.
Battery life - haven't had this long enough to fully evaluate, but it's been booted up and on battery power for about 5 hours and is still at 71% charge with mixed use. As good as or better than my iPad. Seems excellent so far. The Surface Go is the weakest of the three, probably lasting 5-6 hours on a full charge. Have not had a chance to determine how well it holds a charge when off; Apple devices are typically outstanding.
Interface - The Samsung in standard mode has a typical Android interface. Not QUITE as slick as the iPad's, but close. However, I fell in love with the DeX mode (first picture), which is as usable as any Windows or Mac desktop. In fact, I had a small Logitech bluetooth mouse, and it installed easily and I can click around on the desktop like a regular laptop. It's fast and responsive. I plan on using mine in DeX mode 100% of the time. You can customize the desktop and place icons on it just as in any desktop environment. I downloaded MS Office, and Excel and Word open quickly and are completely usable - and with a mouse, it's much easier to use them, especially Excel, than it is on an iPad, despite the iPad Pro's stellar processor.
Specs - This S5e is extremely thin, about as thin as an iPad, and much thinner than the S4. Much thinner than the Surface Go, but about the same weight. I got the 128GB version, which comes with 6 GB RAM. Has a gorgeous, bright 2560x1600 screen. The iPad Pro has 4GB for comparison. Comes with adaptive brightness turned on by default, but you can turn it off. Has a strong Qualcomm 670 processor which seems responsive and quick. EVERYTHING responds and opens quickly. The S6 tablet does have somewhat better specs, but I find the S5e completely satisfying in terms of speed, and this is coming from an iPad Pro.
Storage - the base S5e comes with 64 GB on-board storage and 4 GB RAM. The next level up comes with 128GB and 6 GB RAM., which is what mine has. To get more base storage, you need to move to the S6. It also has a slot that holds a micro SD card, behind a door on the side you have to pull off with a little pin (included), similar to the door that hides a SIM card on a phone. So, the SD card is not visible at all when inserted, which is nice. There is a "My Files" app that allows you to access and copy files. I even transferred about 15 GB of files to the SD card on this tablet with a USB-C drive from my Mac without issue. It's a bit strange in that there's no "Paste" function; you "Copy" from one drive/folder and then "Copy" TO the target drive/folder. When I had the external drive attached, the internal storage, SD card, and the external USB drive all showed up in the File manager.
You can also download and install a OneDrive app to allow access to your Microsoft files. I installed it and it works well. I also installed Google Drive with no issue. There's a third-party iCloud app which I didn't try. You can install apps from Google Play or the Samsung app store.
Accessories - as stated, I got the Samsung keyboard, which seems to be a better fit and slimmer than the aftermarket keyboards, and allows connection via the connectors on the side of the tablet and therefore doesn't require a battery powered, bluetooth connection. I also got a capacitive stylus which doesn't require a battery like many of the pends out there. I read the Samsung S-pen does NOT work with this device, so make sure you get a compatible pen.
Security - this tablet allows you to set up access via a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint reader. The Surface Go allows a PIN< password, or facial recognition (Windows Hello) but the iPad doesn't do facial recognition. The iPad allows fingerprint authentication, but the Windows Surface Go doesn't. The Samsung allows all of it. In addition, there are numerous security features that will allow you to keep the screen unlocked if you have a trusted device nearby, or if you designate a trusted location, like your address. Cool as heck and neither the Apple nor windows versions have that. I will say the Samsung facial recognition doesn't work well when I have reading glasses on, and I have to remove them to use it - Windows Hello seems to work equally well whether I have glasses on or not.
All in all, I am loving this thing, For the price, it's an absolute bargain relative to its competition, and the quality feel and fit and finish are easily equal to any Apple product. If you have a Samsung infrastructure but don't want to spend big bucks on an S6, get this - you won't be sorry.
