Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs. S9 FE vs. S9 FE Plus – Which tablet is more complete?

Today, the smartphone market is broader than that of tablets. These devices had a big boom a few years ago, but their use has been consolidated as an additional work tool, it has not continued to increase like that of smartphones. However, there are many people who use a tablet as a work complement, or even to check the news of the day. And, if there is a brand that has positioned itself as a leader in this segment, it is Samsung. Therefore, we are going to compare the differences between three of the brand’s most recent tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9 FE and S9 FE Plus.

The three tablets belong to the S9 range, which makes us think that they will share some features. For example, they all have the same level of resistance, IP68, with the S9 being the first range of Samsung tablets resistant to water and dust. In addition, they include the S-Pen, Samsung’s pen, and have the same connectivity options. The sound is also the same on all three tablets, which have dual AKG speakers with Dolby Atmos sound, for a more immersive atmosphere.

However, they have more differences than we initially thought; especially, between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the two FE models. The main differences are the size of the screen, which is larger than that of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus, the battery life and the type of processor. In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is the only one that has a dual rear camera.

To see in more detail which of the three Samsung Galaxy Tabs best meets your needs, we encourage you to read our complete review. In it, we analyze all the differences and give you our opinion.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs S9 FE vs S9 FE Plus – Comparison Table

In the table below, we compare the specifications of the three Samsung tablets to help you choose the right one for you. Later, we will explain all the differences in detail.

(Swipe the table to see all the content)

Differences on screen

The first thing we look at when we consider which tablet to buy is its screen, since it is one of the most important criteria, if not the most important, to make the decision. In this sense, there are relevant differences to take into account between the three Samsung Galaxy Tabs. The S9 has an AMOLED screen, while the S9 FE and FE+ have a TFT LCD screen, with less brightness than the S9. However, the Galaxy Tab S9 has the same resolution as the FE+, leaving the S9 FE below in this regard.

Regarding size, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the S9 FE are practically the same, since we are talking about 11 and 10.9 inches, respectively. Here, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ outperforms the rest, since its screen is 12 inches. To give you an idea, it is like the screen of a small laptop.

Beyond the screen, there is another issue that has to do with aesthetics, and that is the set of colors in which each tablet is available. The S9 can be purchased in beige and graphite, while the two in the FE range are available in green, lavender and gray.

Three tablets, two processors

Another important aspect of any electronic device is the processor, which determines what we commonly understand as internal performance. That is, processing speed, latency, etc. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, one of the most powerful so far. For their part, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+ rely on the Exynos 1380. Both are 8-core processors, but the Snapdragon has the support of artificial intelligence to process data, which makes them faster.

On the other hand, there are no differences in terms of the operating system, since all tablets are based on Android 13. Likewise, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and S9 FE+ have RAM storage options of up to 12 GB, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE can store a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. Of course, in all three cases we can expand the internal storage up to 1 TB thanks to a microSD card.

Which tablet has more autonomy?

You already know that battery life depends on how much we optimize it (depending on how many applications we leave open, depending on the frequency of use, if we turn off the tablet when not using it or not, etc.). However, we can look at the capacity of each of them to anticipate which will last longer under the same conditions of use.

And, in this sense, the advantage goes to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, whose battery has 10,090 mAh capacity. It is followed by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, with 8,400 mAh, and the S9 FE, with 8,000 mAh. According to Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ can last up to 18 hours using the internet, and up to 20 hours playing videos.

Evolution of cameras

Tablets, like smartphones, have front and rear cameras. And, although we don’t usually give it as much importance as on phones, it is another important decision point, especially for those who usually make video calls. All Samsung S9 tablets have a 12 MP front camera, so there are no changes in this regard. However, the rear camera is what makes the difference.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the one with the lowest resolution rear camera, 8 MP. This rises to 13 MP on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, which makes the photos and videos recorded with this camera have higher quality. Now, the camera round is won by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, since it is the only one that has a double camera on the back. The 8 MP main camera is joined by an 8 MP wide angle camera, the perfect complement to provide depth and sharpness to the images.

Extra features and accessories

We have already talked about the main aspects involved in making the decision about which tablet to buy, but, in case you are not sure, you can look at other additional functionalities. For example, whether they include a pen or not. In this case, all three Samsung Galaxy Tabs are equipped with the S-Pen, Samsung’s exclusive pen. In addition, they have dual AKG speakers and Dolby Atmos sound, which, honestly, offer unexpected sound quality in a tablet.

Likewise, all three tablets have a resistance level of IP68, which means that they have the highest possible tolerance to water and dust. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 range is the first in which the tablets are certified in this way, which reinforces the innovation and improvement that Samsung has implemented compared to previous models.

Connectivity, without many changes

Finally, we look at the connectivity options offered by the three tablets. All of them are compatible with version 5.3 of Bluetooth and WiFi 6 (6E in the case of the S9). On the other hand, they do not incorporate NFC technology to make contactless payments, something that Samsung reserves, for the moment, only for its smartphones.

Which Samsung Galaxy Tab should we choose?

Now that we have seen all the important differences and similarities between the three tablets in Samsung’s S9 range, it is time to decide which one we should choose. The fact that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the one with the highest price (without taking into account specific offers) does not go unnoticed, something that is fundamentally due to two things. On the one hand, the screen technology is AMOLED, and that makes it brighter in all types of environmental conditions than the screen of the two FE models. And, on the other hand, the processor that the S9 has is faster than that of its rivals. And, taking into account that the processor is the internal brain of tablets, it is logical that its price is higher.

That said, you should ask yourself what you are going to usually use the tablet for. If you are looking for a simple model and you do not need many innovations, but you prioritize the price, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a good alternative, because it is more manageable and satisfies the basic needs of any user. And, if you are looking for a more advanced model, the question would be between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the FE+.

Our advice is that, if you usually use a lot of heavy applications, such as design applications, prioritize the processor, and in that case we would recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. If not, the S9 FE+ is a slightly cheaper version and quite similar to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. From here on, the decision is yours alone.