Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 hands-on: The same but different

It’s been virtually a yr and a half since Samsung launched its Galaxy Tab S8 lineup, because it was launched alongside the Galaxy S22 sequence of gadgets. And regardless of rising competitors from the likes of Amazon and Google, these have remained our go-to suggestions when you’re available in the market for the very best Android pill.We have been fortunate sufficient to spend a while with the Galaxy Tab S9 and are right here to share a few of our ideas. This is not our full evaluate of this trio of tablets, however there are some things that we needed to share within the meantime based mostly on our first impressions.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Slight upgrades(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)We’re not going to dive super-deep into the specs of Samsung’s newest trio of flagship tablets. The largest change from a efficiency standpoint is the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. This was first launched with the Galaxy S23 lineup, providing increased clock speeds on each the CPU and GPU. Considering that the Tab S8 and its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 was already fairly darn quick, we aren’t anticipating a large increase in efficiency with the Tab S9. At least nothing that you’ll see on a day-to-day foundation.Swipe to scroll horizontallyCategorySamsung Galaxy Tab S9Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 PlusSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 UltraShow11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 60Hz-120Hz), 2640 x 1080 decision12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 60Hz – 120Hz14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 60Hz – 120HzChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxySnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxySnapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyMemory8GB or 12GB12GB12GB or 16GBStorage128GB or 256GB w/ microSD card slot (as much as 1TB)256GB or 512GB w/ microSD card slot (as much as 1TB)256GB / 512GB / 1TB w/ microSD card slot (as much as 1TB)Rear Camera 1 (essential digicam)13MP AF13MP AF13MP AFRear Camera 2 (ultrawide)❌8MP8MPFront12MP12MP12MP + 12MP UWBattery8,400mAh10,090mAh11,200mAhSoundQuad Stereo Speakers w/ AKG tuning, Dolby AtmosQuad Stereo Speakers w/ AKG tuning, Dolby AtmosQuad Stereo Speakers w/ AKG tuning, Dolby AtmosBiometricsOn-screen fingerprint scannerOn-screen fingerprint scannerOn-screen fingerprint scannerConnectivity5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.35G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.35G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3Weight498g581g (Wi-Fi), 586g (5G)732gDimensions10.01 x 6.53 x 0.23 in11.23 x 7.30 x 0.22 in12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 inColorsBeige, GraphiteBeige, GraphiteBeige, GraphiteThere is a little bit of potential confusion to concentrate on within the occasion that you end up wanting a brand new Tab S9. The Tab S9 is supplied with both 8GB or 12GB of RAM, however you may solely get 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, the Tab S9 Ultra comes with both 12GB or 16GB of RAM and as much as 1TB of storage. But the one method to get probably the most RAM attainable is to spring for the 1TB model. Otherwise, the 256GB and 512GB fashions are paired with 12GB of RAM. Oh, and the Tab S9 Plus “only” comes with 12GB of RAM, no matter whether or not you get 256GB or 512GB of storage. So there is no want to fret about choosing the “right” configuration on that entrance.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Sturdy as ever(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)If there’s one firm that may sustain with what Apple’s iPad lineup provides when it comes to construct high quality, it is undoubtedly Samsung. The Galaxy Tab S9 sequence continues that development due to its aluminum chassis that would not flex even after we put some stress on them.Some of that may be attributed to Samsung’s use of the identical design because the Galaxy Tab S8. The largest distinction right here is the introduction of IP68 water and dirt resistance, which sounded a bit odd at first. But when you’re somebody who travels and needs to get work achieved on the highway, you do not need to fear about getting caught in some rain and having your pill ruined. Something else to contemplate is utilizing the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and its almost-15-inch display screen to look at a present when you’re taking a shower. You can simply use a pill stand, lay again, and calm down with out worrying when you by chance get a little bit of water on it.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Software enhancements(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)As we coated beforehand, there actually is not rather a lot happening in the way in which of upgraded {hardware}, save for the “regular” Galaxy Tab S9. Instead, plainly Samsung is placing much more deal with the software program expertise. The devoted multitasking bar from the underside has been improved, exhibiting you as much as 4 of your most recently-used apps to the fitting of the dock. There’s additionally one other neat trick, as this dynamic space of the taskbar will not present app icons if they’re already pinned to your dock.It’s one thing that we actually hadn’t considered earlier than, but it surely’s nonetheless good to see Samsung making these “quality of life” enhancements. (Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Another shock coming to the Tab S9 lineup is the truth that GoodNotes is pre-installed, providing you with one other notes app to make use of out of the field. Until just lately, GoodNotes was solely accessible on the iPhone and iPad, however now the corporate is bringing its award-winning app to Android and Windows. Lastly, software program help is at all times one thing we fear about, however Samsung is making our lives a bit simpler. Like the Tab S8 and the very best Samsung telephones, the Tab S9 will obtain 4 years of main Android updates together with 5 years of safety updates.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: A brand new goldilocks?(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)By many accounts, together with our personal, the Galaxy Tab S8 Plus was the “goldilocks” pill when in comparison with the Tab S8 and Tab S8 Ultra. It’s not as unwieldy because the 14.6-inch Tab S8 Ultra, but it surely included an OLED show with a 120Hz refresh charge. Meanwhile, the common Tab S8 was “stuck” utilizing an LCD panel that lacked the aptitude and pizzazz discovered within the different two fashions.That’s all altering with the Tab S9, as Samsung is lastly bringing its wonderful OLED show know-how to its smallest flagship pill. This ought to instantly attraction to those that desire a performant pill that is additionally extraordinarily light-weight and moveable. It’s additionally going to be nice for gaming or productiveness and gives fairly an improve over its predecessor.We’ll have to order our last judgment for the total evaluate, but it surely’s already trying like the usual Galaxy Tab S9 goes to be the very best Android pill for anybody, at the very least for individuals who aren’t trying to make use of their pill as a full-on laptop computer alternative. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Plenty of equipment(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)If you are anxious about Samsung eradicating the S Pen from being included, worry not. You’ll nonetheless get to get pleasure from among the best stylus pens available on the market with out paying something additional. That is, until you need one thing just like the S Pen Pro.Samsung can also be providing fairly an array of case choices, no matter whether or not you go for the Tab S9, S9 Plus, or S9 Ultra. Unfortunately, at the very least with the Tab S9 Ultra, the Microsoft Surface-style keyboard case is again. This was one in all our largest complaints with the Tab S8 Ultra, because the keyboard itself is simply too flimsy to make use of in your lap.On the brilliant aspect, the Tab S9 and Tab S9 Plus are getting new keyboard folio instances, together with a slew of different instances. All of which hook up with your pill utilizing built-in pogo pins. We aren’t certain precisely why that is the case (pun meant,) but it surely’s in all probability simply to ensure that the case stays related to the pill. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: The finest will get (barely) higher(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)All being instructed, the story of the Galaxy Tab S9 is very similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 5. This is a yr of iterative updates, with extra of a deal with software program enhancements moderately than any main {hardware} adjustments. Again, we need to spend extra time with these gadgets to determine whether or not they’re pretty much as good as Samsung says. But all indicators level to the Tab S9 lineup usurping its predecessors as the very best Android tablets that cash should buy. It’s simply going to come back down as to whether you need to spend the cash for a “flagship” Android pill, or when you ought to simply get final yr’s model.