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Samsung showed off its latest innovation, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 lineup, at the highly awaited Unpacked 2023 event. This impressive line includes not only the regular Galaxy Tab S9 and its bigger version, the Tab S9 Plus, but also the amazing Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This new Ultra version is a natural step up from its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
It still has a large 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display, but it has made big improvements in processing power, memory capacity, storage options, and general durability. The fact that it has an IP68 rating for water protection, which makes it more durable, is especially interesting. Because the Tab S8 models already cost a lot, it makes sense that the device’s cutting-edge features put it in a higher price range and make it more appealing to a niche audience.
The 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen is still the best thing about the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. This is a feature that has been kept from the previous model. But this new version is better in a lot of other ways. The Tab S9 Ultra takes a big step forward with improvements to its processing power, memory, storage options, and general durability. Most notably, the fact that it has an IP68 certification for water protection makes it much more durable. Inevitably, these ground-breaking features come with a price, which makes the Tab S8 prices even more unique in the market.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Specifications
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (beginning at $1,199). It’s not a bad thing that this year’s model isn’t wildly different from last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Display: | 14.6 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Storage: | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Processor: | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Network: | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Battery: | 11,200mAh |
| Charging: | 45W wired |
| RAM: | 12GB/16GB |
| Connectivity: | 5G, LTE , Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Dimensions: | 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 inches |
| Rear cameras: | 13MP main, 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front camera: | 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide |
| Operating system: | Android 13 |
| Ports | USB-C, microSD |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Design
Like the Tab S8 Ultra, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a huge tablet that puts its rivals in the shade. The slate is 12.85 inches by 8.21 inches by 0.22 inches, but it only weighs 1.6 pounds. That isn’t too heavy, but because the tablet is so big, you’ll need two hands to hold it. In this case, its size is both a strength and a weakness.
When held upright, the power and volume buttons are on the right side of the slate. There is also a spot for a microSD card near the bottom right. On the back, there are two cameras that look forward and a sticky strip that holds and charges the S pen that comes with the phone. The four speakers inside the tablet play sound out of grilles on the sides, which is also where you’ll find the single USB-C port. There’s no headphone jack, which is too bad.
All Galaxy Tab S9 slates have an IP68 grade for water resistance and are less likely to get dirty than the Galaxy Tab S8 slates from last year. If you like to use tablets by the pool or on the beach, this is a nice improvement over last year’s model that makes it less likely that you’ll break it.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is big and intimidating just like its model. Even though its design is almost the same as what came before it, this tablet still looks great and will get people’s attention whether you want it to or not. Samsung’s “Ultra” tablet is very big, which is why it has that name.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Display
The big screen on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is its biggest selling point, and it doesn’t let you down there. As before, its bright 14.6-inch (2,960 x 1,848 pixel) AMOLED monitor has stunning picture quality that makes videos and games look amazing. Videos run more quickly when they have a refresh rate of 120Hz. You can lock the frame rate to 60Hz if you want to save power. When I watched a 4K movie about birds on YouTube, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra’s screen was bright and colorful enough. The black levels were very good, which made the colors on the birds’ feathers stand out. When I played Genshin Impact, I was amazed by how bright the colors were and how sharp the textures were.
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.6 inches |
| Screen resolution | 3,088 x 1,920 pixels |
| Screen refresh rate | 120Hz |
| Display type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Screen protection | Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
There are two ways to change the colors: Natural and Vivid. As their names suggest, the first one makes colors that look more natural, while the second one makes colors that are too bright and saturated. I liked Natural better for movies and books, but Vivid was better for video games and comics. Those are, of course, just the things I like. When we took the Tab S9 Ultra into our testing lab and looked at its screen with our Klein 10-A colorimeter, we found that it does a good job of showing colors. In Natural mode, the screen was able to show 117.7% of the sRGB color space and 83.4% of the more demanding DCI-P3 color space. 100% is the most accurate, and higher scores usually mean more saturated colors. In Vivid mode, the screen reached 181.7%, 128.5%, and 0.18.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Cameras
On the back of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are two cameras: a rear-facing “main” camera with 13 megapixels and an ultrawide camera with 8 megapixels. A pair of 12 megapixel wide and ultrawide cameras can be found on the front of the device, housed in an unattractive notch. I imagine that tablet owners who only use their device sometimes won’t be bothered by the rear cameras. On the other hand, taking pictures with the tablet is difficult since it is awkward to handle, and the image quality is not going to compete with that of any smartphone camera that costs more than $400.
The front-facing cameras perform significantly better and are suitable for use with tablets and possibly even mobile phones. The exposure is spot on, and the color of my skin is depicted correctly. Additionally, Samsung positioned the front-facing cameras in the upper part of the tablet rather than on the side of the device like Apple does with the iPad. You can also control the camera shutter button with a hand gesture of opening your palm or by clicking the button on the S Pen, making this a very capable system for the camera that is located on the front of the device.
However, given the size of the device and the fact that it will most likely be kept on a desk, the primary function of the cameras will most likely remain video calling. The video captured by the front-facing camera is of a fair 1080p resolution, and the audio pickup is good.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Performance
You can obtain great performance from the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, which is an Android tablet, if that is what you are seeking for in an electronic tablet. It was able to breeze through even the most difficult tasks I threw at it, and the only things that can hold the Tab S9 UItra back are your creativity and the selection of programs that are available for Android.
This latter restriction is not a minor limiting factor. Apple has been bringing desktop-grade applications to its iPad lineup, such as its Logic Pro music program and its Final Cut Pro editing suite. Additionally, the iPad Air and the iPad Pro both have desktop-class Apple M1 and Apple M2 processors on board, respectively. This implies that you are able to perform real-time editing on the touchscreen for both audio and video. I attempted to edit large image files in Lightroom using the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, and the tablet was quite quick to my input. It was able to employ artificial intelligence to determine my topic for the masking process, and image modifications occurred instantaneously as I changed the sliders. It didn’t seem quite as quick as Lightroom on my Mac mini (M2), which has the same processor as the large iPad Pro 12.9, but it was noticeably quicker than it was on any other mobile device I’ve used.
Which app and service categories are most important to you will choose the ecosystem and device that best suits your needs. The performance of your preferred apps on the Tab S9 Ultra will be very good if they run on Android. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the best tablet on the market for creative endeavors like sketching, writing, and journaling.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: Battery life
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a decent life expectancy for its battery. In our battery test, which consisted of continuously browsing the Internet via Wi-Fi with the screen set to 150 nits of brightness, the Tab S9 Ultra lasted for 9 hours and 27 minutes at a refresh rate of 60Hz. This was accomplished at a refresh rate of 60Hz. In case you were wondering, that’s 20 minutes shorter than the time allotted for the previous one.
As can be seen up top, the Lenovo Tab Extreme lasted one minute longer at 60Hz, but the iPad Pro lasted over an hour longer, despite having a smaller screen and making use of Apple’s more power-efficient M2 chip. We were able to charge the tablet to 14% in 15 minutes using the 45W charger that was included with the tablet, and it was able to charge to 28% in 30 minutes. That is far slower than the charging capabilities of the Tab S8, which could reach 15% in 20 minutes and 41% in 30 minutes.
Price and availability
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is expensive, but you get what you pay for. When you look at the specs, the Tab S9 Ultra is a better deal than a smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Is it too much to charge $1,200, £1,200, or AU$2,000 for any Android tablet? If you’re asking this question, you might want to look at the OnePlus Pad or the Google Pixel Tablet, which are both less expensive. Or, if you have the money but can’t imagine spending this much on a tablet, you could look into the Macbook Air, which costs the same but doesn’t have a touchscreen.
With the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, you get a big screen with a million more pixels than the best screen on your phone. It is sharper and has a higher resolution than the 15-inch Macbook Air. It can also be used to draw like a professional Wacom, with pressure sensitivity and pen tilt recognition. The S Pen is included, but the Ultra keyboard cover with trackpad costs extra. I’d recommend using a keyboard with the Tab S9 Ultra, but I wouldn’t suggest Samsung’s. The stand for the back cover and holder for the S Pen that come with it are nice, but you can buy them individually.
Final Words
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a product that exemplifies both the company’s dedication to innovation and its pursuit of excellence. The tablet is at the forefront of the tablet market thanks to its eye-catching design, jaw-dropping display, robust performance, and extensive storage options. Customers that demand nothing less than perfection, including professionals, creatives, and tech aficionados, are the target audience for this product.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: The good and The bad
When compared to its dimensions, it has the impression of being rather lightweight and can be easily transported with just one hand. It is difficult to carry out tasks while walking,
The Good
- Slim, lightweight design
- Louder, punchier speakers
The Bad
- No battery upgrades