Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ 12.4" (Wifi) Mystic Black 2020

The refurbished Galaxy Tab S7+ is a ridiculous value at $299, packing a stunning 12.4-inch AMOLED screen and a speedy Snapdragon 865+ that still outperforms most mid-range tablets. The included S Pen is fantastic for notes and doodles, and battery life is all-day strong. Just know the GPU is weak for serious gaming, and the refurb lottery means you might get a few scratches. For students and streamers on a budget, it's an easy recommendation.

Let's talk about that Snapdragon 865+. It's a couple of generations old now, but don't let that fool you. In our database, it lands in the 95th percentile for CPU performance among all tablets, which puts it ahead of most mid-range slates from the last two years. Paired with 6GB of RAM, which is admittedly just average at the 54th percentile, this thing handles multitasking with multiple windows, DeX mode, and even some demanding games like Genshin Impact without turning into a stuttery mess. Real-world use backs this up. Multiple owners specifically call out the smooth, lag-free performance, and that tracks with what we'd expect from this chip.

The weak spot here is the GPU, which lands in a frankly terrible 2nd percentile. That's not a typo. The Adreno 650 was fine for its time, but it's been lapped by newer silicon, especially Apple's M-series chips and even Qualcomm's own 8 Gen line. For everyday UI navigation and video streaming, you'll never notice. But if you're hoping to push demanding 3D games at high settings on that gorgeous 120Hz display, you'll hit a wall. This is a media consumption and productivity tablet first, a gaming machine a distant second. The 128GB of storage is solid and middle-of-the-pack, and you can expand it via microSD, which is a nice bonus you won't find on any iPad.

The elephant in the room is the Apple iPad Pro M5. It's the current king of tablets, with a GPU that absolutely demolishes the Tab S7+ and an OS with a much richer app ecosystem for creatives. If you're a professional artist or video editor, the iPad Pro is the better tool, period. But it also costs over $1,000. The Tab S7+ is for someone who wants 80% of that premium media experience for less than a third of the price. The Xiaomi Pad 6 is another strong competitor, often offering a newer Snapdragon 870 and a similar high-res display for a bit more money new, but you lose the AMOLED pop and the included pen in many configurations.

On the Windows side, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the direct comparison for anyone considering DeX mode as a laptop replacement. The Surface runs full Windows, which is a massive advantage for business users, but its base model is far more expensive and often lacks the vibrant OLED screen at the entry level. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is another solid Android alternative with a newer processor, but its LCD screen can't touch the deep blacks and contrast of the Tab S7+'s AMOLED. For pure media consumption, note-taking, and casual use, the Samsung's screen keeps it in the conversation against much newer devices.

At $299, the value proposition here is almost impossible to beat if you prioritize screen quality and raw CPU power. The display alone, a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, is something you'd typically pay $600+ for in a new tablet. The fact that it's bundled with a responsive S Pen and a capable Snapdragon 865+ makes this feel like a pricing error. When you compare it to the competition, a new base iPad with a smaller, non-laminated LCD screen and no pen starts at $349, and you'd need to spend another $79 for the Apple Pencil. The Tab S7+ just gives you more for less.

That said, the price reflects the refurbished nature and a few aging components. The Wi-Fi 5 connectivity sits at a mediocre 36th percentile, so you won't get the fastest speeds on modern mesh networks. And while the battery life is praised by owners and ranks in the 91st percentile, the slow charging is a real-world annoyance. If you can live with those quirks and the risk of a minor cosmetic blemish, this is one of the best tablet deals out there. Just make sure you're buying from a seller with a solid return policy, as a few unlucky buyers have reported receiving units in worse condition than advertised.

The Galaxy Tab S7+ is a bit of an odd duck in 2025, but in the best way. It launched back when Samsung was really throwing everything at the wall to compete with the iPad Pro, and this 12.4-inch AMOLED beast was their flagship answer. Now that it's showing up refurbished for around $299, it's suddenly one of the most interesting tablet deals we've seen in a while. You're getting a screen that still ranks in the 94th percentile of all tablets we track, a Snapdragon 865+ that's no slouch, and that excellent S Pen tucked right in the box. For anyone who wants a big, beautiful canvas for Netflix, note-taking, or doodling without spending iPad money, this thing demands a look.

Who's it for? Students and media junkies, mostly. Our scoring puts it at a 66.7 for reading and a 59.4 for student use, which makes sense. The 12.4-inch, 2800x1752 display is a joy for PDFs, textbooks, and split-screen research, and the included S Pen with its 9ms latency makes scribbling notes feel natural. It's also a portable movie theater with those AKG-tuned quad speakers and Dolby Atmos. But if you're a business user hoping to replace a laptop, our 49.9 score in that category tells the real story. DeX mode is clever, but it's still Android, and that can be a limitation.

What makes this interesting now isn't just the hardware, it's the value. At $299 refurbished, you're getting a tablet with a display and feature set that competes with devices costing three times as much. The Snapdragon 865+ sits in the 95th percentile for CPU performance, meaning it'll chew through everyday tasks, light gaming, and creative apps without breaking a sweat. The catch, as always with refurbished units, is the lottery. Some buyers get a mint-condition tablet, others get a few scratches and a plain cardboard box. We'll dig into what real owners are saying, but the core hardware here is still seriously impressive.

You should skip the Tab S7+ if you're a serious gamer or need a true laptop replacement. The Adreno 650 GPU is a major bottleneck, landing in the 2nd percentile of all tablets we track. It's fine for casual games and streaming, but it will choke on demanding 3D titles. For gaming, you'd be much happier with a newer iPad Mini or a dedicated gaming tablet with a more modern chip. The connectivity is also a letdown, with Wi-Fi 5 and older Bluetooth that sit in the 36th percentile. If you need the fastest wireless speeds for game streaming or large file transfers, this isn't the tablet for you.

Business users should also think twice. Our scoring puts it at a 49.9 for business use, and that feels right. DeX mode is a clever band-aid, but it can't hide the fact that Android's app ecosystem and window management are still behind a full desktop OS. If you need to run specific Windows software, manage complex spreadsheets, or rely on seamless peripheral support, a refurbished Microsoft Surface Pro or a recent iPad Air with a Magic Keyboard will be a much more productive, if pricier, choice.

If you're a student or a media lover on a tight budget, just buy this. The combination of that glorious 12.4-inch AMOLED display, the included S Pen, and the still-speedy Snapdragon 865+ for $299 is a steal. You'll love it for note-taking, reading textbooks, and binging shows. The battery will get you through a full day of classes or a long flight, and the quad speakers are genuinely impressive. Just budget for a good case and maybe some replacement S Pen nibs, as a few owners mention they can break easily.

But if you're a business user trying to replace your laptop, or a serious gamer, you should look elsewhere. DeX mode is a neat trick, but Android still can't match the multitasking and software compatibility of Windows or iPadOS for real work. Our business score of 49.9 reflects that. And the GPU is simply too weak for modern 3D gaming at high settings. For those use cases, a used Surface Pro or a newer iPad Air with an M1 chip will serve you much better, even if it costs a bit more upfront.