Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

Updated on January 26, 2026

Note: The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook is no longer available for purchase. This page is maintained for historical reference and to help owners of this device.

When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Chromebook at CES 2020, it represented the most ambitious Chrome OS device ever attempted. Featuring the world’s first 4K AMOLED display on a Chromebook, this 13.3-inch 2-in-1 convertible pushed the boundaries of what a Chromebook could be. At just 9.9mm thick and weighing only 2.29 pounds, it remains one of the thinnest Chromebooks ever made. The striking Fiesta Red color option immediately set it apart from typical gray and silver laptops. While its Intel Core i5-10210U processor and 8GB of RAM delivered capable performance for 2020, the Galaxy Chromebook became known for a significant tradeoff: its stunning display and ultra-thin design came at the cost of notably short battery life—a compromise that limited its appeal despite the groundbreaking screen technology.

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Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Comparison Chart

	Samsung Galaxy Chromebook	Samsung Galaxy Chromebook	Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
Price	List Price: $1299.99 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon	List Price: $999.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon Best Buy: Loading price...	List Price: $999.00 Amazon Prices: Check Price on Amazon Best Buy: Loading price...
Model number	XE931QCA-K01US	XE930QCA-K01US	XE930QCA-K02US
Performance Rating	5.8	5.8	5.8
Chromebook Plus	No	No	No
Processor	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-10210U Processor	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-10210U Processor	Quad-core 1.60 Ghz (max 4.20 Ghz) Intel Core i5-10210U Processor
RAM	8 GB	8 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	256 GB SSD	256 GB SSD	256 GB SSD
Screen Size	13.3"	13.3"	13.3"
Screen Resolution	3840x2160	3840x2160	3840x2160
Screen Type	UHD AMOLED	UHD AMOLED	UHD AMOLED
Touch Screen	Yes	Yes	Yes
Stylus / Pen	Supported	Supported	Supported
Dimensions width x length x thickness	11.92 x 8 x 0.39 inches (302.77 x 203.2 x 9.91 mm)	11.92 x 8 x 0.39 inches (302.77 x 203.2 x 9.91 mm)	11.92 x 8 x 0.39 inches (302.77 x 203.2 x 9.91 mm)
Weight	2.29 lbs (1.04 kg)	2.29 lbs (1.04 kg)	2.29 lbs (1.04 kg)
Backlit Keyboard	Yes	Yes	Yes
Webcam	front 1M, keyboard deck 8M	front 1M, keyboard deck 8M	front 1M, keyboard deck 8M
WiFi	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax	Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), 802.11 ax
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0	Bluetooth 5.0
Ethernet	No	No	No
Cellular Modem	No	No	No
HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI	No HDMI
USB Ports	2 USB-C (4K display out with optional adapter, charging)	2 USB-C (4K display out with optional adapter, charging)	2 USB-C (4K display out with optional adapter, charging)
Thunderbolt Ports	No	No	No
Card Reader	UFS & microSD	UFS & microSD	UFS & microSD
Battery	4 cell, 6390mAh, Lithium-ion	4 cell, 6390mAh, Lithium-ion	4 cell, 6390mAh, Lithium-ion
Battery Life	8.0 hours	8.0 hours	8.0 hours
Fanless	Yes	Yes	Yes
Auto Update Expiration Date	June, 2030	June, 2030	June, 2030

A Look Back at the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook’s design was immediately striking, particularly in the bold Fiesta Red colorway that appeared slightly orange in bright light. Samsung positioned this device as a luxury item rather than a practical workhorse, and the build quality reflected that ambition. The all-aluminum chassis felt as premium as anything from Apple or Microsoft, with precise fit and finish throughout. The 360-degree hinge allowed the device to transform between laptop, tent, and tablet modes, making it versatile for note-taking with the included S-Pen stylus.

The 13.3-inch 4K AMOLED display was the Galaxy Chromebook’s crown jewel and remains impressive even by today’s standards. With approximately 500 nits of brightness, perfect blacks, and support for 100% of both Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts, this screen made even high-end MacBook Pro displays look washed out by comparison. For creative professionals working with photos, videos, or design work on Chrome OS, this display offered accuracy and vibrancy unmatched by any other Chromebook of its era. The capable Core i5 processor also made it one of the few Chromebooks suited for music production through web-based DAWs. The included Samsung S-Pen with 4096 pressure levels provided the most fluid and lag-free inking experience in the Chrome OS ecosystem at that time.

Performance from the Intel Core i5-10210U processor paired with 8GB of RAM proved capable for Chrome OS workloads of its time. Reviewers found the device smoothly handled 20 or more Chrome tabs alongside multiple Android apps. The 256GB NVMe SSD provided ample storage for a Chromebook. Wi-Fi 6 support ensured fast wireless connectivity, and the two USB-C ports handled charging, display output, and data transfer. However, the fanless thermal design meant the device could get uncomfortably warm during sustained workloads—a necessary tradeoff for the thin, silent operation.

What Reviewers Said at Launch

Professional reviewers unanimously praised the Galaxy Chromebook’s display and design while expressing significant reservations about its battery life. The consensus was clear: this was a stunning device that made a bold statement about what a Chromebook could be, but it wasn’t a practical choice for users who needed all-day battery life.

Chrome Unboxed’s Perspective

Chrome Unboxed provided one of the most detailed reviews, describing the Galaxy Chromebook as “one of the most attractive laptops I’ve ever seen or used.” They praised the premium build quality as “comparable to MacBooks and Surface Laptop” and highlighted the stylus as offering “the most fluid and lag-free inking experience on a Chromebook to date.” However, they were unequivocal about the battery: “At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook has poor battery life. Period.” They explained this is a deliberate design choice, noting “you can’t have ultra sleek, ultra powerful, and long-lasting all in the same package.”

Tom’s Guide’s Perspective

Tom’s Guide awarded the device 3.5 out of 5 stars, calling it “a gorgeous 2-in-1 laptop that needs longer battery life.” Their review praised the striking red design, thin and light chassis, and speedy performance. However, they noted concerns beyond just battery life, including a hinge that “should be stronger” and a disappointingly low-resolution webcam for a device at this price point. The warm operating temperatures during use were also flagged as a minor annoyance.

The Verge’s Perspective

Monica Chin’s review for The Verge took a critical but fair view, stating “Samsung has taken a wrecking ball to what have traditionally been the two strongest arguments for buying a Chromebook” - affordability and long battery life. She tested just 3 hours 52 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes of battery life at 50% brightness, far short of Samsung’s 8-hour claim. Despite the criticism, she credited Samsung for pushing boundaries: “I credit Samsung for making this beautiful and bold bet, but it’s a bold bet that’s not ready for its $999 price tag.”

What Owners Thought

Amazon customers gave the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4.0 out of 5 stars across nearly 1,000 reviews, reflecting a passionate but divided user base. Those who loved the device raved about its gorgeous display, calling it the best screen they had ever seen on any laptop. Creative professionals particularly appreciated the color accuracy for photo and video editing, and students praised the S-Pen for note-taking in tablet mode. The lightweight design made it a favorite for frequent travelers who prioritized portability above all else.

The negative reviews consistently focused on battery life, with many customers feeling misled by Samsung’s 8-hour claim when real-world usage delivered 3-4 hours. Some reviewers reported the device running hot during basic web browsing, though this varied by unit. A subset of customers reported hinge issues developing over time. Interestingly, many critical reviewers acknowledged they still loved using the device despite its flaws, suggesting the display and design created an emotional connection that transcended the practical limitations.

Legacy and Impact

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook remains one of the most visually striking laptops ever made, regardless of operating system. Its 4K AMOLED display, ultra-thin aluminum design, and built-in stylus represented the pinnacle of Chrome OS hardware ambition. While the 3-4 hour battery life limited its commercial success, the Galaxy Chromebook proved that Chrome OS could support truly premium hardware. Samsung learned from this device and released the more practical Galaxy Chromebook 2 in 2021, which addressed the battery concerns with a QLED display instead of AMOLED.

For current owners, Chrome OS updates are guaranteed through June 2030, meaning several years of software support remain. The Galaxy Chromebook stands as an important milestone in Chromebook history—a beautiful, bold experiment that showed what was possible, even if it wasn’t practical for everyone.

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