The Galaxy Tab S9 is the most affordable tablet in Samsung’s S range. A premium model with a solid technical sheet and careful design capable of stepping into the footsteps of Apple and its unbeatable iPad Air.

The Galaxy Tab S9 is the most affordable tablet in Samsung’s S range. A premium model with a solid technical sheet and careful design capable of stepping into the footsteps of Apple and its unbeatable iPad Air.

Samsung is one of the few manufacturers to have never abandoned the touchscreen tablet market, even when their popularity began to decline sharply. The Covid-19 pandemic and the various confinements have, however, allowed these devices to regain a few points of popularity with a public looking for a practical tool to take to all rooms of the house, while taking up little space , durable and capable of carrying out all daily tasks with the help of a very well-stocked catalog of apps.

Uses which have made the Apple iPad the queen of tablets since its debut in 2011 but which have also led many manufacturers to try – or retry – their luck over the past two years. Oppo, Honor and even Google now also offer their own mid-range oriented models. To stand out from this flow, Samsung is focusing on excellence with its range of S tablets. Its new Galaxy Tab S9 series is immediately targeting the market for high-end models, such as the iPad. The most affordable Galaxy Tab S9, the model we are testing here, starts at 810 euros all the same. It is available in an S9+ version from 1100 euros and in a very large format S9 Ultra version from 1500 euros. At such a price, suffice to say that Samsung really has no room for error. We were able to test the Galaxy Tab S9 for several days. Here is our verdict.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: a premium design that ensures and reassures

A premium tablet, neat design. Samsung is clearly not a beginner in the field and it shows. For years, its tablets – like its smartphones – have benefited from particular attention to the materials used, the grip, the arrangement of the buttons and the general appearance. This new Tab S9 is no exception to the rule. What is surprising first of all is its thinness: only 5.9 mm thick. It is thinner than the vast majority of smartphones that pass through our hands and, obviously, much more slender than mid-range tablets. Thanks to the Amoled panel whose impact is obviously very sensitive.

The size of the Tab S9 otherwise remains in the trend for tablets with an 11-inch screen with compact dimensions of 165.8 x 254.3 mm. Its weight is also a very pleasant surprise with only 498 g. The weight is well distributed so as not to tire the wrist(s) when the device is held in the hands for long sessions of use. Only the flat edges can, in the long run, prove to be a little uncomfortable, leaving beautiful marks in the palms of the hands.

On the back, the Galaxy Tab S9 adopts an all-brushed aluminum coating. It sticks to fingerprints a little but without exaggeration. Under the single photo sensor and its LED flash, a large groove allows you to accommodate the S-Pen stylus supplied with the device. This is the other good surprise of this Tab S9. No need to buy the stylus extra. It is indeed present in the box.

Finally, the left edge accommodates the traditional power and volume buttons as well as a drawer allowing you to insert a microSD memory card while the right edge houses the three-pin connector for connecting to a keyboard (sold as an option). No fingerprint reader. And for good reason, it nestles under the screen like on smartphones.

Finally, the Galaxy Tab S9 benefits from IP68 certification. She will therefore be able to take a small accidental dive into the pool at a depth of 1.5 m for 30 minutes without it harming her. No doubt: the Tab S9 has all the trappings of a premium tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: an excellent Amoled screen

Where the vast majority of tablets, including the iPad, have an LCD screen, all slates in the S9 range are adorned this year with an Amoled screen. A subtlety which not only gives it this wasp waist but also a perfect display. Once switched to Natural Colors mode, this panel offers top visual comfort. The colors are vibrant and the brightness is more than sufficient in most situations. Samsung announces a brightness of 450 nits with a peak of 650 nits in particularly strong light conditions (in direct sunlight for example). We are far, obviously, from what the panels of certain smartphones of the brand can offer (capable of reaching up to 1700 nits or more) but already very comfortable, including for outdoor use. This screen with a definition of 2560 x 1600 pixels for a resolution of 274 ppi offers an adaptive refresh rate of 60 to 120 Hz. Perfect for games, an activity to which the tablet engages without the slightest difficulty.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: top performance

Technical sheet

Tablets are often worse off than smartphones when it comes to the components used to power them. Here, Samsung does not compromise. The Tab S9 is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC from Qualcomm, the same one that made all high-end smartphones shine this year. The chip is supported in the case of the Tab S9 by 8 or 12 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of storage space in the version tested. Obviously, the performance does not disappoint as the results of our various benchmarks show.

The Tab S9 is therefore very comfortable with all everyday tasks. We haven’t noticed the slightest slowdown. She is very responsive in all situations. Gaming is also favorable terrain for SoC 8 Gen 2 which has already proven its great skills. With our reference title Genshin Impact, we were able to play without difficulty with high levels of detail and at 60 frames per second. The tablet has it underfoot and it’s very pleasant, especially since the heating is also controlled. The temperature of the Tab S9 remains very stable over time.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: a software overlay that is still just as effective

Released in August, the Galaxy Tab S9 is powered by Android 13 topped with One UI in version 5.1.1. At the time we are carrying out our tests, the tablet has not yet migrated to One UI 6 and Android 14 like many of the brand’s smartphones but it will not be long before as with last year’s Galaxy Tab S8. In the meantime, One UI remains as pleasant to use as ever. We appreciate the fluidity and logic of the interface. In addition, as the Tab S9 comes straight from the start with an S-Pen stylus, it is entirely possible to take notes or draw with the Samsung apps installed by default.

In the same way, by connecting the keyboard, the interface then migrates to DeX, giving the tablet the appearance of an ultra-portable PC. We benefit from a taskbar like in Windows and the possibility of displaying several windows on the small screen. With its 11 inches, the Tab S9’s screen is still not very suitable for the multiplication of displayed elements.

For this use, it will be better to choose the Tab S9+ and its 12.4-inch screen or, for the more fortunate, the Tab S9 Ultra with its large 14.6-inch screen.

However, the fact remains that the Book Cover Keyboard Slim (which also serves as a protective shell) is priced at a high price: 160 euros all the same for the Slim model and even 230 euros for the Book Cover Keyboard also equipped with a trackpad .

The Galaxy Tab S9 has a 13 MP wide-angle photo sensor on the back. Obviously, it is not up to what we find on smartphones – tablets are not the devices best suited to capturing images – but it helps out with fairly decent results as long as the scene remains quite bright. On the front, we can count on a 12 Mpx ultra wide-angle module. It is ideal for videoconferencing sessions but not more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: very decent battery life and fast charging

What makes a tablet strong is also its ability to be durable. Unless used specifically, it generally spends a lot of time in standby mode on the living room coffee table. However, it can also happen to be very heavily used, such as during a long trip, where it will be more comfortable to watch films and series in streaming in good conditions. And on this point, the Tab S9 does not disappoint. Armed with an 8400 mAh battery, the tablet managed to last no less than 15 hours of video playback (Wi-Fi). A completely reasonable score which suggests a relatively long usage time with shorter usage sessions and long standby periods. As for charging, the Tab S9 remains compatible with 45 W charging. So much the better, but we would have appreciated, for the price, if Samsung provided a suitable charger in the box. Alas, you will have to make do with the sole presence of a USB-C cable. To refuel the tablet from 0 to 100%, allow a good hour and a half of patience.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: should you go for Samsung’s small premium tablet?

The Galaxy Tab S9 does its job perfectly and even a little more. She really proves to be versatile. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC doesn’t make up the numbers. It can tackle all tasks without complaining and will also satisfy players. On the design side, Samsung takes care of every detail as usual and the finishes remain very clean. We appreciate the compact size and especially this astonishing finesse. The Amoled panel also appeals to the retina and the S-Pen stylus delivered straight away is a nice touch. The downside, however, is the price. At 810 euros for the most affordable model, it is really too expensive to suit everyone. Nevertheless, it rises to the level of the iPad Air (from 789 euros) with its top performance and its exemplary manufacturing quality. It’s a shame that the optional keyboard is also so expensive, Samsung taking the example of Apple here with accessories billed at a high price: elitism, when you hold us….