Should you purchase the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9? Our review will help you decide.

Is it worth purchasing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9?

This information is attributed to Ryan Whitwam from Android Authority.

Samsung is among the limited number of major manufacturers that have consistently provided Android tablets. Despite facing new competition from companies such as OnePlus and Google, Samsung remains the leader in this market. As a result, there were not many changes made to the Galaxy Tab S9 series. The only notable upgrade was seen in the smallest model, the Galaxy Tab S9, which now features an AMOLED screen like its more expensive counterparts, the Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra. The previous model, the Tab S8, had an 11-inch LCD screen.

In the past, an 11-inch tablet would have been considered large, but now we have huge phones and massive tablets. For example, the Tab S9 Ultra has a screen size of 14.6 inches. There are also phones available that are almost 7 inches, and the Pixel Fold, a foldable phone, measures 7.6 inches. If you own one of these oversized phones, the 11-inch Tab S9 may seem small in comparison. However, it is still large enough to be functional, although its widescreen design differs from the more square ratio of devices like the OnePlus Pad or iPad. Due to its 11-inch size, it can be a bit cumbersome to use in portrait mode.

The AMOLED display on the Galaxy Tab S9 is comparable to Samsung’s other AMOLED tablet models, with the added bonus of being more compact and cost-effective.

The latest AMOLED display on this tablet is comparable to Samsung’s other AMOLED devices, but it is slightly smaller and more affordable. The screen has impressive viewing angles and is bright enough for outdoor use. Additionally, the Tab S9 boasts four Atmos-enabled speakers positioned around the edges, providing exceptional sound quality for a tablet. They may even be louder and more crisp than the speakers on your laptop.

The credit for this information is due to Ryan Whitwam from Android Authority.

Compared to other 2023 tablets from Samsung, the Tab S9 is smaller and easier to carry around. Its aluminum chassis is only 5.9mm thick and weighs 498g (a little over one pound). The bezel around the screen is just enough to comfortably hold the tablet without accidentally touching the screen. This makes it much more comfortable to use than the Tab S9 Ultra and S9 Plus, which are also very thin. The battery has a capacity of 8,400mAh, which is larger than the previous year’s model and provides good performance for the Tab S9. It can last through a day of heavy usage with some battery life remaining. While it may not have the longest battery life compared to other tablets, using it for short periods throughout the day can still give you multiple days of use. Additionally, leaving it idle on a coffee table does not drain much battery.

In recent years, many Samsung phones have become water-resistant, but this feature is still uncommon on tablets. However, the Galaxy Tab S9 does have an IP68 rating, making it less susceptible to water damage than a phone. It is still a useful feature to have.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam / Android Authority

The Tab S9 is a suitable size for those in need of a larger device than their Android phone. It offers Samsung’s impressive multiwindow feature, allowing users to maximize the use of the increased screen space. While there may be a limited selection of apps optimized for bigger screens on the Android platform, the split-screen function on One UI 5.1 comes to the rescue. With the Tab S9’s spacious screen, users can have up to three apps open simultaneously and still navigate them easily. However, this layout may feel a bit cramped on foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Additionally, Samsung provides the option to create favorite app groups for quick access, making the Tab S9 a multitasking powerhouse. However, it may not be as compact as the Z Fold.

Improving support for Android tablets can be a hit or miss experience – even popular devices like Lenovo’s top-of-the-line Tab P12 Pro, which was one of the few to receive an Android 12L beta, have remained on older versions of the operating system. Samsung’s tablets receive a similar promise of updates as its phones: five years of security patches and Android OS updates. The initial updates scheduled for later this year will include Android 14 and One UI 6.0, but subsequent update cycles may face some delays based on previous years.

Source attribution: Ryan Whitwam on Android Authority

Samsung provides the Tab S9 with the S Pen, making it an ideal tool for drawing, coloring, and note-taking. The S Pen is highly responsive due to the 120Hz screen refresh rate, and writing on the screen is a delightful experience. The soft tip of the S Pen offers better control on the glass display compared to the Apple Pencil on an iPad. However, the tablet’s S Pen-enabled apps are the primary options available, as only a small number of apps in the Play Store are compatible with the S Pen.

Samsung provides the S Pen stylus as part of the Tab S9, making it an excellent tool for drawing, coloring, and jotting down notes.

The S Pen functions as a pen even when it’s not charged, but charging it allows for extra features such as button shortcuts and gestures. While these are not essential, it’s more convenient to keep the pen charged on the Tab S9. Samsung has improved the magnetic S Pen holder on the back of the tablet to work in either orientation, which is an improvement from the previous confusing magnetic mount on the Tab S8.

Samsung offers a keyboard case for this tablet, essentially turning it into a small laptop. Although the keys are slightly unstable and have limited vertical movement, it is still faster than typing on the screen. However, the case does add significant bulk if you only need it for protection when the tablet is not in use. Priced at $140, it is specifically designed for this tablet model, making it a difficult purchase for most consumers.

The author of this article is Ryan Whitwam, from Android Authority.

The Tab S9 models feature the newest Samsung Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which runs slightly faster than non-Samsung versions. While some Samsung phones may slow down significantly when overheating, the tablets have better thermal capacity. The Tab S9 experiences a small decrease in speed when heating up, making it suitable for gaming, but it does not match the peak performance of Apple’s M-series iPads for multitasking and professional design tasks.

The initial price for the Galaxy Tab S9 is $799.99, which includes 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Another option with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is priced at $920, but we recommend sticking with the base model. While the Tab S9 Plus or S9 Ultra offer more features, they have a larger and less convenient size, providing a similar experience as the base model.

What are some comparable alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9?

The top image shows the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 while the bottom image features the Tab S9 Ultra and the left image displays the Z Flip 5. Image credit goes to Ryan Whitwam from Android Authority.

Samsung offers multiple variations of the Tab S9, however, there are also alternative non-Samsung tablets worth considering for those who do not require the highest quality hardware.

• Google Pixel Tablet ( ): Google’s first tablet in years offers the slick Pixel interface with Android 13 (soon to be Android 14). It’s also $300 cheaper than the Tab S9 and can double-up as a pseudo-smart display thanks to the bundled speaker dock. However, the display is a run-of-the-mill 60Hz LCD, and it doesn’t come with a stylus.
• OnePlus Pad (

  The OnePlus Pad is the initial tablet from the brand. It is speedy, pleasing to the eye, and features a sturdy 144Hz LCD display. While a stylus is included, its software support is limited. However, the most recent Oxygen OS update does not offer the advanced multitasking capabilities found in the Galaxy Tab S9.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus (

  The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is essentially a larger version of the Tab S9, with a higher cost. Unless you require a tablet over 11 inches or one with 5G capabilities, there is no need to upgrade.

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (

  The 14.6-inch AMOLED screen on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra makes it the largest model in the Tab S9 series. It features both front and rear cameras. For those seeking a larger display than the Tab S9 or Tab S9 Plus, this tablet priced at $1,200 is the perfect option.

• Apple iPad Pro M2 (

  The 11-inch iPad Pro needs to switch to iPadOS, which is not as compatible with an Android phone. However, it compensates for this with strong performance and a wider range of software options, including exceptional app support and compatibility.

Specifications for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9

	Galaxy Tab S9	Galaxy Tab S9 Plus	Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Display	11-inch Dynamic 2,560 x 1,600 AMOLED 2K 120Hz refresh rate	12.4-inch Dynamic 2,800 x 1,752 AMOLED 2K 120Hz refresh rate	14.6-inch Dynamic 2,960 x 1,848 AMOLED 2K 120Hz refresh rate
Processor	The Galaxy will be equipped with the second generation Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 processor.	S21 The Galaxy S21 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB/12GB	12GB	12GB/16GB
Storage	128GB/256GB The maximum capacity for a microSD card is 1TB.	256GB/512GB 1TB of microSD storage capacity	256GB/512GB/1TB microSD up to 1TB
Connectivity	5G/LTE Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C	5G/LTE Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C	5G/LTE Wi-Fi 6E Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C
Audio	Four speakers with AKG sound designed for optimal audio experience. Dolby Atmos	Four speakers that produce high-quality sound, designed by AKG. Dolby Atmos	AKG provides high-quality sound through the use of four stereo speakers. Dolby Atmos
Cameras	Rear: 13MP AF Front: 12MP UW	Rear: 13MP AF + 8MP UW Front: 12MP UW	Rear: 13MP AF + 8MP UW Front: 12MP + 12MP UW
Power	8,400mAh	10,090mAh	11,200mAh
S Pen	Included	Included	Included
Durability	IP68 rating	IP68 rating	IP68 rating
Authentication	In-display Fingerprint Sensor	In-display Fingerprint Sensor	In-display Fingerprint Sensor
Software	Android 13	Android 13	Android 13
Dimensions / weight	165.8 x 254.3 x 5.9mm 498g	185.4 x 285.4 x 5.7mm 581g	208.6 x 326.4 x 5.5mm 732g
Colors	Beige, Graphite	Beige, Graphite	Beige, Graphite
Additional accessories (Sold separately)	Special Edition S Pen Creator Book Cover Keyboard Book Cover Keyboard Slim Smart Book Cover Outdoor Cover Notepaper Screen Privacy Screen	“Creator Edition of S Pen” S Pen Creator Edition Book Cover Keyboard Book Cover Keyboard Slim Smart Book Cover Outdoor Cover Privacy Screen for Notepaper Display	S Pen Creator Edition Book Cover Keyboard Slim Keyboard Cover for Books Smart Book Cover Outdoor Cover Notepaper Screen Privacy Screen

Review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)