Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?

August 22, 2023, 10:17 AM
by Md. Mehedi Hasan

UNB News
Publish- August 22, 2023, 10:17 AM
Md. Mehedi Hasan
Update- August 22, 2023, 10:55 AM

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Blending cutting-edge technology and innovative design, Samsung's Galaxy Tab 'S' series has consistently set new benchmarks in the realm of premium tablets. The latest addition of this series, S9 Ultra, debuted on August 11, 2023. This device stands as a testament to Samsung's commitment to pushing the boundaries of tablet technology. With a bunch of exclusive features Tab S9 Ultra has thrown challenges to the rivals. Now, the question arises, can S9 Ultra compete with the iPad Pro? Let’s take a look into the specs, pros, cons and price of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Key Features of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

Design

Similar to the Tab S8 Ultra, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra emerges as a colossal tablet that distinctly outshines its rivals. Despite its substantial dimensions measuring 12.85 by 8.21 by 0.22 inches, the device maintains a relatively lightweight profile, tipping the scales at just 1.61 pounds.

Samsung has done a great job with this, and its Tab S9 Ultra is a full millimeter thinner than the iPad Pro 12.9. However, weighing only 1.5 pounds, it appears lighter than the S9 Ultra.

The power and volume buttons are situated along the right edge of the tablet, oriented vertically. Positioned near the lower right corner is a microSD card slot. The rear side is adorned with dual rear-facing cameras and a magnetic strip designed to secure and charge the accompanying S Pen. Quad speakers are housed within, projecting sound through grilles running along the tablet's sides, coinciding with the singular USB-C port. Regrettably, the absence of a headphone jack is notable.

All variations of the Galaxy Tab S9 come equipped with an IP68 waterproof certification, offering enhanced dust resistance compared to the previous year's Galaxy Tab S8 lineup. For those inclined to use tablets in poolside or beach settings, this represents a noteworthy upgrade over the prior model, alleviating concerns about potential damage to the device.

Display

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra boasts a large 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, overshadowing the comparatively smaller 12.9-inch display of the iPad Pro. However, size alone doesn't necessarily equate to superiority in display quality.

In terms of display benchmarks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and the latest iPad Pro stand closely aligned. Both devices offer similar brightness levels, with the Tab S9 Ultra achieving 592 nits (adaptive) and the iPad Pro hitting 591 nits (adaptive). The color reproduction also showcases a close match, as the Tab S9 Ultra covers 117.7% of the sRGB color gamut and 83.4% of the DCI-P3 color space in its Natural mode. This is complemented by an impressive Delta-E score of 0.17. In its Vivid mode, the Tab S9 Ultra pushes the boundaries even further with percentages of 181.7% for sRGB, 128.7% for DCI-P3, and a Delta-E score of 0.18.

Evaluating the brightness factor, the Tab S9 Ultra manages to achieve commendable levels, especially when handling HDR content. The Tab S9 Ultra’s display is of a huge 1848 x 2960 pixels resolution which is incomparable to other market competitors.

Performance and Software

Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and running on Android 13, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra shares its chip and operating system with phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.

The review unit of the Tab S9 Ultra, identical to the entry-level model, incorporates 12GB of RAM. This, combined with the swift Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm chip, results in impressive performance for an Android device. Nonetheless, it falls short of matching the performance level of the iPad Pro.

Benchmark outcomes reveal the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra's capabilities. It scored commendable figures on the Geekbench 5 CPU benchmark, with 1,560 for single-core and 4,970 for multi-core performance. The tablet also managed a score of 14,722 and achieved 88 frames per second on the 3DMark WildLife Unlimited test, assessing graphics performance. While the iPad Pro outperformed the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in these aspects, Samsung's tablet is still more than capable of handling demanding mobile games.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series

In the Adobe Premiere Rush video transcoding test, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra completed the task in 41 seconds, displaying a solid performance. However, the iPad Pro accomplished the same task in a quicker 23 seconds.

Despite not reaching the performance level of the M2-powered iPad Pro, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra remains one of the most potent Android tablets tested, exhibiting impressive power and capabilities.

Cameras

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra incorporates a set of four cameras: a 13MP wide lens and an 8MP ultrawide lens at the rear, along with dual 12MP cameras at the front. These cameras deliver performance that aligns with reasonable expectations for tablet photography. The rear cameras serve well for capturing occasional moments involving children or pets, while the front-facing cameras ensure satisfactory quality for video calls.

Among its camera features, the ultrawide front-facing camera offers an "auto framing" option, termed as such by Samsung. This function employs software to zoom in on the video's subject and maintain it within the frame. This feature operates effectively, promptly adjusting to subject movements during testing.

iPad Pro shares a very similar camera module. According to the Tab S9 Ultra’s camera performance, it can call a draw with the iPad Pro cameras. Though Apple has added a few extra features like LiDAR sensor which can be used with 3D scanning apps that can give a few extra advantages to the users.

Battery and Charger

The battery performance of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra stands out, with its 11,200mAh cell proving to be quite enduring. In usage observations, the tablet consistently provides between nine to twelve hours of mixed-use on a single charge, spanning across two to three days. Notably, for tasks like intense gaming sessions in titles like Genshin Impact, the battery life might vary. However, for typical activities such as reading, video watching, and lighter gaming, users can expect only a couple of charges per week.

Charging the Tab S9 Ultra is facilitated through USB-C at a maximum rate of 45 watts, which aligns with the charging capabilities of the broader Tab S9 series. This charging speed allows the tablet to go from empty to full in approximately an hour and a half.

Pros and Cons of Samsung Tab S9 Ultra

Pros

- Large and vibrant display

- Sleek and lightweight design

- Powerful performance

- Long-lasting battery life

- IP68 waterproof certification for durability

- Integrated S Pen functionality.

Cons

- Lack of headphone jack and some advanced features

- Camera quality may not match dedicated smartphones or higher-end tablets.

Price of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

The official price of Tab S9 Ultra is INR 1,19,999 or BDT 1,57,533. The conversion rate is 1 INR equals BDT 1.31. However, the official price of Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in Bangladesh may vary due to tax, and other issues.

Final Words

As is usually the case when comparing Apple and Samsung goods, the choice comes down to personal tastes and the ecosystems you're already invested in. Those who like Apple goods should choose the iPad Pro. In the same way, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is better for people who like Samsung or Android products.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the right choice for people who don't have a strong preference for one environment and want a tablet with a big screen. On the other hand, the iPad Pro is the better choice for people who care more about speed and want a better keyboard device.