Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is the middle model of the Galaxy Tab S9 family, the premium Android tablet range Samsung announced on 26 July 2023 and put on general sale from 11 August 2023. It combines a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, an S Pen in the box and an IP68 rating for both tablet and pen. This page is based on the published specifications and manufacturer information. It explains where the Tab S9+ sits in the line-up, what the hardware offers, and which compromises come with a tablet of this size and price.

Where it sits in the line-up

Samsung launched three tablets together: the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S9, the 12.4-inch Tab S9+ and the 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra. All three share the same display technology, the same processor and the same design language, so the choice is mostly about screen size, weight and battery. The Tab S9+ is the compromise between the compact Galaxy Tab S9 and the very large Ultra. Samsung lists a thickness of 5.7 mm and a weight of 581 g for the Wi-Fi model (586 g with 5G), which is noticeably lighter than the 732 g Ultra yet clearly larger than the 498 g Tab S9.

The model also has a more affordable relative. The Fan Edition tablets that followed in October 2023, such as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, use an LCD panel and a mid-range chip but keep the large 12.4-inch format. Looking at the two side by side is the quickest way to see what the extra money pays for: an AMOLED panel, a flagship processor and a slimmer body. For a rival from another ecosystem, the comparison page Galaxy Tab S9+ vs iPad Air M3 puts the main specifications next to each other.

Design and durability

The Tab S9+ keeps the clean slab shape of the Galaxy Tab S line. The back carries a floating dual-camera module that Samsung says echoes the layout of its Galaxy S phones, and the S Pen clips magnetically to the rear. The frame is made from what Samsung calls Armor Aluminum, and the company says the dyes used for anodising the metal contain 10 percent natural dye. Two colours are offered: Graphite and Beige. Samsung also says the packaging box is made of recycled paper and that recycled materials are used in both internal and external parts.

The headline change from the previous generation is water and dust protection. Samsung states that the Galaxy Tab S9 series is the first Galaxy Tab S series with an IP68 rating, and that the included S Pen is rated IP68 as well. The company tests for submersion in up to 1.5 metres of fresh water for up to 30 minutes, advises against beach or pool use, and notes that resistance is not permanent and can diminish through normal wear. In practice that means spills, rain and dust are less of a worry for a tablet that tends to live in a bag or on a kitchen counter, but it is not a licence to use it underwater.

Display

The screen is a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel in a 16:10 shape, with an adaptive refresh rate from 60 to 120Hz. Samsung supports it with HDR10+, an Eye Comfort mode that it says reduces blue light by more than 70 percent, and a feature called Vision Booster that detects bright surroundings and adapts the picture to keep it readable outdoors. The panel has also received eye-care and gaming-performance certificates from SGS, according to the company. A 16:10 ratio is a sensible middle ground: video in widescreen has fairly small black bars in landscape, while documents and web pages feel natural in portrait.

An OLED tablet screen offers deep blacks and strong contrast compared with the LCD panels common in cheaper models. The 120Hz mode makes scrolling and pen strokes look smoother, although it can use more power. Samsung does not claim a specific brightness figure on the pages reviewed here, so buyers who plan to read outdoors in strong sunlight should treat Vision Booster as a helpful extra rather than a guarantee.

Performance, memory and software

Every Tab S9 model uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy, the same chip family found in Samsung's flagship phones of that period. For the first time on a Galaxy tablet, Samsung added a vapor chamber to move heat away from the processor, which it says helps sustain performance during long streaming, gaming or video-editing sessions. The Tab S9+ is offered with 12GB of memory and either 256GB or 512GB of storage, and a microSD card slot supports cards up to 1TB. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 are listed, and 5G or LTE versions are available depending on the market.

The tablet shipped with Android 13 and One UI. Samsung promises four generations of One UI and Android upgrades and five years of security updates, which is a long support window for an Android tablet and a real selling point for anyone planning to keep the device for years. Software features lean on productivity: Multi Window can show up to three apps in a grid, Pop-Up View keeps floating windows over the home screen, and DeX Mode offers a desktop-style layout when a keyboard and mouse are attached. Multi Control lets the tablet's touchpad and keyboard work with a Galaxy phone, and Samsung highlighted apps such as GoodNotes, LumaFusion and Clip Studio Paint. Many of these are subscription or paid apps, so the total cost of a creative setup can exceed the tablet price.

Cameras, audio and the S Pen

The rear camera setup is a 13MP autofocus main camera plus an 8MP ultrawide, and the front has a 12MP ultrawide sensor. These are practical cameras for scanning documents and video calls rather than for photography; the ultrawide front camera helps fit more people or a desk into the frame. Samsung does not market the tablet as a camera device, and neither should buyers.

The four speakers are tuned by AKG and support Dolby Atmos, and Samsung says they are 20 percent larger than before. The S Pen is the other main reason to choose a Galaxy Tab S. It comes in the box, is water and dust resistant, charges when snapped onto the tablet and has improved tip sensitivity according to Samsung. The pen writes in search bars and browsers as well as in Samsung Notes. Samsung also sells an S Pen Creator Edition with a textured grip and a wider tilt angle, as well as a Book Cover Keyboard, Smart Book Cover, Outdoor Cover, Notepaper Screen and Privacy Screen. A fingerprint reader sits under the display.

Battery and charging

Samsung lists a typical battery capacity of 10,090 mAh for the Tab S9+, between the 8,400 mAh of the Tab S9 and the 11,200 mAh of the Ultra. Typical value here means a figure measured under IEC 61960 conditions by a third-party lab. Samsung does not publish a video-playback hour count in the material reviewed, so real battery life will depend on brightness, refresh rate and workload. As a rule, a bright AMOLED screen running at 120Hz drains faster than a 60Hz LCD, and a large tablet used for gaming will not last as long as one used for reading. The sources checked for this page do not state a charging wattage, so check the box contents and the charger specification for your market before assuming fast charging.

Who it is for

The Tab S9+ suits people who want one device for note-taking, drawing, streaming and light desktop-style work, and who care about a bright OLED panel and long software support. Students who annotate PDFs, designers who sketch on the go, and families who want a good living-room screen will all find a use for it. The S Pen in the box matters: on many rival tablets the stylus is a separate purchase. The size is also a strength for multitasking, where two apps side by side feel usable rather than cramped.

It is less obvious for someone who only watches video and browses; a cheaper tablet will do that adequately. Those who want a smaller, lighter device for reading in bed may prefer the 11-inch model or an older compact tablet such as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. If you want a tablet with a laptop-like software ecosystem, the iPad range, for example the iPad (A16), takes a different approach with a different app catalogue.

Compromises to consider

Pricing is the first one. Samsung's US launch price for the Wi-Fi Tab S9+ started at $999.99, and the 5G version began at $1,149.99, so this is a premium purchase before accessories. A keyboard cover is sold separately and adds considerably to the cost. Second, the tablet is big: at 12.4 inches it is less comfortable to hold with one hand than the 11-inch model, and 581 g is heavy for long reading sessions. Third, the cameras are modest, which is normal for tablets. Fourth, Android tablet apps vary in quality, and while Samsung and Google have worked on large-screen layouts, some apps still look like stretched phone apps.

The final point is age. The Tab S9+ is a 2023 product, and newer Galaxy Tab generations have since appeared, including the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Buying an older model can be sensible when it is discounted, because its processor remains fast and its support window is long. To see how it ranks against other tablets on the site, open the rankings, or browse the full list of tablets.