You’ve probably seen the cycle a thousand times. A new tablet drops, it’s the "iPad killer" for about six months, and then it vanishes into the eBay bargain bin of history. But the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is a weird outlier. Released way back in 2018, it somehow refuses to die. Even now in 2026, you'll find people scouring forums and refurbished sites trying to snag one.
It’s not just about nostalgia.
Honestly, it’s about a specific set of features that Samsung—and most other manufacturers—just stopped putting in one box. We’re talking about a gorgeous Super AMOLED screen, a built-in headphone jack, and a stylus that doesn't need a battery to function.
The Screen That Put Samsung on the Map
When the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 first hit the shelves, the 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display was its biggest selling point. It still is. At a resolution of 2560 x 1600, the pixel density sits at 287 ppi. That’s actually higher than some modern mid-range tablets that use washed-out LCD panels.
Blacks are truly black.
Colors pop with that classic Samsung saturation.
If you're using this primarily for Netflix or YouTube, it honestly holds its own against tablets twice its price today. It supports HDR, though some users have reported issues with certain streaming apps recognizing the HDR certification on older firmware. Still, the 16:10 aspect ratio is the "sweet spot" for video. You don’t get those massive black bars that plague the more squarish iPad screens.
The Snapdragon 835: Still Kicking?
Let’s be real for a second. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 was a beast in 2018, but it’s definitely showing its age. If you try to run Genshin Impact or heavy video editing software on this thing in 2026, it’s gonna struggle. You’ll see the lag. The 4GB of RAM is the real bottleneck here.
Samsung probably should have given it 6GB from the start.
However, for "life tasks"—browsing the web, checking emails, writing on Google Docs, or reading comics—it’s surprisingly snappy. The tablet runs on Android 10 with One UI 2.0. That’s where the official road ended. No more security updates. No more Android versions. For a lot of people, that’s a dealbreaker. But for the "media-only" crowd, it’s a non-issue.
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A Quick Look at the Specs
- Display: 10.5-inch Super AMOLED (2560 x 1600)
- Processor: Snapdragon 835
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB or 256GB (plus microSD slot up to 400GB+)
- Battery: 7300 mAh (18W fast charging)
- Audio: Quad speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos
- Biometrics: Iris scanner and facial recognition (No fingerprint sensor)
The Headphone Jack and the S Pen
This is where the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 wins over the purists. It was the last flagship S-series tablet to keep the 3.5mm headphone jack.
If you hate dongles, this is your holy grail.
Then there’s the S Pen. Unlike the newer versions that need to be magnetically attached to the back of the tablet to charge for "Air Actions," the Tab S4’s S Pen is passive. It uses electromagnetic resonance. It doesn't have a battery. It never needs to be charged. You just pick it up and write. The 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity make it a fantastic tool for digital artists on a budget.
Artists like RowdyJager have pointed out that the rubberized tip offers a "paper-like" resistance that the slippery plastic Apple Pencil just can't match without an expensive screen protector.
DeX Mode: The Desktop Dream
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 was the first tablet to launch Samsung DeX natively. Basically, you could plug it into a monitor or attach a keyboard, and it would transform the Android interface into something that looks like Windows.
It has windows you can resize.
It has a taskbar.
But there’s a catch. The lack of a trackpad on the official keyboard cover was a massive oversight. You either had to poke the screen like a caveman or carry a Bluetooth mouse. If you do find a used one today, skip the official keyboard and just get a cheap Bluetooth logitech setup. It makes the DeX experience actually usable.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Biometrics
Samsung ditched the home button and the fingerprint sensor on this model. They replaced it with an iris scanner and facial recognition. People complained a lot about this.
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They weren't entirely wrong.
In a dark room or when the tablet is lying flat on a table, the iris scanner is a pain. You have to lift the tablet and stare into it like you’re in a sci-fi movie. It's not as fast as a modern face-ID or an under-display sensor. It’s a quirk you either learn to live with or eventually just give up and use a PIN code.
Is It a Security Risk in 2026?
Since the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 hasn't seen a security patch in years, you need to be careful. I wouldn't recommend doing your high-stakes banking or storing sensitive corporate secrets on it.
The software is frozen in time.
Newer apps might eventually stop supporting Android 10, though most major apps (Netflix, Kindle, Spotify) still work perfectly fine for now. If you’re a tech tinkerer, there is a community of developers on XDA who create custom ROMs for these devices, which can sometimes bring newer versions of Android to the hardware, but that’s not for the faint of heart.
Actionable Insights for Potential Buyers
If you are looking at a used or refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 right now, here is the reality check you need before hitting "buy."
- Check the Battery Health: These units are nearly 8 years old. If the battery is original, it’s likely degraded. Look for sellers who mention "battery capacity" or be prepared to keep it plugged in.
- Price Cap: Do not pay more than $100–$120 for one of these. Anything higher and you’re better off getting a newer Tab S6 Lite (2024 version) or a Tab A9+.
- Primary Use Case: Buy this if you want a dedicated movie machine or a cheap drawing tablet. Do not buy this as your primary "work" computer or for high-end gaming.
- The "Pink Line" Issue: Some older Samsung AMOLED panels develop a vertical pink line. Check seller photos carefully for any screen defects before purchasing.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 remains a fascinating piece of tech history because it represents the "last of its kind" for several features. It’s a specialized tool for a specific type of user who values a great screen and a headphone jack over having the fastest processor on the block. Just know what you're getting into with the outdated software, and it can still be a solid companion for years to come.