Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ review

Display(s)

The display on this tablet stands out for its brightness and color accuracy. It uses a 12.4-inch LCD, which may not have the deep blacks of an AMOLED, but it still impresses with vivid colors and fine details.

Thanks to a refresh rate of 90Hz, scrolling and animations feel smooth. This ensures a pleasant viewing experience, especially when browsing or multitasking.

Reviewers from Tom's Guide noted that the screen gets super bright and packs in the colors, hitting 760 nits with adaptive brightness. That means you can comfortably use it even in bright conditions.

Even without direct sunlight, the display holds up well in various lighting. You'll find the display vibrant and easy to read, whether indoors or outdoors.

Performance

Day-to-day usage on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ feels smooth thanks to the Exynos 1380 processor and 8GB RAM, making web browsing, video playback, and light gaming seamless. Reviewers mentioned that it, “feels reasonably zippy” for typical use.

Heavy 3D games can slow down the tablet, with noticeable power shortages compared to iPads and other costlier alternatives. Despite solid handling of basic tasks, future Android updates might outpace its performance capacity, as some experts noted.

To sum up, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers sufficient power for casual use, but isn't built for intensive tasks or prolonged future-proofing.

Software & Storage

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ utilizes Android 14, layered with One UI 6.0. This clean and customizable UI makes tasks smoother and more enjoyable.

Users can run up to three apps simultaneously on the screen, promoting productivity and multitasking. Samsung's suite of apps like Gaming Hub, Health, and SmartThings are also bundled in, enhancing the tablet’s capabilities.

Overall, the interface is designed to maximize the tablet's large screen, making navigation efficient and user-friendly.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ features a 12MP front camera, perfect for video calls and selfies. You also get two 8MP rear cameras: a main wide-angle and an ultra-wide. They perform well in good lighting, producing bright and clear images, however, they struggle in low light. As Tom's Guide notes, 'these snappers will do just fine.'

Reviewers from PCMag mention that fine details are often lost when zooming in with the rear cameras. Also, the ultra-wide shots can show some warping, especially at the edges, although some lens correction is applied in the final images. This can affect the overall quality, especially when shooting complex scenes.

Battery

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ truly delivers on battery life. With its substantial 10,090 mAh battery, you can expect up to 18 hours of use under normal conditions, which is ideal for long flights or a full day of work and play. This long-lasting performance helps you stay productive and entertained without frequent recharging.

Charging is convenient with the support for 45W fast charging. Reviewers at PCMag highlighted the efficiency, stating, 'It took 1 hour and 40 minutes to charge from 0% to 100%,' allowing you to quickly get back to your activities.

Whether you're streaming videos, browsing the web, or playing casual games, this tablet ensures you won't be tied to an outlet all day.

Audio

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ comes with two speakers tuned by AKG. These speakers emphasize clarity and loudness, and the added Dolby Atmos support provides an immersive experience while watching movies or playing games.

Reviewers from Tom's Guide noted, “Even with half the speakers of the full-bodied Galaxy Tab S9 models, the S9 FE+ puts up a strong showing.”

For calls, the speakers and microphones work well together, ensuring your voice is heard clearly during conversations even in noisier environments.

The Bottom Line

This device offers a large, bright display perfect for watching videos or reading.

It is well-built, making it suitable for daily use and even outdoors due to its water resistance.

While it comes with an S Pen, the performance isn’t top-tier, so heavy gamers may notice some sluggishness.

Great for general use, but be mindful of future updates impacting speed over time.