Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8+ and Tab S9 Ultra represent different tiers of premium tablet excellence. The S8+ delivers a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED display at 2800x1752 resolution with 120Hz refresh rate, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. Battery life reaches 13 hours video playback from a 10090mAh cell. The S9 Ultra significantly upgrades the experience with a larger 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (2960x1848), newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 12-16GB RAM options, and up to 1TB storage. It adds IP68 water resistance, faster 45W charging, and dual camera systems (13MP+8MP rear, 12MP+12MP selfie). The trade-off involves weight: 567g versus 732g, plus the S8+ offers one extra hour of video playback. At $899, the S8+ provides exceptional value for general productivity and entertainment. The S9 Ultra at $1199.99 justifies its premium through superior processing power, larger canvas, enhanced durability, and professional-grade camera capabilities. Choose the S8+ for budget-conscious users prioritizing portability; select the S9 Ultra if you need maximum screen real estate, latest performance, and comprehensive features for content creation or professional workflows.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ if…
- →12.4" Super AMOLED display with vivid colors and deep blacks
- →S Pen included for notes, drawing, and navigation
- →MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB for massive media libraries
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz
- →S Pen included in the box
- →IP68 dust and water resistance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
Pros
- 12.4" Super AMOLED display with vivid colors and deep blacks
- S Pen included for notes, drawing, and navigation
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB for massive media libraries
- In-display fingerprint sensor for seamless unlocking
- Samsung DeX for desktop-mode productivity
Cons
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 throttles under heavy sustained workloads
- Android tablet apps remain inconsistent compared to iPadOS
- $899 starting price competes with laptops
- No headphone jack on this model
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz
- S Pen included in the box
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- MicroSD expansion and dual front cameras
Cons
- Very large form factor is not portable for everyone
- Premium price above $1,199
- Keyboard Book Cover sold separately
- Heavy at 732 g
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 567 g (Wi-Fi) | 732 g |
| Dimensions | 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 13 hours video playback | Up to 12 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | 10090 mAh | 11200 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 12.4 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1752 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB LPDDR5X |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | — | 13 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | — | 12 MP + 12 MP ultrawide dual selfie |
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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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