This is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9; while not exactly new, this latest tablet from Samsung is packed with features that are perfect for productivity, entertainment, and everything in between. So let’s check it out.

 

Unboxing

This is what you get inside the box. Other than the tablet itself, the S Pen is included. Then there’s the USB-C cable, the SIM ejector pin as this is the 5G variant, and the Book Cover Keyboard.

 

Specs

First of all, let’s dive into the specs, in case you did not know what this baseline Galaxy Tab offers. 

It starts with 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage. I went with the 12GB of RAM with 256GB of storage as I wanted more RAM and storage for the heavier workload on this tablet. This configuration also allows me to include the Book Cover Keyboard as well.

As for the screen, it comes with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display which gives you an ultimate viewing experience with more accurate colors thanks to the color volume feature. It has great true black and more realistic colors with a high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. It also has enhanced eye comfort with 70-78% less blue light on the Dynamic AMOLED 2X on dark mode.

As for the audio, even for a baseline model, the sound is really excellent thanks to the enlarged quad speakers by AKG with Dolby Atmos support. These speakers are about 20% larger compared to the previous Tab S8 series, giving a richer and more immersive audio experience.

Durability is also another strong point as this Galaxy Tab S9 is the world’s first water and dust-resistant IP68 certified tablet, something that a lot of other competitor tablets do not have. 

It has a rigid frame with armor aluminum designed to withstand bumps and shocks. When it comes to water resistance, it can last up to 30 minutes under 1.5 meters of clear water. The S Pen is also IP68 rated, which is really nice to know.

 

Experience

Next, let’s talk about the experience and, in this tablet’s case, specifically the Connected Experience. 

Firstly, you can use the tablet as a second screen with your Galaxy or Android devices. This feature is super handy for multitasking, whether you’re working on a project or just watching a movie while browsing the web. 

You can use the Tab as a second screen with the screen mirror and the wireless projection. The screen mirror and screen expansion feature allow you to seamlessly transfer files to other connected Galaxy devices as well. 

This makes it very versatile for professional and personal use, as you can write and draw on the tablet and share it immediately with other devices connected to the same Google account. The Multi-window layout lets you work and video chat at the same time.

One of my favorite connected experiences is the Multi Control, where you can control your smartphone using the tablet’s keyboard and touchpad. This is a game changer for productivity because you can easily navigate between both your phone and your tablet, opening and typing messages and emails, and dragging and dropping pictures, making your workflow smoother and more productive.

 

Galaxy AI

Let’s talk about Galaxy AI. All of the Galaxy AI features mentioned in the S24 series, which I’ve done in-depth reviews on, are working on this tablet format. Let’s run through all the features in case you haven’t seen how they look on a tablet. This can also be an overall recap on the features if this is your first time hearing about them.

 

Circle to Search

First is the widely used feature for everyone, which is the Circle to Search. Imagine you’re reading an interesting article or just watching a YouTube video. If you come across a term or an image that you want to learn more about, just press and hold the virtual button at the bottom of the screen, then draw a circle around the text or the image. 

The tablet will instantly search for more information on the thing you have circled, like having a mini search engine at your fingertips without leaving what you’re doing.

 

Chat Assist 

Chat Assist is also a widely used feature. If you want to express yourself in a particular tone, Chat Assist lets you choose from five different style tones. This way, you can ensure that all your messages come across exactly how you intended without taking too much time on rewording your sentences.

 

Browsing Assist

For any TLDR situations on the Samsung browser, the Galaxy Tab S9 can summarize and even translate the content for you, making it easier to stay informed quickly without any language barriers. 

 

Transcript Assist 

Transcript Assist helps to automatically convert voices into text, labeling different speakers, and even summarizing and translating the conversation. Since the tablet has high-quality mics, it does a better job compared to using a smartphone, which is more accurate when labeling different speakers.

 

Handwriting Auto Spacing & Alignment

The next feature is amazing on the Galaxy Tab S9. If you enjoy taking handwritten notes on your tablet, you will love the handwritten auto-spacing and alignment, which organizes your handwritten sentences to make sure they are neatly spaced and aligned. This makes your notes look more professional without any extra effort. 

 

Auto Format 

Auto Format comes in clutch if you wrote some unorganized notes or ideas. This feature can transform your messy text into a well-structured document with titles, paragraphs, and sections, like having a personal editor tidying up your writing instantly.

 

Summarize & Translation

This very unique feature is something I really wanted to try on a tablet. If you’re working on a document with mixed languages or if you need to refine a piece of writing, the summarize and translation feature will not only translate the content but also give you correct spelling and provide a concise summary, making everything more polished and accessible.

 

Background Fill

The next feature is more on the image side of things. Imagine if you take a great photo, but the background is a bit off alignment. Once you have adjusted the image to the right alignment, the background fill feature can seamlessly fill the background. This enhances the overall quality and appearance of the photo. 

 

Object Recomposition

If you want to resize a particular object in the photo, the Object Recomposition feature makes it very easy. If it needs to fill out the background areas, it will auto-fill them as mentioned earlier. 

 

Edit Suggestion

The Edit Suggestion feature gives instant editing tips to enhance the photo’s quality, ensuring you get the best out of every shot. This is extremely handy, especially with the tablet format.

 

Instant Slow-Mo 

Finally, Instant Slow-Mo is really amazing for creating slow-motion videos. Even if you shot it at normal speed, Galaxy AI will help generate additional frames based on the movement, giving you smoother and more impressive slow-motion videos.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Galaxy Tab S9 is indeed a very powerful tablet that is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their entertainment experience. 

With Galaxy AI on a tablet form, productivity is even more amazing. It starts with a retail price of RM3,699, which is about USD784, depending on which variant and combination you’re going with. 

So what do you think of this Galaxy Tab S9? Is this the best Android tablet out right now, especially with Galaxy AI?