Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
The Verdict
Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9+ commands a premium over the FE+ with several meaningful upgrades. Picture quality differences are substantial: the S9+ features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate and higher 2800 x 1752 resolution, compared to the FE+'s 90Hz TFT LCD at 2560 x 1600. Performance separates dramatically, with the S9+ using Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12GB LPDDR5X RAM versus the FE+'s Exynos 1380 and 6-8GB options. Battery life oddly favors the FE+ at 20 hours versus the S9+'s 12 hours, though the S9+ includes faster 45W charging and IP68 water resistance. Camera systems differ significantly: the S9+ offers dual rear and ultrawide front cameras versus the FE+'s basic setup. Software receives the same treatment initially, though the S9+ already supports Android 14 upgrade paths. For creative professionals and power users, the S9+ justifies its $470 premium through superior processing and display technology. Budget-conscious users seeking larger screens for media consumption find excellent value in the FE+, which delivers respectable performance at half the cost.
Who Should Buy
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
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 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
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 S9 FE+ | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 627 g | 581 g |
| Dimensions | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours video playback | Up to 12 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | 10090 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 12.4 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | TFT LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 | 2800 x 1752 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 6 GB / 8 GB | 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Chipset | Samsung Exynos 1380 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | — | 13 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | — | 12 MP ultrawide |
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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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