Samsung’s new $600 Android tablet is better than I expected

Choosing a Samsung tablet can be difficult because there are so many alternatives. Confusion has only increased since the release of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series. Like the recently introduced Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, the “Fan Edition” tablet provides the basic mobile functions that the majority of consumers want at a lower cost than the company’s more expensive models.

I started this evaluation from the viewpoint of a typical tablet buyer who is less likely to buy a high-end tablet like the Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. My objective was to determine if Samsung had to make too many concessions in order to provide a less expensive version of its previous tablet products or if the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is a well-rounded tablet.

Finding more positive features than negative ones pleasantly surprised me.

What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus?

Let’s go over the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus’s place in Samsung’s tablet lineup and how it differs from the recently introduced Galaxy Tab S9 FE before we get started. With its 12.4-inch display, the Galaxy Tab FE Plus is on pace with the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, which was released earlier this year. However, with a 10.9-inch screen, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE variant is comparable to the Galaxy Tab S9, which has an 11-inch screen.

There are just minor internal differences between the two FE tablets, save for the difference in display size. First off, the FE Plus model of the Tab S9 is only available with WiFi, while the FE model is the only one with a 5G option. Second, the 128GB Tab S9 FE has 6GB of RAM, whereas the entry-level 128GB Tab S9 FE Plus has 8GB. The 256GB variants also differ in terms of memory; the FE Plus has 12GB of RAM, while the FE only has 8GB.

What I adore about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is a remarkable gadget right out of the box. It soon won my approval, even if I would have liked a review unit that wasn’t mint in color. In addition, the tablet comes in more conventional hues like gray and silver, as well as lavender for a gentler option.

The 12.4-inch WQXGA display of the Tab S9 FE Plus is not AMOLED like the one on the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus. It still offers a satisfying visual experience, though. In most cases, its resolution of 2560 x 1600 is more than sufficient. However, if you have quick fingers, the 90Hz refresh rate may occasionally cause lag while you scroll across websites. Additionally, mobile gamers may have some issues, particularly when playing games that require a lot of mobility.

However, if watching your favorite films, drawing, or video chat are your top tablet priorities, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is a great investment.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is an amazing gadget right out of the box.

In addition to the screen, the tablet boasts a robust 10,090 mAh battery that lasts a long time. The battery may last up to 20 hours between charges when used continuously, but it can only last a few days when used infrequently. The tablet also has quick charging capabilities, which guarantee that the battery will be fully charged in less than 90 minutes.

During my testing, I depleted my review unit’s battery twice. I spent three days using the Tab S9 FE Plus for a few hours each day the first time. I wanted to see if I could meet Samsung’s advertised 20 hours of continuous use the second time. I played online word games, watched Netflix, listened to music, and drew on the iPad during both exams. I video-chatted with my kid, read the Amazon Kindle app, and made some photo edits.

I could use the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus for slightly under eighteen hours before the battery needed to be recharged, whether I used it occasionally or constantly. For a 12.4-inch tablet, an average of 18, 19, or 20 hours between charges is quite remarkable.

I used my Galaxy Buds 2 Pro earbuds or the tablet’s AKG-tuned dual speakers to listen to a lot of music while I was using it. And these speakers are real, I assure you! The power of these speakers surpasses my expectations, and their sound quality is exceptionally clear. I have been truly impressed by their sound quality when listening to audiobooks and podcasts. Although the speakers aren’t very loud, you can work in one room while relaxing and enjoying music in another. Overall, the audio production is quite remarkable.

With its Arm Mali-G68 GPU and Samsung Exynos 1380 CPU, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus offers mid-range performance. The tablet does appear to have some trouble when running several apps at once. It isn’t bad, but it’s also not great either. It’s often a respectable performance.

As someone who used to purchase Apple Pencils individually, I’m impressed that the Tab S9 FE Plus comes with a S Pen. An added plus is that the S Pen even matches the color of the tablet. Apps like Samsung Notes, Clip Studio Paint, and Goodnotes all function well with the S Pen.

In addition to the S Pen, Samsung has added a number of other features to the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus that make it a great buy. Among these features are Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility. The tablet is also protected from water and dust by its IP68 classification. No iPad has this grade, which guarantees that despite regular use, the tablet will continue to be secure and useful for many years to come.

Unsatisfactory dimensions for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

I’ve been writing about mobile technology for a number of years, and I’ve seen a distinct trend: consumers are becoming more interested in larger smartphones. But I don’t believe the tablet industry follows the same process. Even though I lack data to back up my assertion, I firmly believe that the majority of customers favor tablets like the iPad Air and Galaxy Tab S9 FE that have screens no larger than 10 to 11 inches diagonally. After that size, these gadgets become too heavy to transport, and for most people, buying a laptop becomes a preferable choice.

The 12.4″ Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus weighs 1.38 pounds and features a larger display than is ideal. It just becomes heavier and more difficult to transport when a case or keyboard case is added. All of this does not imply that the tablet is a complete failure. It just makes selling more challenging.

Although I made an effort to ignore its size, I must admit that this tablet is simply too large for me. It just seems heavy, whether I’m carrying it to my neighborhood Starbucks or watching Netflix in bed.

Software for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

Android 13 and Samsung One UI 5.1.1 are installed on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus. You are already familiar with the program because you are an Android user. However, because most things are larger and some aspects may appear stretched out, using it on a tablet can be more difficult.

If you use any social networking tool, like Facebook or X (previously Twitter), you could find that using photos makes the experience less fun because the images seem too big. However, certain programs, such as the Target app, take up too much screen real estate, making them challenging to operate.

Optimization problems have long plagued Android tablets, particularly the larger models. Nevertheless, Samsung has created a solution called Samsung DeX, which substitutes a user interface that closely resembles Windows and macOS for the typical Android UI.

App shortcuts may be placed anywhere on your desktop with Samsung DeX, and a permanent taskbar at the bottom shows quick settings, app shortcuts, and other information. Apps run in window view when using Samsung DeX, but you can enlarge them to their full size if you’d like.

In reality, the Samsung DeX is quite stylish and performs as promised.

In reality, the Samsung DeX is quite stylish and performs as promised. It does, however, force you to reconsider how you use the tablet—or any tablet, really. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus’s huge display and use as something more akin to a desktop raises the question of whether you want a tablet or a laptop and takes away some of the touch-friendliness that has long been associated with tablets.

Furthermore, Samsung DeX is still a flawed solution despite getting better with every new edition. For instance, certain apps still don’t work well with it, while others get a little weird when you resize them. In any case, it’s a choice if you become dissatisfied with the way regular Android functions on tablets.

Accessories for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

An S Pen is included with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus, and for a brief period, Samsung is giving away a Smart Book Cover, which normally costs $99, for free. In addition to offering superior protection, the cover has a dedicated space for the S Pen to prevent you from losing it.

The optional Book Cover Keyboard is also available for $230. If you intend to use Samsung DeX, this keyboard is highly recommended and has a space to secure your S Pen. Your Samsung DeX experience will run much more smoothly and efficiently with the keyboard.

Cost and availability of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is available for purchase directly from Samsung’s website or through approved merchants like Amazon and Best Buy. You can purchase the 256GB version with greater RAM for an extra $100, but the 128GB version costs $600. The Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, which retails for $1,000, has greater internals, storage, and memory than the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, but it still uses Android 13.

Alternatively, if you’re thinking about buying an iPad, the most economical iPad (9th Generation) starts at $329, the iPad Air (5th Generation) starts at $600, and the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $800. It’s crucial to remember that, with the exception of the iPad Air, every other iPad has half as much storage as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that the cost of additional accessories, such as covers, keyboards, and Apple Pencils (for iPads), will raise the total cost of your purchase.

Conclusion of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus

A great tablet that is notable for its features and reasonable cost is the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus. In addition to having a mid-range display with good brightness and rich colors, it offers a lovely design and a S Pen. Particularly for a tablet, the speakers are excellent. In terms of performance, it can easily manage the majority of tasks.

However, if you intend to carry the tablet around a lot, its weight and size can be a disadvantage. Although the tablet’s display is adequate, not everyone will find it ideal. Additionally, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus has concerns with Android 13 compatibility, which can lead to various software issues. Despite its advancements, the Samsung DeX UI can still be difficult to use.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is still a great option for anyone searching for an Android-based tablet, especially a larger one from Samsung, even with the aforementioned shortcomings. It has more features than the majority of its competitors and is reasonably priced. Consider the Galaxy S9 Plus if you need a better display, CPU, more RAM, and more storage, but be ready to pay nearly twice as much.