Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4 successfully juggles play and productivity with its special DeX mode, but the cost for the convenience is steep.

DeX mode is actually usable for doing real work; Top-notch display; Long battery life; Comes with S Pen

Book Cover Keyboard costs extra; Not many DeX-optimized apps; Fragile glass back

Love or hate them, it's hard to deny that tablets have been stuck in something of a rut for a few years now, Android tablets especially.

Slick software; Big battery

DeX still doesn't deliver; Not as feature rich as the Note

Want a tablet that can also be productive The Galaxy Tab S4 delivers a decent experience, but it'll leave your wallet empty.

Fantastic; high-resolution screen; Day-long battery life; Great; portable size; Good performance; Decent 2-in-1 solution

DeX is still a work in progress; Not enough tablet-optimized apps; Expensive

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is an upgrade over the Galaxy Tab S3 with an expanded 10.5-inch screen size and longer battery life, but it comes at a higher price and with a lofty promise to do so much more.

PC desktop-like Dex interface; Comes with the S Pen stylus; Large 10.5-inch screen

Dex touchscreen detection is off; Keyboard design is unintuitive; Expensive for what it delivers

With updated hardware, a larger display, and a desktop-like user interface option, the latest Galaxy Tab S seems like a promising alternative to some two-in-ones, but whether or not it's worth the asking price remains to be seen. Let's dive in...

Good Performance; Sleek; Attractive Design; Long Battery Life; Fast Charging; Vibrant Display; Above Average Audio; Included S Pen

Pricey; Accessories Cost Extra; No S Pen Storage Slot

The Tab S4 would be an excellent Android tablet if Samsung hadn't tried to do too much with it. By adding DeX software integration, the company hoped to provide a desktop-like interface to boost productivity, but ended up with an finicky interface that's ultimately unreliable.

A new weight class of tablet

Gorgeous screen; Excellent battery life; DeX is great for multitasking

Android apps for tablets are still mediocre; Requires you to buy keyboard / mouse for Dex to be useful; Face / iris scanning is hit or miss

LIMITED OFFER: If you order the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 before 23 August, you'll get a free Keyboard Cover . That accessory normally costs £119, and while it's not perfect – as I'll discuss below – as a freebie it's well worth grabbing.

Sumptuous design; Great screen; Excellent battery life; Bundled S Pen works well

Outdated internals; Keyboard Cover has no touchpad for DeX; No stylus holder

OEMs are trying to make tablets that can replace your laptop, but most of us know that tablets can't really do such a thing for power users. However, these new devices try to balance portability and power, giving users a device that's easier to take along yet can also get things done like a...

MicroSD card slot for more storage; Face and eye scanner login options; Improved S Pen design; Easy to understand Dex UI

Inconsistent pen Translate feature; No extended screen feature when tablet is connected to an external monitor in Dex mode; Not all Android apps work well in Dex mode; Book Cover Keyboard is cramped and uncomfortable to type on for long periods of time; Performance matches that of a straight tablet,...

If you've searched for an Android tablet in recent years, especially one in the premium segment, you've probably noticed that there are precious few options available. No Android manufacturer comes close to matching Apple's portfolio, and the one OEM that has dared to challenge the iPad's supremacy...

Display The 10.5" Super AMOLED display is among the very best that you'll find on any device with a screen of this size - be it a laptop or a tablet; It makes for outstanding movie watching and gaming, Battery life The Tab S4's massive 7300mAh battery lasts a very long time, giving it a level of...

DeX DeX's tiny touch targets and unintuitive layout along with a suite of half-baked "desktop" apps just add up to a crappy laptop experience; The Tab S4 is not a laptop replacement - it's laptop cosplay, Keyboard case It's ghastly.