Rumored Galaxy Tab S AMOLED tablets could have built-in fingerprint sensors

By Andy Boxall Updated May 6, 2014

galaxy tab s tablets could feature fingerprint sensors note pro rear macro

In a new report, Samsung’s rumored AMOLED tablet range has been given the name Galaxy Tab S, plus it’s said the new devices will come equipped with a fingerprint sensor built into the home button. Samsung may utilize this for a clever multi-user login system. The news comes from SamMobile.com, where we’re told to expect two different Galaxy Tab S tablets, one with an 8.4-inch screen and the other with a 10.5-inch display.

If it’s accurate, the Galaxy Tab S tablets will be Samsung’s first models to use AMOLED screens since the Galaxy Tab 7.7, released several years ago. It could be going all out with the resolution too, and a pixel count of 2560 x 1600 is suggested. This would be higher than we’ve ever seen on such large AMOLED panels.

Samsung installed a fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy S5 smartphone, and it may do the same with the Galaxy Tab S tablets. SamMobile says the sensor will be fitted inside the home button, just like the Galaxy S5, which should mean Samsung isn’t going to stray far from its established tablet designs. It’s mentioned the fingerprint sensor will be used for the same payment and unlocking features as the S5, but also that it’ll have a special multi-user option. Useful for families, the tablet will recognize the fingerprint being used to unlock the device, and load up the correct profile without the need to fiddle around with usernames and passwords.

While the Tab S tablets are expected to look similar to the Galaxy Tab 4, it’s possible the perforated rear panel seen on the S5 will be used too. Other rumored features include an 8-megapixel rear camera, a 2.1-megapixel front camera, 3GB of RAM, an infrared blaster, Android 4.4 installed, and the choice of a Wi-Fi or 4G LTE model. Interestingly, the Galaxy Tab S tablets may use an Intel modem combined with a Samsung Exynos octa-core processor.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about Samsung’s return to AMOLED tablets. In early April, a pair of unknown tablets passed through the FCC, and were linked with models spotted in benchmarking tests using 8-inch and 10-inch screens, with 2560 x 1600 pixels, and powered by Samsung’s octa-core chips.

The latest news has given us more details on the hardware, but still hasn’t provided any information on when they’ll be officially revealed.

Topics

Senior Mobile Writer

Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…

Mobile

Best Samsung phone deals: Save on the Galaxy S23, Galaxy Z Fold 4

The screens on the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy S23 Ultra.

When it comes to Android, Samsung phones offer some of the best and most cohesive experiences, with well-designed devices that push the boundaries of style. If you don't care about all of that and just want a reliable, well-designed phone, well Samsung has you covered there too. Some of the best phone deals, in general, include Samsung handsets, like the Galaxy S23, S22, and Z Fold series. But if you're looking for a solid mix of just Samsung gear, you'll need a better guide, and this is that guide. We've put together all of the best Samsung phone deals, scouring the interwebs for the absolute best of the best offers. If you're ready to upgrade your phone or need to replace a broken one, you've come to the right place.
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G -- $349, was $450

If you're not into premium flagships, which is to say top-of-the-line phones, then this little stunner will serve you well. It features a 6.4-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display with beautiful color and clarity and a nearly edge-less design. But it's also powerful with 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB total, thanks to the MicroSD slot. It has an Exynos 1280 processor, 6GB of RAM, and delivers 5G wireless speeds. Plus, it has a long-lasting battery that will get you through your entire day and then some under regular use. Did we mention the intelligent camera that combines an ultra-wide 12MP, 64MP standard, and 5MP depth cameras for excellent shots out in the field? Oh, and right now, it's available at an incredible price.

Mobile

Best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals: Get a Samsung tablet for $129

Galaxy Tab S8 Plus on carpet.

The Samsung Galaxy line runs the gamut from cheap everyday tablets to expensive powerhouses. No matter which budget bracket you're looking at, you should check out the best tablet deals first. On this list we go from $129 to $1,000 -- but everything here has a discount. Android tablets are a great alternative to iPads, especially if you're building up a whole Samsung ecosystem. We update this page whenever we find better Samsung tablet deals, so if none of these are the right fit, check back soon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite — $129, was $159

Why Buy

Mobile

Steve Jobs was wrong. Having a stylus for your phone is great

Moto G Stylus 5G 2023 with stylus popped out.

Back in the day, before the iPhone, there were a plethora of personal digital assistant (PDA) devices that had styluses. Whenever you pulled out that stylus from your Palm or other PDA, you may have felt cool, and people would think, “Wow, that guy means serious business.”

But when Steve Jobs took the stage for the original iPhone reveal back in 2007, one of the things he said was, “Who wants a stylus? You have to get ‘em, put ‘em away, you lose ‘em.” Ever since the iPhone introduced smart multitouch displays that needed only your finger, pretty much every other smartphone company followed suit.