Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Evaluation: S-Class Appears Meet A-Class Efficiency

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Samsung’s followers are spoiled for selection in 2023. Not solely is there (in some international locations) the S23 FE premium smartphone, however the South Korean firm additionally sells the brand new Galaxy Buds FE earbuds and immediately’s spotlight: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE duo. We examined each the usual and plus fashions, and let you know if the tablets actually deserve the “Fan Version” tag.

Good

Good design
IP68 water and mud resistance
Shiny 90 Hz LCD display
Glorious (S9 FE+) or Good (S9 FE) battery life
Good (and loud!) twin stereo speaker
S Pen included within the field
45 W wired charging

Unhealthy

Common efficiency degree
Disappointing digicam outcomes
Comparatively costly

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: All offers

In a nutshell
Each Galaxy Tab S9 FE fashions had been introduced in the course of the “Fan Version” extravaganza in October 2023 along with the Galaxy Buds FE and the slightly uninspiring Galaxy S23 FE. Each the Tab S9 FE and Tab S9+ FE inherit the premium look from the flagship Tab S9 line of tablets however at a lower cost level, beginning at $449.

 
Galaxy Tab S9+ FE
Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Reminiscence choices and costs

Relying on the retailer, it’s potential to get bundles with equipment, together with covers, and even reductions with provider plans on the 5G possibility, which for the US is unique to the bottom mannequin on its lowest storage possibility (MSRP: $549.99).
New for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE fashions is the IP68 ranking for water and mud resistance, identical to the flagship Tab S9 fashions. In comparison with the earlier era Tab S7 FE (there was no fan version for the Tab S8 era) there may be additionally an improve within the show’s refresh price, which now updates at 90 Hz.
For added comfort, Samsung consists of the S Pen within the field with the Tab S9 FE fashions, identical to within the earlier fashions. However the charger you will want to purchase individually, particularly if you wish to use the complete 45 W most enter energy.

Design and show

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets supply a premium look with an aluminum again that matches the flagship Tab S9 fashions. On the entrance lies the primary foremost distinction, with the bottom mannequin sporting a ten.9-inch show, whereas the FE+ mannequin gives a 12.4-inch display, each with 90 Hz IPS LCD panels beneath.

Execs:

Premium design with aluminum body and again.
IP68 water and mud resistance.
Shiny show with 90 Hz refresh price.

Cons:

Galaxy Tab S9 FE (left) and Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (proper) have clear measurement variations. / © nextpit

The general design and construct high quality of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE fashions not solely matches the costlier fashions within the household, but additionally the rival iPad fashions in the identical value vary. What the Apple tablets do not supply, nonetheless, is the IP68 ranking discovered within the Samsung pill, which may resist even some transient dips in water.
Whereas flagship tablets (and laptops) began to undertake OLED screens just lately, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is supplied with wonderful IPS LCD panels. The show is brilliant, with the same old good viewing angles and colours of IPS panels, and the refresh price is a easy 90 Hz, which may be set all the way down to 60 Hz when you prioritize battery life.

Not solely the display measurement is distinction, the decision can also be increased on the Tab S9 FE+ (proper) / © nextpit

Efficiency and software program

Whereas the design of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE comes straight from the flagship household, the processor is a transparent step-down. The Exynos 1380 powering the Tab S9 FE duo is similar one discovered on the Galaxy A54 smartphone, which whereas good, does supply a noticeable drop in efficiency in comparison with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on flagship tablets, and even competing chips on equivalent-priced iPad fashions.

Execs:

Good efficiency in day by day duties.
microSD card reader.
Included S Pen.
Help for a number of customers, with biometric login.

Cons:

Gaming efficiency leaves to be desired.
Bundled apps with pen options are trial solely.

In day by day duties like shopping the online, social media, or speaking over messaging apps, the Exynos efficiency is greater than enough, even with the 90 Hz refresh price, animations and scrolling are fluid. Opening apps and loading sport phases are quick sufficient, due to the UFS storage and RAM.

 
Galaxy Tab S9 FE+Exynos 1380
Galaxy Tab S9 FEExynos 1380
iPad 10Apple A14
Pixel TabletTensor G2
Galaxy Tab S9 UltraSnapdragon 8 gen 2
Hearth HD 10 (2023)MediaTek MT8186

3DMark Wild Life Stress Take a look at

Worst loop: 2926
Greatest loop: 2951

Worst loop: 2954
Greatest loop: 2981

Worst loop: 6957
Greatest loop: 7614

Worst loop: 6516
Greatest loop: 6624

Worst loop: 714
Greatest loop: 722

Geekbench

Single: 1016
Multi: 2918 

Single: 1024
Multi:2940 

Single: 2110
Multi: 4977 

Gaming efficiency, nonetheless, reveals the restrictions of the Exynos chip, betraying its mid-range origins. In artificial benchmarks, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE delivers lower than half the efficiency of comparably priced gadgets just like the iPad 10 and Pixel Pill.
It gives solely a couple of third to 1 / 4 of the gaming prowess discovered within the flagship Tab S9 Extremely, for which we count on to have remaining scores shortly.

CPU efficiency is satisfactory, however the GPU is clearly underpowered. / © nextpit

In apply, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE might nonetheless run video games, clearly, however with a a lot decrease graphical setting. Genshin Influence, for instance, was playable, however the sport needed to be set with all choices down, leading to a really pixelated gaming expertise, significantly on the FE+ massive 12-inch display with a 2560×1600 native decision.

There’s a clear mismatch between the character and UI ingredient resolutions (faucet to develop the picture). / © nextpit

Media playback
On the media playback entrance, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets carried out very well, particularly the 1600p FE+ mannequin with its greater and higher-resolution show. The Exynos chip is greater than able to rendering media from the preferred streaming providers, and the twin stereo audio system stunned with their efficiency.
Audio separation was good, and regardless of being side-firing audio system, they managed to create an honest soundstage. After all, as quickly as you watch movies in portrait orientation (you monster!) the restrictions of a twin speaker system versus a quad setup grow to be evident.

Pogo pins add compatibility with optionally available equipment like covers and keyboards / © nextpit

Software program
One space during which the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets are on the identical web page as their flagship options is the software program assist. They arrive with Android 13 operating One UI 5.1 and are promised 4 system upgrades and 5 years of safety updates just like the premium fashions.
Samsung features a bunch of third-party apps by default on its mid-range tablets, together with the same old Microsoft bundle, Netflix, Spotify, and the “Galaxy Picks”: Optionally available apps for portray and note-taking with a free trial. In a great world, they’d be free and with no account necessities, however we do not get that possibility.

We counted 8 third-party apps, totaling 32 GB of used storage by default. / © nextpit

Two apps, Clip Studio Paint and Goodnotes are a pleasant strategy to put the included S Pen to make use of, however it’s also possible to take notes shortly on the Samsung Notes app, which additionally gives the choice to transform your handwriting to readable textual content with OK ends in our exams.
There’s additionally Dex mode, with a standard PC-like desktop, together with home windows administration choices, and assist for exterior shows. On the opposite path, it’s also possible to use the Galaxy Tab S9 FE as a Miracast/Wi-fi Show display, however in our exams, the latency was too excessive to be correctly used as a secondary PC show (static textual content labored fantastic, nonetheless).
Moreover, Samsung consists of the Movement app to combine contents on the pill with a related telephone or PC. On supported Home windows computer systems, you’ll be able to even mirror the pill display and notifications, whereas additionally sharing pictures and movies between gadgets.
These options will also be achieved utilizing Microsoft’s Hyperlink to Home windows app. Movement additionally means that you can shortly allow the hotspot operate on a Galaxy telephone, and when you use Samsung Move, you’ll be able to even limit entry to your PC account utilizing the telephone or pill’s biometric options.

The facility button on the Tab S9 FE(+) doubles as a fingerprint reader. / © nextpit

Talking about biometrics, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets embody a fingerprint reader on the ability button. Throughout our exams, detection labored nicely for logins, which ought to assist households with a number of accounts arrange on the pill. Every person has to undergo their very own preliminary setup, like on a manufacturing unit reset system, and might have their very own apps, and separate biometric logins.
One barely annoying factor is that the person should change to their profile on the lock display to then attempt to log in with the fingerprint. In case you attempt to log in on the pill proper after one other person, the system will count on the earlier person’s fingerprint and won’t go on to the brand new person’s house display.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ digicam

The digicam {hardware} is among the largest variations between the 2 Tab S9 FE tablets. Whereas each function a 12-megapixel selfie digicam and a 8 MP rear digicam, solely the FE+ mannequin has a ultra-wide-angle digicam, with the identical 8 megapixels. As with most tablets, do not count on a lot from the cameras, however not less than the front-facing sensor gives a ok picture for video calls.
  

Execs:

Good photos on video calls.
Selfie digicam in panorama orientation.

Cons:

Disappointing picture high quality.

The Tab S9 FE has a single digicam, whereas the Tab S9 FE+ additionally has an ultra-wide digicam. / © nextpit

The lack of awareness in regards to the digicam options on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE from Samsung—which solely lists the sensor decision—helps maintain expectations low, and appears to point how a lot the corporate expects customers to take pictures with the pill. Nonetheless, they’re ok for a fast snap, scan a doc, or a QR code.
On the whole, pictures with the pill’s digicam lacked definition, particularly when seen on an enormous display, and had muted colours. On the ultra-wide digicam accessible on the Tab S9 FE, there have been some variations in colour rendering, however the outcomes had been much like the principle digicam. In brief, use your smartphone.

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Extremely-wide-angle digicam (0.5x) © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Foremost digicam © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Foremost digicam (2x zoom) © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Extremely-wide-angle digicam (0.5x) © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Foremost digicam © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Selfie © nextpit

Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ – Extremely-wide-angle selfie © nextpit

Selfie pictures appeared to supply a greater definition, and the entrance digicam not solely is positioned within the panorama orientation splendid for video calls, video high quality was ok for firm conferences, or a fast household reunion over video calls.

The selfie cameras are positioned on the lengthy facet of the show, splendid for convention calls / © nextpit

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ battery

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets are outfitted with customary battery capacities for his or her respective sizes: 10090 mAh on the larger Tab S9 FE+ and 8000 mAh on the Tab S9 FE. Each may be charged at as much as 45 W utilizing a suitable energy adapter and supply first rate battery life generally.

Execs:

Good battery life (wonderful on the FE+).
Quick 45 W wired charging.

Cons:

No energy adapter within the field.

Choosing the right energy adapter can reduce charging occasions in half. / © nextpit

On the larger FE+ mannequin, the usual PC Mark battery check we use on smartphone critiques stored going stubbornly and returned a 18h50 rating, which is spectacular for a tool that’s not used as regularly as a smartphone.
In the case of charging, Samsung would not embody a charger, not even a low-power one just like the one which was bundled with the Tab S7 FE. Charging the smaller Tab S9 FE with an adapter able to supplying 45 W, we bought very quick outcomes, with a 73% cost in an hour, and a full charger in somewhat over 1h40.

 
Galaxy Tab S9 FE(8000 mAh | UGreen 300W)
Galaxy Tab S9 FE+(10090 mAh | UGreen 65W)
Pixel Pill(7020 mAh)
Xiaomi Pad 6(8840 mAh | 33 W)

5 min

10 min

20 min

30 min

1 h

Full cost

PC Mark battery check

9h23 (144 Hz)
12h15 (60 Hz)

 

Notice: The Tab S9 FE+ was examined utilizing a lower-power charger that might not present the complete 45 W output.

Utilizing a extra customary charger, nonetheless, resulted in very lengthy charging occasions, which was the case once we paired the large S9 FE+ with a Ugreen 65W that did not supply the required amperage+voltage obligatory for 45 W charging, one thing that Matt Zellmer investigated additional evaluating Samsung’s 45 W charger on the Galaxy S23.
One thing that may be good to see, however continues to be very uncommon in tablets is wi-fi charging. Even Amazon, who supplied the function on the 2021 mannequin of its Hearth HD 10 pill dropped it for the 2023 version. With the brand new Qi 2.0 wi-fi customary including assist for magnetic docking, perhaps we are going to see extra tablets providing the choice.

To cost the S Pen, place it on the again spot the place it magnetically attaches to the pill. / © nextpit

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ technical specs

 
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Image

Show

12.4-inch LCD
2560 x 1600 pixels
90 Hz refresh price

10.9-inch LCD
2304 x 1440 pixels
90 Hz refresh price

SoC

Reminiscence

8 / 12 GB RAM
128 / 256 UFS ROM

6 / 8 GB RAM
128 / 256 UFS ROM

OS

One UI 5.1.1 over Android 13
4 years of system upgrades
5 years of safety updates

One UI 5.1.1 over Android 13
4 years of system upgrades
5 years of safety updates

Digicam

Foremost: 8 MP | f/1.9 | 28 mm | OIS
Extremely-wide: 8 MP | f/2.2 | 15 mm

Foremost: 8 MP | f/1.9 | 28 mm | OIS

Selfie Digicam

Battery

10090 mAh
45 W wired charging

8000 mAh
45 W wired charging

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3
Optionally available 5G

Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3
Optionally available 5G

IP Certification

Dimensions and weight

11.24 x 7.3 x 0.26 mm, 1.38 lb
185.4 x 285.4 x 6.5 mm, 627 g

10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 in, 1.15 lb
165.8 x 254.3 x 6.5 mm, 523 g

Different factors that will curiosity the nextpit neighborhood:

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE fashions would not have NFC, UWB, or eSIM assist.
The overview unit packaging included a charging cable and a microSD tray software.
The software program model in the course of the check was One UI 5.1.1 (Android 13) with the August 2023 safety patch.
After resetting the up to date tablets, the working system indicated 31.62 GB (FE+) and 31.92 GB (FE) of used area.

Ultimate verdict

In a vacuum, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets are attention-grabbing choices for these searching for a premium machine at an inexpensive value. Each fashions supply a pleasant design and wonderful construct high quality, embody the useful S Pen, productiveness options, and are wonderful media consumption gadgets.
Nevertheless, whereas they’re roughly in the identical value class because the iPad 10 and the Pixel Pill, their efficiency in additional demanding duties is noticeably decrease. That distinction may be particularly seen in graphic-intensive video games, the place picture high quality must be lowered considerably to supply playable body charges.

Affiliate supply

Affiliate supply

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE era brings welcome upgrades over the earlier Tab S7 FE (12.4-inch) and Tab S6 Lite (10.4-inch), with higher shows, water resistance, and improved battery life. However even contemplating that, it’s exhausting to suggest the 2023 Fan Version fashions over the competitors, except you’re actually invested in Samsung’s ecosystem.
In brief, the overview title could have already given away this conclusion. Whereas the construct high quality and design advantage the Galaxy S identify and the Fan Version suffix, the efficiency and digicam high quality fall into Galaxy A territory, or what is perhaps known as ‘Lite Version,’ as my colleague famous whereas reviewing the previous-generation Galaxy Tab S7 FE.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
To machine database

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