Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
The Verdict
Samsung's flagship tablet lineup offers distinct trade-offs between these two models. The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra features a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 2960 x 1848 resolution, making it ideal for content creators and professionals who need expansive screen real estate. Its 11200 mAh battery promises up to 14 hours of video playback. However, the Tab S9+ counters with the more advanced Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy processor, which delivers meaningfully better performance and efficiency compared to the S8 Ultra's Gen 1 chip. The Tab S9+ is also significantly lighter at 581 grams versus 726 grams, includes IP68 water resistance that the S8 Ultra lacks, and supports faster 45W charging. Its 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers exceptional color accuracy with HDR10+ support, though it's smaller than its competitor. For pure screen size and creative work, the S8 Ultra justifies its $99 premium. For those prioritizing performance, portability, and durability, the Tab S9+ is the smarter choice at $999.99. Both feature One UI, S Pen support, and Wi-Fi 6E, but the newer processor architecture in the S9+ will provide longer software relevance and smoother multitasking.
Who Should Buy
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
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ if…
- →Vibrant 12.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display
- →S Pen included with no extra cost
- →IP68 water and dust resistance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
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
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Pros
- Vibrant 12.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display
- S Pen included with no extra cost
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Book Cover Keyboard sold separately
- DeX desktop mode not as polished as a full PC
- Pricey at $999 before accessories
Full Specifications
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 726 g (Wi-Fi) | 581 g |
| Dimensions | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours video playback | Up to 12 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | 11200 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 14.6 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2960 x 1848 | 2800 x 1752 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB | 12 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 ultrawide |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ vs Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
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 Samsung products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+.