Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.7" 9 2024 Review

Look, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 is a cheap tablet. That's the one thing you need to know. It's built to hit a price point, and it shows. For $165, you get a functional Android slate that can handle basic web browsing, YouTube, and maybe a few light games. But you're making serious compromises, especially with that dim, low-resolution screen that lands in the bottom 6th percentile. This isn't your main device. It's a secondary screen for the kitchen or a simple media player for a kid.

Honestly, nothing here is a surprise. The performance is exactly what you'd expect from a MediaTek Helio G99 and 4GB of RAM. It's fine for basic tasks, but you'll feel the pinch if you try to multitask or run anything demanding. The GPU is in the 41st percentile, so don't plan on modern gaming. The real letdown is that screen. It's not just mediocre, it's genuinely bad compared to almost anything else on the market.

At $165, it's hard to call this a bad value if your needs are extremely basic. But you have to be honest with yourself. You're buying the absolute bottom of the barrel in screen quality. If you can stretch your budget even a little, you'll get a massively better experience.

Don't even look at the iPad Pro or Surface Pro 11. They're in a different universe. The real competition is other budget Android tablets. The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, for example, gives you a much better 12.7" screen and more RAM for not a huge amount more money. Even the no-name 'N-one' tablet might match this screen for less cash. The Tab A9's only real advantage is the Samsung brand name on the back.

Only buy the Galaxy Tab A9 if your budget is absolutely locked at $165 and you just need a screen that turns on. For everyone else, save up a bit more. The terrible screen and limited RAM make this a frustrating device to use daily. You'll outgrow its limitations fast. Look for a used older model or a refurbished tablet instead. You'll get more for your money.