In addition to foldable devices, the South Korean brand unveiled the Galaxy Tab S9 tablet lineup at their presentation. Foreign media have already gotten acquainted with the flagship model of the series. We summarize the first impressions of journalists about the device.
Design, display, and accessories
Externally, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra retains many features of its predecessor: a thin aluminum body with minimal bezels, a 16:10 aspect ratio screen, dual cameras, and a magnetic pen holder. The latter, like the tablet itself, is now protected from water and dust according to the IP68 standard. In the hands, the device may feel bulky, but still looks premium.
The key feature is the display. Like the junior models, the tablet received a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with adaptive refresh rate (60-120 Hz) and HDR10+ support. The Ultra version stands out with its 14.6-inch matrix, boasting high brightness and contrast. The Vision Booster function, migrated from the Galaxy S series smartphones, helps improve outdoor visibility. However, for some, the image may be slightly spoiled by the cutout for the dual front camera. The selfie camera consists of a main module (12MP) and an ultra-wide module (12MP).
The stylus now supports charging from both sides. Various covers are available as accessories, including those with a keyboard. The four-speaker audio system has been tuned by AKG and Dolby Atmos, and the drivers are 20% larger than the previous model. There is also an optical fingerprint sensor and a microSDXC card slot. Overall, there aren’t many changes, but they are all important. This is why the GSMArena journalists consider the Tab S9 Ultra a successful update to the lineup.Performance, software, battery lifeThe device is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12/16 GB of RAM and up to 1 TB of internal storage. According to Tom’s Guide benchmark testing, the tablet was found to be responsive in everyday tasks and demanding games: for example, Genshin Impact demonstrated high frame rates. DeX mode, which transforms OneUI into a desktop-like operating system, was satisfactory too. Although not as stable as Windows, it shows improvements over the Tab S8 Ultra.
The 11,200 mAh battery supports fast 45-watt charging. Publications have not yet been able to thoroughly test the device’s battery life, but last year’s model with the same capacity lasted nearly 9.5 hours in battery tests. With its more energy-efficient chipset, the Tab S9 Ultra is expected to match or exceed those results.
The new tablet will go on sale August 11, with a starting price of $1,199 for the base configuration. Initial impressions indicate modest but meaningful improvements over the previous generation, including a larger, brighter display, updated S Pen, and faster performance. Battery life remains to be fully evaluated but should meet or surpass the already excellent endurance of the S8 series. At a premium price point, the Tab S9 Ultra seems poised to deliver an exceptional entertainment and productivity experience for power users.