Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (512GB, Wi-Fi): problems, parts and running costs
Checked: 2026-10-19
Summary
A 14.6-inch AMOLED desk tablet whose complaints are about ergonomics and value rather than defects: no charger in the box, a slow under-display fingerprint sensor, top-heavy portrait mode and speakers that lack bass. There are no mandatory yearly costs — the extras are one-off purchases like the $210 keyboard — so a yearly running total cannot be computed from the sources. It is hard to justify at the $1,499.99 Samsung direct price unless you specifically want the large screen; the smaller Tab S11 at $759.99 is the value pick.
Common problems and fixes
- No charger in the box — the box holds only the S Pen, quick start guide, ejection pin and USB-C data cable; you must supply your own USB-C adapter for the 45W charging. [2]
- Slow, unreliable fingerprint sensor — the under-display reader is awkward to locate and slow; face unlock does not help because the front camera sits on the side in portrait. No fix reported. [4]
- Speakers lack depth and bass — the four speakers hit 93.1dB but bass response suffers; no fix reported. [4][3]
- Too big and heavy for handheld use — at 1.53 lbs and 12.85 inches tall it is top-heavy in portrait and impractical one-handed; it is a desk tablet. [3][4]
- Basic cameras — adequate for video calls, not competitive with phones. [3]
- S Pen feels artificial on screen — comfortable and capable, but artificial feeling; no fix reported. [4]
- No cellular variant — Wi-Fi only; not a defect but a limitation for some buyers. [3][4]
Parts and consumables
- Book Cover Keyboard Slim — $210 per Android Police (Jan 2026); sold separately. [4]
- S Pen — included in the box; passive, never needs charging. [2][3][4]
Yearly running cost
Not enough data for a computed yearly figure: the sources report no mandatory subscription and no electricity estimate. The reported extras are one-off purchases — the Book Cover Keyboard Slim at $210 (Android Police, Jan 2026), a microSD card (no price reported) and your own USB-C power adapter (no price reported) — plus optional Samsung Care+ coverage (no price reported).
When it is a good buy
Samsung direct lists the 512GB Wi-Fi at $1,499.99 (256GB $1,299.99, 1TB $1,899.99); Android Police listed the 512GB at $1,319 in January 2026, and Samsung’s site offers up to $345 in instant trade-in credit or $240 off without a trade-in. At $1,499.99 the case rests on the 14.6-inch AMOLED screen, the included S Pen, IP68 and seven years of updates; Android Police calls the price difficult to justify unless you specifically value the large screen. The smaller Galaxy Tab S11 (11.0-inch, same Dimensity 9400+ chip) at $759.99 on sale is the better choice when portability matters, and the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) at $1,299 offers more power but no IP68 rating, no included stylus and no microSD slot. Tom’s Guide leaves the S11 Ultra out of its Samsung tablet picks, favoring the S10 FE Plus, the S11 and the S12 Ultra.