The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is designed to bridge the gap between work and play. Our testing has shown that this tablet shines when it comes to gaming and enjoying multimedia content. It also impressively handles productivity tasks, thanks in part to the included S Pen. However, this level of performance demands some premium cost.
Samsung claims that the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the first tablet to offer a top-notch experience for both work and leisure. Given this ambition, it’s no surprise that this XXL tablet from the Tab S9 series boasts top-of-the-line features. It’s powered by the formidable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy and boasts an upgraded Dolby Atmos AKG quad-speaker system. Beyond these hardware enhancements, the Tab S9 Ultra seeks to set itself apart from its predecessor with a range of smaller refinements.
Display and Design of S9 Ultra Tablet
Display
The Tab S9 Ultra features a spacious 14.6-inch OLED screen with a sharp resolution of 2,960 x 1,848 pixels. This tablet introduces the dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, which was previously exclusive to Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphones. What’s exciting is that the dynamic refresh rate can smoothly switch between 60 and 120 Hz, providing you with a top-notch display experience.
The flagship tablet from Samsung doesn’t offer an adaptive refresh rate as low as 1 Hz as the Galaxy S23 Ultra does.
While Samsung claims a maximum brightness of 950 nits, our APL18 test shows it only reaches 900 cd/m². However, when displaying pure white without dark areas, the AMOLED screen hits a solid 625 cd/m² in our measurements. It’s important to keep in mind that if you turn off the brightness sensor, the screen will only reach a lower brightness level of 360 cd/m².
To control screen brightness, Samsung uses pulse width modulation technology. The OLED flickering occurs at a consistent 240 Hz frequency throughout the entire brightness range. Although the amplitude is even, it’s important to note that some sensitive individuals might still experience discomfort.
Design
Talking about looks the S9 Ultra is not much different from its predecessor S8 Ultra. However, the negligible difference can be recognized in its weight which is 6 grams this time. Just like the previous model, holding it with one hand is still a challenging task like predecessors, as a 14.6-inch large screen makes it somehow uncomfortable. Nevertheless, what’s impressive is its slim design, measuring just 5.5 mm (around 0.22 inches). This slender not only gives it an aesthetic appearance but also gives it a sturdy and solid feel.
The tablet boasts a solid unibody construction made from what they call “Armor Aluminum.” This material prevents any warping issues. If you are satisfied with the previous dark graphite color, you might find the new creme-colored (Beige) version more appealing. The front of the device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which ensures its durability. It also boasts an impressive display-to-surface ratio of nearly 91%, thanks to its ultra-thin display bezels.
Dual-Camera setup
The front camera hasn’t seen much technological change compared to the previous version. Both cameras have a 12 MP resolution and capture excellent quality photos in well-lit conditions, showing sharpness and brightness. You can also shoot videos in UHD quality at 30 fps using wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle lenses.
At the rear, they’ve incorporated the same 13-MP camera found in the Tab S8 Ultra. These pictures should meet the expectations of most tablet users, but given the steep price tag, one might have expected even better quality. Both rear sensors enable video recording in stunning UHD quality at a smooth 30 frames per second. However, it’s worth noting that the ultra-wide angle lens doesn’t provide a 4K recording option.
Chipset
The Tab S9 Ultra runs on a speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, paired with either 12 or 16 GB of RAM, which gives it a solid performance boost. In our tests, the Tab S9 Ultra performed exceptionally well. When we compared it to the Lenovo Tab Extreme, which uses a MediaTek Dimensity 9000, the Qualcomm SoC in the Tab S9 Ultra came out significantly ahead, especially in Geekbench measurements.
Wi-Fi connectivity
While the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra doesn’t come with Wi-Fi 7 support, it supports the Wi-Fi 6E standard. This means, in theory, it can utilize the 6-gigahertz frequency band for wireless transfers. However the practical approach is different, the Samsung tablet only connects within the 2.4 and 5-GHz bands. Even within these bands, the Tab S9 Ultra doesn’t fully tap into its potential when it comes to receiving data. In our testing, we found that it achieves maximum transfer rates of less than 800 Mbit/s. Samsung does not allow for higher speeds in the 5-GHz range with VHT160.
You can choose between two versions of the Tab S9 Ultra. The first one comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3. The second option is a 5G version that can make use of the Snapdragon X70 modem. Besides 5G, the Galaxy tablet also covers all the essential LTE bands.
Software updates
Right now, Samsung pairs up the Android 13 operating system with its own One UI version 5.1.1 user interface. This package includes not only the Bixby smart assistant and the DeX interface but also the latest security patches as of August 2023.
Furthermore, Samsung takes extra steps to secure its Ultra tablet using the Knox Vault Platform. This platform features a secure processor unit that keeps sensitive information, like passwords and biometric data, separate from the main operating system. It’s all about safeguarding your data.
Storage
The Galaxy S9 ultra Tab features various storage options to make it suitable for every person. Whether you want to store different files related to your office work or just need it download different movies. S9 Ultra will satisfy you in this regard. Here, is the list of different Galaxy S9 ultra storage options along with various prices
| 1 | WiFi | 256 GB | 12 GB | 1,339 Euro MSRP (~$1,427) |
| 2 | WiFi | 512 GB | 12 GB | 1,459 Euro MSRP (~$1,554) |
| 3 | WiFi | 1 TB | 16 GB | 1,759 Euro MSRP (~$1,874) |
| 4 | 5G | 256 GB | 12 GB | 1,489 Euro MSRP (~$1,587) |
| 5 | 5G | 512 GB | 12 GB | 1,609 Euro MSRP (~$1,715) |
| 6 | 5G | 1 TB | 16 GB | 1,909 Euro MSRP (~$2,034). |
These are the different configurations and prices available for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, depending on your storage and connectivity needs.
Battery timing
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a substantial 11,200 mAh battery, providing ample power. You can recharge it at a maximum speed of 45 watts. If you opt for the 45W quick charger, the manufacturer claims it can fully recharge in just around 1.5 hours. When the tablet is not in active use, its power consumption remains similar to the previous model, despite its larger 14.6-inch screen. However, when put under load, it does consume noticeably more power compared to the Tab S8 Ultra.
Click here to learn about the best Samsung Tablets you can buy in 2023.
In practical tests when we set the brightness to 150 cd/m², the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra features the same battery timing as it gave with S8 Ultra. It lasts for about 10.5 hours in the Wi-Fi test and nearly 12 hours when playing videos. Keep in mind, because of its sizable OLED screen, the battery life is about average. However, even when it’s working hard, the performance is quite decent.
Samsung Galaxy S9 ultra Tab comes with an S stylus pen
The large OLED screen responds accurately and swiftly to every touch, reaching all the way to the edges of the touchscreen. This stylus pen can comfortably attach to the back of the device or at the top of the tablet. What’s interesting is the two-way charging feature, allowing the pen to charge while attached to the back, no matter which way it’s facing. Paired with its low 2.8-millisecond latency and the high 120 Hz refresh rate, the Samsung pen included with it ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience for both writing and drawing.
Accessories
Galaxy S9 ultra includes no charger
Just like with the Tab S8 Ultra, Samsung keeps it simple when it comes to accessories for their premium tablet. You’ll get a USB cable (Type-C to Type-C), a handy tool for opening the card slot, and the S Pen right in the box. If you’d like, there are some optional extras available. For about $416, you can snag a book cover keyboard that comes with an adjustable setup angle and a backlit keyboard. There’s also a new outdoor cover available for $96.
When you pick up Samsung’s premium tablet, you’ll also enjoy a 24-month warranty. If you want a little extra peace of mind, you can opt for the Care+ insurance package for about 109 Euros (around $116). And if theft protection is a concern, Samsung Care+ offers that too, covering you for two years at a cost of 155 Euros (approximately $165).
Specs of Samsung Galaxy
| Launch Date | July 27, 2023 (Official) |
| Height | 326.4 mm |
| Width | 208.6 mm |
| Weight | 737 grams |
| Waterproof | IP68 rating |
| Screen size | 14.6 inches |
| Screen resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Memory | 256 GB/ Expandable upto 1 TB |
| Rear camera | 13 MP f/2.0, Wide Angle, Primary Camera |
| Front camera | 8 MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera |
| Battery capacity | 11200 mAh |
| Front Camera | Yes |