For years, Samsung has been producing fantastic tablets. While the Android tablet platform still has room to mature, it’s undeniable that Samsung has been at the forefront of creating impressive hardware. With a range of tablets available at various price points, there is an option to fit any budget.
Among Samsung’s lineup of tablets — which was recently just refreshed with the Galaxy Tab S9 series — there are many contenders for the title of “best Samsung tablet.” However, taking into account factors such as portability, performance, and available features, the regular Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as our top choice.
Samsung also expanded its lineup with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+, two tablets that bring sharp 90Hz displays to the mid-range and offer decent performance and value for most users.
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Source: Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Best overall
The best Samsung tablets for any budget
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Best overall
The runt of the litter finally grew up
$699 $800 Save $101
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a clear improvement on its predecessor, largely thanks to an upgraded AMOLED display that replaces the previous generation’s lackluster LCD screen. The processor and battery have also been improved, making it a strong contender in the 11-inch Android tablet market. Its size is still more conducive to compact work than a lot of multitasking, but with it being so similar in specs to the S9+, we think this is the better buy for most people.
- Great 11-inch AMOLED display
- Good battery life
- A nice portable size
- Might feel a bit cramped for intense multitasking
- Not budget-friendly
The upgrades to the base Galaxy Tab S9 have really brought the whole lineup more closely matched than ever, and that’s why it squeaks by into our top spot for now. The same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powers the Ultra model also powers this 11-inch model. The screen is no longer an LCD panel but an absolutely gorgeous AMOLED display that’s great for watching movies, playing games, or working. Plus, with the S Pen included, it can do all the note scribbling and drawing you want.
There are many affordable Android tablets on the market, but if you’re looking for a high-end selection, the Samsung Tab S9 is one of the few options. If you’re in the market for an 11″ iPad Pro competitor, the S9 is a great choice. The screen is excellent, and the tablet is thin and lightweight, with impressive battery life. In addition, plenty of accessories are available to turn it into the perfect ultra-portable laptop replacement.
Read our full Galaxy Tab S9 review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Premium pick
Huge display
$1100 $1200 Save $100
Samsung’s flagship for 2023, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, features a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED screen, powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip, and equipped with a quad-speaker sound system, dual front-facing cameras, and remarkable multitasking and productivity capabilities.
- Massive display
- Good battery life
- Dual front-facing cameras
- Might be too big for some
- Very pricey
The Tab S9 Ultra’s 14.6-inch OLED display is very spacious and provides ample room for any task so you won’t feel confined. However, it may be a bit cumbersome to carry around due to its size, which is larger than some laptops. Additionally, the four speakers provide excellent stereo sound in either portrait or landscape orientation, making it ideal for watching movies.
While the Tab S9 Ultra has the exact same chipset as the other two less expensive models — the Tab S9 and Tab S9+ — you can get it extra super-powered with up to 16GB of RAM if you’re willing to dish out even more money.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 2022
Best value
Great battery life
$200 $350 Save $150
The most recent iteration of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite takes a lot of the advanced features of the Tab S8 lineup and shrinks them down to a more manageable size and budget. It’s an excellent midrange tablet that can do a little bit of everything, including drawing and taking notes, since it does come with an S Pen.
- S Pen included
- Great battery life
- Underpowered for extensive multitasking
If you don’t need something super-powered like Samsung’s premium tablets but still want something with a good display and like having a stylus, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is the Goldilocks tablet for you.
While the 10.4-inch LCD may not have the deep and rich contrast that OLED screens on higher-end tablets have, its 2000 x 1200px resolution is very crisp and clear, making it an excellent screen for watching media content. It can be a little cramped and underpowered if you’re trying to do some intensive multitasking, but it’s more than capable of doing some light tasks and looking good while doing it.
Its greatest strength is its 11-hour battery life thanks to its energy-efficient Snapdragon 720G chipset. Of course, you can get even more time out of the battery if you aren’t using it for hours and hours on end; with average use, you should be able to have the tablet by your side for almost a full day before needing to plug it in. And with the included S Pen, you can easily draw or jot down notes.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
When you need a bit more space
Just right!
$900 $1000 Save $100
Although the Galaxy Tab S9+ has fewer upgrades compared to its smaller model from the previous year, its remarkable 12.4-inch screen provides a less cluttered experience when multitasking or using features like DeX. Moreover, the base model has more RAM and storage, and it even has an extra rear-facing camera.
- Balances size and portable
- Amazing display
- Powerful performance
- Quite expensive
- Not much different from the smaller Tab S9
The Galaxy Tab S9+ is at the center of Samsung’s top-end tablets, suffering from middle-child syndrome a bit since it’s so similar to the other models. It’s bigger than the S9 with a gorgeous 12.4-inch screen, making it a better canvas for big workflows. So, of course, it costs more than the Tab S9. It also features two rear-facing cameras instead of one, making it slightly better for tablet photography if that’s your thing. And even though it offers higher storage options than the Tab S9, it’s no more powerful.
Read our full Galaxy Tab S9+ review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
A great screen for a good price
The perfect tablet for consuming media
$400 $450 Save $50
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a fantastic, affordable tablet. While it doesn’t have an AMOLED display, the IPS display is bright and sharp, and the 90Hz refresh rate makes it more than smooth enough for most people.
- Smallest S series tablet with 5G
- Four Android updates
- Affordable
- Exynos 1380 might not age well
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a strong contender in the mid-range tablet market. The 90Hz IPS display might not have the same punch as the AMOLED screen we’ve seen on the more expensive Tab S9 models, but it’s still a gorgeous panel that contends well with other tablets in this price range. The Exynos 1380 packs more than enough grunt for day-to-day tasks like web browsing, media consumption, and social media, but you won’t want to play intensive games on it.
That’s OK, though, because this tablet isn’t built for intense workloads, and it’s priced correctly too. This is for people who want a big screen to watch Netflix as they move around the house, read eBooks, and browse recipes in the kitchen, and the S Pen and included drawing apps only sweeten the deal.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
Big screen, small(er) price
This tablet makes a big screen affordable
$550 $600 Save $50
The Tab S9 FE+ brings the large 12.4-inch screen to the more affordable lineup, making it the perfect choice for people who want to binge as much YouTube as possible on an expansive screen.
- Large, sharp display
- Second rear camera
- Wallet-friendly
- Exynos 1380 might not age well
- No 5G option
The Tab S9 FE+ is just like the S9 FE, only bigger. The screen size bumps up the resolution to match the same PPI numbers as the smaller tablet, otherwise the numbers are the same with a 90Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of max brightness. Users who don’t need flagship performance but want a large screen will love the S9 FE+, although it should be noted that, unlike the smaller tablet, this one doesn’t have a cellular option.
The S9 FE+ feels snappy and fast for general use, but it can struggle if you throw heavy games at it. This tablet is at its best when using the speakers and display for what they do best — media consumption. Pair this with a kickstand, and it’s perfect for flicking through YouTube or Netflix.
Read our full Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
Fantastic budget option
Good price and screen size
$150 $230 Save $80
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 offers great value thanks to its affordable price. It won’t really work as a productivity device, but it’s excellent for basic tasks like web browsing and media consumption.
- Affordable
- A decent-sized display
- Runs Android 13
- A bit sluggish
- Bad multitasking
As noted in our Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review, this tablet is well-suited for basic tasks. If you’re looking for a tablet that can help you browse the web, scroll through social media, or watch your favorite content, then the very affordable price point will likely make you smile. The 10.5-inch LCD is a nice size for those activities, too.
The good news is that although the hardware may not be the most powerful, it can run Android 13, giving it a bit more longevity than the cheaper Tab A7 Lite. Also, the battery life is pretty good, so you won’t have to run to the charger constantly. In fact, it’s one of our favorite kid tablets.
Just note that the Galaxy Tab A9 line has now been announced – though we don’t yet know if, or when, it will launch in the US. But that may be a reason to hold off a little longer just in case the A8’s follow-up hits stores soon.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
The discount king
If you can get this on sale, it’s the best bang for your buck
$700 $900 Save $200
The Galaxy Tab S8+ might be a year old, but it’s still an excellent tablet and a device you should keep in mind if you can get it on sale. Right now, Amazon has it for under $650, a bargain for a big tablet with a gorgeous AMOLED screen.
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Often on sale
- 120Hz AMOLED display
- Expensive when not on sale
- Already a year into its support window
When we reviewed the Galaxy Tab S8+ last year, we said it was the only high-end Android tablet you should buy. It’s aged beautifully since then, and everything good we said about it still stands. The 12.4-inch AMOLED display is sharp and has a 120Hz refresh rate that ensures the tablet feels fast.
At full price, you should get the newer Tab S9+, but when on offer, this tablet can be an absolute bargain. Currently, Amazon is selling it for just $649. Getting a display as big, bright, and beautiful for this price is a steal, especially when it’s paired with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. The only downside is that it’s already a year into its support window, but that isn’t all bad. Once it gets Android 14, it’ll still have three Android updates and receive security patches until 2027.
Read our full Galaxy Tab S8+ review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite
Cheapest option
For watching Netflix and not much else
$99 $160 Save $61
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite might not be the most impressive Android tablet around, but if you’re after value and don’t mind its compact size, it’s a great choice. While it doesn’t offer much processing power, it’s perfect for watching shows and browsing social media.
- Very sluggish
- No more Android updates coming
If you need something as cheap as possible, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is incredibly affordable. But, of course, don’t expect much in the way of power — this tablet is best as just a straight-up media consumption device. The 8.7-inch LCD isn’t even full HD, which is a bit of a bummer but not too noticeable on a screen this size. The good news is that being so small compared to other tablets makes it highly portable.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite review.
Bottom line
We know the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a little pricey, but the upgrades over last year’s model have pushed this into our top choice for its balance of price, power, and features. Yes, the 11-inch display might feel a little cramped if you want to do a lot of multitasking, but the AMOLED display makes it awesome for watching your favorite movies. It also has tons of power and performance to handle any task, and it’s still portable enough to carry around with relative ease — unlike the Tab S9 Ultra, which is the pick if you want a true productivity machine and have the budget to match.
If you don’t quite need the power and performance of the Tab S9 or S8 lineup but still want a tablet that gives you a decent experience for productivity and pleasure, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite (2022) fits right in the Goldilocks zone. It includes an S Pen, which is great for jotting down notes, editing PDFs, or drawing. In addition, its 10.4-inch LCD is a great display for watching your favorite movies or TV shows.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Best overall
The runt of the litter finally grew up
$699 $800 Save $101
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is a much better version compared to its predecessor. It has an upgraded AMOLED display that replaced the previous generation’s lackluster LCD screen. The processor and battery have also been improved, making it a strong contender in the 11-inch Android tablet market. Its size is still more conducive to compact work rather than a lot of multitasking, but with it being so similar in specs to the S9+, we still think this is the better buy for most people.
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