This summer, alongside the new fifth-generation foldable Samsung phones Galaxy Fold5 and Galaxy Flip5, an upgraded generation of Galaxy Tab S9 tablets was unveiled. Samsung aims to offer a highly powerful and capable alternative to both Apple iPad and laptops. The user employs the iPad Air tablet model in their daily routine, and from the initial moments, they find that for day-to-day use, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ and Android operating system provide a more convenient experience. This holds true regardless of whether the user possesses any other Android device or operates within the Apple ecosystem.
Technical Specifications of Galaxy Tab S9+
| Specification | Details |
| Operating System | Android 13; One UI 5.1.1 |
| Screen | 12.4-inch AMOLED 2X, 1752 x 2800, 16:10 aspect ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 scratch-resistant screen, HDR10+ support, 120 Hz |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), eight cores (1×3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2×2.80 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2×2.80 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A510), Adreno 740 GPU |
| RAM and Storage | 256GB + 12GB RAM (review model), 512GB + 12GB RAM |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, Bluetooth 5.3 (A2DP, LE), 5G |
| Rear Cameras | Dual camera system – 13 megapixels, f/2.0, 26 mm (wide), 1/3.4″, 1.0µm, AF and 8 megapixels, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide) |
| Front Camera | 12 megapixels, f/2.4, 120 degrees (ultrawide) |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Additional Features | USB 3.2 Type-C, speakers Tuned by AKG, Wireless Samsung DeX |
| Stylus | 2.9ms latency (Bluetooth, accelerometer, gyroscope) |
| Dimensions and Weight | 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7mm, 586g |
| Battery | Non-removable Li-Po 10090mAh with 45W fast charging |
| Colors | Black, Light Grey |
| Price | $1119.99 |
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Galaxy Tab S9+ Appearance and Build
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (or, in its official nomenclature, the long-form version) maintains a rather classic tablet design, not deviating significantly from its predecessor. The notable update this time around is the new camera layout, which now aligns with the design of the Flip5. In other words, all the cameras are not housed in a single protrusion, but each lens is individually extended from the body.
The tablet’s frame and back are crafted from aluminum, while glass adorns the front. This means that the 12.4-inch Tab S9+ is relatively lightweight at 586g (for the 5G version under review). By comparison, the 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro weighs 685 grams. The new Samsung tablet measures 28.54 x 18.54 x 5.7cm, placing it as the middle sibling within the trio of models. There’s also an 11-inch Tab S9 and a 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra model available, the latter being unusually large for a tablet.
Without a special keyboard cover, the Tab S9+ is a sufficiently slim device. Thanks to its squared-off design with rounded edges, it’s comfortable to hold. However, it’s important to note that the review unit used here includes both a cover and a keyboard, which does add a bit of thickness. Thanks to this additional keyboard and cover, the tablet immediately feels like a computer from the get-go, which is quite comfortably achievable.
The new Galaxy Tab S9 models have received an IP68 rating, providing protection against moisture and dust, which is one of the improvements compared to the previous year. This protection has now also been extended to the new Galaxy S Pen digital stylus. It has its designated spot at the back of the tablet, where it attaches magnetically for charging. This implies that these tablets are primarily designed for horizontal use, ideally with a cover and keyboard.
The tablet is equipped with four speakers, two at the bottom and two at the top. On the right side, you’ll find the power and volume buttons. Another feature indicating convenience in horizontal use is the front camera embedded in the frame. It’s located in the middle of the longer edge, allowing for more comfortable video calls. This is a trend seen in tablets from other brands as well.
This particular model comes in a shade of grey. It’s worth mentioning that the black color, in which the cover also comes, seems to be more attractive. Fingerprints are quite visible on the grey surface, which means that without an additional cover, the Galaxy Tab S9+ will require frequent cleaning. However, as mentioned earlier, when used with the full set, there’s a sense that this tablet is meant to be used specifically with a keyboard rather than just as a large screen.
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ model is equipped with a 12.4-inch AMOLED 2x technology screen, as the company refers to it. Its resolution is 1752×2800 pixels, and the aspect ratio is 16:10. The screen occupies 84.3% of the front display, which means it has relatively slim bezels. However, in the case of a tablet, this is certainly considered a convenience, as one can hold it in both hands without accidentally touching the screen.
The new AMOLED 2x screen is capable of providing greater color contrast compared to the previous generation model. To further explain what lies behind these technical parameters, it wasn’t possible to make a direct comparison. However, based on everyday use, it can be said that the Tab S9+ had a really vivid, bright, and colorful screen. It’s pleasant to use daily, adjusting its brightness to accommodate ambient light and prevent unnecessary eye strain. In any case, using this tablet was a very enjoyable visual experience.
Galaxy Tab S9+ Software
As an avid user of the Apple ecosystem for personal needs, using the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ with Android 13 and the 5.1.1 One UI interface was a very pleasant and convenient experience.
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Seamless Setup
Right from the initial setup, there was an option to import information from an Apple iCloud account, allowing the user to obtain contact information on the new Android device. However, it must be acknowledged that attempting this import twice did not succeed. The exact reasons are unknown, but this feature is available. Therefore, the user had to proceed with setting up the tablet from scratch, as they did not have a dedicated Samsung account and did not use other Android devices.
Setting up the device required minimal effort, as everything was straightforward. Language enthusiasts will appreciate that Android-operated tablets and devices offer system language options in Latvian, which is not possible in the Apple environment. Overall, everything is very intuitive from a usability standpoint, regardless of the user’s previous environment. The user also considers this to be the biggest advantage of Android and Samsung tablets – they are much easier to use as computers.
Samsung DeX Mode
One notable feature is the specially designed Samsung DeX mode. When activated, the usability of the tablet shifts to a mode reminiscent of a Windows operating system. On the left side, one can select applications, and currently active apps are visible at the bottom. Additionally, it is possible to arrange window panes in full view while retaining the taskbar at the bottom for seamless switching between applications. It operates just like one would expect on a traditional computer.
File and Document Management
Another standout aspect from the perspective of tablet use is the file and document management. This is an area that, at least in iPad OS and the Apple environment, can be somewhat challenging due to the less intuitive nature of storing and moving documents. Meanwhile, in the case of Android, it is easy to understand that files are primarily stored locally on the tablet, and the user can access them in the respective folder. It may not be as straightforward to put into words, but in practice, this is a significant advantage for Samsung and Android tablets, which the user highly appreciates.
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Hence, the user can already affirm that they consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ to be one of the best tablets currently available on the market. Additionally, Android tablets utilize the conventional mouse cursor, whereas in the case of iPad, it is a circle. It’s a small detail, but a very pleasant and understandable one.
S Pen Stylus – Galaxy Tab S9+
The new S Pen digital stylus, with a latency of only 2.9ms for the Tab S9 series compared to 6.2ms for the Tab S8 tablets, provides additional input options and usability. This indicates that the digital stylus is highly precise and responds to drawing and writing motions almost like on real paper. In relation to the S Pen, the user wants to emphasize that its use is very natural. One thing to note is that the user instinctively used the stylus to manage various applications and the tablet itself. They could immediately make notes or write texts, which were then recognized.
The only limitation could be the slightly tilted position, as it’s more comfortable to write with the stylus when the screen is in a completely straight position, rather than at an angle. The S Pen charges at the back of the tablet, and a special opening in the cover provides quick access. A bonus for the Galaxy Tab S9 series is that the S Pen is included in the base configuration, which cannot be said for Apple iPad tablets.
Performance
The Galaxy Tab S9+ is equipped with the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile processor, built on 4nm technology. The tablet boasts 12GB of RAM and 256GB of built-in storage. Collectively, this ensures the device operates swiftly, with all processes running smoothly and efficiently.
Benchmarks and Comparison
In Geekbench 6 synthetic tests, this specific model achieved 2109 points per core and a total of 5612 points for the CPU. For comparison, the iPad Air with an M1 processor performs more robustly with 2413 and 8716 points, respectively. While the individual processor power may not differ significantly, the overall performance does. Of course, these are raw numbers that don’t indicate anything specific.
Active Usage and DeX Mode
Samsung Galaxy S series tablets are the most powerful offerings from the company, designed for active use. The user experienced no issues swiftly transitioning between regular tablet mode and DeX mode, as well as operating multiple applications simultaneously. This is facilitated by the ample screen size and the convenient drag-and-drop functionality to split the screen automatically.
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Galaxy Tab S9+ Battery Life
In terms of performance, the user also wants to highlight the battery’s performance, which now accompanies processor power and efficiency. The Galaxy Tab S9+ model is equipped with a 10090mAh battery, just like its predecessor. This means that under active use, the battery could last for two days, while with regular video playback and internet browsing, the tablet could operate for several days on a single charge.
In practice, the user can affirm that this is indeed the case, and the Tab S9+ is quite efficient. Of course, it should be taken into account that power is also required for the attachable keyboard and digital stylus. Without using these two accessories, the operation will certainly last even longer. Charging is facilitated by a single USB-C port. It’s worth mentioning that the new S9 series only comes with a charging cable in the package.
Overall Efficiency
Overall, in the realm of tablets, one can no longer speak of radical leaps in power, as various models employ either mobile or computer processors. It’s about specific components and tasks to be performed, and in this regard, the Tab S9+ excels exceptionally well.
Cameras
The Galaxy Tab S9+ is equipped with two rear cameras and one front-facing camera. At the back, there’s a 13MP wide and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, there’s a built-in flash on the rear. Meanwhile, at the front, there’s a built-in 12MP ultra-wide camera with the ability to capture a wide-angle view of 120 degrees. Both the rear and front cameras support HDR video and the option to record in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. In terms of usability, the camera segment might be the only aspect that could be improved compared to everything else the S9+ tablet offers.
The overall quality of photo and video capture is satisfactory, but one may notice various image noises and light leaks when taking pictures and videos in indoor lighting. Samsung has provided various modes, as the cameras offer the ability to take portrait photos and adjust various camera settings if needed by the user. From a functionality standpoint, there are no complaints.
The distinctively separated lenses on the back of the Galaxy Tab S9+ give it a stylish look and add a more premium and serious aesthetic to the device. Meanwhile, the front camera and its placement on the long edge are convenient for making video calls, which has become crucial since the pandemic.
Having used both the iPad and this Samsung tablet, the user still maintains the opinion that serious photography and video recording with these types of devices are not necessary. They see the potential in using a good front camera for the aforementioned video calls, as well as built-in LiDAR sensors for scanning and architectural purposes. However, taking photos and videos with such a large-sized device is simply not convenient. Therefore, this section does not impact their overall assessment and opinion of the new Galaxy Tab S9 series.
Galaxy Tab S9+ Review Conclusion
In concluding the review, it must be emphasized once again that it is the Android user experience and convenience of the new Samsung Galaxy S9+ that leads the user to consider it the best tablet of the year up to the time of this review. While in terms of power, Apple iPads may be more robust, especially the iPad Pro models with the M2 processor, it was the usage that stood out as Samsung’s primary strength.
The company has succeeded in blurring the lines between a laptop and a tablet, a goal Apple is also striving for, yet the iPad OS operating system does not quite achieve it. Additionally, Samsung offers a wide range of sizes, essentially matching the dimensions of standard laptop models. Furthermore, the cover and special keyboard turn the Tab S9 series into highly convenient and easily portable devices.
The user is genuinely pleased with this product and would consider its potential to replace a laptop for everyday use. This especially applies to people who are frequently on the move but require a highly productive device. This is complemented by the S Pen digital stylus, which has become even more robust this time around.
The biggest downside would be the price, as the 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S9+ tablet starts at $1119.99 (including the S Pen stylus). Additionally, the Book Cover keyboard and case for this specific model cost $269.99. Thus, the total amount comes to $13998.99. For this sum, one could acquire a sufficiently powerful and high-quality laptop, so at this point, each individual must decide on the respective product’s suitability for their daily needs.
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