Samsung today has introduced the Galaxy Book2, its newest attempt to create an always on, always connected convertible PC. For the new 2-in-1 notebook, Samsung opted to use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850 supercharged mobile SoC and rates the battery life of the device to 20 hours. Like the rest of the Windows-on-Snapdragon systems, the Galaxy Book2 runs Windows 10 S. Meanwhile, unlike the original model, the Galaxy Book2 will be offered in only one configuration (at least initially).

The Samsung Galaxy Book2 detachable notebook comes with a 12-inch sAMOLED display featuring a 2160×1440 resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio. The device is based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 850 SoC (four Kryo 385 cores at 2.96 GHz, four Kryo 385 cores at 1.7 GHz, Adreno 630 GPU) which is accompanied by 4 GB of DRAM, and 128 GB of NAND flash storage. The system’s wireless connectivity includes Snapdragon X20 LTE modem (Cat 18, 5CA, 4x4 MIMO, up to 1.2 Gbps DL, up to 150 Mbps UL and 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

On the wired side of things, the Galaxy Book2 is outfitted with two USB Type-C connectors, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5-mm TRRS audio header. When it comes to imaging, the convertible PC uses an 8 MP rear camera, and a 5 MP front-facing sensor. As for audio, the system has a built-in microphone as well as Dolby Atmos-badged stereo speakers. Since the Galaxy Book2 is a convertible machine, it has the same set of sensors as tablets, including an accelerometer, a gyro, a light sensor, and a geomagnetic sensor. In addition, the system has a fingerprint reader for a biometric authentication.

The first-generation Galaxy Book used Intel’s dual-core 7th Gen Core m3 and Core i5 “Kaby Lake” processors along with a standalone LTE Cat 6 modem (up to 300 Mbps DL). The switch to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 850  boosts both LTE performance and battery life of the laptop. Furthermore, without disclosing capacity of the battery it uses, Samsung rates Galaxy Book2 for up to 20 hours of autonomous work, up from 10 hours in case of the previous-gen convertible. It should be noted that the 256 GB SKU from the previous gen has not carried over.

Moving on to portability of the Galaxy Book2. Samsung claims that the system is 7.62 mm thick (0.3 inch) and weighs 840 grams (1.85 lbs), but does not elaborate whether it mentions the tablet itself, or the tablet with the keyboard.

Specifications of the Galaxy Book2
  Model 12-e011nr
Display 12-inch,
2160×1440
216 PPI
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 850
4 x Kryo 385 at 2.96 GHz
4 x Kryo 385 at 1.7 GHz
Graphics Adreno 630 GB
RAM 4 GB
Storage 128 GB
Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Bluetooth ?
WWAN Qualcomm X20 Gigabit LTE
Cat 18, 5CA, 4x4 MIMO, up to 1.2 Gbps DL, up to 150 Mbps UL
USB 3.0 2 × Type-C
Cameras Front 5 MP
Rear 8 MP
Other I/O Microphone, stereo speakers, audio jack, trackpad, MicroSD card reader, etc.
Battery ? Wh
Battery Life 20 hours
Dimensions Width 287.5 mm | 11.32"
Height 200.4 mm | 7.89"
Thickness 7.62 mm | 0.3” (?)
Weight Tablet 839 grams | 1.85 lbs (?)
Tablet+KB 839 grams | 1.85 lbs (?)
Price $1000 with keyboard and stylus

Samsung’s Galaxy Book2 will be available online from Samsung, Microsoft, and AT&T, for $1000 starting November 2. Later in November the product will be available in retail from AT&T, Spring, and Verizon. While the price of the convertible laptop does not seem particularly cheap, it should be noted that the Galaxy Book2 bundles both the keyboard and stylus, rather than being sold separately (for up to $250 on competing products).

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  • haukionkannel - Saturday, October 20, 2018 - link

    Most likely because the same hardware with Intel will be priced near 2000... because They can...
  • watzupken - Friday, October 19, 2018 - link

    Prices are high cause its new. This has always been the trend. I do however agree that the specs is underwhelming considering that a simple Intel Celeron/ Pentium Silver class process comes with the same sort of specs, and likely still faster than the SD 850. The only saving grace for this is the longer battery life, though I still feel they probably overstated the battery life, i.e. too good to be true.
  • Gunbuster - Friday, October 19, 2018 - link

    I love how they still cant figure out a use case for "always on" yet continue to lead with it...
  • Gunbuster - Friday, October 19, 2018 - link

    This would have been sort of amazing if you know Microsoft still made a phone. Could have had a phablet that bluetoothed to a mouse and keyboard and miracast to a TV for a PC experience. At least now with phone prices the $1000 price tag would have been easier to swallow.

    Too bad they dont have a phone, Bluetooth would have been on a crippled avastar chip, and Miracast has never worked right.
  • HStewart - Sunday, October 21, 2018 - link

    One thing that I thought about this product, it would likely have more success as Chrome book which it performance is on same level instead Windows 10 platform. But then again, they could not charge the outrageous price
  • oRAirwolf - Sunday, October 21, 2018 - link

    I am excited for the Chinese to get their hands on this display and make some cheap Android tablets.

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