The best PlayStation VR display docks

Welcome to the world of Virtual Reality! Now that a PlayStation VR (PSVR) has made its way into your life you need to find the best display stand to show it off. Display stands are perfect for keeping things neat and tidy while also preventing you from needing to unpack and repack your VR headset for each use. Here are the best options!

All-in-one

Skywin PSVR Charging Display Stand

Staff favorite

The Skywin PSVR station is my number one pick for the number of things it holds, how many charging options it has, and how sleek it looks on my entertainment center. You can charge two DualShock controllers, two Move controllers, and up to four devices on the USB ports on the front. This is also one of the few PSVR docking stands that has a place for the PSVR helmet, your headset, the console and the processor box.

$40 at Amazon

Runner-up

Collective Minds PS4 VR Showcase Stand Plus

My runner-up dock has to go to Collective Minds' for its ability to hold most of your PSVR accessories. It can store and charge two DualShock controllers, two Move controllers, one Aim controller, and your wireless headset. It also stylishly displays your PSVR headset on the top. If you already have a set up for your PlayStation 4 console, this stand is perfect for your new accessories.

$45 at Amazon

Futuristic appeal

PSVR Charging Stand with Optional Illumination

When it comes to looks my heart belongs to Asterion Products' dock stand. The sleek and low profile of the set-up has everything tight-nit and fitting together like a finely tuned engine. The clear section of the stand has a built-in light for your aesthetic pleasure. Despite the small appearance, it has a place for two Dualshock controllers, two Move controllers, your PSVR helmet, and your headphones.

$43 at Amazon

Everything you need

Kootek all in one Vertical Stand

Kootek will store and charge two Move controllers and one Dualshock controller. For strictly storage purposes it will hold your PlayStation 4 console, PlayStation VR helmet, and PlayStation VR processor box. This charging stand is complete with cooling fans on the bottom that will fit any of the PlayStation 4 consoles (Slim, Standard, Pro). Charging ports will not work unless the console is on.

$30 at Amazon

Store your collectables

PS4 Vertical Cooling Stand

This is one of the only PlayStation cooling stands that will hold your PSVR equipment and the physical copies of games you've been collecting. It will charge and store two Move controllers and two DualShock controllers. For standard storage options, this docking station holds your PS4 console (Slim, Standard, or Pro), your PSVR helmet, and over seven game boxes.

$36 at Amazon

PSVR only

Skywin 4-in-1 Charge & Display Stand

This display stand is for those who want to keep excess clutter to a minimum. It has a pretty blue light and the ability to hold your PlayStation VR helmet, processor box, and Move controllers. It will even charge your Move controllers while it stores them. Cheap and small is a winning combination in my eyes.

$15 at Amazon

Avoid the mess of storage

Using a docking station for my PlayStation VR was the best decision I ever made for both time management and stylish storage. Now instead of having to take down and store every piece of my PSVR equipment I can wrap the cords, throw all the pieces onto my docking stand, and never worry about it. Since my VR equipment is so publically displayed in my living room it also gets all my guests asking questions about VR and acts as a gateway to putting my loved ones in the headset.

Check that: Time management, stylish storage, and conversation starter. A PlayStation VR docking station is well worth the money, trust me.

The Skywin PSVR Charging Display Stand is my top choice for a multitude of reasons. Not only is it capable of holding most of my PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR equipment, but it saves me the cord space by also charging my devices. Even though I keep my home cool enough that I've never experienced issues with my consoles overheating, the cooling fan at the bottom of the stand is both quiet and useful for that extra peace of mind.

See something you don't have?

A lot of PSVR bundles don't come with Aim or Move controllers, but both of these devices enhance your VR experience. Here's where you can find them for yourself if you're missing either of these products!

Move Controllers

$100 at Amazon

Move controllers give you the ability to use both of your hands in a VR game instead of using a DualShock controller. It makes the experience much more immersive and, on top of this, there are PSVR games that straight up won't work without them.

Aim Controller & Firewall Zero Hour

$80 at Amazon

While it offers a much better experience for shooter games, it is only supported with the following games: Arizona Sunshine, Bravo Team, ChromaGun, Dick Wilde, DOOM: VFR, Evasion, Farpoint, Firewall Zero Hour, Rom: Extraction, Special Delivery, The Brookhaven Institute, and Unearthing Mars 2. If you don't have any of these games, with no intentions of owning them, don't get the Aim controller.

Hyperkin Sanitary Mask

$10 at Amazon

People are going to want to play with your headset now that its on public display. Share your VR headset, but don't share germs. These sanitizing wipes don't have alcohol in them, meaning you won't risk warping your lenses when you use them to disinfect your headset.

Want an Android TV on the cheap? We have your list right here

Smart TVs are plentiful, but finding ones that are powered by Android TV can be a chore — especially if you're working with a smaller budget. Cheap Android TVs just aren't that popular in the U.S., but if you do a bit of digging, you can still find some pretty great options. We've done the hard work for you and rounded up our top picks for the best cheap Android TVs available right now in 2019 — our favorite of which is the Hisense 55H8F.

Best Overall: Hisense 55H8F

Out of all the cheap Android TVs out there, our top recommendation goes to the Hisense 55H8F. Hisense has long made some of the best value televisions on the market, and that point holds true here.

For under $500, the 55H8F gives you a roomy 55-inch screen that's plenty big for all of your movies, TV shows, and games without being overwhelming. In regards to picture quality, Hisense is using its ULED technology that aims to offer increased color, contrast, and brightness.

The 55H8F supports 4K video, Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, and has a full array local dimming system with Hisense's Motion Rate 240 feature that promises super smooth playback for everything — especially high-action scenes.

Some owners have complained about weak built-in speakers and the CPU being a little slow at times, but for the price, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better deal.

Pros:

• Not too big, not too small
• 4K ULED
• Dolby Vision HDR + HDR10
• Full array local dimming

Cons:

• Weak built-in speakers
• OK performance

Best Overall

Hisense 55H8F

• $480 at Amazon

The best overall cheap Android TV.

The Hisense 55H8F is a TV that offers high-end features at a great price. It has a 55-inch ULED screen, supports 4K video, and HDR10.

Best Value: Skyworth U5A Series 55

This entire article is devoted to TVs that offer a good value, and one of the best in these regards is the Skyworth U5A Series 55.

For just a little over $400, the U5A gets you a 55-inch LCD TV that can playback 4K video in HDR. Considering that 4K TVs used to cost multiple thousands of dollars just a few short years ago, that's seriously impressive. The LCD IPS technology works well, offering good colors, and a bright picture, and is more than adequate for movies, TV shows, and games.

Similar to other TVs, Skyworth also includes upscaling technology to ensure non–4K content looks as good as possible on your new TV. It also boasts a quad-core processor that allows for fast load times, navigation, and more.

Some corners obviously had to be cut for such a low asking price, and that's primarily seen with the lack of local dimming and a max refresh rate of 60Hz. This shouldn't be a deal-breaker for most people, but if you go with more expensive options on this list, you can spend a few more dollars and get those features if they're important to you.

Pros:

• 55-inch screen is a great size
• LCD display technology
• 4K UHD with HDR
• Quad-core processor
• 3 HDMI ports

Cons:

• No local dimming
• Max refresh rate of 60Hz

Best Value

Skyworth U5A Series 55

• $430 at Amazon

A cheap Android TV that's an incredible value.

Want a lot of bang for your buck? The Skyworth U5A 55-inch TV is for you. For not much money, you get 4K HDR picture quality and a quad-core processor

Best Small Screen: Sony XBR43X800E

While big TVs seem to be all the rage, there's an argument to be made for smaller sets, too. They take up less space, are easier to fit in smaller rooms, and have a sharper picture quality since the pixels aren't being stretched across such a large area. If a small TV is what you're after, we'd recommend going with the Sony XBR43X800E. Super unsexy name aside, this is a TV easily outperforms the relatively low price Sony is asking for it.

The screen measures in at 43-inches and uses LED technology. Picture quality goes up to 4K Ultra HD, HDR support is here, and Sony's Triluminos Display technology aims to reproduce colors across a broader color palette so that they're more colorful and true-to-life. Similarly, Sony uses its X-Reality PRO processing to upscale non-4K content to make it look as sharp as possible.

You've got access to 4 HDMI ports to plug in all of your consoles and set-top boxes, in addition to two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port. We do wish that Dolby Vision was included, but something's gotta give for such a great TV at such a low price.

Pros:

• Lovely compact size
• Native 4K + upscaling with X-Reality Pro
• HDR
• 4 HMDI ports

Cons:

• Doesn't have Dolby Vision

Best Small Screen

Sony XBR43X800E

• $500 at Amazon

The best cheap Android TV with a smaller screen.

If you want a small TV, the Sony XBR43X800E gives you a 43-inch display, native 4K, HDR, and plenty of HDMI ports at a price that's hard to argue with.

Best Big TV: Hisense 65H8F

Finding a big Android TV for cheap is no easy feat, but if that's what you're after, you'd be silly not to get the Hisense 65H8F. This is essentially the same TV as the other Hisense model on here, with the only difference being that it has a 65-inch screen as opposed to a 55-inch one.

In other words, you're getting all of the great stuff of that TV in a bigger package. The ULED display tech allows for bright and contrasty colors, native 4K video is supported, and you can watch your content in both Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10. We're also big fans of the 60 full-array local dimming zones and Hisense's Motion Rate 240 feature for ultra-smooth playback.

The biggest issue with the 65H8F comes down to its price. While $700 is a phenomenal deal for a television of this caliber, it is the most expensive TV on this list and might be more than some people are willing to pay.

Pros:

• Huge screen
• ULED display technology
• Dolby Vision HDR and HDR 10
• Local dimming
• 240Hz refresh rate

Cons:

• Not exactly a "cheap" TV for everyone

Best Big TV

Hisense 65H8F

• $700 at Amazon

The best big and cheap Android TV.

Buying a big TV for cheap isn't an easy thing, but if that's what you desire, the Hisense 65H8F is the best deal for a TV of this caliber.

Best Picture Quality: Sony X800E Series 55

Our last pick on the list is one that may not be the absolute best value, but when it comes to cheap Android TVs, it's one of the best-looking out there. It's the Sony X800E Series 55, and in regards to picture quality, it's a beast.

Along with a 55-inch screen size, you're getting a 4K Ultra HD resolution with support for HDR. Similar to the other Sony TV we talked about above, this one also uses the company's X-Reality Pro technology to upscale non-4K content to make it crisp and sharp in all the right ways. Also on display here is Sony's Triluminos Display to enable vibrant, vivid colors with more natural shades of red, green, and blue.

Rounding out the pros include support for frame dimming, four HDMI ports, and support for Amazon Alexa voice commands (something you won't find on Android TVs from any other manufacturer).

This is another TV that reaches the tiptop of the phrase "cheap," but considering everything it brings to the table, this is a bargain.

Pros:

• 4K HDR picture quality
• Sony's excellent Triluminos display tech
• Frame dimming
• Also works with Alexa
• 4 HDMI ports

Cons:

• Much more expensive than similarly-sized TVs

Best Picture Quality

Sony X800E Series 55

• $600 at Best Buy

The best cheap Android TV with great picture quality.

In the market for a cheap Android TV that looks fantastic? The Sony X800E Series 55 delivers a premium all-around experience that's tough to beat.

Bottom line

As we stated above, buying a cheap Android TV can be a challenge. You don't want to buy something so cheap it'll fall apart on you in a week, and when you combine that with the lack of Android TV support from a lot of companies, your work is instantly cut out for you. Thankfully, the Hisense 55H8F stands out as something special.

It's a TV from a company you know and trust with all of the features you could want. The 55-inch screen size is perfect, the 4K resolution looks great, and the awesome ULED tech and HDR support make things that much better.

We're impressed with just how much Hisense is offering for such a low price, and if you're in the market for a cheap television running Android TV, this is likely your best bet.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Joe Maring Joe is Android Central's News Editor. He loves talking about all things tech, but smart wearables are what get him really excited (just ask the drawer of smartwatches in his office). He also likes coffee and goes to Starbucks far too often. Have a tip? Send an email to joe.maring@mobilenations.com or hit him up on Twitter @JoeMaring1

Ive leaves Apple, ZenFone 6 review, Huawei keeping promises? [#acpodcast]

Andrew Martonik, Alex Dobie, and Jerry Hildenbrand talk about Jony Ive's departure from Apple and what that means for the entire tech community, and Alex provides his review of the Asus ZenFone 6. Plus, the gang take a hard look at the various ways in which Huawei might be able to keep their Android update promise.

Listen now

• Subscribe in Google Play Music: Audio
• Subscribe in iTunes: Audio
• Subscribe in RSS: Audio
• Download directly: Audio

Show Notes and Links:

• Jony Ive left Apple, but his industry-wide influence carries on
• Why Jony Ive is leaving Apple
• ASUS ZenFone 6 review: The phone for selfie-obsessionists and Android purists
• Boxed in by tech and law, how can Huawei keep its Android update promise?
• U.S. chipmakers are using a legal loophole to get around Trump's Huawei ban
• FedEx sues the U.S. government over the Huawei ban
• EMUI 10 preview: What's new in Huawei's version of Android Q

Sponsors:

• Rhone: Rhone, the premier men's performance lifestyle brand, is designed for men who appreciate quality, comfortable clothing that fits how they live, work, and sweat. Go to rhone.com/acp and use offer code ACP for 20% off your first purchase!

From the Editor's Desk: A change of climate means a change in device usage

A reminder that everyone around the world has different needs from the same devices.

Of all the things I expected to have to think about with a move from the lush green Pacific Northwest to sunny Southern California, I didn't consider reworking most aspects of how I use my various electronics.

The Bose QC35 headphones I love so much? Well, those don't work so well when I'm wearing sunglasses everywhere I go. And they really don't work when it's anywhere over 70 degrees and my head starts to sweat. I've switched to my Galaxy Buds more frequently, as well as the OnePlus Bullets Wireless V2.

The Pixel 3 XL I use for its simple software and stellar camera? Well, I can't see anything on this subpar screen in the sun ... and it's making me ponder a switch back to the Galaxy S10+ just for the screen brightness and clarity in all lighting conditions. Thankfully I haven't faced any notable issues with damp fingers and fingerprint sensors, though I know many people do.

The beautiful and protective fabric case on my Pixel 3 XL? That's also a problem — sweaty hands and time by the water (pool or ocean, take your pick) aren't great companions for fabric cases. At least it's washable, but it's already looking worse for wear. (Trying to use my phone while eating a messy taco is my fault, though.)

And just to make sure I get another jab in at Apple's laughably useless TouchBar on the MacBook Pro, it's even less useful completely washed out by the sun so you have to cup your hand over it just to see where you're tapping. There's something perfectly ironic about not being able to turn up your screen brightness to use your laptop because you can't see the TouchBar in the first place. A truly terrible idea that I hope Apple abandons.

Having to rethink how I use my gadgets was the last thing on my mind when moving.

Even with all of my time traveling, I took any adaptations I had to make for a new place as being temporary. I changed how I did things, and went right back to the way I knew before without much thought. Now that I'm living somewhere new, I'm forming all sorts of new normals. These are, indeed, some of the most "first world problems" sorts of realizations. But this isn't a complaint, so much as a reminder to keep these experiences in mind when looking at coverage of consumer electronics.

Making all of these little revelations really just points to the fact that we should keep our minds open when it comes to how people use their phones and everything associated with them. Much like Daniel discovered while living in Turkey for over a month, and we see time and time again as we travel around the world to do this awesome job, people in different places have different needs from their devices. We all have access to the same gear, more or less, but how we use it can be dramatically different — and play into our buying decisions in the first place.

We all have access to the same gear, but how we use it can be dramatically different.

To close out, I want to give a huge shoutout to our own Rene Ritchie for his very timely and insightful take on the Jony Ive departure this week. (Also available in video form!) Few people have the breadth and depth of knowledge of Apple and Ive that Rene do. You can find flaws with some of Apple's designs over the last few decades, but you can't say that Ive didn't have a massive impact on how the entire industry designed its products while he was at Apple — seeing him make a move will undoubtedly have some kind of effect on companies other than just Apple.

Hope all of you in the U.S. celebrating July 4 — or Canada Day, for our friends to the north — have a safe and fun extended weekend. I know I will!

-Andrew

This $28 smart charging cable knows when your phone is fully charged

Everyone uses their phone, but for some of us, our phones are our lifeline because they allow us to respond to urgent business calls and emails. Thus, many of us obsessively maintain a full charge on our phone. However, our phones aren’t meant to be at 100% battery all day, and maintaining a maximum charge is detrimental to their long-term battery life. That’s why you need a charging cable that will prolong your battery health, and this $28 Charby Sense cable fits the bill.

The Charby Sense is a smart charging cable that can detect when your phone is at a full charge or not. Once you reach a full charge, the Charby Sense will automatically stop charging to prolong your phone’s battery life. Additionally, the Charby Sense acts as a quick charger when connected to your laptop; by using Qualcomm QC 3.0, you can charge your phone twice as fast with the click of a button, and the Charby Sense’s LED indicator will let you know when the quick charge is enabled. Finally, the Charby Sense features durable cable sleeving to ensure a longer lifespan than your standard rubber and plastic cables.

Believe it or not, keeping your phone fully charged is counterintuitive to its overall battery health, but the Charby Sense will help you maintain your phone's optimal battery life without impacting its longevity for just $28, or 28% off.

 

Charby Sense Charging Cable - $28

See Deal

OnePlus 7 Pro gets a $100 price cut, current owners can get cashback

This takes the 7 Pro down to a more reasonable price for our neighbors to the north.

What you need to know

• OnePlus is reducing the price of all OnePlus 7 Pro configurations.
• Canadian 7 Pro owners are eligible for a cashback for phones puchased at the original price.
• Puts the new price range on the 7 Pro at $899-$1009, from $999-$1119.

Technology usually costs a little more up north, but the price differential between the US and Canadian versions of the OnePlus 7 Pro had been much higher than normal at launch, but thngs are getting more reasonable again. On OnePlus's Canadian store, the OnePlus 7 Pro has gotten a price cut:

• 6GB/128GB --- $999 $899
• 8GB/256GB --- $1049 $939
• 12GB/256GB --- $1119 $1009

If you already purchased a OnePlus 7 Pro in Canada, you might be eligible for a cashback. If you bought your OnePlus 7 Pro between 10am ET 5/17 and 12pm ET 6/28, check your email; you could be eligible for a cashback equal to today's price cuts.

If you hadn't pulled the trigger on a OnePlus 7 Pro yet, now might be a good time to reconsider now that the prices are more competitive.

From $899 at OnePlus CA

Get More OnePlus 7

OnePlus 7 Pro

From $670 at OnePlus

• OnePlus 7 Pro Review
• Best OnePlus 7 Pro Accessories
• Best OnePlus 7 Pro Cases

Google preps Fast Share, an AirDrop-like replacement for Android Beam

Fast Share is up and working for a few users so far.

What you need to know

• Google appears to have a working replacement for Android Beam that's almost ready for launch.
• The new system is somewhat similar to AirDrop and the current Nearby feature.
• System seems to be 1-to-1 transfer only at the moment, but looks compatible with Android phones, Chromebooks, iPhones, and even Smartwatches.

Android Beam is on its way out with Android Q, that is if you remember that was even still a thing. I maybe had it work twice in my 7 years with Android, so I'm not crying over its departure, but its replacement could be very interesting — or open up Android users to the shenanigans iPhone users have been subjected to for years with AirDrop.

The new system is called Fast Share, and the good folks at 9to5Google got it working on a Google Pixel 3 XL so that we all could see how it works in the wild. Fast Share appears in the Share menu — using the same icon Nearby does — and then opens up a full-screen menu for sending. You need to name your device the first time you use it, and then you can attempt to send it to other devices detected close to you. If you look at the device list in the second screenshot, this feature does not seem limited to Android phones, as an iPhone, Chromebook and smartwatch are listed as being nearby.

Once you select your recipient and send the file or photo, you'll get one last look at what you're sending and then a progress bar. Meanwhile on the recipient's phone, you'll get the chance to accept or reject the file based on the name of the device you're getting it from, with the ability to accept or reject straight from the notification shade if you're busy. If this works well, you'll likely end up using it with family members or close friends, which you can give "Preferred Visibility" so that their devices come up first when sending.

9to5 believed this new feature is tied to Google Play Services rather than Android Q, so be on the lookout for it on your own device. You'll be able to find it (if you have it) in Settings > Google > Fast Share. I don't see it on my devices yet, but I can only hope that once I do it'll make it easier to share photos during family trips or between my phone and Chromebook while working on how-tos.

Charge on the go! Here are the best car chargers available

Whether you're making an all-day road trip or just your normal half-hour commute, in the car is the perfect place to top up during your drive. After all, your phone should be stationary in a car mount for Android Auto or stowed away so you're not tempted to use it while driving. Car chargers come in many styles and shapes, but with the advent of USB-C Power Delivery charging, we have a widely used standard that can be used for charging a phone or even laptops off the same port. Here are the best chargers to replenish your battery on the road.

Futureproof charging

Anker 49.5W PowerDrive Speed+ 2 Car Adapter

Staff pick

This charger features a 30W USB-C Power Delivery port that can charge your Chromebook decently or charge most phones at top speed, and a USB-A port with Anker's PowerIQ to charge everything else. It's safe to say this car charger will likely last longer than your current car.

$30 at Amazon

Reliable wireless charging

iOttie Easy One-Touch 4 QI Wireless Charging Mount

If you have a phone with Qi wireless charging, having a Qi charger in your car is awesome since you don't have to hassle with wires every time you get in or out. iOttie's Qi charging mount is the most popular and reliable model around.

$50 at Amazon

MOAR POWER

Maxboost 63W Universal Car Charger

This charger has a large footprint and even larger capacity. The USB-C port here can charge at 45W — top speed for most Chromebooks and a good rate for Macbooks, too — and the USB-A port is Qualcomm QC 3.0. Charge it all and charge it all quickly.

$25 at Amazon

Set and forget

AUKEY CC-Y12 18W PD Car Charger

Plugin, shut the cover, and forget this charger is there until you need its 18W USB-C port to recharge your phone in a hurry. This style is harder to extract, but that's because it's made to sit basically flush inside your car's charger port.

$17 at Amazon

Great for Samsung users

RAVPower Dual Quick Charge 3.0 USB Port Car Charger

If your family uses Samsung phones, Qualcomm Quick Charge is the fast charging method you'll be relying on more than USB-C Power Delivery, and this affordable charger has not one but two QC 3.0 ports for you and your partner/friend/child/rideshare passenger to use.

$12 at Amazon

Great speed, better price

Aukey 27W USB-C PD Car Charger

The USB-C port charges at up to 27W, and the USB-A port charges at a respectable 5V/2.4A, making this charger powerful but still mostly compact. It's not as small as AUKEY's CC-Y12, but that means it's easier to pull out if you frequently swap vehicles.

$20 at Amazon

Power Delivery is awesome

USB-C Power Delivery is five kinds of awesome, with the best being that it can charge a wider variety of devices at a wider range of speeds. If you want to charge a laptop in your car — hey, it happens more often than you'd think — then you can go overboard with the Maxboost 63W Universal Car Charger and its 45W PD output, but if you'd rather stick with a more well-known brand, Anker's got you covered with the PowerDrive Speed+ 2 with its 30W PD output. Make sure you grab a good USB-C cable to use them with!

If your phone has Qi charging, you should really consider grabbing a Qi car charger. Not having to plug and unplug every single time you get in the car is nice, especially during an afternoon of errands. There are other Qi charging mounts out there, but iOttie's is available in three modes: a dash mount, a vent mount and a CD slot mount, so you can grab the type that's best for you. If you live in a warm locale, I definitely suggest the vent model so that your AC can help keep things cool in the summer since Qi charging tends to gather a little heat.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. Galaxy Tab S5e: Which should you buy?

Here at AC, we continuously strive to be your best source for Android. Whether it be phones, tablets, smartwatches, or anything else in between, we're here to help you find, buy, and use the tech of your dreams.

Flagship tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

From $650 at Amazon

Pros

• Gorgeous AMOLED display
• Longer battery life
• Comes with an S Pen
• Optional LTE model

Cons

• Less RAM
• More expensive

It may not be the newest tablet in Samsung's lineup these days, but the Galaxy Tab S4 is still the most powerful. With longer battery life, included S Pen, iris scanning, and so much more, the Galaxy Tab S4 is ready for all your tasks — whether they're for work or play.

Best for less

Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e

$400 at Amazon

Pros

• Smaller bezels
• Up to 6GB RAM
• Weighs less
• More affordable

Cons

• No S Pen
• Only available with Wi-Fi

Can't afford the Tab S4 but still want a tablet that'll be able to keep up with you? The Galaxy Tab S5e is a great option. Despite the lower price tag, you still get an AMOLED display, lightweight design, and an identical software experience. That said, you miss out on the S Pen and more powerful internals.

With the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e, you have two great tablet options depending on what you're in the market for. If you want an ultra-premium tablet with great internals, lots of expanded capabilities with an included S Pen, and the option to have on-device LTE, the Tab S4 brings a lot to the table. With that said, if you don't need an S Pen or LTE, you can save $250 and get the Galaxy Tab S5e. It offers a very similar experience, even more RAM, and supports more expandable storage at the expense of less battery life.

What the Galaxy Tab S4 does better

Specs-wise, the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e have a lot in common. In fact, at first glance, you might be confused as to why anyone would spend an extra $250 for the S4 when the S5e matches it in so many ways.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of the Tab S4 is its included S Pen. The S Pen opens up an entire world of possibilities you won't find with the Galaxy Tab S5e, and for some people, it'll be reason enough to go for the S4 over it.

Some of the highlights of having the S Pen include being able to quickly create handwritten notes, draw/doodle, and simply having a more precise way to interact with the touchscreen. We all know how great the S Pen is on devices like the Galaxy Note 9, and with an even bigger canvas to work with on the Tab S4, it's that much better.

You also get the added benefit of a larger battery, which according to Samsung allows for up to 2 hours of additional use of video playback. Your milage will certainly vary depending on what you're using your tablet for, but as a general rule, expect to get a bit more time in between charges with the Tab S4.

Lastly, it's worth giving the Tab S4 some praise for its optional LTE model (available for Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T) which allows you to stay connected even when Wi-Fi isn't nearby, as well as a docking station accessory that can essentially turn it into a makeshift smart display.

	Samsung Galaxy Tab S4	Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e
Operating System	Android 9 Pie One UI	Android 9 Pie One UI
Display	10.5-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1600	10.5-inch Super AMOLED 2560 x 1600
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835	Qualcomm Snapdragon 670
Storage	64GB or 256GB Expandable up to 400GB	64GB or 128GB Expandable up to 512GB
RAM	4GB	4GB or 6GB
Rear Camera	13MP	13MP
Front Camera	8MP	8MP
Connectivity	Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 USB-C	Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.0 USB-C
Battery	7,300 mAh	7,040 mAh
Security	Iris scanning	Fingerprint sensor Face unlock
Colors	Black Grey	Black Silver Gold

Why you should save your money and get the Tab S5e

Here's the thing though. If you don't need the S Pen, LTE, and are fine with slighty less battery endurance, the Galaxy Tab S5e is essentially the same tablet with a price tag that's $250 less.

Its Snapdragon 670 processor is just as snappy as the older 835 chipset in the S4, it's rocking the exact same Super AMOLED display, its camera combo is identical, and both tablets support Samsung DeX with an optional keyboard accessory to help you stay productive while on the go.

In fact, the Galaxy Tab S5e even has a few key advantages over the S4. In regards to its security, it uses a traditional fingerprint sensor and face unlock which a lot of people will likely prefer over the Tab S4's iris scanning system. You can also configure the S5e with 2GB of extra RAM, and while its maximum base storage is less than the Tab S4, it supports a larger amount of expandable storage with its microSD card.

A quick note on security

Security authentication, such as fingerprint sensors and face unlock, is expected on just about every new device we buy these days. On the Galaxy Tab S4 and S5e, this is handled very differently between the two devices.

On the Galaxy Tab S4, you'll rely on Samsung's iris scanning technology to securely unlock the device and log you into all of your apps. It's a bit more convenient than a fingerprint sensor if you're already looking at the tablet, and while it isn't the fastest around, it is quite secure.

As for the Tab S5e, you'll rely primarly on the side-mounted fingerprint sensor for all of your authentication needs. However, for quickly unlocking the tablet, there's also a less-secure face unlock feature that you can use.

It's all based on your wants and needs

As with so many of these comparisons, the tablet you should buy ultimately comes down to your personal preferneces.

Both of these gadgets have a lot in common, but if you want the expanded capabilities of the S Pen, value having LTE connectivity, and want the best battery life possible, the Galaxy Tab S4 will be worth the extra money.

Then again, if you aren't too concerned with those features and just want a rock solid tablet for general day-to-day use, you might as well save yourself some cash and pick up the Galaxy Tab S5e.

Flagship tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

A powerful tablet that's built to do anything.

$650 at Amazon

With the Galaxy Tab S4, the only thing that limits what you can do with it is your imagination. Along with a premium design and powerful specs, it has a couple of big advantages over the Tab S5e thanks to its included S Pen, an optional LTE model, and can last longer in between charges thanks to bigger battery.

Best for less

Galaxy Tab S5e

A similar experience for $250 less.

$400 at Amazon

As great as the Tab S4 is, it's not the best fit for everyone. If you want to spend less money and get a very similar experience, the Tab S5e is the way to go. It has the same great AMOLED display, supports more RAM, and slimmer screen bezels while retaining a fingerprint sensor. If you don't need an S Pen or LTE, this might be the better choice.

Great accessories for your new tablet

Galaxy Tab S4 Book Cover Keyboard

$150 at Samsung

If you decide to get the Galaxy Tab S4, you'll definitely want to also pick up its Book Cover Keyboard. It simultaneously protects the tablet while also giving you a fantastic typing experience.

DeX Cable

$24 at Samsung

Whether you buy the Tab S4 or S5e, this DeX Cable allows both to be plugged into a computer monitor to launch a Windows-like desktop experience for getting serious work done.

RAVPower 32,000 mAh Batter Pack

From $74 at Amazon

Should you find yourself needing more battery while on the go, this 32,000 battery pack from RAVPower provides a ton of extra juice in a relatively slim and compact package.