Samsung Galaxy Tab S 14.6" 9 Ultra Review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a massive, beautiful Android tablet that's fantastic for artists and media bingers, but it's a weird fit for everything else. The 14.6-inch screen is its main event, and it's stunning. Just know that this thing is huge. It's less a tablet you hold and more a portable screen you prop up.

Performance is solid, landing in the 70th percentile for CPU and GPU, which means the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip handles most tasks without a hiccup. What surprised me is how the battery life is just average, sitting right at the 50th percentile. For a tablet this big, you'd hope for more stamina, but it's fine for a day of mixed use.

At around $518, this is a compelling value if you want a giant, high-quality screen. You're getting a premium AMOLED display and S Pen for hundreds less than a comparable iPad Pro. But you have to really want that specific Android-on-a-big-screen experience.

The obvious competitor is the 13-inch iPad Pro. The iPad Pro has a much stronger chip (M-series) and better pro app support, but it costs way more, especially with the Apple Pencil. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the direct successor, offering a newer chip and likely better battery, but it'll cost significantly more at launch. If you're an Android user who wants the biggest, best screen for drawing or media, the S9 Ultra is your pick. If you need pro-grade software or ecosystem integration, the iPad Pro is worth the premium.

I recommend the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but only for a specific user. If you're an Android-loving artist, a dedicated media consumer who wants a portable TV, or someone who just loves a giant screen, this tablet is a fantastic deal at this price. For general productivity or as a laptop replacement, its size and Android limitations hold it back. Buy it for the screen.