Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Wi-Fi Tablet Detailed Review

Introduction

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is the latest addition to Samsung’s popular Galaxy Tab series, offering a well-rounded tablet experience with a blend of performance, design, and features tailored for both casual users and professionals. With a large 12.4-inch display, robust processing power, and a host of other enhancements, this tablet is designed to cater to a wide range of needs. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the key aspects of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus, exploring its specifications, performance, and overall value.

Design and Build Quality

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus maintains the sleek and modern design language that Samsung is known for. Measuring 285.4 mm in length, 185.4 mm in width, and just 6.5 mm in thickness, this tablet is impressively slim and lightweight at 627 grams. The tablet is available in four attractive color options—Gray, Silver, Lavender, and Mint—allowing users to choose a style that suits their preferences.

One of the standout features is its IP68 rating, which means the device is water and dust resistant, providing added durability for everyday use. The build quality is solid, with a premium feel that ensures it can withstand the rigors of daily use without sacrificing aesthetics. The inclusion of Gorilla Glass 5 on the display further enhances its durability, protecting against scratches and minor impacts.

Display and Multimedia Experience

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is equipped with a 12.4-inch TFT display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, delivering a pixel density of 243 PPI. While the TFT technology may not match the vibrancy of AMOLED screens, it still offers a bright and sharp viewing experience, with 16 million colors and a peak brightness of 600 nits. The 90 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and fluid animations, making it a joy to use for multimedia consumption, gaming, and everyday tasks.

Samsung has also integrated several features to enhance the viewing experience, such as Vision Booster and P3 wide color gamut support, which make colors appear more vivid and lifelike. The tablet also supports S Pen input, making it an excellent choice for artists, note-takers, and professionals who require precise input. The dual speakers, combined with Dolby Atmos support, provide a rich audio experience, perfect for watching movies or listening to music.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is powered by the Samsung Exynos 1380 chipset, featuring an octa-core processor with a primary clock speed of 2.4 GHz. The CPU consists of four ARM Cortex-A78 cores for performance and four ARM Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency, ensuring a balanced performance across tasks. The Mali-G68 MP5 GPU handles graphics, providing sufficient power for gaming and media editing.

With 8 GB of RAM, the tablet is capable of multitasking with ease, handling multiple apps and browser tabs without slowing down. The 128 GB of internal storage is expandable via microSD up to 1 TB, giving users ample space for their files, apps, and media.

Running on Android 13, the tablet offers the latest features and security updates, with Samsung’s One UI providing a user-friendly interface that is intuitive and customizable. The tablet also supports Samsung DeX, allowing users to connect it to a monitor for a desktop-like experience, making it an ideal choice for productivity.

Camera and Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is equipped with an 8.0 MP rear camera that supports UHD 4K video recording at 30fps, along with an 8.0 MP secondary camera for capturing wider shots. The front-facing 12.0 MP camera is well-suited for video calls and selfies, delivering clear and detailed images.

While the camera setup is not the most advanced, it performs well for a tablet, especially in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of features like autofocus and various shooting modes ensures that users can capture decent photos and videos for casual use.

The tablet’s 10090 mAh battery provides excellent battery life, easily lasting through a full day of heavy use. The device supports 45W fast charging, allowing users to quickly recharge and get back to their tasks without extended downtime. This long battery life, combined with the efficient Exynos chipset, makes the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus a reliable companion for both work and entertainment.

Connectivity and Additional Features

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus comes with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), offering faster and more reliable internet speeds, particularly in crowded networks. Bluetooth 5.3 ensures quick and stable connections to peripherals like wireless headphones and keyboards.

The tablet is also equipped with GPS, supporting multiple satellite systems such as Beidou, GLONASS, Galileo, and QZSS, making it a robust device for navigation and location-based services. The USB-C 2.0 port provides easy and fast data transfer, as well as charging capabilities.

Additional features include an array of sensors like an accelerometer, light sensor, geomagnetic sensor (compass), gyroscope, and a hall sensor. The tablet also supports an S Pen, which is included in the package, making it ready for productivity right out of the box.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Large Display: The 12.4-inch display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels offers a sharp and immersive viewing experience.
• Solid Build Quality: The tablet’s slim profile, lightweight design, and IP68 rating make it durable and easy to carry.
• Expandable Storage: With 128 GB of internal storage and support for up to 1 TB microSD cards, users have ample space for their data.
• Long Battery Life: The 10090 mAh battery ensures extended usage without frequent recharging, complemented by 45W fast charging.
• S Pen Support: The included S Pen offers excellent precision for note-taking, drawing, and productivity tasks.
• Samsung DeX: Allows for a desktop-like experience, enhancing productivity and multitasking.

Cons:

• TFT Display Technology: While the display is sharp, it doesn’t offer the same level of vibrancy and contrast as AMOLED displays.
• Mid-Range Camera Performance: The camera setup is adequate for basic photography but falls short compared to smartphones or higher-end tablets.
• Limited Connectivity Ports: The tablet features a USB-C 2.0 port, which may feel limiting for users needing faster data transfer or additional peripheral connections.
• No 120 Hz Refresh Rate: While 90 Hz is smooth, it may not satisfy users accustomed to the ultra-smooth experience of 120 Hz displays.

Conclusion

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is a well-rounded tablet that offers excellent value for its price. With its large, high-resolution display, solid performance, and long battery life, it is an ideal choice for a wide range of users, from casual media consumers to professionals looking for a versatile device. The added durability, thanks to the IP68 rating and Gorilla Glass 5, ensures that it can handle the demands of daily use. Whether you’re looking for a device for work, entertainment, or creativity, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is a strong contender in the mid-range tablet market.