Taeki Chan Samsung has recently introduced its latest lineup of flagship tablets, known as the Tab S9 series. This series comprises three distinct tablets: the Tab S9 Ultra, Tab S9 Plus, and the standard S9. We were fortunate enough to get hands-on experience with the more compact and budget-friendly tablet from this range prior to its official release. Continue reading to uncover our first impression of the Galaxy Tab S9.
Design: The Samsung S9 Tab boasts a sleek brushed metal design with squared edges, finding a perfect balance between thickness and screen size. This design radiates luxury, reinforcing Samsung’s leadership in the Android tablet realm. The tablet now features a dedicated S-Pen slot on the back for secure charging and storage, even when attached in any orientation.
One side houses volume and power buttons, while the other holds a SIM tray and a contact leg area for keyboard connection. The tablet offers a USB-C charging port, bottom-positioned speakers, and an additional pair on the top edge. A raised section on the back accommodates the rear camera and a magnetized strip for S Pen attachment and charging.
The tablet’s dimensions are 165.8 x 254.3 x 5.9mm, weighing 498g (or 500g for 5G), and it’s IP68 water and dust resistant, a first for the tablet market. The S-Pen boasts a 2.8ms latency and improved pressure-sensitive button, charging seamlessly on the magnetic strip regardless of its orientation.
Display: The tablet offers a larger screen experience. The Tab S9 Ultra boasts an impressive 14.6-inch display, surpassing the size of many laptops. Following closely, the Tab S9 Plus features a 12.4-inch screen, while the Tab S9 itself showcases an 11-inch display. This renders the Tab S9 more compact and travel-friendly, particularly for those with limited bag space.
The display on the Tab S9 is vibrant, boasting exceptional contrast and brilliant colors. With a 120Hz refresh rate and Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, scrolling feels fluid, and deep blacks enhance the visual experience. The utilization of AMOLED technology also contributes to battery efficiency, as fewer pixels need illumination.
Camera: Among the range, the Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as the sole tablet equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 12-megapixel front camera for selfies and video calls. This mirrors the setup of the Tab S9 Plus, with the exclusion of an 8-megapixel ultra-wide sensor.
Specifications: A notable enhancement to the Tab S9 series lies in the updated chipset – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, coupled with Samsung’s One UI 5.1 software. This combination delivers a fast and responsive experience, ideal for multitasking. The tablet supports split-screen and DeX mode, alongside compatibility with apps like Samsung Notes and the iOS note-taking app GoodNotes. Samsung asserts that the new chipset offers a 34% increase in CPU performance and a 41% boost in GPU performance, applicable to both the Tab S9 Ultra and the base model.
The Battery: The Galaxy Tab S9 boasts an 8,400mAh battery, a minor increase of 400mAh compared to its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S8. Despite its slim and lightweight profile, this battery capacity is impressive. The tablet also supports charging speeds of up to 45W, akin to its predecessor, ensuring rapid charging for most users.
What’s in the Box: The package contains the Galaxy Tab S9, Galaxy S Pen, Ejection Pin, and USB Type-C cable. The S Pen’s enhanced usability extends across the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, compatible with Galaxy smartphones and Galaxy Books that support S Pen functionality.
Add-On Accessories: The keyboard cover is available separately and offers a laptop-like experience when utilized with Samsung DeX. The keyboard cover is recommended for those seeking to use the tablet as a daily work device.
Our Take: The Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as an elegant tablet that excels in both appearance and performance. The flagship chipset and magnetic S-Pen position the Galaxy Tab S9 as an excellent choice for individuals seeking a compact tablet for streaming, web browsing, and note-taking on the go.
Options and Pricing:
The Galaxy Tab S9 is available in two storage options: 12GB of RAM with 256GB storage or 12GB of RAM with 512GB storage, both for WiFi or 5G variants. It can be obtained in Graphite or Beige colors. Early adopters in Malaysia can enjoy a double storage upgrade worth RM500 and an RM400 e-Voucher by pre-ordering the Galaxy Tab S9 on Samsung’s Malaysia Official Website before August 17, 2023. For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/my/tablets.
