ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Samsung’s 2023 Galaxy tablets are available in two sizes: the ten.9-inch Tab S9 FE for a retail value of $450 and the 12.4-inch Tab S9 FE+ for $600.
- If you’d like a giant pill for watching motion pictures and multitasking on the go however wish to maintain your spending in examine, the Tab S9 FE+ is a strong selection.
- You could expertise the same old Android pill quirks, resembling outstretched apps and the occasional, slowdown.
What is the deal?
For Cyber Monday, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE continues to be at the moment $150 off at Amazon, bringing the value down to simply $300. Moreover, it can save you as much as $200 on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ mannequin. Do not miss out — this deal could not final after Cyber Monday ends.
Additionally: The best Cyber Monday deals still live
The world of budget-friendly Android tablets continues to develop as extra corporations attempt to enchantment to those that do not feel like spending $1,000+ on a pleasant Netflix machine. Samsung is once more making an attempt to make one thing occur within the higher mid-range sector with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE collection, which consists of the regular S9 FE and the S9 FE+. I have been reviewing the latter, which usually retails for $599 and… it is fairly good!
I will not let you know it is the best pill since sliced bread. Whereas it marks the return of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab FE line after a hiatus in 2022, the corporate’s mid-range tablets have not modified a lot, save for a couple of tweaks right here and there to convey them as much as 2024 requirements. The S9 FE+ is a chief instance, however regardless of being a boring replace, it is nonetheless an important choice in the event you’re after a giant display screen with lengthy battery life.
The display screen is actually what makes the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. Samsung features a 12.4-inch 16:10 IPS LCD that, to my eye, seems about as shut as you will get to OLED with out truly being OLED. Content material seems pin-sharp due to the 2560 x 1600 decision, whereas colours are vibrant and distinction is surprisingly satisfactory. I’ve loved doing nearly every little thing on this pill, from watching motion pictures to studying articles. All of it seems very good, which is anticipated from a Samsung pill.
Is it as lovely as an OLED panel? No, probably not. It would not assist that there is a grey tint every time one thing tremendous darkish reveals up on the display screen (resembling nighttime in a film), however for this value, it is forgivable.
Additionally: iPad Air (2024) review: Apple’s M2 tablet is the iPad most people should buy
The display screen sits on the entrance of an aluminum chassis that Samsung presents in 4 colours: Silver, Grey, Lavender, and Mint (the one I obtained — and yeah, it is the perfect one). It shares many similarities with the opposite members of the Galaxy Tab collection, with its flat sides, round speaker grilles, and antenna stripes. This additionally makes it appear to be Apple’s iPads, which you can not unsee if you set them subsequent to one another.
Whereas the Tab S9 FE just isn’t probably the most comfy pill to carry for lengthy durations (no pill with flat edges is), it is at the least skinny and light-weight sufficient that you do not develop drained. After some time, it simply tends to dig into your hand, which is not nice. Then once more, that is with most fashionable tablets as of late. At the very least the bezels are thick sufficient, so you’ve gotten someplace to place your thumbs.
Below the hood, Samsung packs in its Exynos 1380 processor, a mid-range chipset that is not positioned to tackle the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2s and Apple M1s of the world. As an alternative, it is a superb processor for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, with typically dependable efficiency throughout my testing. Apps and video games reply promptly, with just a few slowdowns every time I swap between apps quickly.
My unit has 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which is ok for many customers. If you’d like extra, there is a 12GB RAM/256GB storage option, supplying you with extra headroom that may come in useful in the event you’re a severe pill multitasker.
Additionally: How we test tablets at ZDNET in 2024
The system comes with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 on high of Android 13, a superb working system. The Tab S9 FE+ dons the same old One UI aesthetic and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink strategy to options and settings, together with an array of multitasking options like split-screen, multi-window, and even DeX, which supplies you a desktop-like interface for getting work performed. That characteristic is greatest paired with a keyboard and mouse, which Samsung will promote you because the E book Cowl Keyboard. I did not get it to assessment, however I guess it is good if you’re in DeX mode.
In fact, that is Android on a pill, so you may need to take care of all of the bizarre methods apps open and scale on the show. I acknowledge the app assist scenario is not as unhealthy because it was a few years ago, due to Google pressuring extra builders to optimize their apps for bigger gadgets.
Nonetheless, it is not good, and customary apps like X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and Slack will both not stretch to fill the show or stretch too extensively and go away you with a bunch of white area. This is not Samsung’s fault, by the best way — it is a bigger downside with Android, which I really feel obligated to say every time I assessment an Android pill.
Additionally: My favorite tablet for watching movies is not an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab
Oh, there’s yet another software-esque characteristic I’ve to say: drawing. The Tab S9 FE+ comes with an S Pen that magnetically attaches to the again to recharge. You may write notes, signal paperwork, create drawings, sketch, and extra shortly and effectively. Samsung has been perfecting its approach for the S Pen for some time now.
Battery life has been good on the Tab S9 FE+, which is sweet. With my gentle use, a ten,090mAh battery inside can final two to 3 days on a full cost. For those who take it on a aircraft with you, you may simply watch two motion pictures, play some video games, and skim an e book earlier than it dies. Standby can be surprisingly nice; I left this pill unattended all evening at 100%, and it solely dropped to 96% by the subsequent morning. It is paying homage to the endurance you will get from an iPad Air.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
For those who’re contemplating choosing up the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, I like to recommend contemplating precisely what you want out of your subsequent pill. This system is for you in the event you’re after a giant display screen and lengthy battery life.
For those who’re okay with one thing smaller or that serves as a second system if you aren’t utilizing it, the Pixel Tablet is all the time an important choice. It has a smaller 10.2-inch display screen and a Tensor G2 processor, and it comes with a speaker dock that turns the system into a wise show.
Is your coronary heart set on a giant pill for watching motion pictures and multitasking on the go? Preserve your spending in examine with the Tab S9 FE+. There’s nothing particular that stands out concerning the system, however as a basic on a regular basis pill (that occurs to be bigger than common and comes with a stylus within the field), it is fairly good.
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