# How is this NOT a computer? - Samsung Tab S11 Ultra Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FizCK8_Vlc Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/1FizCK8_Vlc Generated: 2025-11-26T22:33:18.527+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra functions as a capable desktop replacement using Samsung DeX, offering a familiar desktop environment with multi-window support and external monitor output, although it still falls short of true laptop parity due to limitations like the lack of window tiling and the high price of accessories like the Book Cover Keyboard Slim at $210. **Key Points:** - The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's DeX mode successfully runs with an external monitor, offering a desktop-like experience with multi-window support and mouse functionality (07:00). - The device features a MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ (MT6991) chip, showing about a 25% CPU performance increase over the Tab S10 Ultra (07:11). - In the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, the Tab S11 Ultra scores around 5,500-6,000 across 20 runs, consistently lower than the iPad Pro M5 (12:00). - Geekbench 6 CPU scores show the Tab S11 Ultra achieving 2814 single-core and 9103 multi-core, significantly trailing the iPad Pro M5's 4153 single-core and 16360 multi-core scores (12:14). - Battery life testing showed the Tab S11 Ultra lasting 13 hours and 52 minutes in 1080p video playback, losing to the iPad Pro M5's 15 hours and 57 minutes (12:50). - The Book Cover Keyboard Slim accessory costs $210 and features a full-size keyboard, but lacks adjustable angle support found in previous models (03:56, 04:33). - Display brightness (SDR) for the Tab S11 Ultra with Auto-Brightness On reached 1688 nits, slightly higher than the iPad Pro M5's 1590 nits (12:28). ![Screenshot at 07:53: The reviewer discusses the performance gap, noting that the Tab S11 Ultra's hardware specifications \(12GB/16GB RAM options\) still result in lower benchmark scores compared to the M5 iPad Pro, especially in multi-core performance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-07-53.png) **Context:** The video reviews the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, focusing on its potential to replace a traditional laptop, particularly through its Samsung DeX desktop mode when connected to an external monitor. The reviewer compares its performance, battery life, and features against its predecessor (Tab S10 Ultra) and the direct competitor, the iPad Pro M5, scrutinizing the hardware specifications and software experience in desktop mode. ## Detailed Analysis The review confirms that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra can function as a desktop replacement using DeX mode when connected to an external monitor via a USB-C hub, which displays a desktop environment supporting multi-window management and mouse input (07:00, 08:50). However, the experience is not perfect; the reviewer notes limitations compared to Windows/macOS, such as the inability to freely resize or tile windows, forcing users to use either full-screen or snapped halves (09:21, 10:17). Performance benchmarks show the Tab S11 Ultra trailing the iPad Pro M5: in the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, the Tab S11 Ultra shows thermal throttling, stabilizing around 5,500-6,000 points compared to the iPad Pro M5's sustained 7,000+ points (12:00). Geekbench 6 CPU scores are also significantly lower for the Samsung tablet (9103 multi-core vs. 16360 for the M5) (12:14). Battery life testing resulted in 13 hours and 52 minutes for the Tab S11 Ultra versus 15 hours and 57 minutes for the iPad Pro M5 during 1080p video playback (12:50). Display brightness tests show the Tab S11 Ultra achieving 1688 nits in SDR with auto-brightness enabled, slightly beating the iPad Pro M5's 1590 nits (12:28). The optional Book Cover Keyboard Slim accessory costs $210 and is noted for its lack of adjustable angle, unlike the previous generation (03:56, 04:33). The reviewer concludes that while DeX offers great potential, the device still feels like a powerful Android tablet rather than a complete laptop replacement, especially given the accessory costs and performance deficits against Apple's offering. ### Hardware & Performance - Tab S11 Ultra features MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ (MT6991) - Benchmarks show lower sustained performance than iPad Pro M5 in 3DMark stress tests (5500 vs 7000+) and Geekbench 6 multi-core (9103 vs 16360) - Tab S11 Ultra has a 11600 mAh battery (12:21). ### Display Metrics - 14.6-inch, 2960x1848, 16:10 AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate - SDR brightness maxes out at 1688 nits (Auto-Brightness On), beating iPad Pro M5's 1590 nits (12:34). ### Battery Life - Tab S11 Ultra lasted 13h 52m in video playback tests, while the iPad Pro M5 lasted 15h 57m (12:50). ### Charging Speed - Reached 50% in 40 minutes and 90% in 72 minutes using the 45W charger (13:25). ### Desktop Experience (DeX) - Enables multi-window support and external monitor use when connected via USB-C - Lacks advanced window management features like tiling found in Mac/Windows (09:21, 10:11). ### Accessories - Book Cover Keyboard Slim costs $210 and lacks the adjustable angle of previous models (03:56, 15:58). ### Cameras - Features a 13MP Main Camera and an 8MP Ultrawide Camera on the back, and a 12MP Front Facing Camera (01:39, 02:42). ![Screenshot at 00:27: The reviewer holds the back of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, identifying the device \(Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-00-27.png) ![Screenshot at 01:37: A comparison graphic showing the Tab S11 Ultra's rear camera setup \(13MP Main, 8MP Ultrawide\) versus the iPad Pro M5.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-01-37.png) ![Screenshot at 02:23: A side view highlighting the presence of a Micro SD Card Slot supporting up to 2TB.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-02-23.png) ![Screenshot at 12:00: A chart comparing the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test scores, showing the Tab S11 Ultra consistently scoring lower than the iPad Pro M5 \(Red line vs Blue line\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-12-00.png) ![Screenshot at 12:50: A bar graph comparing battery discharge times, where the iPad Pro M5 \(15.77 hours\) lasts longer than the Tab S11 Ultra \(13.87 hours\) in 1080p video playback.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/1FizCK8_Vlc/00-12-50.png)