Overview

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is Samsung’s ultimate statement that Android tablets can hang with the best. It pairs a breathtaking 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, IP68 water resistance, and the best stylus experience Android has to offer. At $1,099, it undercuts the iPad Pro 13-inch while delivering a screen that is half an inch larger and a build that shrugs off water and dust. It remains one of the best tablets money can buy, period.

Design & Build

The S9 Ultra is unapologetically massive. The 14.6-inch display dominates the front, flanked by symmetrical bezels that provide a natural grip in landscape mode. At 1.6 pounds and 5.5mm thin, it is remarkably slim for a device of this size, and the Armor Aluminum chassis feels dense and premium. The IP68 rating is still a class-exclusive feature - no iPad can survive a dip in the pool. The controversial notch at the top houses the dual 12MP front cameras; it is less intrusive than a phone notch thanks to the display’s sheer size, but it is still there. The book cover keyboard accessory (sold separately) attaches via pogo pins and feels much more stable than the flimsy kickstand of the S8 Ultra, though lap usability remains awkward due to the top-heavy weight distribution.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is the same chip that powered the Galaxy S23 Ultra, and it handles the Tab S9 Ultra’s massive canvas with ease. Geekbench 6 scores of 2,010 single-core and 5,580 multi-core trail the M2 iPad Pro by a noticeable margin in raw compute, but in everyday use - multitasking with Samsung DeX, streaming 4K video, editing documents, light photo work in Lightroom - the tablet never stutters. The Adreno 740 GPU runs Genshin Impact at a stable 60fps on high settings, and the vapor chamber cooling keeps thermals in check during extended sessions. The real highlight is the 8K video playback and the ability to run three apps simultaneously in split-screen without any lag. Galaxy AI features like AI transcript, photo remaster, and object eraser arrived via One UI 6.1 updates and further extend the tablet’s utility.

Features

The 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is still among the very best tablet screens ever made. The 2960x1848 resolution with 120Hz variable refresh rate delivers impossibly deep blacks, vibrant colors covering 120% DCI-P3, and excellent brightness at 420 nits typical (peaking past 900 nits in HDR). The anti-reflective coating is notably better than the S8 Ultra’s, making the tablet usable in bright rooms. The quad-speaker setup tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos support produces rich, spacious audio with clear mids and surprising bass for such a thin chassis. The included S Pen supports Bluetooth Low Energy for air gestures and remote camera shutter, with 2.8ms latency that makes writing feel nearly analog. The dual 12MP front cameras with auto-framing keep you centered in video calls, and the 13MP + 8MP rear camera pair can capture usable scans and 4K video. Battery life from the 11,200 mAh cell delivers two full days of mixed use, and 45W Super Fast Charging brings it from zero to 100% in about 85 minutes with a compatible charger (not included).

Pros

• Gorgeous 14.6-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz and HDR10+
• IP68 water and dust resistance - unmatched in the tablet space
• S Pen included in the box with excellent latency and Bluetooth features
• Samsung DeX provides a real desktop-class multitasking experience
• Expandable storage via microSD up to 1TB

Cons

• Notch is a polarizing design compromise that serves little purpose
• Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 lags behind Apple M2/M4 in raw CPU performance
• Keyboard case costs $349 extra and lap use is awkward
• Android tablet app ecosystem remains inconsistent compared to iPadOS
• 45W charger not included in the box

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a triumph of hardware engineering and the definitive Android tablet. The display is stunning, the build is premium, the S Pen is included, and DeX mode transforms it into a genuinely productive machine. The chipset is a step behind Apple’s latest silicon, and Android’s tablet app gap still exists, but for consumption, creativity, and multitasking within the Galaxy ecosystem, this tablet delivers an experience that rivals - and in some areas exceeds - the iPad Pro. At $1,099, it remains a superb investment for anyone who wants the biggest and best Android screen money can buy.

Ready to buy? Find the best price on eBay below.

🛒 Find Best Price on eBay

As an eBay Partner we earn from qualifying purchases. Price may vary.