Samsung Galaxy Tab S 11" 7 Review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a renewed Android tablet that offers flagship features at a budget price. Its gorgeous 120Hz screen and included S-Pen make it a standout for artists and note-takers. While the battery life is just okay and the software is older, it delivers incredible value for under $250.

If you're looking for a high-end Android tablet for drawing, note-taking, or just watching videos, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is probably on your radar. It's an 11-inch slate with a super smooth 120Hz screen, comes with the excellent S-Pen, and packs the powerful Snapdragon 865+ processor. While it's a few years old now, you can often find it at a steep discount, especially in renewed condition, which makes it a really interesting option for anyone who wants premium features without the premium price tag. People searching for 'best tablet for drawing' or 'Android tablet with stylus' will keep running into this one, and for good reason—it's still one of the best experiences you can get on Android.

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 865+ and Adreno 650 GPU are no slouch. In our database, both the CPU and GPU land in the 80th percentile for tablets, which means it handles everything from multitasking to light gaming without breaking a sweat. Apps open fast, and the 120Hz display makes scrolling and drawing feel incredibly fluid. The 8,000mAh battery is decent, but its performance lands in the 48th percentile, so it's just okay. You'll get through a day of mixed use, but heavy users might need to plug in by the evening.

At around $248 for a renewed model, the value proposition here is strong. You're getting what was a flagship tablet with a top-tier screen and pen for less than half its original price. The main trade-off is that you're buying older hardware. But if your main needs are media consumption, digital art, or note-taking, this tablet delivers a experience that rivals much newer, more expensive devices.

The obvious competitor is the Apple iPad (9th or 10th gen). The iPad has a stronger app ecosystem and longer software support, but you'll pay extra for the Apple Pencil, making the total cost higher. For a similar Android experience, the newer Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a direct successor with a newer chip and longer update promise, but it also costs more. If you want a full laptop replacement, the Microsoft Surface Go series offers Windows, but you'll sacrifice battery life and the included pen. The Tab S7 sits in a sweet spot: it's more powerful and pen-inclusive than a basic iPad, but cheaper than its own successor or a Surface.

Skip this tablet if you need the latest software updates and long-term support—this is an older device. Also, power users who constantly switch between a dozen apps might find the 6GB of RAM limiting. And if your main goal is business productivity with full desktop applications, you'd be better served by a Windows-based Surface or a laptop. For those users, the software ecosystem on Android just isn't there yet.

So, should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7? If you want a premium Android tablet for drawing, media, or light work and you're on a tight budget, absolutely. The combination of that 120Hz screen, the included S-Pen, and flagship-level performance at this price is hard to beat. Just go in knowing the battery life is fine, not amazing, and that software updates are winding down. For students, artists, and casual users, it's a fantastic deal. If you need the absolute latest software or plan to use this as a primary productivity device for years, you might want to stretch your budget for something newer.