The 8 Best Samsung Tablets: Our Big 2024 Comparison

Which are the best tablets from Samsung? I have tested nearly every tablet from Samsung since 2008, and in this comparison, you will learn which tablet is best for whom.

In this tablet comparison, you will see that some Samsung tablets stand out and offer many high-quality features. These include Super AMOLED displays with good image quality, they have a very long battery life, and strong performance. However, in my tests, I always find that for most of us, cheaper tablets are sufficient. In fact, the mid-range offers a fantastic value. The popular S Pen is included here, too. 

Below you will find the best Samsung tablets that you can currently buy. At the beginning, you will find a quick overview and further down, more detailed information about performance, battery life, and more. Linked are my detailed reviews and I have included my videos of the review as well to give you a better idea of the devices.

The Best Samsung Tablets: An Overview

• My top pick: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (on Amazon*). The entire Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series are the best Android tablets on the market. My personal top pick is the 11-inch Galaxy Tab S9 with a chic AMOLED display, excellent performance, and numerous premium features.
• Best 12-inch Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ (on Amazon*). Just as good as the S9 but at 12.4 inches is the Galaxy Tab S9+. It also offers a Super AMOLED display, powerful hardware, and the S Pen is included in the entire series.
• Incredibly large: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (on Amazon*). Personally, too big for me, but just as good is the 14.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. The tablet is very thin, makes a high-quality impression, and simply looks great. However, it is also very expensive.
• Great value for money: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (on Amazon*). The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a cheaper version of the S9, and I think the S9 FE is completely sufficient for many. Especially since, in my opinion, Samsung has saved money in the right places, which is why I find the value for money great.
• Best 12″ mid-range: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (on Amazon*). The hardware of the 12.4-inch Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is the same as the FE’s, only the 90Hz LCD screen is a bit larger. It is just as well made, and here too, the S Pen is included.
• Affordable with S Pen: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022 (on Amazon*). The somewhat older Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022 is the cheapest tablet with a stylus that I can currently recommend. It performs worse in all aspects than the S9 and S9 FE, but if you want an affordable tablet with a stylus, it is a good choice.
• Best beginner tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (on Amazon*). Without an S Pen but with an 11-inch 90Hz display, Samsung offers us a good beginner tablet with the Galaxy Tab A9+. The performance is almost as good as the S6 Lite, and for this price range, we get a lot. It is good if you are looking for a tablet for Netflix and surfing the internet, and games do not need to have the highest graphic settings.
• Only recommendable on offer: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (on Amazon*). I only recommend the Galaxy Tab A8 if you find a really good deal and it is significantly cheaper than the A9+. It is its predecessor and good if you are looking for a cheap device for simple tasks.

Samsung Tablet Comparison: All Details

Let’s take a detailed look at the tablets. We’ll start with the most expensive and best devices and then move on to the cheaper ones. In doing so, I will compare the models with each other and explain in which points you will have to make concessions to the next best.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra: My Top Picks

According to my tests, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra are not only the best tablets from Samsung but the best Android tablets overall. They mainly differ in display size, which is why I tested the three tablets together. The Galaxy Tab S9 is 11 inches, the S9+ is 12.4 inches, and the largest is the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra at 14.6 inches.

All three screens are high-quality and high-resolution Super AMOLED displays, offering excellent black levels, saturated colors, and wide viewing angles. Moreover, all three support 120Hz, making animations look particularly smooth. On the sides, there are four speakers each, which are really good, making all three great entertainment tablets.

The S Pen is included with all three devices and works exactly the same. And it works excellently. Also, because of very good software like the Samsung Notes app and the S Pen commands, I consider them the best tablets with an active stylus on the market. They are great tablets for handwritten notes and drawing. At this point, they are as good as an iPad Pro.

With the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, all three are the most powerful Android tablets on the market. During my gaming test, I was able to play Fortnite with the highest graphics settings. But photo and video editing are also possible, and in Samsung DeX, I was able to open and use many apps simultaneously without any problems.

The three differ in their storage options. The S9 can have 8GB or 12GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. The S8+ has 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage space. And for the S9 Ultra, you can choose between 12GB or 16GB RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. Samsung also offers all models with LTE and 5G, and these tablets then have a SIM card slot.

In terms of design, there are almost no differences compared to the previous S8 series. They look high-quality and are made of aluminum. New, however, is that all three are protected against water and dust according to the IP 68 standard. That’s really great. Moreover, fingerprint readers are built into the displays, and they have a USB C 3.2 Gen 1 port, which can also be used to connect external monitors.

As accessories, Samsung offers two keyboards for all three models. One is a keyboard case that is thin and light and allows for good typing. Then there is a keyboard cover that is a bit heavier but also offers a folding stand and a touchpad. I consider the latter to be the better option.

Out of the box, Android 13 with OneUI in version 5.1.1 is pre-installed, but Samsung has already released an update to Android 14 with OneUI 6. In terms of updates, all Samsung tablets are excellent.

With 11 hours, the battery life in my battery test is longer than any other tablet I have tested in recent years. This contributes to the excellent rating of these Galaxy Tabs.

So, should it be the S9, S9+, or S9 Ultra?

Personally, I really like 11-inch tablets because they are quite portable and also fit in a smaller bag. For example, I like to work in cafes with my Galaxy Tab S9 or read a book. Of course, you can also do that well with the 12.4 inch Galaxy Tab S9+ – apart from the size, the image quality is the same. It is, however, a bit heavier.

With 14.6 inches, the S9 Ultra is as big as a 15-inch notebook, and I prefer to leave it at home – but of course, I love watching a movie on the 14.6 inch S9 Ultra with AMOLED and it’s also fun to edit photos with it. But for that alone, it’s too expensive for me, but you may feel differently.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+: Great Value for Money

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ are more affordable versions of the S9 and S9+. In many aspects, they are slightly weaker, but in many others, they are very similar. Overall, I think that Samsung has cut corners in the right places. I consider their value for money to be very good, and for many, it will not be worth spending more money on the flagship models.

In my comparison, it showed that the biggest difference lies in performance. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+ each come with a Samsung Exynos 1380 processor, which is significantly weaker than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 of the S9 series. You can still play demanding games like Fortnite, but not at the highest graphic settings. However, this will likely only matter to gamers – many others will hardly notice any difference.

The S9 FE is offered with 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage. For the S9 FE+, you can choose between 8GB or 12GB RAM, as well as between 128GB or 256GB of storage. Samsung also offers both 5G and a SIM card slot.

There are no differences in the high-quality manufacturing compared to the S9 series. Indeed, at first glance, the tablets look exactly the same and are also protected against water and dust according to the IP 68 standard. However, the difference is that the USB C 2.0 port does not support external monitors. Moreover, the fingerprint reader is not built into the display but is located on the power button.

Since the basic design is identical, the same accessories that work with the S9 also work with the S9 FE, and the accessories for the S9+ also work with the S9 FE+. This includes the keyboard covers!

Read: Best Free Apps for Android Tablets

There are differences again with the displays. Although they are also 11 and 12.4 inches in size, Samsung has opted out of OLED displays for the FE tablets, instead using standard LCDs. In direct comparison, the black values do not look as good, more like a dark gray. However, the resolution is also good. Instead of 120Hz, they support 90Hz, and I find this to be a good compromise.

The image quality is thus slightly weaker, but here too, the S Pen is included. If you want a tablet for drawing or for handwritten notes, the FE tablets are just as good as the more expensive S9 series. By the way, the S Pen is also protected against water and dust for all models.

The operating system is exactly the same – it comes with Android 13 out of the box, but updates to Android 14 and OneUI 6 are already available. Samsung DeX is also supported – this is the manufacturer’s desktop mode.

The battery life for the S9 FE is 7.5 hours, and the S9 FE+ lasted 8 hours in my test.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022: Affordable Tablet with S Pen

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022 is the most affordable tablet with a stylus that I can currently recommend. It was released in 2022, so it’s a bit older, and we can see it as a precursor to the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Compared to that, it is significantly weaker in most aspects. However, the S Pen remains almost as good. It is also included here and works just as well as with the S9 and S9 FE.

When I compared the S9 FE and S6 Lite 2022, I was surprised, but it’s true: The S Pen works almost exactly the same, and the same Samsung Notes app is pre-installed, and it has the same S Pen commands. However, with the S6 Lite, the stylus is not protected against water and dust. Also, the display has 60Hz instead of 90Hz, and therefore animations might not look as smooth.

Also Read: Best Note-Taking Apps for Android Tested

The 10.4-inch LCD screen has a lower resolution and doesn’t look quite as good as the S9 or S9 FE, but it’s still good. Also, the two speakers on the side are not top-class, but good.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset is also significantly weaker. For most applications, the processor is sufficient, but for example, you can’t play Fortnite properly with it. It runs, but it’s not enjoyable. Here we get 4GB RAM and 64GB or 128GB storage. There is no version with 5G, but there is one with LTE.

The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is also made of aluminum, but it is not protected against water and dust. However, it is one of the few tablets that still has a standard headphone jack. You cannot connect external monitors to the USB C 2.0 port, and there is no fingerprint reader.

It originally came with Android 12 as the operating system, but Samsung has already distributed updates to Android 13 and Android 14. As mentioned, when it comes to updates, Samsung is really good and significantly better than other manufacturers of Android tablets.

Unfortunately, there is no good and official keyboard. The battery life is 7.5 hours, the same as the S9 FE.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: A Good Entry-Level Tablet

In my tablet test and comparison, it turned out that the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is significantly weaker than the S9 FE. As usual for Galaxy Tab A tablets, it is an entry-level device, and therefore it’s okay that it’s quite weak. For that reason, the S9+ is also significantly cheaper than the previous tablets in this list. And those with no high demands will be satisfied with it.

It’s very important to know that the Galaxy Tab A9+ does not support the S Pen. Yes, I own all the tablets on this best list and have naturally tried the pens from the others on the A9+. But no, it does not support an active stylus.

On the other hand, it’s great that the tablet runs exactly the same software as the more expensive ones. Currently, it is Android 13, but an update to Android 14 is already on the way. It even supports exactly the same Samsung DeX desktop mode as the S9. Of course, it’s clear that you can’t open as many apps simultaneously without stuttering.

Due to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, the performance is significantly weaker than the S9 FE and about on par with the S6 Lite 2022. Just like with that tablet, you also cannot play Fortnite on the A9+. It runs, but not well enough to be enjoyable. However, for simple applications and games like PUBG Mobile, it is good enough.

Samsung offers the tablet with 4GB or 8GB RAM, as well as with 64GB or 128GB internal storage. Like all tablets on this list, the A9+ also has a MicroSD card slot. And there’s a version with 5G and SIM card slot.

Also Read: Best Weather Apps for Android Tablets Compared

The 11-inch display has a similar pixel density to the S6 Lite 2022, but the A9+ supports 90Hz. If you don’t need an S Pen, the A9+ is therefore a better choice because it will probably receive software updates for longer. On the sides, it has four speakers that are good but not outstanding.

A major weakness, in my eyes, is the build quality. The A9+ feels significantly cheaper compared to the other tablets on this list, especially when directly compared. But well, it is indeed significantly cheaper. It has only a USB C 2.0 port and lacks a fingerprint reader.

There’s a port at the bottom that looks like it’s for a keyboard cover. However, Samsung has not yet announced such a cover.

In my battery test, it lasted for 6.5 hours.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Only Recommendable with 64GB

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the predecessor of the Galaxy Tab A9+, and the latter is significantly better. However, there are still occasional offers for the Galaxy Tab A8, and if the 64GB version is cheaper than the 64GB A9+, the A8 can still be a good alternative. But only if you are looking for the cheapest possible tablet that is only good for simple tasks.

Just like the A9+, the A8 does not support an S Pen, and there is no official keyboard cover. The build quality is just as weak as the new version, but it does have a headphone jack, USB C 2.0 port, and a MicroSD card slot, as well as a version with LTE and SIM card slot.

The performance of the Unisoc Tiger T618 processor is significantly worse than the A9+ and S6 Lite 2022. You can no longer install Fortnite on this chipset. For simple applications like YouTube, Chrome, and Netflix, the performance is good enough. But it can start to lag with a bit of multitasking.

Of course, the A8 does not have an AMOLED display. Instead, it has a 10.5 inch FullHD display that only supports 60Hz. The four speakers on the sides are okay and actually usable for YouTube and Netflix.

Also Read: Best Tablets Under $200

A positive aspect is, once again, the current software from Samsung. Although it was released with Android 11, Samsung has already distributed updates to Android 12 and Android 13. However, it may not receive Android 14.

The battery lasted 6.25 hours in my test.

These Older Samsung Tablets are Still Good

At the beginning of this comparison, I listed tablets that are current. However, there are also older models that are still recommendable today. But of course, only if they are cheaper than the new version. Additionally, they should still receive software updates. Let’s take a look at the older and still recommendable tablets.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra are the predecessors of the Galaxy Tab S9, S9+, and S9 Ultra. In many aspects, they are just as good as their successors. The main new feature of the S9 series is its protection against water and dust, which the S8 tablets lack. Additionally, the standard S8 only has an LCD instead of an AMOLED display.

Certainly, the processor performance is slightly weaker. However, outside of benchmarks, it is hard to notice a difference in real-world use.

All three Galaxy Tab S8 tablets are still very good today and almost as good as the S9 series. Since they are older, it is important to compare prices. If they are almost as expensive as an S9, I would recommend going for an S9 instead of an S8. Logical.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7+ are the predecessors of the S8 series and thus the pre-predecessors of the S9 series. They were once flagship tablets with many premium features and they are still good today. Typically, they are no longer sold and Samsung will likely stop distributing updates soon.

The S7 tablets become interesting if they are significantly cheaper than an S8 or S9. But it has to be significantly cheaper. You can read my review of the Galaxy Tab S7 series here.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is the predecessor of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. It is a good 12-inch tablet with an S Pen, which is still good today. However, as with the regular S7 series, Samsung will slowly stop distributing updates. Moreover, the S7 FE must be cheaper than the S9 FE+ and S8+; otherwise, those two are the much better choice.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

The standard Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the predecessor of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022. Compared to the 2022 edition, there are almost no differences. Which of the two you choose, in my opinion, does not matter.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 is a rugged 8-inch tablet that I really enjoyed testing. It is a smartphone, tablet, and thanks to Samsung DeX, also a desktop PC in one device, all packed in a very robust case so it can be used on construction sites or in the industry. An interesting tablet that has aged a bit and now has a successor in the Galaxy Tab Active5. I would only buy it if it is significantly cheaper than the Active5; then it is a good alternative.

Keyboards for Samsung Tablets

All Samsung tablets support keyboards. With each of the devices presented here, you can connect almost any standard USB or Bluetooth keyboard, and they generally work well.

Samsung also offers official keyboard covers or keyboard cases for some models. These include the entire Galaxy Tab S9 series including the FE series, the entire Galaxy Tab S8 series, the entire Galaxy Tab S7 series including S7 FE, and the S6 and S5e.

There are no official keyboards for the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, A8, A7, A7 Lite, and A9. Currently, there are none for the Galaxy Tab A9+ either. However, it does have the corresponding port, so one might still be announced.

Also Read: How to take screenshots on Samsung tablets

Do all Samsung tablets support the S Pen?

No! Not all Samsung tablets support the S Pen. As a rule, if no stylus is included, none is supported. For example, the S Pen does not work with the Galaxy Tab A9+, A9, A8, A7, and A7 Lite. However, the stylus works with all S9, S8, and S7 tablets, as well as with the S6 Lite.

How we test Samsung tablets

I (the founder of MyNextTablet) am responsible for testing Samsung tablets at TabletBlog, and indeed, I have purchased all the tablets on this list myself. So, they are not sponsored, and I currently do not even have contact with Samsung, so I can test and evaluate independently.

My tests start with a battery test, so I can test the battery life of all devices when the battery condition is good. Otherwise, a comparison wouldn’t be fair. For my battery test, I always run an HD YouTube video in an endless loop at maximum brightness and maximum refresh rate.

Then, I run a series of benchmarks to determine the processor and graphics performance. These include Geekbench 5 and 6, as well as the 3D Mark tests.

For all my tablet tests, I also install PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and Genshin Impact to determine the graphics quality during gameplay. Many people want to play games on their tablet, and to be able to compare the devices well with each other, it is important to play the same games on all of them.

Without comparative values, it is very difficult to compare displays with each other. Therefore, in all my tests, I call up a test graphic and compare the display with comparable tablets. This way, I can determine which display is the best in its price range and ultimately offers a good value for money.

It is also always important that I use the tablet as my everyday tablet for at least a few weeks. I watch YouTube and Netflix, play games that I like to play outside of my tests, and take it to a café to read books or work with the keyboard. Only by actually using a tablet can one determine and evaluate how good it really is.