Samsung wants $400 for a tablet keyboard, even more than Apple

[midian182]

What just happened? At a time when everyday living costs are rising and people are tightening their belts, Samsung isn't shying away from charging premium prices for its products. The company has launched a keyboard add-on for the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra that turns the tablet into a laptop. Unfortunately, the new Pro Keyboard costs a massive $399.

Samsung released a $210 Book Cover Keyboard Slim for the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra when the tablet launched. It arrived alongside a more expensive option, the Pro Keyboard, in Korea earlier this month, and it's now available in the US.

The Pro Keyboard launched in Korea for the equivalent of around $338. That's notably less than the price in the US, where it's now available for $400. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra starts at $1,199, so the combination comes to $1,600.

That means the Pro Keyboard is even more expensive than the priciest Apple Magic Keyboard – the model for the 13-inch iPad Pro – which costs $349.

Samsung will likely point at the difference between the Pro Keyboard and the Slim model to justify the former's high price.

The Pro drops the simpler folio-style design and goes for something closer to a laptop base, complete with an aluminum body, an integrated trackpad, and an 81-key layout.

Samsung says the trackpad is 14.6% larger than the previous model, and because the accessory connects through the tablet's Pogo pins, it works instantly without the usual Bluetooth pairing hassle.

There are also several productivity-focused extras, including a DeX key for switching into Samsung's desktop-style interface and an AI key – though those features might have limited appeal – and customizable app shortcut keys.

Other additions include touchpad on/off controls, keyboard sharing, and automatic screen wake and sleep when the case is opened or closed. It also comes in silver or gray.

That still doesn't make the price any easier to swallow. At 636 grams, the Pro Keyboard is also noticeably heavier than the 466-gram Book Cover Keyboard Slim, so Samsung is essentially asking buyers to pay nearly double for the better materials, bigger trackpad, and extra shortcut-focused features.

9to5Google notes that some early reviews of the keyboard have been less than glowing, with criticisms aimed at the lack of backlighting, the fact that it doesn't protect the rear of the tablet, and a "hinge that will be guaranteed to break within months."

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Samsung wants $400 for a tablet keyboard, even more than Apple

 

[BobDolesGhost]

Not quite as bad as Apple's $1000 monitor stand or $700 set of roller wheel's for their Mac Pro Tower

But same as those - seriously? Who the hell is paying for this crap that makes these companies think these prices are on target for the volume/price product ratio? I imagine the profit margin on 'this crap' is fantastic, but you'd think the increased sales volume you'd get from a lower price would win out in total profit

 

[rmcrys]

People are better off with a good laptop like a MacBook Air M5 and a cheap iPad or regular S10/S11 as a tablet

I bought a Lenovo Yoga with 90 Hz screen and a as new Tab S9 with a Dexnor keyboard case.

 

[LordVile95]

Not quite as bad as Apple's $1000 monitor stand or $700 set of roller wheel's for their Mac Pro Tower

But same as those - seriously? Who the hell is paying for this crap that makes these companies think these prices are on target for the volume/price product ratio? I imagine the profit margin on 'this crap' is fantastic, but you'd think the increased sales volume you'd get from a lower price would win out in total profit

I mean the wheels and stand were sold because Apple wanted to not because they expected them to sell well. They generate headlines and get more eyes on the product. If you’re getting a monitor of that caliber you’re using an arm and if you’re moving around a Mac Pro you’re getting the rack mountable version.