Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review 2024

Samsung’s latest offering, the Galaxy Tab S9 series, presents a formidable challenge to Apple’s iPad Pro lineup. Priced at $1,199.99, the Tab S9 Ultra stands out as the largest among the trio, boasting an impressive 14.6-inch display. This behemoth of a tablet is equipped with an S Pen stylus, a powerful processor, extended battery life, and seamless connectivity with Samsung smartphones, ensuring maximum productivity on the move. Despite its higher price compared to the base 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro ($1,099) and the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 ($999), the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra emerges as the premier choice for Android enthusiasts seeking a large-screen tablet experience. However, it’s worth noting that Android’s tablet experience can still feel somewhat cumbersome, although Samsung has made commendable efforts to mitigate the platform’s limitations.

Comparatively, the Lenovo Tab Extreme, priced at $949, features a marginally smaller 14.5-inch screen housed within a slightly bulkier chassis measuring 12.9 by 8.3 by 0.23 inches and weighing 1.63 pounds. For those seeking a more manageable tablet experience, the Galaxy Tab S9+ presents a 12.4-inch display within a sleeker frame measuring 11.23 by 7.30 by 0.22 inches and weighing 1.28 pounds. Similarly, the Tab S9 offers an 11-inch screen with dimensions of 10.01 by 6.53 by 0.23 inches and a weight of 1.10 pounds. Available in two sophisticated colors, Beige or Graphite, the Tab S9 family represents the pinnacle of versatility, catering to diverse preferences and lifestyles.

Speedy Connections, Loud Speakers

The Tab S9 Ultra boasts an upgraded Bluetooth 5.3, a step up from its predecessor’s Bluetooth 5.2, making private listening easier given the absence of a headphone jack. It embraces Wi-Fi 6E connectivity but lacks support for NFC. Notably, among the trio, only the Tab S9+ provides the choice of an additional 5G cellular radio. In our rigorous Wi-Fi 6 access point trials, the Tab S9 Ultra exhibited a peak download velocity of 492Mbps, complemented by upload speeds reaching 22.6Mbps. Notably, the sluggish upload pace is primarily attributable to the internet service provider rather than the tablet’s capabilities. For reference, the Lenovo Tab Extreme achieved a comparable 490Mbps download and 23.3Mbps upload in identical conditions. Venturing to the farthest corner of my apartment from the access point, the Tab S9 Ultra maintained a respectable 76.4Mbps down and 4.12Mbps up, while the Tab Extreme recorded 71.1Mbps down and 14.8Mbps up. In essence, both Android devices deliver similar Wi-Fi performance, with Lenovo demonstrating a slight advantage in connectivity at the network’s periphery.

The quad-speaker setup delivers impressive volume and clarity, accompanied by a respectable bass output tailored for a tablet. In landscape mode, there’s a tendency to inadvertently muffle the lower two speakers, yet this issue diminishes in portrait orientation. During our evaluation using The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” we observed robust bass performance, although for optimal audio immersion, Bluetooth headphones or a speaker are recommended. When playing Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” the speakers peaked at an impressive 95.7dB without distortion even at maximum volume. In comparison, the Lenovo Tab Extreme achieved a peak loudness of 92dB.

The Best Big Android Tablet

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra stands out as the ultimate choice for those seeking a high-performance, large-screen Android tablet geared towards productivity and multimedia endeavors. Offering a comprehensive package, its superior features overshadow the smaller Tab S9+ or Tab S9, with the main difference being screen size. Seamless integration with other Samsung devices enhances the user experience, facilitating tasks such as file sharing and text messaging. With Dex mode and Samsung’s optimizations for multitasking, the Tab S9 Ultra surpasses competitors like the Lenovo Tab Extreme in productivity capabilities. While not a complete laptop replacement, discerning buyers in this price range might opt for a Windows-powered Microsoft Surface Pro 9, or consider the iPad Pro running iOS 17. Nevertheless, within the realm of large Android tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra reigns supreme as the top choice.

SPECIFICATION

Operating System: Android 13

Display: 2560 x 1600 pixels

Weight: 1.6Ibs

Screen Size: 14.6 inches

Storage Capacity: 512 GB

Battery Life : 9 hours, 30 minutes

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