The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 sets a new standard for entry-level tablets with its introduction of a 120Hz AMOLED display, previously reserved for higher-tier models. This upgrade marks a significant departure from its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S8, which featured a traditional LED screen. The AMOLED panel enhances the tablet’s visual appeal with vibrant colors, deep contrasts and smooth motion, making it ideal for multimedia consumption, gaming and creative tasks. Despite its advancements, the Galaxy Tab S9 faces scrutiny over its battery life, which appears to have been compromised by the power-intensive display technology. This limitation underscores a trade-off between display quality and endurance, posing a consideration for prospective buyers weighing performance against practicality.
In terms of performance, the Galaxy Tab S9 is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM, ensuring snappy responsiveness for everyday tasks and gaming. However, it falls short in benchmark tests compared to competitors like the Apple iPad Air with its M1 chip, highlighting the evolving landscape of tablet processors. The inclusion of an S Pen stylus as a standard accessory adds versatility, enabling users to engage in note-taking, digital artistry and more. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 emerges as a compelling option for users seeking a blend of premium features and accessibility in a tablet, though its battery performance remains a notable consideration in the purchasing decision.
Having had the opportunity to use the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 extensively, I can attest to the significant impact of the AMOLED upgrade on everyday usability. However, our testing revealed a noteworthy drawback: the tablet’s battery life appears to have taken a hit due to the demands of the AMOLED display. Despite being powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which ensures smooth performance, it lags behind Apple’s older, more affordable iPad Air (2022).
Pros and Cons
The AMOLED upgrade delivers exceptional display quality with vivid colors and deep contrasts, enhancing both visual media consumption and gaming experiences. The inclusion of an S Pen stylus adds value, making the Galaxy Tab S9 suitable for note-taking and creative tasks. On the downside, it falls short in comparison to cheaper alternatives like the iPad Air in terms of speed and suffers from middling battery life, a consequence of the energy demands of its high-performance display.
Specifications
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 features an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It supports 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and includes USB-C and microSD ports. Weighing 1.10 pounds and measuring 10.01 x 6.53 x 0.23 inches, it maintains a slim and lightweight profile, akin to its predecessor.
Design
The design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 closely resembles that of the Galaxy Tab S8, emphasizing familiarity and practicality. It retains similar dimensions and ports, with notable features such as a USB-C jack and a magnetic charging strip for the included S Pen stylus. The placement of the power button and volume rocker along the right edge ensures convenient accessibility, while a slight protrusion on the rear houses the camera and a magnetic charging strip for the S Pen.
Display
The Galaxy Tab S9 boasts an 11-inch WQXGA (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) AMOLED display, a significant upgrade from its predecessor’s LED screen. This enhancement marks the first time an AMOLED display has been standard in Samsung’s base Galaxy Tab, previously exclusive to higher-tier models like the Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. The display’s vibrant colors and smooth refresh rate contribute to an immersive viewing experience, ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming.
Performance
Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S9 delivers responsive performance, handling multitasking and gaming with ease. While it represents an improvement over its predecessor, our performance tests indicate that it still falls short when compared to competitors equipped with more robust processors, such as Apple’s iPad Air with the M1 chip.
Audio
The tablet features four speakers that provide surprisingly loud and clear audio, although lacking in bass. Support for Dolby Atmos enhances the audio experience, particularly during media playback and gaming. Despite the absence of robust bass, the sound quality remains consistent even at higher volumes, making it suitable for casual listening and multimedia enjoyment.
Software
Running on Android 13 with Samsung’s proprietary software enhancements, the Galaxy Tab S9 offers a user-friendly interface optimized for tablet use. Additional Samsung apps, such as Samsung Notes and Samsung Flow, cater to users already integrated into Samsung’s ecosystem, facilitating seamless data sharing across devices. However, for those unfamiliar with Samsung products, these apps may appear as unnecessary bloatware.
Accessories
The Galaxy Tab S9 includes an S Pen stylus at no additional cost, enhancing its functionality for creative tasks such as note-taking and digital art creation. The S Pen attaches magnetically to the tablet for convenient storage and charging, complementing its utility as an all-in-one productivity tool.
Cameras
Featuring a 12MP ultrawide front camera and a 13MP rear camera, the Galaxy Tab S9 offers decent photography capabilities suitable for video calls and occasional snapshots. However, the removal of the rear ultrawide lens from its predecessor marks a downgrade in versatility, though it remains a minor concern given the tablet’s primary focus.
Battery Life and Charging
One notable drawback of the Galaxy Tab S9 is its battery life, which, despite Samsung’s claims of up to 15 hours, fell short in our testing. The AMOLED display’s energy demands likely contribute to this reduction, resulting in approximately 9 hours of usage under typical conditions. Even with adaptive refresh rate settings adjusted to conserve power, the tablet’s endurance remains modest compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S8, which boasted longer battery life with its less power-intensive LED display.
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 represents a commendable entry into the mid-range tablet market, offering an impressive AMOLED display and solid performance capabilities. While it excels in display quality and includes valuable accessories like the S Pen, it faces stiff competition from more affordable alternatives, particularly in terms of battery life and overall speed. For users seeking a tablet primarily for media consumption and productivity tasks, the Galaxy Tab S9 proves to be a worthy contender, albeit with certain trade-offs that may impact its appeal among discerning consumers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the display technology of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 features a 11-inch WQXGA 120Hz AMOLED display.
What processor does the Galaxy Tab S9 use?
It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
How much RAM does the Galaxy Tab S9 have?
It comes with 8GB of RAM.
What storage options are available for the Galaxy Tab S9?
It offers 128GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD card.
Does the Galaxy Tab S9 support 5G connectivity?
Yes, it supports 5G, as well as LTE, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
What are the dimensions and weight of the Galaxy Tab S9?
It measures 10.01 x 6.53 x 0.23 inches and weighs 1.10 pounds.
Is the S Pen stylus included with the Galaxy Tab S9?
Yes, the S Pen stylus is included as an accessory with the tablet.
What operating system does the Galaxy Tab S9 run?
It runs on Android 13 with Samsung’s proprietary software enhancements.
How is the battery life of the Galaxy Tab S9?
Battery life is decent, offering up to approximately 9 hours of usage.
What are the main pros and cons of the Galaxy Tab S9?
Pros include its AMOLED display, performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and the included S Pen stylus. Cons include middling battery life and performance lag compared to some competitors.