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In the premium sector of digital slates, there are no longer really crowds on the high-end side. It must be said that Apple dominates so much head and shoulders that it almost becomes discouraging for other manufacturers. So much so that the latter are trying to scrounge up a few crumbs by settling below…the 500 euro mark. This is the case of Oppo, with its Pad Air, of Xiaomi with its Pad 6, of OnePlus with its Pad and more recently of Lenovo with its Tab P12 Pro and M10.
From that we move up a little, only the irreducible Samsung resists the domination of the Cupertino firm.We could possibly cite Huawei, with its latest MatePad Pro 11, but this product looks more like a coup than real resistance.
As a result, when the South Korean renews its trio of premium tablets, obviously we are in full swing. Is the Galaxy Tab S9 sufficiently armed to challenge Apple and its iPad Air (2022)? And above all, does it have enough new features for Tab S8 owners to turn to it? After more than a month of testing, here is our opinion.
Although it is more accessible than its two big sisters, the Galaxy Tab S9 is still sold from €899 for its 128 GB – Wi-Fi version.
A clear increase by compared to the Tab S8, launched at 769 euros in 2022, with the same configuration.
For the 128 GB and 5G version, the price increases to 1099 euros, while the 256 GB versions – Wi-Fi and 256 GB – 5G displays 1049 euros and 1199 euros. Each model is available in two colors and features the S-Pen style.
To justify the segmentation of its three tablets, Samsung had until now reserved the best screen technology for its Plus and Ultra models. This year, that is no longer the case. The new Tab S9 therefore swaps its 11-inch LCD panel for Dynamic AMOLED 2X with a definition of 2560 x 1600 pixels.
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Before enjoying it, we had to switch the colors to Natural mode. As usual, Samsung's Vivid mode presents some deviations in the variations of blue and red. Once this change has been made, the Tab S9 has a much more appreciable and realistic color temperature.
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In terms of brightness, it is sufficient for outdoor use and very satisfactory indoors at night. This is a great gift that Samsung is offering here at its cadet with this screen. The Tab S9 overall offers a much more premium visual experience than the Tab S8 of 2022.
This is the other big new thing this year. The Tab S9 is in tune with the best in terms of power. Namely the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip.A powerful and efficient SoC which has worked wonders since its launch and which can already be found on the Samsung Galaxy S23.
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Unsurprisingly, Qualcomm's most athletic chip, here supported by 8 GB of RAM, is a real treat in terms of CPU.She knows how to do everything quickly and well. This gives the Galaxy Tab S9 extremely appreciable versatility. Office automation, video streaming, multitasking management, photo and video editing… It is very difficult to make the latest addition from the South Korean manufacturer cough up.
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In terms of gaming, it’s also a real treat. All games run with the best configuration with unparalleled fluidity and stability. Frankly, Samsung integrates and manages the all-powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 wonderfully.
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This control is also felt in terms of temperature management. Even after sessions of three or four hours in a row, the heat remained admirably contained.
Here is a question which has caused considerable debate within the editorial staff. Can the Tab S9 completely replace a computer? For leisure and multimedia, without question. As soon as we were at home or on the move, our Macbook Air was constantly left in the garage. For daily use in a professional setting, it's all going to be a question of taste.
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For some of our colleagues, the refined interface of the Tab S9, compared to a computer, and this smaller size promote concentration and productivity.< /strong>Once again, it's all a question of taste and work habits. However, for purely professional use, I remain convinced that the screens of the Tab S9+ and especially that of the Galaxy S9 Ultra will be more suitable.
Especially since the differences between these three tablets are rather minimal This year. What mainly changes is the screen size, RAM, storage and battery. And of course, the price.
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Regardless, for photo editing, taking notes in meetings or working on a train or occasionally at home, the Tab S9 is a great companion. All the more so, and we repeat it year after year, that the S-Pen is the best stylus on the market. Responsive, light and precise, it has a little something that the Apple Pencil doesn't have.
Like every year, the South Korean manufacturer gives us an exemplary tablet in terms of design and finishes . The year 2023 will not change this habit.
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Speaking of photos, Samsung has abandoned the ultra-wide-angle present on the Tab S8. This year, the Tab S9 only has one back sensor, a 13-megapixel wide-angle. Is this a big loss? Not really, as using a tablet in photo mode is not really relevant. Except for 3D plan applications or possibly to occasionally transform the tablet into a baby monitor.
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Finally, the big new design is rather hidden up Samsung's sleeve. Unlike last year, the Tab S9, and its stylus, have IP68 certification.We will finally be able to take it without fear in the bath and next summer around a swimming pool.
Although it is equipped with a more generous battery, 8400 compared to 8000 mAh, the Tab S9 n It's not as enduring as last year. It must be said that with a more energy-intensive screen and a more powerful chip, we expected it a little.
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The Galaxy Tab S9 still has good battery life. With moderate use, it easily lasts three or four days. When we used it as a backup computer, intensively for 7 hours a day, it only gave up the ghost after about fifteen hours. This is once again a very good score, except…that the iPad Air is very slightly superior. By a good hour.
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Compatible with 45W fast charging,The Galaxy Tab S9, on the other hand, is much faster than the iPad Air in regaining strength. She even slightly improved her score from last year by a good quarter of an hour. Now allow one hour and twenty minutes with the appropriate charger to take it from 0 to 100%. As a reminder, the Apple slate takes more than two hours to fully charge. Draw!
This year, Samsung has decided to spoil the youngest of the siblings. Like its sisters, the Tab S9 now has a magnificent Amoled screen while welcoming the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Add to this a new IP68 certification, an even more compact design and slightly faster charging and you will obtain the most beautiful evolution of this 2023 vintage.
This time, the Tab S9 definitely compares to the iPad Air in many areas. The slate even has a few additional advantages such as the possibility of expanding its memory via a microSD card up to 1 TB and a stylus delivered directly with the product.
Where the two tablets meet in their professional use. Ideal for increasing your productivity, they still seem too narrow to us to completely replace an ultrabook.
Despite everything, and unless you swear by Amoled, invest in a Tab S9 if you have already a Tab S8 does not seem relevant. First of all because the product remains quite expensive and secondly because this screen upgrade will, barring a cataclysm, very probably be carried over to the 2024 vintage.
If you have an even older model or that you are looking for an ultimate tablet for entertainment and occasional work. So the Tab S9 is the best currently on the market.