Just a few days before the Unpacked event, Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S5E, a midrange Android tablet with a 10.5-inch display. Android tablets are not as recommendable as any of the iPad models, but Samsung might have a potential contender here.

The Galaxy Tab S5E is the first tablet in the Galaxy Tab S5 series to come out. It’s Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet to date at just 5.5mm and 400g. Don’t mistake the tablet to have a cheap body, because it has a metal construction.

With the “E” in its name, the tablet is not a flagship device. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 670 processor with up to 6GB of memory and 128GB of expandable storage.

Image credit: Samsung

Good thing Samsung still blessed the slate with a Super AMOLED display with a 2560 x 1600 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio. Keep in mind that it doesn’t come bundled with an S Pen and it doesn’t have stylus support as well.

The tablet will be perfect for media consumption with its four AKG-tuned speakers and Dolby Atmos software. Also, it’s rated to last for over 14 hours on its 7040mAh battery. Although, you’ll have to use a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter (comes in the box) when you need to use headphones.

Other features of the tablet include face recognition (using only the front camera) and a built-in fingerprint reader. The latest Android 9 Pie-based One UI comes out of the box and has support for Samsung DeX. It also has Bixby, just in case you use that service.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Tab S5E will begin on March 14 and it’ll ship on April 4. Pricing starts at US$ 400 or EUR 420 for the Wi-Fi-only variant. If you want LTE, you can have that for EUR 480.

SEE ALSO: Samsung’s next S Pen might have a built-in camera

Apple recently rolled out a new beta update for its mobile operating system. The new iOS 12.2 beta will bring bug fixes and improvements, but there’s more hidden in the codes. The release of a new iPod Touch has been in the rumor mill for quite some time now that its release might come sooner, and there could also be new tablets from Apple.

As seen in the code of the first iOS 12.2 beta, there could be two iPads in the works. With an “iPad 11” moniker, the new tablets will come in both Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi+Cellular variants. Based on recent talk, we could expect an iPad Mini 5 and a new iPad 9.7-inch version.

Fans of the small tablet will be excited to know that a faster and newer iPad Mini is coming soon. There’s also speculation that the new regular iPad will have a slightly larger display with thinner bezels. Although, according to the developer who unearthed the code, the new iPads won’t have Face ID.

iOS 12.2 code | Image credit: Steve Troughton-Smith

As for the resurrection of the iPod Touch, there’s very little info aside from the fact it’ll run iOS. Interestingly, there’s no reference in the code for either Touch or Face ID for the iPod Touch. This leads us to think that Apple might position the new iPod product as an affordable music player.

iOS 12.2 code | Image credit: Steve Troughton-Smith

So far, there’s no scheduled Apple event on the calendar. We’re not expecting to see the new iPads and iPod Touch anytime soon, but they should be announced sometime this year.

SEE ALSO: Apple will launch headphones more expensive than Beats

Lenovo has something brewing for CES 2019 in Las Vegas, changing the way we think of 2-in-1 devices. The company is set to unveil a new line of tablets that now have the ability to power your home. So, dust off your countertops and make some room, and let their new tablets do the rest with one word, “Alexa!”

The new Lenovo Smart Tab is the company’s new and improved tablet fit for the everyday home. It is still an Android tablet, serving its usual functions of audio and video playback, with some gaming in between.

To make things extra interesting, the company now integrates Amazon Alexa into their Smart Tab. This means that you can do so much more with your tablet while powering your smart home!

The Smart Tab comes in two variants: the Smart Tab M10 and Smart Tab P10. Both variants are powered by Amazon Alexa, and come in the same 2-in-1 form factor and 10.1-inch display. As a bonus, the company also includes the Smart Dock for the Smart Tab in the full package.

Lenovo Smart Tab M10: Tablet for budget-friendly families

The Lenovo Smart Tab M10 looks to be the more entry-level smart tablet. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 450 processor, running Android 8.0 Oreo. There are options to get 2GB or 3GB of RAM — 16GB or 32GB of onboard storage to complement.

The tablet comes with a 5MP autofocus rear camera and a 2MP front camera, mostly fit for some home videos and Messenger video calls. As far as battery goes, expect your Smart Tab M10 to last long with a 4850mAh capacity.

With the Lenovo Smart Tab M10, you can watch high-quality videos on YouTube and Netflix thanks to its 10.1-inch screen, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. When you connect it to the Smart Dock, you can take full advantage of Alexa with your smart home needs.

The Smart Dock also charges the device, so you wouldn’t have to worry about the tablet suddenly turning off in the middle of Bird Box.

Lenovo Smart Tab P10: Alexa wanted more out of her tablet

Meanwhile, the Lenovo Smart Tab P10 provides more of the full package for a tablet. Like the Smart Tab M10, it’s powered by the same processor and Android software. The major differences lie everywhere else, with the storage and RAM options as the more prominent ones.

With the Smart Tab P10, you now have the option for the full 4GB RAM, 64GB storage for more movies, music, and apps. Not only that, the Smart Tab P10 gets a big bump in its battery life to get you through Bandersnatch multiple times, thanks to its 7000mAh battery. For added security, it comes with a fingerprint sensor.

As far as photos and videos are concerned, the Smart Tab P10 has an upgraded 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera. That’s good enough to have family pictures as the wallpaper on the tablet! Using the tablet with the Smart Dock offers the same feel and experience as that of the Smart Tab M10.

The Lenovo Smart Tab family will be available within this month, according to the company. The Smart Tab M10 with a Slate Black finish is priced at US$ 199, while the Smart Tab P10 is priced at US$ 299.