Samsung has surprised us all with the recent reveal of the Samsung Galaxy Book S, its latest laptop that aims to redefine what we can expect from a Windows 10-based laptop, while targeting, for example, the Surface Pro 6 from Microsoft.
Surface Pro 6 is Microsoft's latest Windows 10 computer / tablet hybrid. This is a great showcase for the operating system, with a sleek design, a slim and light feel, and impressive power components given the size.
This is exactly the kind of device Samsung wants the Galaxy Book S to be, so we've compared them to see which one you should buy. Read on to find out...
The Samsung Galaxy Book S is an expensive device... but the Surface Pro 6 is just the same.
(Image credit: future)
Price
The Galaxy Book S will start at € 999 in the United States when it launches later this year. Although we currently only have official prices for the United States, the conversion rate is approximately € 820 / € 1,500. We expect official prices in the UK and Australia. be pretty much in line with that when they advertise.
This price firmly places the Galaxy Book S in the high-end notebook range, which means that consumers will have certain expectations for design and performance. Samsung has some work to do if it wants to justify this kind of asking price.
Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 6 wasn't too far off from this price when it launched, starting at $ 899 (€ 879), not to mention the cost of € 99 (€ 99). Surface pen, nor the cover type of € 159 (€ 149, AU € 249).
The Samsung Galaxy Book S is more of a traditional laptop, which means its keyboard is included, so you won't have to pay extra for a comfortable typing experience. We currently don't know if the Samsung Galaxy Book S comes with a stylus.
Surface Pro 6 can be configured with more powerful components, which increases the price accordingly. We hope that the Samsung Galaxy Book S will also have a variety of configurations.
So, comparing the introductory prices, the Samsung Galaxy Book S and the Surface Pro 6 are pretty much the same. These are top-of-the-line devices that can break the budget of many, but there is one thing the Surface Pro 6 cares about in this regard. Since its launch last year, the Surface Pro 6 has seen some attractive price cuts, especially during Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, which means you should be able to get it for a slightly lower price than the Samsung Galaxy Book S, which in As for its novelty (it hasn't even been published yet), it probably won't have a huge price cut so soon.
The Surface Pro 6 is a powerful hybrid despite its small size
(Image credit: future)
specs
The Samsung Galaxy Book S is notable because it will be the first laptop with Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx technology, a 7-bit and 64-bit Octa-core chipset (2,84 GHz + 1,8 GHz). Qualcomm's Snapdragon chips were originally designed for powerful smartphones, but recently they also power laptops. They bring some of the best aspects of smartphones like instant boot times, long battery life, and cellular data always connected to laptops.
The Snapdragon 8cx is the first in the series designed specifically for laptops, which means that performance needs to be significantly improved over previous Snapdragon chips (which we often criticize when looking at Snapdragon laptops).
Qualcomm claims that the Snapdragon 8cx will offer performance equivalent to that of an Intel Core i5 processor, which is a big claim. We will not be able to properly prove this claim until we get our hands on the device.
The Galaxy Book S also comes with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB or 512GB SSD storage option. There is also a microSD slot for storage expansion and you can install a SIM card for an LTE mobile internet connection. Always connected
The Surface Pro 6 is equipped with more traditional components, which could give it a head start in terms of performance. The base version uses a 5GHz quad-core Intel Core i8250-1,6U processor. If Samsung and Qualcomm's claims are correct, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx will be able to do it.
On paper, at least, it appears that the 8cx has the upper hand, thanks to more hearts (eight versus four) operating at a higher frequency, but it's not that simple. We've used enough Core i5-equipped laptops to know what the Intel processor is capable of. So we must (cautiously) give the performance of the Surface Pro 6 an edge. The Surface Pro 5's Core i6 can boost to 3.4 GHz when needed, giving it decent performance on tough tasks.
Surface Pro 6 can also be configured with a more powerful Intel Core i7 processor, further widening the performance gap.
The Surface Pro 6 also comes with 8GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 16GB, as well as a 256GB SSD and a microSD card reader.
So until the Galaxy Book S is tested for ourselves, we would say they are pretty equivalent, but with the Surface Pro 6 at the forefront, especially if you go for the i7 version.
The built-in LTE connection of the Galaxy Book S is an asset
(Image credit: future)
Where does the Galaxy Book S beat the Surface Pro 6 with its LTE connection? Being able to connect virtually anywhere in an instant, without having to search for a Wi-Fi network, is truly a game changer and also allows the Galaxy Book S to stay connected even when you're not there. unused This allows you to download emails and other messages so they are ready and waiting for you when you open it.
Using an LTE connection to access the Internet is not only more convenient, but it is also more secure because it avoids relying on public Wi-Fi hotspots, which can often affect security. .
The other benefits of the Snapdragon platform, such as instant boot times, allow the Galaxy Book S to feel much more modern than the Surface Pro 6, which could end up being a bit dated.
Battery duration
The biggest difference between the two devices is probably the battery life. Thanks to the Snapdragon 8cx chipset, the Samsung Galaxy Book S is capable of handling an incredible 23 hours of charge on a single charge, essentially giving you several days of use. Of course, this varies depending on the tasks you perform, and we have not yet been able to verify the claim ourselves, but since we had used laptops previously equipped with Snapdragon, we are confident that the Galaxy Book S will achieve this goal. type of life
Meanwhile, the Surface Pro 6 lasted eight hours and 45 minutes in our battery performance tests. It's pretty respectable, but it's ridiculous compared to the Galaxy Book S.
The Surface Pro 6's design is incredibly slim
(Image credit: LaComparacion)
design
Unlike previous versions of the Galaxy Book, whose design resembled that of the Surface Pro thanks to its tablet, the Galaxy Book S features a more traditional laptop style, with a solid aluminum casing that covers the back of the display and keyboard.
It's incredibly thin and light, weighing just 0.96 kg (2.1 pounds), making it comfortable to hold in one hand. At just 305,2 x 203,2 x 11,8mm when closed, it's a very slim device.
Despite its finesse, it still has two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Meanwhile, the 13.3-inch screen offers 1080p resolution and 16: 9 aspect ratio.
For the Surface Pro 6, Microsoft has not deviated from its proven design of the previous Surface Pro, but this is not a disadvantage given the popularity of its sleek and stylish look.
The tablet is just 0.33 inches (8.5mm) thick and weighs just 1.7lbs (771g), which is slightly thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Book S. Remember, though, this is without an attached keyboard. With type protection on, the Surface Pro 6 inevitably gets thicker and thicker, although it is still thinner and lighter than the Galaxy Book S.
The design of the Surface Pro 6 is disappointing for the ports, as Microsoft has yet to include a USB-C port. So you're stuck with a single USB 3.0 port, but you have a mini DisplayPort for connecting to an external display.
The Samsung Galaxy Book S has the advantage of ports
(Image credit: future)
The screen is slightly smaller (12.3 inches), but its highest resolution is 2,736 x 1,824, which, combined with a high contrast ratio and 100% sRGB support, makes it look incredibly clean and dynamic. The aspect ratio is 3: 2, which seems a bit more square than the widescreen format of the Galaxy Book S.
In the end, both models have their advantages and disadvantages. The Surface Pro 6 is the most portable device, but outdated ports ditch it, while the Galaxy Book S has a design that exudes class.
Samsung Galaxy Book S vs Microsoft Surface Pro 6: what should you buy?
When you compare the Samsung Galaxy Book S to the Microsoft Surface Pro 6, it's clear that while both devices offer great designs and features, they target very different audiences, meaning it's easy to pick the right one for you.
If you are looking for a modern laptop with incredible battery life, don't compete: you will need the Galaxy Book S. This also applies if you want a laptop that allows you to connect almost anywhere online: the built-in LTE support for the Galaxy Book S makes it a clear winner as it no longer relies on Wi-Fi to access the internet.
However, if you're looking for something light but powerful, the Surface Pro 6 is the one for you, thanks to some really impressive specs, especially if you upgrade.
It is also the more portable of the two devices, making it a good option for students and anyone who travels a lot but wants to use a computer for work.
In terms of price, these are two expensive devices, but the Surface Pro 6 is often downgraded, allowing you to do a good deal. In the end, cost might be the most important consideration of all.