Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Specifications

• Operating system One UI 5.1 on Android 13
• Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
• Memory (RAM) 12GB (as tested) / 16GB
• Storage 256GB (as tested) / 512GB / 1TB
• Display 14.6-inch OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
• Weight 14.6-inch OLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
• Battery 11,200mAh
• Charging 45W wired
• Rear cameras 13MP, F/2.0, 1.0µm pixels (wide) / 8 MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide)
• Front cameras 12MP, F/2.2, 26mm (wide) / 12MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the top choice for a large tablet, excelling in productivity thanks to Samsung's long history of improvement. While not a complete laptop replacement due to Android limitations, it's nearly flawless and worth the price if affordable. It competes favorably against rivals like the Lenovo Tab Extreme and iPad Pro 12.9, offering unique features like the included S Pen and DeX environment. The tablet supports multitasking with ease, and while the optional keyboard cover is pricey, any keyboard and mouse will work. Considering its size, the Tab S9 Ultra is reasonably priced compared to competitors. In the UAE market, The Galaxy Tab S9 is selling within price bracket of AED 2,749:00 to 3,999:00.

While it lacks 5G, it's still a powerful device, using the fastest Qualcomm chip available for smooth performance. Despite being slightly slower than Apple chips, its versatility in functioning as a desktop or regular tablet offers more options. With ample RAM and storage, it ensures smooth operation even with multiple apps open. Though its battery isn't the largest, Samsung prioritized a lightweight and slim design, making it a smart choice overall.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Display

If you like big screens, you'll enjoy the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. It's perfect for people who've used large laptops and big phones before. The screen isn't as sharp as the iPad Pro 12.9's, but it's bigger and costs less. The Tab S9 Ultra gives you much more screen space compared to the biggest iPad Pro.

Compared to its main Android rival, the Lenovo Tab Extreme, the Tab S9 Ultra's screen usually looks better. Photos look more natural, and movies have a warmer, more cinematic look on the Ultra. However, the Tab S9 Ultra doesn't support Dolby Vision, a popular HDR video standard used by Netflix. The Lenovo Tab Extreme supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, making movies look better, especially darker ones.

This doesn't mean Netflix looks bad on the Tab S9 Ultra; you won't notice unless you compare it directly. But there's a difference, and it's a choice Samsung made, not a technical problem.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Design

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra focuses mainly on its large, stunning screen, so the design keeps things simple. With such a huge 14.6-inch display, Samsung worked to make the tablet slim and lightweight. It's even thinner than the biggest iPad Pro.

Compared to the Lenovo Tab Extreme, another big Android tablet, the Tab S9 Ultra is slimmer and lighter. While the Lenovo has a bigger battery, the Tab S9 Ultra focuses on keeping its weight down.

Like the Galaxy S23 Ultra phone, the Tab S9 Ultra comes with an S Pen, which has air gesture features. You charge the pen by attaching it magnetically to the back of the tablet, but it's easy to lose. It would be better if you could store it inside the tablet like with Samsung phones.

If you're worried about losing the S Pen, you can get a Samsung cover with a special spot to hold it securely. Samsung also offers a keyboard cover that attaches magnetically to the tablet, providing extra protection and a place to store the pen.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Software

Many expensive tablets promise to help you work better, but often, they're tricky to figure out. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is different. It makes multitasking and getting stuff done super simple, just like on a Windows computer.

Even Apple's macOS can't match the Tab S9 Ultra's multitasking ease. And that's just the basic Android stuff. There's more with DeX.

DeX is like a desktop setup on your tablet. When you connect the Tab S9 Ultra to another screen, it acts like a full desktop computer. You can open lots of apps, organize them neatly, and even use a keyboard and mouse.

The Tab S9 Ultra can handle multitasking better than any other tablet. And if you have other Samsung devices, like the Galaxy Book 3 laptop, you can do even cooler tricks. With the Samsung Ultra keyboard cover, you can even connect to your phone and control it from your tablet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Performance

If you want a powerful Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra won't disappoint. 

Apple's iPads have some advantages, like running desktop-level apps such as music and video editing software. But the Tab S9 Ultra is no slouch either. While editing large photos in Lightroom it works smoothly. While it's not as fast as my Mac mini or the big iPad Pro, it's quicker than any other tablet.

The choice between ecosystems comes down to the apps you need. If your go-to apps are on Android, the Tab S9 Ultra is a great fit. It's perfect for drawing, writing, and note-taking.

But if you're into heavy-duty video or music editing, the iPad might be better for now. While Android has good software, the iPad offers more laptop-like power, while the Tab S9 Ultra is just really strong.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Battery

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a large battery thanks to its spacious interior. Samsung opted not to increase its size further, keeping the tablet lighter. It can last through long periods of use, including watching a 12-hour 4K video season or an eight-hour workday. While it charges at 45 watts, faster charging would be preferable given its large battery capacity. However, the tablet's size means it's typically used near a power outlet, and its substantial battery can even charge other devices. Despite the absence of wireless charging, it's not missed due to potential difficulties in alignment and slower charging speeds compared to wired charging.

Final Thoughts

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers a large screen and pro-grade drawing capabilities with the included S Pen. It provides a desktop-like environment for productivity tasks and is ideal for those who prefer working on a larger touchscreen. If you primarily use Android apps and rely on Google services for work, the Tab S9 Ultra offers a seamless experience for completing tasks.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is powerful, but it falls short compared to Apple's iPad in terms of editing music and video due to Apple's superior chip. If you mainly use your tablet for watching videos, there are cheaper options available, and the lack of Dolby Vision support may impact your viewing experience. Additionally, the Samsung book cover keyboard is not recommended compared to similar offerings from Apple and Lenovo.