For years, Samsung has been producing fantastic tablets. While the Android tablet platform still has room to mature, it’s undeniable that Samsung has been at the forefront of creating impressive hardware. With a range of tablets available at various price points, there is an option to fit any budget.
Among Samsung’s lineup of tablets — which was recently just refreshed with the Galaxy Tab S9 series — there are many contenders for the title of “best Samsung tablet.” However, taking into account factors such as portability, performance, and available features, the regular Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as our top choice.
Samsung also expanded its lineup with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, two tablets that bring sharp 90Hz displays to the mid-range and offer decent performance and value for most users.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The runt of the litter finally grew up
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a clear improvement on its predecessor, largely thanks to an upgraded AMOLED display that replaces the previous generation’s lackluster LCD screen. The processor and battery have also been improved, making it a strong contender in the 11-inch Android tablet market. Its size is still more conducive to compact work than a lot of multitasking, but with it being so similar in specs to the S9+, we think this is the better buy for most people.
- Great 11-inch AMOLED display
- Good battery life
- A nice portable size
- Might feel a bit cramped for intense multitasking
- Not budget-friendly
The upgrades to the base Galaxy Tab S9 have really brought the whole lineup more closely matched than ever, and that’s why it squeaks by into our top spot for now. The same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powers the Ultra model also powers this 11-inch model. It also has either 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for some serious performance.
The screen is no longer an LCD panel but an absolutely gorgeous AMOLED display. The 2560 x 1600, 120Hz display is great for watching movies, playing games, or working. Plus, with the S Pen included, it can do all the note scribbling and drawing you want.
There are many affordable Android tablets on the market, but if you’re looking for a high-end selection, the Samsung Tab S9 is one of the few options. If you’re in the market for an 11″ iPad Pro competitor, the S9 is a great choice.
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The screen is excellent, and the tablet is thin and lightweight, with impressive battery life. In addition, plenty of accessories are available to turn it into the perfect ultra-portable laptop replacement.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Huge display
Samsung’s flagship for 2023, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, features a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED screen, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, and equipped with a quad-speaker sound system, dual front-facing cameras, and remarkable multitasking and productivity capabilities.
- Massive display
- Good battery life
- Dual front-facing cameras
- Might be too big for some
- Very pricey
The Tab S9 Ultra’s 14.6-inch OLED display is very spacious and provides ample room for any task, so you won’t feel confined. The generous 2960 x 1848 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate make everything look crisp and fluid.
However, it may be a bit cumbersome to carry around due to its size, which is larger than some laptops. It measures 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm and weighs 732g. Samsung made good use of the size by including four speakers that provide excellent stereo sound in either portrait or landscape orientation, making it ideal for watching movies.
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While the Tab S9 Ultra has the exact same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset as the other two less expensive models — the Tab S9 and Tab S9+ — you can get it extra super-powered with up to 16GB of RAM if you’re willing to dish out even more money.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Budget champion
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is for those who need a good tablet that doesn’t break the bank. You can expect solid build quality, a good display, and fantastic battery life. The base model is a bit anemic with only 4GB of RAM, but the 8GB version should perform much better. This device will do well with basic daily use or media consumption.
- Good build quality
- Solid looking display
- Great battery life
- Speakers are just OK
- No fingerprint reader
- Base model only has 4GB of RAM
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is for those who don’t need a flagship-level tablet, but still want something suitable for daily use. At 257.1 x 168.7 x 6.9mm and weighing 480g, this tablet can be easily tossed in a bag or carried all day long.
The 11-inch LCD display has a 1920 x 1200 resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, making it one of the better displays in this market segment. Performance is going to be adequate for day-to-day usage thanks to the Snapdragon 695. If you can afford it, do yourself a favor and get the version with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage instead of the 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The extra RAM and storage is going to make everything operate that much smoother.
If you need something that will last for a couple of days between charges, then the Galaxy Tab A9+ is up to the task. With a 7,040mAh battery, it should easily get a couple of days between charges. The single 8MP camera can safely be ignored as it isn’t very good.
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This tablet was built for general browsing and social media consumption. It would also do well when watching your favorite Netflix or other streaming content.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Just right!
Although the Galaxy Tab S9+ has fewer upgrades compared to its smaller model from the previous year, its remarkable 12.4-inch screen provides a less cluttered experience when multitasking or using features like DeX. Moreover, the base model has more RAM and storage, and it even has an extra rear-facing camera.
- Balances size and portable
- Amazing display
- Powerful performance
- Quite expensive
- Not much different from the smaller Tab S9
The Galaxy Tab S9+ is at the center of Samsung’s top-end tablets, suffering from middle-child syndrome a bit since it’s so similar to the other models. At 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7mm and weighing 586g, it’s bigger than the S9 but smaller than the S9 Ultra.
It comes with a gorgeous 12.4-inch AMOLED, 2800 x 1752, 120Hz screen, making it a better canvas for big workflows. It also features two rear-facing cameras instead of one. A 13MP f/2.0 main camera and an 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide camera. Which makes it slightly better for tablet photography if that’s your thing.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ review: Goldilocks edition
Not too small, not too expensive, the Tab S9+ is juuuuuust right
Thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12GB of RAM, its performance is the same as the more expensive Galaxy Tab S9. With either 256GB or 512 GB, it does come with more storage. You can also expect great battery life thanks to its 10,090mAh battery.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
The perfect tablet for consuming media
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a fantastic, affordable tablet. While it doesn’t have an AMOLED display, the IPS display is bright and sharp, and the 90Hz refresh rate makes it more than smooth enough for most people.
- Smallest S series tablet with 5G
- Four Android updates
- Affordable
- Exynos 1380 might not age well
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a strong contender in the mid-range tablet market. The 90Hz IPS display might not have the same punch as the AMOLED screen we’ve seen on the more expensive Tab S9 models, but it’s still a gorgeous panel that contends well with other tablets in this price range.
The Exynos 1380 combined with either 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, packs more than enough grunt for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and social media, but you won’t want to play intensive games on it.
That’s OK, though, because this tablet isn’t built for intense workloads, and it’s priced correctly too. This is for people who want a big screen to watch Netflix as they move around the house, read eBooks, and browse recipes in the kitchen, The S Pen and included drawing apps only sweeten the deal.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
This tablet makes a big screen affordable
The Tab S9 FE+ brings the large 12.4-inch screen to the more affordable lineup, making it the perfect choice for people who want to binge as much YouTube as possible on an expansive screen.
- Large, sharp display
- Second rear camera
- Wallet-friendly
- Exynos 1380 might not age well
- No 5G option
The Tab S9 FE+ is just like the S9 FE, only bigger. At 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5mm and weighing 627g, it’s a big tablet but not overwhelmingly so. The IPS 12.4-inch screen size bumps up the resolution to 2560 x 1600, which matches the same 243 PPI numbers as the smaller tablet. Otherwise, the numbers are the same with a 90Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of max brightness.
Users who don’t need flagship performance but want a large screen will love the S9 FE+, although it should be noted that, unlike the smaller tablet, this one doesn’t have a cellular option. It has the same Exynos 1380 processor with additional RAM options. You can get this tablet with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, or 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ review: Samsung’s best midrange tablet yet
Great build quality, battery life, and software make for a solid midrange tablet
The S9 FE+ feels snappy and fast for general use, but it can struggle if you throw heavy games at it. This tablet is at its best when using the speakers and display for what they do best — media consumption. Pair this with a kickstand, and it’s perfect for flicking through YouTube or Netflix.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
If you can get this on sale, it’s the best bang for your buck
The Galaxy Tab S8+ might be a year old, but it’s still an excellent tablet and a device you should keep in mind if you can get it on sale. Right now, Amazon has it for under $650, a bargain for a big tablet with a gorgeous AMOLED screen.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Often on sale
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Expensive when not on sale
- Already a year into its support window
When we reviewed the Galaxy Tab S8+ last year, we said it was the only high-end Android tablet you should buy. It’s aged beautifully since then, and everything good we said about it still stands. The 12.4-inch AMOLED display is sharp at 2800 x 1752 pixels and has a 120Hz refresh rate that ensures the tablet feels fast.
At full price, you should get the newer Tab S9+, but when on sale, this tablet can be an absolute bargain. Currently, Amazon is selling it for just $550. Getting a display as big, bright, and beautiful for this price is a steal, especially when it’s paired with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and either 8GB or 12GB of RAM.
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The only downside is that it’s already a year into its support window, but that isn’t all bad. Once it gets Android 14, it’ll still have three Android updates and receive security patches until 2027.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
Cheapest with an S Pen
The most recent iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite takes a lot of the advanced features of the Tab S8 lineup and shrinks them down to a more manageable size and budget. It’s an excellent midrange tablet that can do a little bit of everything, including drawing and taking notes, since it does come with an S Pen.
- S Pen included
- Great battery life
- Underpowered for extensive multitasking
If you don’t need something super-powered like Samsung’s premium tablets but still want something with a good display and like having a stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is the Goldilocks tablet for you.
While the 10.4-inch LCD may not have the deep and rich contrast that OLED screens on higher-end tablets have, its 2000 x 1200px resolution is very crisp and clear, making it an excellent screen for watching media content. It can be a little cramped and underpowered if you’re trying to do some intensive multitasking, but it’s more than capable of doing some light tasks and looking good while doing it.
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Its greatest strength is its 11-hour battery life thanks to its energy-efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset. Of course, you can get even more time out of the battery if you aren’t using it for hours and hours on end; with average use, you should be able to have the tablet by your side for almost a full day before needing to plug it in. And with the included S Pen, you can easily draw or jot down notes.
Bottom line
We know the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a little pricey, but the upgrades over last year’s model have pushed this into our top choice for its balance of price, power, and features. Yes, the 11-inch display might feel a little cramped if you want to do a lot of multitasking, but the AMOLED display makes it awesome for watching your favorite movies. It also has tons of power and performance to handle any task, and it’s still portable enough to carry around with relative ease — unlike the Tab S9 Ultra, which is the pick if you want a true productivity machine and have the budget to match.
If you don’t quite need the power and performance of the Tab S9 or S8 lineup but still want a tablet that gives you a decent experience for productivity and pleasure, the Samsung Galaxy A9+ fits right in the Goldilocks zone. Its 11-inch LCD is a great display for watching your favorite movies or TV shows.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The runt of the litter finally grew up
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a much better version compared to its predecessor. It has an upgraded AMOLED display that replaced the previous generation’s lackluster LCD screen. The processor and battery have also been improved, making it a strong contender in the 11-inch Android tablet market. Its size is still more conducive to compact work rather than a lot of multitasking, but with it being so similar in specs to the S9+, we still think this is the better buy for most people.
