Samsung is gearing up to launch its next flagship tablets — the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra — with major upgrades expected across display, performance, and durability. However, recent leaks and database listings have revealed a significant change in battery lifespan that could be a dealbreaker for long-term users.
Battery Lifespan: A Notable Downgrade
- Reduced Charge Cycles:
The Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra are rated for 1,200 battery charge cycles before their battery capacity drops below 80%. This is a sharp decline compared to 2,000 cycles on last year’s Galaxy Tab S10 lineup. - What It Means:
A battery cycle is a full charge followed by full discharge. Fewer cycles mean the tablets may need a battery replacement much earlier — possibly within three to four years, depending on usage, versus five or more years with previous models.
Impressive Daily Battery Life
- Tab S11: Rated for 81 hours of use per charge.
- Tab S11 Ultra: Rated for 95 hours (and nearly 95 hours on some databases) on a single charge — a substantial increase over the S10 Ultra.
- Tab S10 Lite: The budget-friendly Tab S10 Lite retains 88 hours per charge and the higher 2,000-cycle rating.
Exclusive: EPREL ratings of upcoming Samsung devices.
— Sudhanshu Ambhore (@Sudhanshu1414) August 10, 2025
– Galaxy S25 FE (SM-S731B)
– Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (SM-X400)
– Galaxy Tab S11 (SM-X730)
– Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (SM-X930) pic.twitter.com/zKqdGsz0sH
Why the Reduced Cycle Count?
- Charging Tech May Be Responsible:
Samsung is rumored to be prepping faster charging speeds for the Tab S11 series — possibly in line with the rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra’s jump to 60W. Higher wattages, if not matched by battery chemistry, can hasten wear and tear, reducing the cycle rating. - Battery Capacities:
Tab S11 Ultra bumps its battery up to 11,600mAh (3.5% increase) from last year, while the Tab S11 standard holds its 8,400mAh. Charging speeds remain at 45W, no improvements or downgrades.
Premium Upgrades & Trade-Offs
- Displays & Performance:
Both models will sport AMOLED panels (11-inch for Tab S11, 14.6-inch for S11 Ultra), MediaTek Dimensity 9400/9400+, up to 16GB of RAM, and IP68 water/dust resistance. - Repairability & Drop Resistance:
EPREL ratings list a “C” for repairability and a low “E” for drop resistance — unchanged from previous generations.
Competitive Positioning
- While competitors focus on speedier charging (OnePlus, Xiaomi), Samsung’s strategy favors efficiency and battery size over maximum speed. For some, a slower charge but longer tablet life per charge is appealing; but the reduced overall battery lifespan will matter for users planning to keep their device for many years.
Should You Be Concerned?
If your priority is long, uninterrupted use between charges, the Galaxy Tab S11 lineup shines. But if you want a tablet that can last for half a decade without battery replacement, you may be disappointed by the reduced cycle rating. The Tab S10 Lite, despite being a more basic device, holds an edge for overall battery longevity.
Samsung is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy Tab S11 series in September 2025, following its typical product schedule. Be sure to weigh daily performance vs. long-term reliability as you consider your next tablet purchase.Samsung is gearing up to launch its next flagship tablets — the Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra — with major upgrades expected across display, performance, and durability. However, recent leaks and database listings have revealed a significant change in battery lifespan that could be a dealbreaker for long-term users.
Battery Lifespan: A Notable Downgrade
- Reduced Charge Cycles:
The Galaxy Tab S11 and Tab S11 Ultra are rated for 1,200 battery charge cycles before their battery capacity drops below 80%. This is a sharp decline compared to 2,000 cycles on last year’s Galaxy Tab S10 lineup. - What It Means:
A battery cycle is a full charge followed by full discharge. Fewer cycles mean the tablets may need a battery replacement much earlier — possibly within three to four years, depending on usage, versus five or more years with previous models.
Impressive Daily Battery Life
- Tab S11: Rated for 81 hours of use per charge.
- Tab S11 Ultra: Rated for 95 hours (and nearly 95 hours on some databases) on a single charge — a substantial increase over the S10 Ultra.
- Tab S10 Lite: The budget-friendly Tab S10 Lite retains 88 hours per charge and the higher 2,000-cycle rating.
Why the Reduced Cycle Count?
- Charging Tech May Be Responsible:
Samsung is rumored to be prepping faster charging speeds for the Tab S11 series — possibly in line with the rumored Galaxy S26 Ultra’s jump to 60W. Higher wattages, if not matched by battery chemistry, can hasten wear and tear, reducing the cycle rating. - Battery Capacities:
Tab S11 Ultra bumps its battery up to 11,600mAh (3.5% increase) from last year, while the Tab S11 standard holds its 8,400mAh. Charging speeds remain at 45W, no improvements or downgrades.
Premium Upgrades & Trade-Offs
- Displays & Performance:
Both models will sport AMOLED panels (11-inch for Tab S11, 14.6-inch for S11 Ultra), MediaTek Dimensity 9400/9400+, up to 16GB of RAM, and IP68 water/dust resistance. - Repairability & Drop Resistance:
EPREL ratings list a “C” for repairability and a low “E” for drop resistance — unchanged from previous generations.
Competitive Positioning
- While competitors focus on speedier charging (OnePlus, Xiaomi), Samsung’s strategy favors efficiency and battery size over maximum speed. For some, a slower charge but longer tablet life per charge is appealing; but the reduced overall battery lifespan will matter for users planning to keep their device for many years.
Should You Be Concerned?
If your priority is long, uninterrupted use between charges, the Galaxy Tab S11 lineup shines. But if you want a tablet that can last for half a decade without battery replacement, you may be disappointed by the reduced cycle rating. The Tab S10 Lite, despite being a more basic device, holds an edge for overall battery longevity.
Samsung is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy Tab S11 series in September 2025, following its typical product schedule. Be sure to weigh daily performance vs. long-term reliability as you consider your next tablet purchase.