My family is an interesting example of a typical scenario: my sister and mother both use Android phones but own an iPad, even though several phone makers build many of the best tablets.
There’s an obvious reason for that — years later, the Android ecosystem still struggles with apps that haven’t been optimized for larger screens. This is despite all of the best folding phones running Android, at least until Apple launches the iPhone Fold next year.
Samsung has been a leading choice among iPad alternatives for many years, and the new Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S11 are both designed to provide credible alternatives to the iPad Pro lineup. Having used both around the house, here’s why I love using both of them — but particularly, the larger Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra — in my kitchen.
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra has the biggest tablet display
Do you remember the Galaxy View? It was Samsung’s first large-screen tablet and featured an abnormally large 18.4-inch display. As it turns out, that size is too impractical for portable usage, but lends itself well to more static installations, such as around your house.
The same applies to the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, although this year’s model is 0.3mm thinner and almost four percent lighter with the same 14.6-inch display as last year’s model. Yet, it’s the perfect size to be portable enough for use around the house, and my favorite place to use it is in the kitchen while cooking.
I don’t have a keyboard for the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, so it’s usually propped up against a pot or bottle. It can be a touch fiddly — and I would highly recommend buying a case for it with a kickstand — but it works for me for now.
The Galaxy Tab S11 is ideal for Gemini Live in the home
A key reason I like the Galaxy Tab S11 and Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is Gemini Live. Samsung’s close partnership with Google on Galaxy AI features also yields tight integration with all Gemini features, including Gemini Live.
Now, it’s worth noting that the smaller Galaxy Tab S11 has a distinct advantage here if you want to ask Gemini a question about something you’re cooking, namely, thanks to being more portable. Still, the larger Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra also works flawlessly; it’s just more unwieldy and therefore less useful.
This integration with Gemini Live makes it ideal for use throughout the house. My mother installed a fancy new Quooker tap, and after a few weeks, the hose wouldn’t stay in place. Gemini Live quickly identified the problem and a solution, without my needing to describe it. Yes, it works fine on your phone — but a tablet is something that anyone in the house can use.
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is also perfect around the house
Whenever I use the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, I wonder why it lacks a docking station and smart home controller interface like the Google Pixel Tablet. The large screen is reminiscent of the Amazon Echo Show 15, and I can imagine mounting the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra on a wall.
The Pixel Tablet features a docking station that transforms the interface into an experience akin to the Nest Hub Max when docked. It’s an elegant solution that doesn’t quite suffice as either a tablet or a home controller, but shows the dual-purpose possibilities of the tablet form in and around the home.
The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a prime example of a device that has true multi-functional capabilities. Want to watch something different from your loved ones? The big screen is absolutely stunning. Need a computer urgently or want to travel light? The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra runs DeX, offering a full desktop-like experience complete with a familiar windowing system.
The Galaxy Tab S11 series has two sizes for two different uses
I’m a big fan of both Galaxy Tab S11 models, especially the long battery life and fast performance offered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus chipset.
Then there are the apps. While there are fewer tablet-optimized apps than on the iPad, it’s still running Android, so you have access to the full Play Store. This includes all the entertainment apps you’d expect, including Netflix, which looks stunning on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
If you’re looking for an entertainment machine or something primarily for home use, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the best tablet to meet those needs right now. Yes, you can buy an iPad with a 13-inch screen, but the larger screen on the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is special. If you want something more portable, the smaller Galaxy Tab S11 is a great choice. Both also come bundled with the redesigned S-Pen stylus and expandable storage, thanks to the nascent microSD card slot!
Personally, the Galaxy Tab S11 stays in my bag, and the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra will remain in my kitchen; both tablets are fantastic — with the usual pitfalls of Android tablets — and represent some of the best tablets you can buy.
