Full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+

These days, apart from looking at the capabilities of a device, most people also have an eye out for form factors. Perhaps the hybrid work setup influenced the inclination towards devices with ergonomic and compact designs. For someone who’s always out and about, I can attest to that. 

As a writer and creator, my purchase decision involves a question, “is the device powerful enough to execute light to heavy tasks while maintaining a light form factor so I can take work wherever I go?” This curiosity is what I also have for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+. I have high expectations for this tablet; let’s see if it won’t disappoint. 

Design and build

If there are three words to describe the design language of Galaxy Tab S9+, that would be sleek, minimalist, and robust. It comes in the Graphite and Beige colorway; the straightforward, no fuss aesthetics will easily grow on you. Sometimes we can do without the flamboyance and focus on functionalities.

Case in point, the Galaxy Tab S9+ impresses with its ergonomic design. In my line of work, it’s difficult to stay put so it’s very handy to have a device akin to a laptop capabilities-wise, but is heavier on portability. Thankfully, that’s exactly what we get from this tablet as it weighs just 581g.

Equally important for those always on the go like me is the durability of our belongings; it’s essential to have a layer of protection for rainy and clumsy days. Great news: The Galaxy Tab S9+ got us covered (with Armor Aluminum frame). It’s also noteworthy that the Galaxy Tab S9 series is Samsung’s first ever water and dust-resistant Galaxy S tablet. 

Likewise, the S Pen is just as durable, receiving the same IP68 rating. What’s also amazing is the way it can mimic the feel of writing on actual paper. Even those who need to do intricate sketches will find it delightful to work on the tablet given that it’s sensitive to pressure and tilt.

Inside the box

The tablet comes with an S Pen, USB-C cable, and eject pin. 

Accessory

To fully maximize the tablet, it’s ideal to have Samsung’s Book Cover Keyboard (sold separately). My review unit came with it and my experience was a very pleasant one. Even with the keyboard’s slim profile, it’s still able to give a satisfying tactile feel with its travel and feedback. 

Additional convenience feature is the back cover case with an adjustable stand. You can enjoy different viewing angles especially when you’re in laptop mode – from narrower to wider angles for your stand. 

Display

One can anticipate a wonderful visual feast as the 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x display is absolutely giving. It’s got a lot in store for entertainment seekers like me. It starts with the rich and vibrant colors, followed by the astonishing level of detail, and ends with the reduced blue light emissions. 

What’s more, the accompanying quad AKG speaker system and Dolby Atmos surround sound elevates the already immersive experience. My break normally consists of catching up on Netflix series. With the tablet’s audiovisual performance, I’ll find myself looking forward to my de-stress even more. 

Interaction with the user interface proves to be satisfying as well. The snapiness of the display is highly evident when switching tabs, scrolling through Instagram, and doing other gestures. 

When you’re working, you can reap the full benefits of having a laptop-sized display. You can even switch to DeX mode in order to simulate the actual experience from a laptop. This feature allows you to work in desktop mode, which makes it easy to multitask and be productive. The process of doing so seems to be highly intuitive, which is a bonus. 

Camera

Of course, it’s nobody’s instinct to reach for a tablet when taking photos or video, but it’s a nice thought to have a capable camera at your disposal. At the rear the Galaxy Tab S9+ houses the 13MP main and 8MP ultrawide cameras, while the front features the 12MP selfie camera. I don’t have any complaints since all of them perform adequately. 

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The scenario wherein one can best maximize the selfie camera would be during an online meeting.

Performance

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is no slouch as it’s powered by the mighty Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. This explains why most, if not all, of the tasks were executed seamlessly. From downloading apps and responding to emails to photo and short-form video editing, the Galaxy Tab S9+ delivered. It’s easy to assume it can perform at the same level when faced with more demanding tasks run by graphic designers or content creators.

Multitasking is the norm, and while doing so, I didn’t encounter any hitches. Perhaps the generous 12GB RAM is also at play. You can also work with large files as it comes with 256GB of storage. If that’s not enough, you can have your back up microSD ready. 

Battery

You’ve had a long day, working from 9 to 5 with your tablet, and now you’re looking for ways to de-stress. This is where the Galaxy Tab S9+’s large 10,090mAh battery comes in. It can extend beyond work hours, satisfying the workaholics and series-bingers in everyone.

Verdict

Evidently, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ impresses on all fronts, lending itself well on multiple scenarios. For productivity and creative purposes, it’s equipped with a powerful processor to execute tasks like multitasking and video editing seamlessly. Meanwhile, entertainment seekers can indulge in the visual feast that the Galaxy Tab S9+ will serve. 

Something I’d like to highlight is that it can perform like a beast without the heavy baggage. These days, portability without any compromise in performance is a huge win for on-the-go professionals. Hence, without hesitations, I can say it ate and left no crumbs. 

The 256GB ROM + 12BGB RAM variant that I’m currently reviewing is worth PHP61,990, while the 512GB ROM + 12GB RAM option costs PHP69,990. Considering the exceptional capabilities of this device, at the end of the day, you’ll know that it’s an investment worth making. 

Photos by the author