Samsung made a surprise release of the Galaxy TabPro S premium hybrid tablet during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2016 in January this year.
It is another tablet indeed from the Korean tech giant but what made it different from its other tablet lines is the fact that it is Windows 10-based. All the tablets of the Korean tech giant, regardless whether they are high end or mid-range, are running on Android for its operating system.
It also came out as a surprise, especially to Microsoft, since the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S was a direct competition to its Surface Pro line of hybrid tablets.
It has been barely nine months since the Korean tech giant’s hybrid tablet came out of the market but reports are now rife that its predecessor, called as the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S2, is about to hit the market soon.
While there are still no dates given, the rumors are saying that it could come out any time before the end of the year. But it is also possible that it may come out in January next year to give the Galaxy TabPro S time to complete its one-year market cycle.
Four models for the new device
Reports have it that the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S2 will have four models when it comes out in the market. As they are still in the development stages, they are reportedly being referred to as SM-W728, SM-W727, SM-W723, and SM-W720, reports the Christian Today.
There are no details about the specifications of each model but reports, rumors, and speculations going around online about the device appear to focus on one model alone.
There are also speculations saying that the different models may be different devices with different hardware specifications or different geographical locations.
Accordingly, the Galaxy TabPro S2 will feature a 12-inch Super AMOLED screen with 2160 x 1440 screen resolution. It shall also be powered by the latest offering of Intel with its Core M series processing chip. It is also expected that the device will feature LTE connectivity.
The rumored features of the Galaxy TabPro S2 were primarily based on the hardware found under the hood of its predecessor including a 12-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen display, Intel Core m3-6Y30 processor featuring Turbo Boost Technology, Intel HD Graphics 515, 4GB of DDR3L RAM, and 128GB of solid-state drive for storage.
The device also sports a USB Type-C 3.1 port, headphones/microphone input combination, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, a 5-megapixel rear camera, dual-band Wi-Fi adaptor, Bluetooth 4.1, and a 5,200 mAh battery that can last up to 10.5 hours of continued usage. It also includes a detachable keyboard.
A special version of the device called the Galaxy TabPro S Signature Edition black is currently being offered at the Microsoft Store for $749. The special version model does not contain any third-party trial software.
In order to lure more takers for the device, the Microsoft Store actually threw in a free Hulu subscription for three months and a NuVision 8-inch tablet while supplies last for their special offer.
Users want a better keyboard
As a premium hybrid tablet, the Samsung Galaxy TabPro S based on Windows 10 was a great device for the working professionals the way others are being served by the Microsoft Surface Pro lines and the Apple iPad Pro line.
However, users felt that there is plenty to be desired on the keyboard of the Galaxy TabPro S which they want to see improved on the Galaxy TabPro S2. The keyboard cover on the Galaxy TabPro S was attached only with a very weak magnet.
If a user, for instance, set the tablet up in a laptop mode and begins to jostle things, it could result in the hybrid tablet falling flat on its back or its face smacking the ground first, notes Digital Trends.