MWC 2017: Samsung Focus on New Tablets in Absence of Galaxy S8 - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

MWC 2017: Samsung Focus on New Tablets in Absence of Galaxy S8

by

With reference to the upcoming Galaxy S8 at this year's Mobile Wold Congress limited to a March 29 launch date confirmation, Samsung chose to put the focus on two new tablets, the Android-powered Galaxy Tab S3 and the Galaxy Book, which runs Windows 10.

Aiming to compete with the iPad Pro, the Tab S3 comes with a 9.7-inch HDR-ready Super AMOLED display running at 2,048 x 1,536 resolution. On the back is a 13 megapixel camera, while a 5 megapixel camera sits on the front, where a fingerprint sensor lives on the home button.

samsung tab s3 thumb
The new metal and glass-backed design is 6mm thick, and houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage (expandable up to 256GB with a microSD), built-in LTE, and a 6,000 mAh battery with Fast Charging support using the USB-C port. A new Note7-like S Pen stylus is also included.

The Galaxy Book was Samsung's other big announcement at MWC. The hybrid tablet-laptop, positioned as a Surface Pro competitor, comes in 10.6-inch and 12-inch versions, with 1,920 x 1,280 and 2,160 x 1,440 resolutions, respectively.

samsung galaxy book official render 1
The 10.6-inch size features a 2.6GHz Intel Core m3 dual-core processor, 4GB of RAM, up to 128GB of storage, and has a 5 megapixel front-facing camera. The 12-inch Galaxy Book has a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 dual-core processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage, with a 13 megapixel camera on the back and a 5 megapixel one on the front.

Samsung has not yet announced any pricing information for the Tab S3 and Galaxy Book. Meanwhile, Apple is expected to launch new 12.9-inch iPads and a new flagship 10.5-inch model in March. The latter is said to have an edge-to-edge display on the same footprint as the current 9.7-inch iPad.

Top Rated Comments

Gorms Avatar
126 months ago
Huh, they've switched from 16:9 to 4:3 ratio to match the iPad. When did they start doing that? Good for them, 16:9 suuuuucks for tablets.

Apart from that, the Book shows how close Apple are to having the iPad be this mythical computer replacement as soon as they make the few productivity tweaks that it requires.

Did anyone see Steve Troughton Smith's Finder app demos on iPad over the weekend? Interesting to see a version of Finder app on iPad (also, seeing Finder using UIKit).
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
126 months ago
The difference is the Galaxy Book, like the Surface it competes against, runs Windows. No one wants a "laptop replacement" running a mobile OS.
I agree. If becoming a true "laptop replacement" is the actual goal as is has been touted by Apple's marketing machinery, then vainilla iOS simply is not enough.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KieranDotW Avatar
126 months ago
Apart from that, the Book shows how close Apple are to having the iPad be this mythical computer replacement as soon as they make the few productivity tweaks that it requires.
The difference is the Galaxy Book, like the Surface it competes against, runs Windows. No one wants a "laptop replacement" running a mobile OS.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maflynn Avatar
126 months ago
With phone footprints on the increase the phablet market will merge at some point
I'd also say the high costs of phones is another factor, spending nearly a 1,000 dollars for a phone that does everything a tablet does, means there's less justification to a tablet imo.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Abazigal Avatar
126 months ago
Android apps aren't blown up. They fit the screen normally. iOS apps are blown up and pixelated. Source:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-blows-in-many-respects-i-just-sent-this-to-apple-feature-request.1948220/

@Abazigal, in the thread I just linked, you admit iOS apps are blown up, stop pretending ios isn't like that. Straight up liar.

@MacFan23, if you use apps that are iOS exclusive, stay on iOS. Easy descion for you.
By blown up, I mean the android apps aren't designed specifically for a tablet resolution or layout. They continue to sport a smartphone interface, and have simply been resized for a lager display.

With the iPad, most tablet apps are coded specifically with the resolution of the iPad in mind, and so they tend to sport a better interface and design. Yes, there are apps like Instagram which still don't have tablet apps, but those are more the exception than the norm.

You want to call someone a liar, I suggest you take a cue from your namesake and get your own facts right first; and take a look at who you are responding to.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
126 months ago
Node + RX 480.
I keep posting on all this stuff at https://egpu.io/forums/activity/menneisyys/
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

xiaomi quad curved waterfall display concept phone angled press image

Apple Reportedly Waiting on Samsung for Ultimate Bezel-Free iPhone Display

Wednesday October 7, 2026 5:20 am PDT by
Apple is waiting on Samsung to perfect a next-generation OLED display technology that wraps almost vertically around a phone and essentially makes the sides themselves part of the screen, claims a Chinese leaker. Xiaomi's 2021 concept phone – bearing a striking resemblance to Samsung's rumored technology According to the Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital, the technology is internally...
samsung canada iphone duo ad

Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign

Friday October 30, 2026 10:20 am PDT by
Samsung this week launched an advertising campaign mocking the display issues some people have had with the iPhone Duo. In an Instagram post on its Canadian account, Samsung shared several images showing a bright line through the spot where iPhone Duo models have been experiencing display problems. There are three images, each with different text: Folding is nothing new to us Foldi...
Apple MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display family lineup feature

Apple Announces OLED MacBook Pro With Touch Display

Wednesday October 28, 2026 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new high-end MacBook Pro, which is available in 14-inch and 16-inch sizes. The new device has a PROLED XDR display that supports touch gestures, and a glowing rear Apple logo. Pricing on the MacBook Pro starts at $2,899 for the 14-inch model and $3,399 for the 16-inch model. Apple says the MacBook Pro has the "world's best display in a pro laptop." The PROLED...
Latest Stories
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
Apple Watch Ultra 4 Hits All-Time Low Price With Amazon's $99 Discount
4 hours ago
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
Reminder: Apple's Big Discount on Beats 360 Ear Cushions Ends Today
4 hours ago
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
Here's a New Tour of Apple's HomeView Software
4 hours ago
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
Apple Reveals New iPad Mini's Battery Capacity
6 hours ago
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
Top Stories: Apple's Big MacBook Pro, iPad mini and iMac Updates
7 hours ago
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
'Pluribus' Season 2 Reportedly Starts Production Today
13 hours ago
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
iPhone 18 Pro Sales Surge in China, Offsetting Decline in U.S. and Japan
14 hours ago
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
HomeView Software 27.2: Wallpapers, Control Center, and More
21 hours ago
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
Apple Alerts Stores to iPhone Duo's Display Cracking Issue
22 hours ago
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
iOS 27.3 Will Enable These Apple Intelligence Features in China
22 hours ago
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
Apple Says iOS 27.3 Beta Coming Next Week
22 hours ago
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
Apple's Flash Storage Suppliers Are Finally 'Getting Their Revenge'
1 day ago
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
14 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 27.2
1 day ago
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
iPhone Duo Review: One Week Later
1 day ago
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
Samsung Mocks iPhone Duo Display Cracks in New Ad Campaign
1 day ago
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
The MacRumors Show: OLED MacBook Pro, iPad Mini 8, and More
1 day ago
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
MacBook Pro With Touch Display: 15 More Details Revealed
1 day ago
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
Russia Places Apple on State Surveillance Registry
1 day ago
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
Halloween Weekend Brings Discounts on Apple Accessories and Pre-Orders
1 day ago
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
Apple Has Released More Than 25 New Products in the Past Two Months
1 day ago
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
Local Code Launches as Free, Private AI Assistant Tool for Mac
1 day ago
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
Apple Acquires Ascend.io
1 day ago
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
HomePod Mini 2 Launches Today: All the New Features
1 day ago
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
AirTag 2 4-Pack Drops to New Low Price of $69.99
1 day ago
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
Rian Johnson's iPhone Camera App Goes Viral
1 day ago
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
Where Did All the iPhone Duos Go? Mostly to Apple's Stores
1 day ago
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
Apple's Touchscreen MacBook Pro Could Ship 1.5M Units in 2027
1 day ago
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
New Apple TV 4K and iPad Mini: RAM Amounts Revealed
2 days ago
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
Apple Executive Comments on New iPad Mini Lacking 120Hz Display
2 days ago
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
Here's a Hands-On Look at HomePod Mini 2's New Two-Tone Colors
2 days ago

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors