First look at the Samsung Galaxy Tab S...

At a packed media event in Auckland last week, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S, their latest competitor in the tablet market.

Despite having several already out there the tech giant is heralding this as their flagship tablet, promoting its multi-tasking abilities, premium content, and high-end screen.

Samsung are making a big deal of their Super AMOLED display (2560x1600px, 16:10) which apparently delivers more than 90% of Adobe RGB colour coverage and a 100,000:1 contrast ratio. Having seen it firsthand I’ll happily concede that it is very pretty.

The AMOLED technology also means a more energy efficient (Super AMOLED doesn’t require a backlight the way LCD does) and thinner tablet – just 6.6mm thick.

It isn’t just a pretty face though. Tab S users with an S5 phone can connect the two devices via wi-fi through the new SideSync 3.0 feature, accessing their phone remotely from the tablet and even answering phone calls while they use other apps (multitasking was mentioned frequently at the launch).

Additional useful features include a ‘Multi User Mode’ that enables users to create their own personal optimised profile, safe and convenient access with a built-in ‘Fingerprint Scanner,’ and a specially designed ‘Kids’ Mode’ with its own dedicated interface and kid-friendly applications.

As far as content goes Samsung are pushing the tablet-as-entertainment-box angle, with several built-in apps for consuming media.

Of note is their new magazine service “Papergarden,” an optimised viewing environment for digital interactive magazines, through which users will be able to view a wide range of popular magazines like National Geographic and Vogue.

Along with launching the Tab S, Samsung announced an exclusive deal with Marvel Entertainment. For Tab S users this means access to Marvel’s digital comic library with the Marvel Unlimited app, and access to perks like sneak peeks as upcoming Marvel films. For Marvel film audiences, this means you can expect to see Samsung products on the big screen.

Samsung talk about raising the bar the Galaxy Tab S, and certainly it looks like they’ve solved some of the problems of previous tablets and built on what works about them, both in terms of technology and content.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S will be available in NZ on 11 July, at select retailers: Noel Leeming, JB HiFi, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, Smith City, JR Duty Free. The RRP ranges between $599 and $849 depending on the version.