-
The hot new value upgrade
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
The Tab S9 FE is Samsung’s latest take on a budget Android tablet. It offers a surprisingly good battery, screen, and camera setup but its processor won’t handle rendering heavy 3D graphics.
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance ratio
- Great battery life
- Included S Pen
Cons
- Limited processing power
- Camera is only decent
-
Samsung’s 11-inch flagship
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Tab S9 sets the bar for performance, display, and battery life in Android tablets, making it the de facto comparison point for Samsung’s latest budget release.
Pros
- Beautiful AMOLED display
- Excellent performance
- Included S Pen
Cons
- High price tag
- Camera is only decent
Samsung seems to have had an alarmingly short turnaround time between the release of the Galaxy Tab S9 to that of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. This 2023 entry in the growing Fan Edition series offers a comparable overall experience to Samsung’s best tablets, albeit with a fraction of the power and at a fraction of the price. But does the price-to-performance ratio of the Tab S9 FE outdo the modern specs of the Tab S9 flagship? Let’s compare and see which Galaxy tablet is the better buy.
Price, availability, and specs
Given that both of these devices were released last year, they are highly available and commonly go on sale. There have been some fairly substantial discounts on different models of the Tab S9 FE and S9, so it pays to shop around.
The Tab S9 was released on August 11, 2023, and the base 128GB version has an MSRP of $800. The 256GB version has an MSRP of $920. The Tab S9 FE was released on October 10, 2023, and its base 128 GB + 6GB RAM version has an MSRP of $450. The 256 GB + 8GB RAM version has an MSRP of $520. You may be curious to know why there is such a big price difference between these devices, so we will get into that below.
Wi-Fi-only versions of both tablets are available directly through Samsung and major electronic retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Cellular versions are also available via Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and the aforementioned retailers.
-
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB CPU Samsung Exynos 1380 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy Memory 6GB, 8GB 8GB, 12GB Operating System Android 13 Android 13 Battery Li-ion 8,000mAh 8,400mAh Ports USB Type-C Version 2.0, microSD (up to 1TB) USB-C, microSD Camera (Rear, Front) Rear: 8MP, Front: 12MP Rear: 13MP, Front: 12MP Display type 10.9-inch, WUXGA+ (2304 x 1440), LCD 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 60Hz-120Hz Size 10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 inches 6.52×10.01×0.23 inches (165.8 x 254.3 x 5.9mm) Weight 1.15 pounds 17.5 ounces(498g) Price $450 $800 Connectivity Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Colors Gray, Silver, Mint, Lavender Beige, Graphite IP rating IP68 IP68
Related
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ review: Good looks, useful software, sluggish performance
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is a good looking large-screen tablet for those on a tighter budget, but be ready for compromises.
Related
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series: Price, release date, and everything you need to know
Samsung makes some of the best Android tablets, and its new Galaxy Tab S9 lineup takes things up a notch.
Design
It’s pretty much a tie
When it comes to design, these two Samsung tablets are almost identical. The S9 FE and S9 have almost the exact same weight, dimensions, and features. The two key differences between these tablets include different colorways, and the Tab S9 has a slightly higher screen-to-body ratio.
The S9 FE gets points for being available in Mint, Silver, Gray, and Lavender, while the S9 only comes in Beige and Graphite. But considering you’re likely to cover any of these colorways with a protective case anyway, we don’t place much weight on this factor. However, the S9 has an 11-inch display while the S9 FE has a 10.9-inch display, which may be enough of a technical improvement to call the S9 the winner there.
All this being said, it is important to reiterate that these tablets share all the best design features of the Galaxy Tab series. Both tablets have a sturdy aluminum unibody with rounded corners and flat sides. Both are IP68-rated for water and dust resistance. They both work with S Pen and have a magnetic dock on the rear to house and charge this accessory, too. In terms of design, there is no going wrong with either option.
Winner: Tie
Display
The Tab S9 brings AMOLED brilliance
The Tab S9 takes the title in the display department, and the Tab S9 FE does not make for particularly close competition. The S9 has an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 2560×1600 resolution. It has a fluid 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support to boot. It is sharper, brighter, and more color-accurate than the display of the S9 FE, making it the superior option for gaming, watching movies, and editing photos.
Conversely, the S9 FE sports an IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate and no HDR support. It’s not a bad display given the price point of the S9 FE, but it isn’t as vibrant as the S9 display, nor is its viewing angle quite as wide. This difference in display quality is a fair trade-off for the budget price of the S9 FE, but definitely worth noting.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9
Software
Same OS
Since both of these tablets were released only a few months apart, software support is a non-factor when determining the better Android tablet purchase. Both the Tab S9 and the Tab S9 FE are fully compatible with the current Android 14 release, even though they both ship with Android 13 and One UI 5.1. The two tablets will likely have the same software support lifespan of about three years, which is standard for most Android devices. If you’re looking for a deal-breaker to justify which tablet to get, software support simply isn’t it.
Winner: Tie
Performance
The Tab S9 offers higher performance
For better or worse, Samsung made key cuts to the performance of the Tab S9 FE to ensure its budget price. While this is nice for budget-conscious consumers, it makes the Tab S9 the clear winner in the performance category. And the difference is big enough that this could be a deal-breaker for users looking to run hardware-intensive apps like 3D games and video editing apps.
The S9 sports a Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is an eight-core platform that is highly rated for both single-core and multi-core tasks. That means faster and snappier functionality for the end-user for basically all tasks. Meanwhile, the S9 FE has a mid-range Exynos 1380, which is still capable of light gaming and everyday productivity tasks, but will seem comparatively sluggish side-by-side with a more powerful tablet. Either device should handle at least three more years of feature creep until you run into serious compatibility issues, though.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9
Battery life
Similar longevity, but port distinctions
Between having a larger battery overall and a more power-efficient mobile platform, the Tab S9 has superior battery life, but not by much. The S9 has an 8400mAh battery while the S9 FE has an 8000mAh battery. Both tablets support 45W charging via USB-C, but it should also be noted that the S9 FE has a PD 2.0 port, which is a downgrade from its predecessor, the Tab S8 FE. Although it doesn’t affect charging rates, it does restrict you from sending video to HDMI via the USB-C port. This is something to keep in mind if you plan on regularly using your tablet with an external monitor.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9
Camera
The Tab S9 captures higher resolution
Photography isn’t a big focus for either the S9 or the S9 FE, but that said, those with any interest in taking photos with their tablet should consider the Tab S9 over the S9 FE. It has a better rear image sensor, despite representing a downgrade from the Tab S8. But even without the S8’s ultrawide lens, the S9 still takes a decent photo.
The S9 sports a 12MP selfie camera with an ultrawide lens and a 13MP camera on the rear. Comparatively, the S9 FE has the same 12MP ultrawide front camera and an 8MP rear camera. This difference results in images of lower resolution than those taken with the S9’s rear camera. Neither camera is bad, but if you’re looking for the better 11-inch Android tablet for taking photos, it’s definitely the S9.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vs S9: which is right for you?
At the risk of stating the obvious, the Tab S9 and S9 FE are different devices for different kinds of users. Ultimately, the best tablet for you depends on your specific needs. The original Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the best option for most users. It may cost significantly more, but its specs are more conducive to the tasks for which tablets are best suited, including gaming and streaming media. Plus, Samsung is good about regularly discounting its tech, so keep a lookout for that, since the value for the money is solid here.
Top pick
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
$676 $800 Save $124
It will take more than a new budget alternative to dethrone the Galaxy Tab S9 as the go-to Samsung tablet purchase. Its AMOLED display, high-performance SoC, and great battery life are all worth the extra costs.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a fantastic value for anyone needing a feature-lite Android tablet. It may have an older processor, but it should have no problem running modern apps. This is an improved baseline device, since the same cannot be said for the last-gen Tab S7, which is the Android flagship that is closest in price to this tablet. As long as you don’t require any advanced performance from a tablet, then the S9 FE should suffice for web browsing, light gaming, and running productivity apps.
Overall Winner: Galaxy Tab S9
Runner-up
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
$380 $450 Save $70
If you only have a modest budget for a tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE offers excellent bang for your buck. It is also a much safer option than buying an older tablet since it ships with Android 13.