6 Best Samsung Tablets to Buy in 2024
Packed full of features for both creatives and professionals, this Samsung gadget offers plenty of value.
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Samsung is best known for its TV range and Galaxy smartphone line-up, but the company has also long been a leader in the Android tablet space.
With the launch of its latest line, the Galaxy Tab S9 series, the brand is now looking to cement its status as the tablet to have.
So, what’s the difference between its current tablet models and which one should you buy?
We’ve compared all the models that are currently available in stores, and found the best option for every use and budget below.
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BEST SAMSUNG TABLET FOR MOST
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, from $974.25 (down from $1299) at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
What You Need To Know
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 is an excellent alternative for those who want many of the same features as the pricier Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but without the extra cost.
Like its big siblings, the Galaxy Tab S9 runs Android 13 with Samsung’s OneUI overlay, features an IP68 dust and water-resistance rating, and works with both Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E.
Additionally, it comes equipped with Samsung DeX, allowing you to open apps as windows and multitask seamlessly. The tablet also supports wireless DeX, so you can connect it to a larger external display when you need more room to work or create.
The Galaxy Tab S9 even features an AMOLED display – a premium offering that was previously exclusive to the Plus and Ultra models in the Galaxy Tab S8 line-up.
It offers fewer storage capacity options and a more modest battery life than the Galaxy Tab S9+ and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, though Samsung suggests you can get around 15 hours of usage on a full charge (depending on your activities).
Keep in mind that the 11-inch screen may feel a bit cramped for multi-tasking, making the Galaxy Tab S9+ a better choice if you need more screen real estate.
Considering the overall price range though, the Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as the most accessible of the three models, making it the best value choice for most people.
BEST SAMSUNG TABLET UPGRADE
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+, from $1274.25 (down from $1699) at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
What You Need To Know
If 11-inches just isn’t big enough, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ gives you more space to play. With its 12.4-inch display, it sits between the standard Galaxy Tab S9 and the premium Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, making it the ‘middle child’ in Samsung’s latest tablet line-up.
Like the other models, it offers a gorgeous AMOLED display, excellent performance thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, and premium features like built-in Samsung DeX and a water-resistance rating.
While it has received fewer upgrades than the Galaxy Tab S9 compared to last year’s models, its display size makes its something of a ‘Goldilocks’ edition: less cluttered for multi-tasking than the smaller Galaxy Tab S9 and more manageable to hold and carry than the larger Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
The Galaxy Tab S9+ also offers more RAM and storage options than the base Galaxy Tab S9, along with a rear-facing camera, giving you a few nice extras for the price bump.
One reviewer on Google Reviews labelled the Galaxy Tab S9+: “a powerful and versatile tablet for any situation”.
“Samsung have thrown the kitchen sink at this tablet to ensure they cover the needs of any user”, they said.
“For business users it’s an excellent conferencing device with a high quality set of cameras, loud and crisp speakers and an array of microphones. For creatives, there is the S Pen which I enjoyed using from time to time but ended up leaving it in a drawer as it cannot be stored inside the tablet”.
BEST PREMIUM SAMSUNG TABLET
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, from $1499.25 (down from $1999) at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
What You Need To Know
With its huge 14.6-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz display and speedy Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra challenges the idea of a traditional tablet, making it superb for multimedia enjoyment, gaming, and creative tasks.
The tablet is Samsung’s best attempt at a laptop alternative yet, arriving with improved OneUI software and multi-tasking capabilities, along with the ability to add on a compatible Book Cover Keyboard. Add in the ultra fast performance and large screen size, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is essentially the Android equivalent of Apple’s popular iPad Pro.
There’s Samsung DeX built-in and an IP68 water and dust resistance rating – a level of protection unmatched by an iPad or any other high-end tablet. It also comes with an S Pen, which uses the same Wacom technology as dedicated drawing tablets, making it an exceptional tool for creatives.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra’s size does make it larger than some laptops, so it can be difficult to hold and cart around with you. It’s also notably pricey, and the cost only escalates further with the addition of one of the Book Cover Keyboard options.
But, if money is no object and you’re a professional or power user, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the ultimate Android device.
BEST BUDGET SAMSUNG TABLET
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, from $379 at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
What You Need To Know
Budget tablets often come with significant compromises, but Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9+ is a nice option for the price.
It’s great at simple tasks like internet browsing and streaming, offering a clear picture and expendable storage via the microSD card slot. The refined design maintains a premium look and feel, and it can even handle games reasonably well.
With its 11-inch display, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is portable and versatile too, making it a great “take anywhere” option for when you want to leave the premium devices at home.
Of course, you shouldn’t expect the same power and feature sets as you’d get with other tablets on this list. You’ll also have to contend with some minor issues, such as challenging screen visibility under direct sunlight.
However, if you’re after a device for entertainment and light productivity tasks, this is a respectable option that doesn’t require you to spend a fortune.
BEST MID-RANGE SAMSUNG TABLET
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus, from $749.25 (down from $999) at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
Tried and Tested by Lauren Chaplin, Consumer Technology Reporter
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is a more wallet-friendly alternative to the Galaxy Tab S9, offering a slightly dialled down experience to help bring the tablet to a mid-range price.
Performance-wise, it’s equipped with the Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset, which is less powerful than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the higher-end models, but sufficient for everyday use. I didn’t experience any notable lag when doing day-to-day tasks, and only noticed the performance drop when it came to running particularly demanding programs, or gaming on higher settings.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ also has an excellent battery life, lasting around 18 hours in my testing. Of course, this is thanks in part to it’s processor being a little underpowered, especially when compared to the premium Galaxy Tab S9 iterations and rival Apple iPad models.
Like its pricier counterparts, the tablet has a high-end design and includes the S Pen stylus in the box. It even offers a nice change of pace from the other models by offering Mint and Lavender colour options, along with the standard Silver and Grey.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ does sport a 12.3-inch LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and no HDR support – so it doesn’t stand up to the OLED panels found in the more expensive models – but it’s still a very good IPS screen for the price.
I did miss the ability to connect to an external monitor via Samsung DeX, which is a little disappointing from a mid-range device. That aside, the FE+ variant is ideal for users who appreciate the Galaxy Tab S9’s premium features but are looking for a more accessible starting price.
For those on a tighter budget, the smaller 10.9-inch Galaxy Tab S9 FE is also available for $749.
BEST RUNOUT SAMSUNG TABLET
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, from $944 at The Good Guys
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
What You Need To Know
If you’re looking for a bargain, but don’t want to resort to a budget tablet, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 could be the way to go. While it doesn’t compare to the newer and more advanced Galaxy Tab S9, the Galaxy Tab S8 is still a very good tablet for standard users.
The 11-inch display is small enough to use in one hand, while giving you enough space for some work tasks. Battery life is decent and you still get great performance from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, even if it is a step down from the faster processor seen in the Galaxy Tab S9 line-up.
The design also looks and feels quite premium, while the LCD display is fine for day-to-day use, even if it is a little lacklustre next to the OLED panel on the Galaxy Tab S9.
With upgrades to the display, battery, performance and S Pen, the Galaxy Tab S9 is, of course, still the better device if you can afford to spend a bit extra.
But, if you’re looking to save some cash, the Galaxy Tab S8 is still a strong Android tablet contender. Availability is limited as the Galaxy Tab S8 makes way for the newer model but, if you can get your hands on it, it’s a great way to save some cash.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A TABLET
When choosing Samsung tablet models to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Display: We included a range of different Samsung tablet sizes to help suit different user needs. We also considered the screen resolution of each model and how this affects the overall user experience.
Feature sets: We considered a variety of use-cases, from entertainment to video processing and heavy workloads, and included a variety of options to suit.
Battery life: We noted the duration of the battery life for each tablet, and looked for models that listed an all-day battery.
Value: We weighed up the above criteria against the cost of each tablet model, and the cost of similar offerings, to determine value for money.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best Samsung tablet for your needs, we tested one model for ourselves, read hundreds of customer reviews, and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best options for all budgets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT TABLET SIZE SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Choosing the ideal tablet size largely depends on your personal needs. If you want something highly portable and easy to travel with, a small 5-8 inch tablet is ideal. For a balance of usability and convenience, we meanwhile recommend a medium-sized tablet ranging from 8-11 inches. And for those looking for a tablet that doubles as a work device or provides the best entertainment experience, a large tablet with a screen size over 11 inches could be your best bet.
HOW MUCH STORAGE DO I NEED FOR A TABLET?
For casual users running everyday tasks (checking emails, streaming videos, etc), 128GB storage could be enough. Those intending on playing a lot of games should look for a tablet with at least 256GB storage, or choose a model with expendable storage. For power-users looking to run demanding applications for work, art or video editing, a 512GB storage or above would better support storage-intensive apps.
DO I NEED 5G ON MY TABLET?
If you’re mainly intending on using your tablet at home, work, or school, a Wi-Fi only tablet model should be sufficient. If you ever find yourself without a Wi-Fi connection, you can then also use a portable Wi-Fi device or mobile hotspot to connect.
On the other hand, if constant connectivity is a must, a 4G or 5G tablet could be worth considering. These come with a data plan, offering uninterrupted access and speedier downloads, albeit at a higher cost.
If you’re on a budget, we recommend weighing up the price of a 5G tablet against how necessary the perks are before buying.
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