Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ Unboxing & First Impressions

Samsung continues to lead the ever-evolving world of Android tablets with its innovative and premium S-series tablets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ are the additions to their lineup, boasting a multitude of features and enhancements. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the unboxing experience, design, hardware, software, and provide our first impressions of Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9+ tablets.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+: What’s in the Box

Both the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ arrive in elegantly designed boxes. Inside the box of Galaxy Tab S9, you’ll find the star of the show – the tablet itself. Alongside it, the package includes the new iteration of the S Pen stylus, a USB-C to USB-C cable for data transfer and charging, a user manual, and an eject tool for managing your device’s storage options. However, it’s worth noting that a charger isn’t included in the package. Users can either use an existing charger or invest in a new one.

The unboxing experience for the Galaxy Tab S9+ mirrors that of its smaller counterpart, featuring the tablet, the S Pen (this time in black), a USB-C to USB-C cable without charger, the eject tool, and the customary paperwork.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ First Impressions

Below we share our quick review of various aspects of Galaxy Tab S9 and Tab S9+ tablets.

Design and Build Quality

At first glance, the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ may seem similar to their predecessors, the Galaxy Tab S8 and S7, due to their design continuity. However, Samsung’s commitment to refinement rather than reinvention is evident. The tablets’ symmetrical black screen bezels house a 12-megapixel Ultra Wide Angle lens front camera, ensuring an uninterrupted display. The metal body construction not only enhances the tablets’ premium aesthetics but also integrates Wi-Fi antennas cleverly, maintaining a sleek appearance.

An outstanding design feature is the IP68 certification, which is rare in the tablet world. It certifies that the tablets are water and dust resistant, providing users with an extra layer of durability and peace of mind.

In terms of dimensions, the Galaxy Tab S9 weighs only 498 grams, while the S9+ is slightly heavier at 581 grams. These tablets are impressively slim, measuring just 5.7mm and 5.9mm, respectively.

Display and Entertainment

The display of a tablet is a crucial feature, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 does not disappoint. The tablet has an 11-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, which provides clear and vibrant visuals. The S9+ model takes it a step further with a larger 12.4-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels. Both displays have a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother animations and touch response.

The AMOLED technology enhances the viewing experience by providing rich colors and deep blacks that stand out. Additionally, the tablets support HDR content from streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube.

As we take a closer look at the tablets’ physical attributes, we notice two sets of speakers on each side of the devices. This quad-speaker setup hints at a fantastic entertainment experience, and upon testing, the sound quality indeed stands out. Whether you’re watching videos, gaming, or streaming music, the audio output is rich, immersive, and engaging.

S Pen Features

One of the defining features of Samsung’s tablets is the S Pen stylus. In the Galaxy Tab S9 series, the S Pen continues to shine as a versatile tool for productivity and creativity. Remarkably, the S Pen never requires charging for traditional note-taking or drawing tasks. This feature, often underappreciated, is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to user convenience.

However, where the S Pen truly shines is in its ability to support gestures. While this functionality requires occasional charging, the convenience of using the S Pen as a remote for tasks such as presentations and camera control is undeniable.

Performance 

Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, delivering robust performance for various tasks. With up to 12GB of RAM, multitasking becomes a breeze, and even demanding applications and games run smoothly.

According to the Geekbench 5 benchmark comparison, these tablets are faster than their predecessor, the S8 series, and even outpace mid-range competitors like the Lenovo Tab P12 and the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. What’s more, Android tablets now surpass the 9th and 2020 iPad Pro in speed. However, the latest iPad models with M1 and M2 chipsets still have an edge in graphics performance. Overall, Samsung’s tablets demonstrate impressive performance gains in this comparison.

When it comes to gaming, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series truly shines. We found that playing games such as PUBG Mobile with Ultra HD graphics was an effortless experience. The game loaded quickly, the visuals were stunning, and it ran exceptionally smoothly. All of these features are what we would expect from a tablet of this caliber. Although we haven’t had a chance to try out other games yet, we are confident that titles like Fortnite and Genshin Impact will also perform exceptionally well, even at their highest graphics settings. The tablet’s powerful processor ensures that it’s well-equipped to handle demanding games, and this level of performance is likely to remain consistent for several years due to the tablet’s processing power.

Software

Both Tab S9 and S9+ run Android 13 with Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 overlay, offering a familiar and polished user interface. Android 13 comes with a taskbar that improves multitasking, allowing users to quickly access recently used applications and create a more efficient workflow. Moreover, the tablet supports Samsung DeX, which can transform it into a desktop-like experience when connected to peripherals.

As we navigate through the software landscape of the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+, it’s evident that Samsung has continued to refine and improve the user experience. While the software ecosystem feels familiar to those who have used previous Samsung devices, there are subtle enhancements that contribute to smoother navigation, improved multitasking, and overall user satisfaction.

Despite these refinements, it’s important to note that the software experience remains consistent with the predecessor models. The essence of the One UI overlay and its features carries over, ensuring a seamless transition for users who are upgrading from earlier versions of Samsung tablets.

The tablets come with pre-installed apps that provide direct access to popular entertainment and streaming platforms. Among these, notable mentions are Netflix and Spotify. These pre-installed apps enhance the tablets’ out-of-the-box usability for users looking to dive into their favorite shows, movies, or music without delay.

In a pleasant surprise, we stumbled upon a pre-installed gem: LumaFusion. This video editing software is usually a paid application, making its inclusion quite a noteworthy feature. As a fully functional video editor, LumaFusion opens up creative possibilities for users who want to edit their videos directly on their tablets. This addition hints at Samsung’s commitment to providing users with tools for creative expression.

In-display Fingerprint Scanner 

One of the noteworthy features of the Galaxy Tab S9 series is the integration of the fingerprint scanner underneath the display. Unlike previous models where the fingerprint scanner was integrated into the home button, Samsung has ingeniously placed it beneath the screen. This move not only adds a layer of sophistication to the tablets but also enhances user convenience by allowing effortless and secure access with a touch.

The decision to place the fingerprint scanner beneath the display aligns with the design choices seen in the S9+ and even the S8+ and ultra S8 and S9 models. It’s a consistent and user-friendly approach that streamlines the authentication process while maintaining a sleek aesthetic.

Keyboard Cover Dilemma

Turning our attention to accessories, let’s discuss the optional keyboard covers available for the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+. While Samsung has traditionally maintained compatibility across models, there’s been a shift in the design of the tablets’ back cameras that has impacted the fit of older keyboard covers. The result is that while the previous-generation keyboard covers might physically attach to the newer tablets, the experience isn’t seamless.

This scenario highlights a potential hiccup for users who hoped their existing keyboard covers would transition smoothly to the Galaxy Tab S9 series. The keyboard covers, particularly the slim version, show some compatibility with the S9+ model. However, certain functionality issues arise, including keyboard stuttering and unresponsive touchpads.

In light of these challenges, it’s necessary to consider investing in the updated keyboard covers specifically designed for the Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+. Though this shift might be disappointing for those who anticipated compatibility, it’s a reminder that technological advancements sometimes necessitate changes in design.

Final Thoughts 

As we wrap up this unboxing and hands-on review, our initial impressions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ are undeniably positive. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series, demonstrates substantial gains over its predecessor and surpasses the performance of several competitors. The tablets deliver on multiple fronts – design, display quality, S Pen functionality, and performance. While the lack of compatibility with previous keyboard covers might be disappointing for some, it’s not a deal-breaker.

All in all, the Galaxy Tab S9 series is a testament to Samsung’s dedication to delivering top-tier performance and a seamless user interface. As we continue to explore the capabilities of these tablets, stay tuned for our detailed review. The Galaxy Tab S9 and S9+ are poised to establish themselves as formidable contenders in the tablet market, catering to users seeking a high-performance tablet experience.

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