Nokia T21 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Nokia T21 delivers solid budget tablet performance at $249, featuring a compact 10.4-inch display, Android 12, and respectable 8200mAh battery for light browsing. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ ($529) significantly upgrades the experience with a larger 12.4-inch 2560x1600 display, 90Hz refresh rate, superior Exynos 1380 processor, 6-8GB RAM, and S Pen stylus support. Battery life extends to 20 hours versus Nokia's 10 hours. S9 FE+ offers better future-proofing with Android 13 and One UI customizations. Weight difference favors Samsung's thinner design despite larger size. For casual streaming and browsing, Nokia provides good value. However, Samsung's enhanced specs, stylus capability, and extended battery make it better suited for productivity, drawing, or heavier workloads. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ justifies its price premium for users wanting a premium tablet experience.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Nokia T21 if…
- →2K display at $249 is competitive for a branded tablet
- →8200 mAh battery handles a full day of mixed use
- →MicroSD expansion up to 512 GB
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ if…
- →Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- →S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- →IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Nokia T21
Pros
- 2K display at $249 is competitive for a branded tablet
- 8200 mAh battery handles a full day of mixed use
- MicroSD expansion up to 512 GB
- Cellular connectivity option available
- Aluminum build feels premium at the budget price
Cons
- Unisoc T612 chip is slow — noticeable lag in apps
- Android 12 with limited update commitment
- 60Hz display feels dated
- 4 GB RAM limits app switching and multitasking
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
Pros
- Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
- MicroSD card expansion up to 1 TB for extra storage
- 10090 mAh battery provides excellent endurance
Cons
- TFT LCD panel has weaker colors and contrast than AMOLED
- Exynos 1380 is a mid-range chip — struggles with heavy tasks
- 90Hz refresh rate is behind the 120Hz on Galaxy Tab S9
- No AMOLED display at this price point is disappointing
- 627 g is heavy for extended handheld use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Nokia T21 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 465 g | 627 g |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 157.5 x 7.5 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours browsing | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 8200 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 8 MP | — |
| Front camera | 8 MP | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.4 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2000 x 1200 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Unisoc T612 | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in tablets, see all Nokia products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Nokia T21 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.