Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review: This tablet can truly replace your laptop

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra

pros and cons

Pros

• Improved Dynamic AMOLED display
• IP68 water and dust resistant
• Ultra responsive S Pen
• DeX mode is invaluable

Cons

• Not the most portable tablet
• Size is not ideal for mobile gaming
• Occasional app crashes

more buying choices

Samsung launched seven new products during its Unpacked event, including the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, the company’s most high-end tablet packed with as many features as you could think of. The 14.6-inch tablet is marketed as a premium device capable of handling most if not all power-consuming tasks — provided the user is willing to pay the price. 

The Tab S9 Ultra is only the second Ultra tablet that Samsung has ever launched, succeeding last year’s Tab S8 Ultra. Its price starts at $1,200 for the 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage model and soars up to $1,620 for 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage. 

Also: I wish my iPad had this cool new Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 feature

I’ve been testing the Samsung Galaxy Tab Ultra for a week now, and I’ve found it to be a pretty outstanding device, though, like all consumer electronics, it’s not without its drawbacks. 

What’s new with this model

The changes with the Samsung Galaxy Tab Ultra model this year are not as flashy compared to its predecessor, but there are just enough to make a noticeable difference to the day-to-day experience. Even then, the price for the tablet has been kept the same, which is always a plus. 

1. A striking Dynamic AMOLED display

The new flagship Samsung tablet touts an improved display compared to its predecessor, featuring a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that makes for bright, vibrant images that look sleek and gorgeous. The screen resolution of 2960 x 1848 pixels with HDR10 compliance makes the objects displayed look sharp, and the 16:10 ratio provides ample space to work with.

Also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro: Which tablet should you buy?

Though the Tab S9 Ultra’s display has a lower resolution than, say, the iPad Pro, the more vibrant AMOLED panel gives it a visual edge. This year, the smaller Tab S9 and S9 Plus models have also been updated to Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, but if you want the best entertainment experience of the bunch, the Ultra model is still the best.

2. IP68 rating means one less thing to worry about

Given the specced-out features and premium look and feel, it’s much easier to justify the Tab S9 Ultra’s price tag than tablets of similar cost. This just feels like one of the more complete offerings out there, especially when stacked against the rest of the market.

An IP68 rating gives the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra water and dust resistance that neither the iPad nor any premium tablet on the market is certified for. Though I wouldn’t recommend testing the limits, the Tab S9 Ultra can resist dust and is not only splash-proof but it will also survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. 

Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5: Three features I love (and two that I still wish for)

So, could this be the tablet that goes from video conferences and spreadsheets to streaming Netflix in the bath? Absolutely.

I tested the IP rating by using (and drawing on) the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra while it was submerged, and the tablet withstood the challenge like a hermetically-sealed champ. Of course, it’s important to remember the tablet’s limits so I only tested it a couple of times and thoroughly dried it off after. While the S9 tablets are capable of withstanding water and dust, it’s not meant to be subjected to it constantly.

3. Enhanced S Pen and DeX mode

The S Pen has to be my favorite feature of the Tab S9 Ultra, by far. Every Galaxy Tab S9 model comes with an S Pen, but it’s not just the fact that the stylus is included. The S Pen is one of my favorite Samsung accessories, and the company only continues to improve it.

Also: How to use your Galaxy S Pen like a magic wand (plus, 2 other tricks)

For example, the stylus this year is as lightweight as ever and has high precision thanks to the faster 2.8-millisecond latency. It can also charge when placed on the magnetic mount of the back cover, no matter which side you set it — an upgrade from the previous S8 Ultra model.

But the Tab S9 Ultra combines more productivity options beyond the S Pen, as praise-worthy as it is. 

Samsung DeX is one of the best tools for multitasking that the S-series of tablets contain, but in the Ultra model, it’s even better. DeX transforms the tablet into a computer that you can easily control using a mouse and keyboard — and also add an external monitor for good measure. 

This feature lets you view the apps on your tablet as multiple windows on a computer monitor. You can arrange and resize them to your liking. It’s a great productivity tool for a large tablet like the S9 Ultra and truly makes you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth.

Also: Galaxy Z Flip 5 could be the ultimate work machine if it had this one Samsung feature

And if you’re a Windows user looking to really capitalize on the 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, you can also set the S9 Ultra as a Second Screen for Windows. I’ve found this to be useful in case you’re out and about with your laptop and S9 Ultra and need the extra real estate.

The Tab S9 Ultra also supports Windows integration on Android so you can link it to a Windows PC and sync your messages and calls.

What I’d like to see in the next model

As feature-packed as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is, there’s still plenty of room for improvement, especially when you’re trying to justify a device that ranges from $1,200-$1,620.

1. Include a keyboard or kickstand case

My first impression, as soon as I unboxed the Tab S9 Ultra was probably the same as most people that buy it; I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, that’s a huge tablet.” 

If you’re like me and haven’t played with a 14.6-inch tablet before, you’re in for a treat right from the unboxing experience. I prefer unboxing a tablet over a phone any day — it must have something to do with the sleekness of the large screens and the excitement of all the potential use you’ll get out of it.

Also: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus review: Come for the AMOLED, stay for the speakers

The Tab S9 Ultra ticks all the boxes for a premium physical appearance. It feels unsurprisingly heavy at 1.62 lbs, but it’s also sleek with thin bezels and high-end construction. 

That said, one thing you shouldn’t expect with the Tab S9 Ultra is portability. Straight out of the box, there aren’t a lot of ways to hold the tablet, which is awkward with a device of its size and weight. Unless you buy a separate stand or case, you can’t relax and stream something on the tablet unless you hold it or prop it up. And if you want a keyboard to really substitute your laptop or computer on the go, you have to purchase it separately.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind my devices coming with no case or keyboard if they’re an 11-inch iPad Pro or a smartphone. But I believe such a sizeable device would wiggle its way into my Apple-dominated household if it came with at least a kickstand case.

2. Fewer Android bugs

The performance of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is also nothing to snuff at. The upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor makes for snappier responses and smoother transitions when switching between apps, especially compared to previous Galaxy models. 

If you’re upgrading from an Android tablet that’s more than two years old, this will be a significant upgrade in performance.

That being said, the performance from the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra isn’t as great as you’d expect from a device of such caliber and price. As an avid iPad user, switching to the Tab S9 Ultra as my daily tablet for both work and leisure opened my eyes to how buggy Android still is. 

Also: Android tablets: Why the struggle stays real

This makes for a downright frustrating day-to-day experience, especially when you’re opening popular apps like Instagram and getting error messages before even logging in, or have the tablet randomly crash on you when you switch between apps too frequently. I’ve experienced freezes even on Samsung’s own apps like PenUp.

ZDNET’s buying advice

After using Samsung DeX extensively, taking enough notes to substitute my planner and bullet journal, and testing it out as a second monitor for Windows, the Tab S9 Ultra would be the perfect device for a professional that seeks the power of a laptop and the flexibility of a tablet.

Though I’ve only used the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra for a week, the battery life has been more than enough to last me through a heavy work day. The durability, especially for a machine this capable, is something I’ve been testing as I use the tablet for work, play, and everything in between.

Ultimately, the intermingling of Android and Samsung’s tablet software holds back what is arguably the best-designed tablet on the market today. Fortunately, there’s more to the Tab S9 Ultra that makes up for the software hiccups.

The Tab S9 Ultra is available for preorder now, with orders shipping on Aug. 11.

Alternatives to consider 

BEST APPLE ALTERNATIVE

iPad Pro

The iPad Pro features Apple’s M2 chip and a Liquid Retina display. It’s also available with an 11-inch and a 12.9-inch display for better portability.

BEST SAMSUNG ALTERNATIVE

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

The predecessor to the S9 Ultra has similar features as the newer model. It doesn’t have an IP rating for water and dust resistance and boasts the previous-generation processor.

BEST WINDOWS ALTERNATIVE

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The 2-in-1 Microsoft Surface Pro 9 features 8GB-32GB of RAM and 128GB-1TB of storage. It’s also comparable in price with the S9 Ultra.