Looking to get a new a Samsung tablet can be a tad overwhelming, especially when comparing the other variety of options currently in the market. The recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE series hasn’t made thing easier either. Essentially, you want a good functioning tablet that meets your needs but also affordable at the same time. This is where the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE fills the gap.
The “Fan Edition” tablet – released around the same time as Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – offers the main features found in the mobile unit at a much cheaper price tag. For the same amount of storage, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE costs almost half the price the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9. So if you’re only an average tablet buyer who isn’t looking for a top-of-the-line tablet, then this is worth your consideration.
So how does the Galaxy Tab S9 FE compare to Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus? Besides the obvious price point, Tab S9 FE model offers a 5G option while the FE Plus only comes in Wi-Fi. It’s also worth noting that the entry-level 128GB Tab S9 FE Plus has 8GB of RAM, while the 128GB Tab S9 FE has 6GB. The 256GB models also have differences in memory, with the FE Plus offering 12GB RAM compared to the FE’s 8GB RAM.
In comparison to Galaxy Tab S9’s 11-inch display, the Tab S9 FE is only slightly smaller at 10.9-inches (while the Tab S9 FE Plus offers a 12.4-inch display, which is comparable to the S9 Plus model that debuted earlier this year). While the S9 FE is available in mint, lavender, gray and silver, the S9 FE Plus only comes in mint and gray.
The 10.9-inch display is a 1400p IPS LCD panel has a 90 Hz refreshing rate, which is a step up from the previous Tab S7 FE. Having said that, users with fast fingers might still encounter occasional hiccups when scrolling through sites. Likewise, gamers could also face a similar problem, especially when playing games with a lot of movements.
Although the Galaxy Tab S9 FE lacks the colour punch you’d get on an AMOLED display, it’s still pretty decent for content consumption. We were also pleasantly surprise that the dual stereo speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos support sound more powerful than expected. The crystal clear sound quality and audio output make it perfect for listening to podcasts and audiobooks, in addition to streaming Netflix, watching your favourite videos, or video chat.
In our first impressions article, we highlighted the tablet’s fingerprint reader feature that’s built into the power button. Many (including us) prefer this to the under display ones. It also has pogo pins at the bottom to power the same keyboard cover (as the Tab S9), which is sold separately.
The Tab S9 FE also comes with non-battery powered S Pen that can attached to the top or back of the tablet. The pen is an active stylus with pressure and tilt sensitivity with a single action button to activate certain features. For those does a lot of artwork, Samsung does sell a Creator Edition S Pen that has better precision.
Another highlight from Tab S9 FE is the IP68 water and dust resistance for this mid-range tablet. With this protection, users can have a peace of mind for those streaming shows in the bathtub or getting caught in the rain while carrying the tablet. Even the S Pen is water and dust resistance. Bravo to Samsung on not leaving out such durability on a cheaper device.
The cameras aren’t too shabby either. You get a single 12MP (main) camera on the back and an 8MP. Don’t expect it to be as good as your phone camera though. But if you’re taking casual snapshots under natural lighting, you can capture some pretty decent ones. The camera also supports video recording at 4K 30fps. Additionally, the 12MP ultra-wide front camera is also good for video calls.
Battery life is good. The Tab S9 FE can last up to 2 days if you’re only using for a few hours. However, the same can’t be said for standby times as the battery can be depleted in 4 days despite not using it at all. The saving grace here is Samsung’s 45W wired fast charging, where it can juice up a dead battery in 90 minutes.
Seeing as how there’s hardly any competition for this “Fan Edition” in the Android tablet market, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE fits the bill for those looking to buy a good mid-range tablet. Performance wise, it’s pretty satisfactory when it comes to media consumption and basic productivity thanks to its 16:10 aspect ratio. Plus, this tablet also more features than many of its rivals.
Available on Samsung.com, Lazada and Shopee, the price range are as follows:
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE（WiFi）6+128GB：RM2099
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G 6+128GB：RM2699
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE（WiFi）8+256GB：RM2399
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE 5G 8+256GB：RM2999
