Although the Galaxy Tab S5e is technically inferior to the Tab S4, with a slower processor and no S Pen support in tow, it's hard to argue with the $400 starting price of the newer and slimmer Android slate, especially when you can also get a cool gift at no extra charge. But there's one other very important thing the Tab S5e is missing that the Galaxy Tab S4 delivers... at a big premium.
We're talking optional LTE connectivity for all big four US carriers, although buying a cellular-enabled variant of the powerful 10.5-incher meant waiting a little longer for a highly anticipated Android Pie goodie pack. At last, it appears T-Mobile and Sprint are following Verizon's suit, which in turn updated its network-locked Galaxy Tab S4 model to the latest OS flavor shortly after Samsung deployed its Wi-Fi-only Android 9.0 enhancements.
If you're using the 2018-released Snapdragon 835 tablet on the nation's leading "Un-carrier" or the "Now Network", you should be on the lookout for a massive over-the-air software package including a large number of user interface revisions, general performance improvements, and some cool new features and functions. You'll want to free up north of 1.5 gigs of storage space on your LTE-capable Galaxy Tab S4, as well as download the update via a strong Wi-Fi connection if your cellular data plan is throttled or limited in any way.
If you're not a Tab S4 owner yet, it's probably not a great idea to consider purchasing this bad boy anymore, which typically costs as much as $750 in its T-Mobile and Sprint-specific variants. Most recent discounts have also exclusively applied to Wi-Fi-only models, but who knows, perhaps you'll get lucky if you keep an eye out for future deals in anticipation of the Galaxy Tab S5 announcement.
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Adrian, a mobile technology enthusiast since the Nokia 3310 era, has been a dynamic presence in the tech journalism field, contributing to Android Authority, Digital Trends, and Pocketnow before joining PhoneArena in 2018. His expertise spans across various platforms, with a particular fondness for the diversity of the Android ecosystem. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time parenthood with his work, Adrian's passion for tech trends, running, and movies keeps him energized. His commitment to mid-range smartphones has led to an eclectic collection of devices, saved from personal bankruptcy by his preference for 'adequate' over 'overpriced'.
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