Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ review: Great mid-range tablet

The Galaxy Tab S9+ delivers with its great display and strong performance, making it a more suitable choice for everyday users.

Specifications

1. Brand: SAMSUNG
2. Storage: 256 or 512GB
3. CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 2nd generation
4. Memory: 12GB
5. Operating system: Android 13 OneUI 5.1
6. Battery: 10,090mAh
7. Port: USB-C
8. Camera (rear, front): 13MP wide, 8MP ultra-wide, 12MP selfie
9. Screen type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X 12.4 inches with 120Hz and HDR10+

A familiar comfortable design

In terms of design, the Galaxy Tab S9+ has similar aesthetics to its predecessor, but that's not necessarily bad. The entire body is all-aluminum and remarkably thin, only 5.7mm (0.22 inches).

The main aesthetic difference from last year's Tab S8 series is that the new Galaxy Tab S9+ features a redesigned camera bezel, which is now divided into two separate lens housings that line up with the pen holder area. However, what is more impressive is that this time the device achieved IP68 water and dust resistance certification. This means the device will withstand a few splashes or spills, but in reality, it's more of a reassuring comfort than a practical addition to the overall design of the computer. board.

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The display remains unchanged, the Tab S9+ has the same 12.4-inch AMOLED panel as the Tab S8+ and features an optical fingerprint scanner on the bottom of the tablet when in portrait mode. This is not the preferred choice for sensor placement on a tablet, especially considering the size of the device, but it still gets the job done and works regardless of the tablet's screen orientation. any.

When held upright, the power and volume buttons are located along the right edge, with a USB-C port at the tablet's base and pogo pins on the left edge for attaching an optional keyboard. The set of 4 speakers reflects the style of the iPad Pro line, placed on the top and bottom edges, ensuring a very impressive audio experience for the Android tablet.

The biggest appeal to this design comes from what is arguably the tablet's most important value proposition - the S Pen. Samsung continues to include a feature-rich Bluetooth-enabled S Pen in the box, and it works great, but the way it's charged isn't ideal, especially when traveling.

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The S Pen charges wirelessly under the camera bump along a magnetic strip, which is great when you want to carry the pen with you but want it out of sight, such as when you're viewing media content. However, because this charging solution is located along the back of the tablet instead of the side (like the iPad), the pen is prone to falling in bags. With the magnet not being very sturdy, it's best to attach the S Pen along the edge of the tablet and only use the back for charging when needed.

Vivid screen

The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ remains unchanged from its predecessor, but this is the main highlight of this tablet. The Galaxy Tab S9+ has a 12.4-inch, 1752 x 2800 Dynamic AMOLED display that is HDR10+ compatible, meaning you get deep blacks and vivid colors for the ultimate viewing experience. The display also has a 120Hz refresh rate, which keeps everything smooth, whether writing with the S Pen or flipping through apps.

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This screen ratio is 16:10, so it's taller than what you'd expect from something like an iPad, but this means that viewing media content on this tablet, whether it's movies, game or TV show, will provide a more immersive feeling. When you pair this display with the Tab S9+'s four speakers, it beats every other option in its class.

The main trade-off here is that when you're taking notes or reading a book, it can take a moment to adjust to the height of the screen, especially in portrait mode, but that's just a drawback. small for a great screen.

Powerful performance for multitasking

In terms of performance, the Galaxy Tab S9+ offers a great experience by taking advantage of its large screen and powerful hardware, so much so that it almost feels like the device has been overbuilt for what it can do. for now, at least on Android. The Tab S9+ runs on One UI 5.1 on top of Android 13 and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Galaxy chipset - the same one used in the Galaxy S23 and foldable Galaxy series from this year. This chipset is based on a 4nm octa-core CPU and Adreno 740 GPU, supports 5G connectivity, WiFi 6E, combined with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of internal memory, expandable via microSD card. This makes the Tab S9+ not inferior in terms of specifications.

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What does all this mean in terms of practical usability? The Galaxy Tab S9+ offers multitasking capabilities and software features that take full advantage of its large screen. Samsung offers plenty of additional features to help the Tab S line shine, like Multi Window support that allows up to 3 apps on the screen at once. You also have the option to highlight windows with Pop-Up View. And then there's Samsung DeX, a complete desktop experience you can switch to with the press of a button in the Quick Settings panel, perfect for getting work done if you pair the device with a keyboard and mouse.

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Compared to most Android tablets, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is an excellent competitor to Apple's flagship iPad Air and iPad Pro, and is the obvious choice if you're already in Samsung's ecosystem. It's linked to your Samsung account, so you can take calls from your tablet and reply to messages. These small, tight interactions not only add to OneUI's overall consistency, but also show that Apple isn't the only company capable of delivering a well-built ecosystem experience.

However, even with all these features, the Tab S9+ still feels like an oversized phone. Despite its impressive hardware and software capabilities, the Tab S9+ lacks a distinct identity that prevents it from truly comparing to the capabilities of the iPad line.

If you directly compare Tab S9+ with iPad Pro with M2 desktop chip, iPad will always win. However, even when you look at the iPad Mini or the 10.9-inch iPad, which have reduced iPhone processors, the iPad ecosystem still dominates, and that has less to do with hardware and more to do with support. software support.

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Android for tablets has always been a well-known, little-known platform that brings real apps to the desktop. While Samsung gets around this with many first-party apps like Samsung Notes and partnerships with companies like Adobe to promote the Galaxy Tab over other major competitors, if your workflow requires a lot of For more in-depth applications, iPadOS still seems to have the upper hand.

The battery is enough for all day use

When it comes to battery life, the Galaxy Tab S9+ has a 10,090mAh battery and the ability to charge at 45W. However, battery performance and charging speed are just okay. It can provide a battery life of around 9+ hours.

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In almost all cases, using the Tab S9+ revolves around taking notes on Samsung Notes using Chrome or YouTube in split-screen mode, and that usually lasts around 6 - 7 hours, which is enough to get you started. comfortably get through the day.

When it comes to charging, even though the tablet can charge at 45W, with a 10,090mAh battery, it still takes around two hours to fully charge, which isn't ideal if you need to quickly charge the device before away from home.

So while you can comfortably use the Tab S9+ for a full day of work or media viewing, don't expect it to go much further than that without recharging. It's a typical trade-off between a high-resolution display, high refresh rate, and battery performance - something to consider when deciding on this tablet. However, for most use cases, this battery generally performs quite well.

Should I buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is set to be a strong, albeit repetitive addition to Samsung's portfolio in the tablet market, providing a formidable Android rival to Apple's iPad. With a beautiful design, impressive AMOLED screen and included S Pen, Tab S9+ is a competitive product, recommended for students and regular users who want to own a well-configured device with Consistent software experience.

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This device carves out its own space in Samsung's ecosystem, being a balanced product between the basic Tab S9 and Tab S9 Ultra, and it really offers the best balance between the other two variants in terms of both. Screen size and functionality.

Overall, the Tab S9+ is a good all-rounder that excels in many areas but still walks the line between a supplement and a potential laptop replacement. For Samsung loyalists or those looking for a tablet that bridges the gap between mobile and desktop experiences, the Tab S9+ is a smart choice. It is specifically designed for users who desire a high-quality display for multimedia use, powerful performance for mobile productivity, and an integrated stylus for creativity.

However, if you're on the fence and value a particular app ecosystem or prefer the compact nature of a traditional tablet, you might want to weigh your options.

Advantage

1. IP68 water resistance
2. Incredible 12.4-inch 120Hz OLED display
3. The S-Pen comes in the box

Defect

1. Slow charging
2. Android is still limited in tablet form factors

David Pac

Update 15 December 2023