After a two-year wait, Samsung has unveiled the successor to the Galaxy Tab S7 FE, introducing the brand new Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. This ‘Fan Version’ stays a extra inexpensive choice to the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, foregoing an AMOLED show and choosing the relatively much less robust Exynos 1380 as a substitute of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 present in its higher counterpart. The 12.4-inch TFT panel now boasts a quicker 90 Hz refresh price, and the not obligatory 5G model helps eSIM capability.
The latter is to be had with an RRP beginning at ~US$549 for 128 GB of reminiscence and eight GB of RAM. The highest-tier model (12 GB, 256 GB) may also be bought for ~US$649.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ appears virtually just like the Galaxy Tab S9+; the more economical Samsung software even has IP68 certification, which is rare on this value differ. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, however, weighs 627 grams extra.
The construct high quality of the FE model is very good and on par with the Galaxy Tab S sequence. The steel case, product of an aluminum alloy, is available in 4 colour choices and exudes top of the range.
The 128 GB UFS 3.1 reminiscence in our check pattern provides a capability of 105 GB, accounting for the running device and a few pre-installed apps. The integrated USB 2.0 port helps the relationship of garage media by means of USB OTG. In comparison to the Galaxy Tab 9+, knowledge switch is significantly gradual, and the port can’t be used for transmitting symbol alerts to exterior displays. An M.2 SSD exhausting disk can solely be used with an exterior energy provide. The Galaxy pill helps the exFAT document device (learn/write) in addition to NTFS (learn), which is most popular by way of Microsoft techniques.
Further options of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ come with the suitable S Pen, stereo audio system, and Bluetooth 5.3. Wi-fi transmission is facilitated by way of Miracast.
The cardboard slot of the Tab S9 FE+ 5G model contains a microSD card on one facet and a nano-SIM at the different. With enhance for the exFAT document device, higher knowledge content material will also be saved. Together with our reference card (AV PRO V60), the Samsung pill demonstrates commendable microSD efficiency within the cross-platform disk check, with copying speeds additionally achieving an excellent stage.
Samsung pairs the Android device with its proprietary One UI consumer interface in model 5.1. As of the checking out length, the consumer interface of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is constructed on Android 13, that includes safety updates from August 2023. Samsung pledges 4 main Android updates and an outstanding 5 years of safety patches—a rarity for pills within the higher mid-range.
The usual Wi-Fi 6 is supported by way of the Samsung pill when attached to the house Wi-Fi community. It delivers conventional switch speeds of over 800 MBit/s when utilized in aggregate with our reference router, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-AXE11000. Opting for the 5G possibility of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ supplies additional perks corresponding to get right of entry to to a number of frequency bands for cell web and eSIM capability. It additionally comes with a GNSS module for monitoring. All through the check, our WiFi-only model was once not able to connect with satellite tv for pc networks, even if it must characteristic a GNSS module for finding (in line with the corporate).
The 12 MP digital camera embedded into the body above the show options an f/2.4 aperture and delivers respectable leads to abundant gentle prerequisites. Curiously, the entrance lens is able to recording movies in UHD high quality, while the primary digital camera at the again is proscribed to a most of FHD.
The twin-cam resolution at the rear, each with a solution of 8 MP, is well-suited for taking pictures pictures of paperwork however falls brief for extra advanced footage. Despite the fact that HDR is hired in symbol processing, the dynamic differ of wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle footage might be considerably advanced, missing intimately. Alternatively, our research of colour replica does now not expose any main issues of grievance, and the integrated autofocus purposes reliably—a characteristic now not universally introduced by way of pills on this value differ.
When unpacking the pill, the narrow field means that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ does now not come with an influence adapter. Except a USB cable and the S Pen, the supply field accommodates solely informational fabrics. Samsung supplies not obligatory equipment for its mid-range pill, together with a Ebook Quilt Keyboard Narrow or an S Pen Author Version.
Samsung provides a 12-month guaranty on its pills.
Finger inputs at the 12.4-inch TFT panel are done impulsively. Because of the larger body price of as much as 90 Hz in comparison to its predecessor, animations are significantly clean. Alternatively, it is price noting {that a} vibration motor isn’t put in.
The integrated S Pen makes handwritten notes a breeze with the Tab S9 FE+. Whilst Samsung does not specify latency for both the ‘standard’ S Pen or the suitable S Pen Author Version, our revel in published minimum delays. A sensible characteristic is that the Samsung pen for the Tab S9 FE+ does not require charging. Nonetheless, positive purposes found in a Galaxy Tab S9+, corresponding to gesture keep an eye on, aren’t to be had.
The fingerprint reader, built-in into the on/off button, is not essentially the most handy because of its place within the higher body of a 12.4-inch pill. In spite of this, it boasts a excellent popularity price in on a regular basis use. For biometric id via face popularity, an liberate serve as is facilitated by means of the entrance digital camera. Sadly, just one consumer profile is supported.
The TFT panel of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ boasts a 1,600p solution, attaining a pixel density of 243 ppi, and refreshes at a price of as much as 90 Hz. In our brightness dimension, the Samsung pill reaches a most of 790 cd/m², which is very interesting for this value differ. Strangely, our APL18 dimension, with a most of 691 cd/m², signifies decrease luminosity than a complete white show.
PWM-sensitive other folks will proceed to seek out what they’re in search of within the Galaxy Tab S Cosmos after switching from the Galaxy Tab S9 to an OLED show with the FE fashion, as low-frequency display screen flickering can’t be measured at the Tab S9 FE+.
We assess the colour calibration of the TFT panel the usage of the CalMAN research instrument. Our measured DeltaE values for the sRGB colour area fall inside the goal differ (<3), making variations to the reference colours hardly ever noticeable. The black worth of 0.72 cd/m² solely yields a modest distinction ratio of round 1,000:1, which was once higher addressed within the earlier model.
The Tab S9 FE+ stays simply readable outside in iciness prerequisites. Reflections at the Gorilla Glass 3 floor may well be bothersome in midsummer. For those who intend to make use of the 12.4-inch display screen outside, sacrificing brightness with guide keep an eye on is hardly ever important, as a most of 661 cd/m² may be to be had on this environment.
The viewing attitude steadiness of the TFT panel is commendable, and colour constancy is constantly maintained right through standard viewing.
The casing of the Samsung pill does now not showcase noticeable heating, whether or not in idle mode or underneath load. Moreover, we didn’t practice a discount in efficiency right through the 3DMark pressure assessments, indicating that the Exynos chipset can handle a constant stage of efficiency.
The Tab S9 FE+ makes use of two audio system with a most quantity exceeding 86 dB. Our dimension for the Samsung pill finds a linear frequency curve for the mids, even supposing the prime tones display a vital breakdown within the red noise. Whilst bass tones are provide within the sound, they don’t seem to be specifically noticeable.
The Galaxy pill’s runtimes are extremely enough within the sensible Wi-Fi check with an adjusted show brightness of 150 cd/m². We accomplished round 16 hours earlier than the Tab S9 FE+ stopped operating.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is located within the higher mid-range and undeniably has a spot within the pill section, due to its IP certification, superb S Pen, and the peace of mind of long-term updates. Alternatively, whether or not customers will nonetheless benefit from the 12.4-inch Tab S9 FE+ with the built-in Exynos 1380 on the finish of instrument enhance in 2028 is, a minimum of, open to query. In the end, the reasonably underpowered in-house chipset isn’t exactly the flagship of Samsung’s pill lineup, even supposing the mid-range pageant, such because the Lenovo Tab P12, isn’t significantly extra robust.
Samsung complements its FE fashion in lots of facets and gifts an alternative choice to OLED competition by way of getting rid of PWM flickering.
With the Tab S9 FE+, huge pill lovers obtain an general aggressive software. For the ones unafraid of uploading, the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max emerges as an intriguing choice, that includes a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a 14-inch show in the cost differ of round ~US$600.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is to be had for ~US$649 at Amazon.
Allow 48h for review and removal.