Update 1/30/2020: The Samsung Galaxy Book S with Snapdragon 8cx is now available for pre-order, starting at $999. The device is set to be available from February 13th.

 

Samsung has introduced its new always-connected PC based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform and featuring Microsoft’s Windows 10 OS. This time around the company went with the Snapdragon 8cx SoC, a clamshell form-factor, and a 13.3-inch display, emphasizing that its Arm-powered computers compete against mainstream x86-based laptops in terms of performance and capabilities. Like other Snapdragon-based Windows machines, Samsung is aiming for long battery lifetimes here, with the new Galaxy Book S rated to work for up to 23 hours on a single charge.

The Samsung Galaxy Book S is equipped with a 13.3-inch Full-HD LCD featuring a 10-point multi touch system and a 16:9 aspect ratio. By contrast, last year’s Galaxy Book2 used a 12-inch Super AMOLED display featuring a 2160×1440 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. Unlike last year’s mobile PC, the new one is a laptop, not a convertible, so it cannot be used as a tablet. Considering that we are talking about an aluminum machine with a 13.3-inch display that weighs 0.96 kilograms, the clamshell form-factor makes more sense for mainstream users. Furthermore, the overall construction looks very solid.

The new Galaxy Book S laptop is expected to be considerably faster than its predecessor as it is based on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx processor with eight general purpose cores (four Cortex-A76 and four Cortex-A55-class cores), a 10 MB L3 cache, the Adreno 680 GPU, and an eight-channel LPDDR4X-4266 memory controller. The SoC is accompanied by 8 GB of RAM as well as 256 GB or 512 GB of NAND flash storage (expandable with a microSD card).

When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Book S includes Snapdragon X20 LTE modem (Cat 18, 5CA, 4x4 MIMO, depending on the market and operator), 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0. The PC’s wired connectivity department is limited to USB Type-C that is used for data and charging, a microSD card slot, yet we do not know whether it has a 3.5-mm audio connector.

As far as imaging and multimedia capabilities are concerned, the Galaxy Book S has a 720p webcam, a built-in microphone as well as Dolby Atmos-badged stereo speakers co-designed with AKG. The laptop also has a Windows Hello-compatible fingerprint reader.

Apart from performance, one of the key improvements of the Galaxy Book S compared to its predecessor is its longer battery life. The PC comes with a 42 Wh battery that enables it to work for up to 23 hours (based on tests conducted by Samsung), up from 20 hours for last year's device.

Specifications of the Galaxy Book S
  General Specifications
Display 13.3-inch,
1920×1080
165 PPI
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx
4 x Kryo 495 Gold at 2.84 GHz
4 x Kryo 495 Silver at 1.8 GHz
10 MB L3
Graphics Adreno 680 GB
RAM 8 GB LPDDR4X
Storage 256 - 512 GB
Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Bluetooth 5.2
WWAN Qualcomm X20 Gigabit LTE
Cat 18, 5CA, 4x4 MIMO, up to 1.2 Gbps DL, up to 150 Mbps UL
USB 3.0 ? × Type-C
Webcam 720P
Other I/O Microphone, stereo speakers, trackpad, MicroSD card reader, etc.
Battery 42 Wh
Battery Life 23 hours
Dimensions Width 305.2 mm
Height 203.2 mm
Thickness 6.2 - 11.8 mm
Weight 960 grams
Price $999

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Source: Samsung

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  • skavi - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link

    The lids of Apple laptops are extremely thin. A 720p camera might be the best option for the space available.
  • qlum - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link

    The usecase of webcams in laptop is mostly video calls. having a higher resolution camera really doesn't offer much to most users. On phones on the other hand selfies are a much more important factor.
  • 29a - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link

    Higher resolution just uses more bandwidth, 720p is appropriate,
  • 29a - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link

    They only charging $1000 what do you expect, 1080p? /s
  • voicequal - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link

    1080p & 1440p useless without a much better lens and OSP.
  • Retycint - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link

    Smartphone sensors are relatively thick -- compared to the thickness of modern laptop LCDs. I suppose it's pointless to make the screen enclosure thicker just to accommodate a better sensor. Anyway a higher resolution camera might not necessarily be better -- I'm not sure consumers would want their scar/pimple/pores to be seen clearly in a video call. A lower res camera acts as a natural airbrush, in some way
  • jeremyshaw - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link

    As usual, pricing will decide the fate of this product.

    If Qualcomm and Samsung are still delusional, this will cost more than $600.

    Also, they are clearly willing to do 3:2 displays for this niche product, but everything else "must" have a 16:9 display.
  • YoloPascual - Thursday, August 8, 2019 - link

    Knowing that Qualcomm, Microsoft and OEMs are delusional, this will start at $999
  • t.s - Friday, August 9, 2019 - link

    You hit the jack pot!
    https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/08/08/samsung-ga...
  • HStewart - Thursday, January 30, 2020 - link

    If they would lower the price and put Chrome OS on it - it could be a huge seller. As windows, it is DOA.

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