Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's budget Tab A9+ delivers surprising value at $219.99 with an 11-inch 90Hz LCD display and Snapdragon 695 5G processor, making it suitable for media consumption and light productivity tasks. The 7040 mAh battery provides reasonable endurance, though the 5MP front camera and basic 15W charging feel dated. Storage expands up to 128GB, but Wi-Fi 5 connectivity limits future-proofing. The Tab S8 Ultra occupies an entirely different tier at $1099, featuring a stunning 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh, vastly superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance, 16GB RAM options, and an included stylus for professional work. The 11200 mAh battery lasts 14 hours, USB-C 3.2 enables faster transfers, and Wi-Fi 6E future-proofs connectivity. The Tab S8 Ultra's heavier 726g build and larger dimensions suit desktop-replacement workflows, while the Tab A9+ excels as a portable entertainment device for kids or casual users. Budget buyers seeking Netflix and browsing should choose the A9+. Professionals, artists, or heavy multitaskers justifiably invest in the S8 Ultra's superior hardware and S Pen ecosystem.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if…
- →Affordable price under $220
- →Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- →Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- →S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- →Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Pros
- Affordable price under $220
- Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
- Long Samsung software support window
Cons
- No S Pen support
- Plastic build feels basic
- Only Wi-Fi 5
- Modest Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
- Up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for power users
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and pen input
Cons
- Extremely large and heavy at 726 g — not pocketable
- Display notch is distracting on a tablet this premium
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs warm under sustained loads
- Android tablet app ecosystem still trails iPadOS
- $1,099+ is laptop territory pricing
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 480 g | 726 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 257.1 x 168.7 x 6.9 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 15W fast charging | Up to 14 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 7040 mAh | 11200 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 8 MP | — |
| Front camera | 5 MP | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB / 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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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.
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