The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a remarkable tablet that has taken the concept of “ultra” to new heights. With its sleek design, impressive display, powerful performance, and enhanced features, it truly stands out as one of the best Samsung tablets in 2023. This article provides an insightful review of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, examining its design, display and sound quality, performance, cameras, software, S Pen functionality, and battery life. As you read through the review, you’ll discover why the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is not only a top-of-the-line tablet but also a worthwhile investment for those seeking a laptop replacement with exceptional performance and future-proof capabilities.
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Design
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a seriously big tablet, measuring in at 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm and dominated by a 14.6-inch display on the front. It features an all-metal unibody construction, which gives it a premium look and feel. While there haven’t been any major changes to the design compared to the previous model, the minor adjustments to the camera sensors align it with the design language of the Galaxy S23 series. Despite its large size, the tablet remains thin and lightweight at 730g, making it comfortable to hold and use. The addition of IP68 water resistance is also a welcome improvement.
Display and Sound
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a stunning 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. This means that the refresh rate can automatically adjust to match the content being displayed, resulting in smoother scrolling and improved battery life. The display is also brighter compared to its predecessor, making it easier to view in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. Samsung’s notched display and slim bezels maximize the immersive experience and provide ample screen real estate for productivity and entertainment.
In terms of sound quality, the tablet features AKG-tuned quad speakers that have been improved to be 20% louder compared to the previous model. The speakers produce exceptional audio, enhancing the overall entertainment experience on the tablet.
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Performance
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which ensures best-in-class performance. The tablet is available in multiple configurations with varying amounts of RAM and storage options. Users can choose between 12GB or 16GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. This level of performance allows for seamless multitasking, resource-intensive tasks, and gaming. The tablet can handle demanding applications and processes with ease, making it a potential laptop replacement for many users.
During testing, the tablet was used extensively for editing short-form video content using the LumaFusion app, and it performed exceptionally well. Exporting finished videos was nearly twice as fast as the previous model, and Quick Share speeds were 3x faster. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra proves to be a capable device for content creation and productivity.
Cameras
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra features a decent 13-megapixel primary camera that captures photos with accurate color reproduction. The ultra-wide sensor has been upgraded to 8-megapixels, resulting in improved image quality. While tablet cameras are not typically exceptional compared to smartphone cameras, these sensors are more than capable for their intended use.
The tablet also has a dual front camera setup consisting of dual 12-megapixel sensors. This configuration is ideal for video calls, and Samsung’s auto-framing technology ensures that users remain in the frame during video calls.
Software
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes pre-installed with Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1. Samsung has introduced several new software features to enhance productivity and performance. The taskbar has been updated to show up to four recent apps, allowing for quick and easy switching between commonly used applications. The tablet also includes Multi-Active Window, which facilitates multitasking. The DeX platform, which provides a PC-like interface, is also available on the tablet, further improving productivity.
Additionally, Samsung has expanded its software partnerships to bring more third-party creative and productive apps to its flagship tablets, allowing users to accomplish more on the go.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is guaranteed to receive four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, ensuring long-term software support and compatibility with future features and applications.
S Pen
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes with an S Pen that attaches magnetically to the tablet. The S Pen has an enhanced pen-on-paper feel, allowing for natural and precise handwriting and drawing. The large display of the tablet provides an excellent canvas for creative work, and the S Pen complements this experience perfectly. The S Pen also charges magnetically and can charge in both directions.
Battery
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is equipped with an 11,200mAh battery, which is the same capacity as its predecessor. However, thanks to the more efficient chipset, the tablet offers improved battery life and efficiency. The battery is also compatible with 45W fast charging, allowing for quick and convenient charging when needed. With its impressive battery life and efficiency, users can confidently use the tablet throughout the day without worrying about running out of power.
Verdict
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers versatility as both a laptop replacement and an entertainment device. Its powerful performance, large and vibrant display, and enhanced features make it an exceptional tablet. While the design changes from the previous model may be subtle, they contribute to an overall premium look and feel. The tablet’s high price is justified by its exceptional performance, futureproofing, and long-term software support. Whether for productivity or entertainment purposes, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a top-of-the-line tablet that delivers on all fronts.
