Samsung Galaxy View release: First impressions of Samsung's massive tablet

Samsung website

The new Samsung Galaxy View tablet is now available in the U.S., and fans who want to get the massive entertainment device can get one from several retailers, in addition to Samsung's online store.

Meanwhile, since the South Korea tech giant already has a number of successful tablet flagships currently available, how does the Galaxy View differ from the rest?

For some observers, the emphasis on the Galaxy View is as an "entertainment device." One of the most intriguing features of the new Galaxy tablet is its massive 18.4-inch display. According to Gizmodo UK, the huge screen makes watching entertainment channels easy, particularly HD movies and TV shows.

Although the display itself is not as stunning as premium 2-in-1 hybrids (being only an LCD screen), it still delivers crisp and vibrant colors in 1080p resolution. Under the hood, the tablet is powered by midrange specs, such as an octa-core 1.6 GHz Exynos processor paired with 2 GB of RAM. Internal storage is an average 32 GB, but it can be expanded via a microSD.

Meanwhile, aside from the USB port which also serves as a charging port, the Galaxy View variant for now only has WiFi connectivity. However, it is speculated that Samsung will come out with a WiFi + LTE version in the coming months.

Being an entertainment flagship, Samsung assures owners that the Galaxy View will give adequate hours of viewing. On its specs sheet, the device has been listed as having up to 8 hours of Internet use time with its 5,700-mAh battery.

While some fans might think that the Galaxy View is bulky (and heavy at 2.6 kilos), Samsung has added a novelty feature to its design. The kick-stand panel on the back of the tablet also serves as a built-in handle. The handle itself makes the Galaxy View look like a thin briefcase being carried around.