This yr’s Galaxy Unpacked foldable showcase is extra of a Samsung eco-system barrage. Two foldables, two wearables, and no fewer than three tablets are right here to tempt you to stay with the Galaxy household (or bounce ship from rivals like Apple and Google.) Whereas the fourth-generation foldables are arguably the massive reveals, Samsung’s newest flagship pill, the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely, is making its case for a premium Android pill.
The flagship Galaxy Tab S9 is simply the corporate’s second “Extremely” pill, and there are numerous similarities to final yr’s Tab S8 Extremely, with its 16:10 display, dual-camera array on the again and magnetized stylus holster. This time, you may connect the stylus in both course on the holster, and it’ll nonetheless cost – an odd oversight on the earlier mannequin.
Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget
Design-wise, it’s extra of the identical for Samsung’s pill: Extra clean aluminum frames however with slimmer bezels. They’re nonetheless skinny and really feel extremely premium, particularly the wide-screen Extremely. The Tab S9 Extremely feels a bit unwieldy in my arms, partially due its taller display ratio, which I’m not used to. Additionally as a result of it’s nearly 13 inches vast.
Not less than it’s attractive. Samsung has developed the shows on its tablets even additional, with the ninth-generation tablets all utilizing Dynamic AMOLED 2X shows, like these discovered on its strongest (and costly) Galaxy S telephones and Galaxy Ebook Extremely laptops. The Tab S9 Extremely has a 14.6-inch AMOLED show, able to reaching 120Hz and supporting HDR 10+. Whereas I’ll deal with the Extremely mannequin, the Galaxy Tab S9+ with its 12.4-inch show and Tab S9 with its 11-inch display additionally get the identical beefed-up AMOLED tech.
Unsurprisingly, the screens are all vivid and high-contrast – it’s Samsung’s energy proper right here. I needed to scale back the display’s brightness fairly considerably simply to seize photographs of the Tab S9 Extremely. As soon as once more, the Galaxy Tab Extremely mannequin comes with a notch – gasp – which seems to be twin 12-megapixel cameras. (There are just a few specs we’re double-checking with Samsung.) The tablets additionally pack 4 AKG-tuned audio system, and in the event you’re planning to look at numerous films, reveals or video games, there’s additionally assist for Dolby Atmos.
Past the show, Samsung has made two different main upgrades to the Tab S9 sequence. First up is IP68 mud and water safety to all the brand new tablets. Samsung says this implies it ought to survive depths as much as 1.5 meters of water, whereas it’s additionally launching a ruggedized cowl (pricing TBD) to profit from the tab’s new hardy bona fides.
Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget
Samsung has additionally improved the processor for 2023 and its tablets all use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The corporate claims some main efficiency enhancements in comparison with final yr’s Tab S8, together with as much as 32 % improved CPU and 41 % higher GPU efficiency. Each the Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Extremely will be capable of fast-charge at as much as 45W, though solely the Tab S9 Extremely will include the appropriate charging brick. That’s why it’s the Extremely, individuals. Each of the bigger tablets have a dual-camera array on the rear, with 13- and 8-megapixel sensors, whereas the Tab S9 could have a single 13-megapixel digital camera.
You’ll be capable of stand up to 12 gigs of reminiscence throughout all three fashions, though the bottom Tab S9 may also be out there with 8GB of reminiscence and 128GB of storage. The Tab S9 Extremely tops out with a heady 1TB storage for energy customers. Ensure that to think about the price of your keyboard dock, although. We’re ready to substantiate pricing with Samsung for the Tab S9 Extremely model, however final yr’s premium keyboard folio, which features a trackpad, price $350.
Not less than Samsung is ensuring some apps power-users would possibly demand make use of the add-on, with the corporate teasing CAD design app ArcSite and video-editor LumaFusion (assume an Android-flavored iMovie) on its prime pill.
Photograph by Mat Smith / Engadget
Apart from the bidirectional charging function, the S-Pen additionally will get IP68 assist, which is extra prone to get dropped into water hazard than an nearly 15-inch pill. Samsung introduced that it’s going to additionally launch a creator version of its S-Pen, with a brand new textured end, wider tilt angle and a number of stylus suggestions. Nonetheless, I didn’t get to check that in my assembly with Samsung and there’s no phrase on pricing and launch date, but.
The usual S-Pen feels, effectively, like a Samsung Stylus. It’s extra substantial than the one included with the S23 Extremely and Notice sequence, with a flattened aspect to assist grip, and it appears fluid and responsive on the Tab S9’s display.
Samsung’s Multi Management makes an attempt to stitch collectively your disparate Galaxy gadgets. I examined out some easy duties throughout my briefing, and (after logging into each gadgets with the identical Samsung account) may interface between a Galaxy Flip 4 and the Tab S9 Extremely. Whereas organising Multi Management, you’ll even get to decide on the place your cellphone seems in relation to the Tab S9, similar to organising a second display on a PC. Then, if utilizing a trackpad or mouse, you may inch the cursor throughout to your Samsung cellphone, kind into search bars and emails out of your keyboard (unsure why you’ll do this), and drag and drop information and pictures.
Costs for Samsung’s flagship pill, the Tab S9 Extremely begin at $1,200, whereas the Tab S9+ will begin at $1000 and the Tab S9 at $800. Pre-orders are open now on Samsung and Amazon (though you will not discover the Extremely on Amazon), with the tablets finally occurring sale August eleventh.
All merchandise really helpful by Engadget are chosen by our editorial staff, unbiased of our dad or mum firm. A few of our tales embrace affiliate hyperlinks. When you purchase one thing via considered one of these hyperlinks, we could earn an affiliate fee. All costs are appropriate on the time of publishing.