Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus 12.4” 256GB WiFi 7 Review
The Galaxy Tab S9+ offers a gorgeous AMOLED screen and included S Pen, but does its average battery life hold it back? We compare it to the iPad Pro to see who wins.
The 30-Second Version
The Galaxy Tab S9+ is a powerhouse Android tablet with a stunning screen and included S Pen. Its IP68 rating is a rare bonus. Battery life is just okay, and it faces stiff competition from the iPad Pro. At this renewed price, it's a great pick for Android fans.
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is a premium Android tablet that tries to do it all. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, 12GB of RAM, and a gorgeous 12.4-inch AMOLED screen, it's built for power users who want a big, beautiful canvas.
It also comes with the excellent S Pen included, has a rare IP68 dust and water resistance rating, and offers a massive 512GB of storage. But at this price, it's going head-to-head with the iPad Pro, and that's a tough fight.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 12GB of RAM make this thing fly. In our database, the CPU and GPU performance both land in the 77th percentile, which means it handles multitasking and demanding apps without breaking a sweat. The screen is its star feature, ranking in the 82nd percentile for its intense colors and deep blacks. The main letdown is the battery, which scores in the bottom half at the 48th percentile. You'll get a day of use, but don't expect to forget your charger.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The 12.4-inch AMOLED screen is stunning and bright enough for outdoor use. 95th
- IP68 rating makes it one of the few tablets you can take anywhere without worry. 92th
- S Pen is included and offers a fantastic writing and drawing experience. 82th
- Performance is top-tier for Android, with no lag in sight. 80th
Cons
- Battery life is just average for a tablet this size.
- It's expensive, especially compared to some compelling alternatives.
- Android still lags behind iPadOS for pro-level creative and productivity apps.
- The 585g weight makes it feel substantial, not ultra-portable.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Processor
| CPU | 2.8 GHz |
| GPU | Integrated GPU within Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
Memory & Storage
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Display
| Size | 12.4" |
| Resolution | 1752 |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 |
Features
| Stylus Support | Yes |
Physical
| Weight | 0.6 kg / 1.3 lbs |
| OS | Android |
Value & Pricing
At around $459 for this renewed 512GB model, the value proposition gets interesting. You're getting near-flagship specs for a mid-range price. The included S Pen and IP68 rating are huge value adds you won't find on most competitors. If you're committed to the Android ecosystem and want a premium, large-screen tablet, this is a strong deal. If you're platform-agnostic, the competition gets fierce.
Price History
vs Competition
This goes toe-to-toe with the 13-inch iPad Pro. The Tab S9+ wins on included stylus, storage at this price, and that IP68 rating. The iPad Pro wins on raw processor power (M-series chips are monsters), battery life, and app ecosystem, especially for pros. Against something like the Microsoft Surface Pro, the Tab S9+ is a better media consumption and note-taking device, but the Surface runs full Windows, making it a true laptop replacement. The Lenovo Tab Pro offers a similar screen size for less money, but with significantly weaker performance.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S9+ Plus 12.4” 256GB WiFi 7 | Apple iPad Pro Apple 11" iPad Pro M5 Chip (Standard Glass, 512GB, | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Samsung 12.4" Galaxy Tab S10+ 256GB Multi-Touch | Microsoft Surface Pro Microsoft - Surface Pro - Copilot+ PC - 13” OLED | Lenovo Yoga Tab Series Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus | GPD GPD Pocket 4: Mini Laptop with AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | 2.8 GHz | Apple M5 | MediaTek 9300 | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite X1E-84-100 | Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, QCM8650 | AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 32 | 16 | 32 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 512 | 256 | 1000 | 256 | 2048 |
| Screen | 12.4" 1752x2800 | 11" 2420x1668 | 12.4" 2800x1752 | 13" 2880x1920 | 12.7" 2944x1840 | 8.8" 2560x1600 |
| OS | Android | iPadOS | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home | Android 14 | Windows 11 Home |
| Stylus | true | true | true | false | false | false |
| Cellular | false | false | false | false | false | false |
Common Questions
Q: Does it come with the S Pen?
Yes, the S Pen is included in the box, and it magnetically attaches to the back of the tablet for charging and storage.
Q: Is the 512GB storage enough?
For most people, absolutely. It's in the 88th percentile for tablet storage, so you'd have to try really hard to fill it up with apps and media.
Q: Can I use it as a laptop replacement?
With a keyboard accessory, it's great for light work, but Android still has limits for heavy, multi-window productivity compared to a Windows tablet or iPadOS.
Who Should Skip This
If your main goal is getting the absolute best battery life in a tablet, look elsewhere. Our data shows its battery score is mediocre. Also, if you rely on specific pro-level apps like Final Cut Pro or Logic Pro, you're locked into the Apple ecosystem, so an iPad Pro is your only real choice.
Verdict
Buy the Galaxy Tab S9+ if you're an Android power user who wants the best large-screen tablet the platform offers, especially for drawing, note-taking, and media. The AMOLED screen and S Pen combo is fantastic, and the IP68 rating is a genuine peace-of-mind bonus. It's a brilliant device for artists, students who take a lot of notes, and anyone who watches a ton of video.