Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and S8 Ultra Insights: Samsung’s Galaxy Tab series has always been at the forefront when it comes to Android tablets. With the release of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, the anticipation and comparison with its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, has been a topic of much debate. Let’s break down the differences and similarities to get a clearer picture.
Table of Contents
Pros and Cons
| Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|
| Updated and faster processor | Hardware is impressive to behold |
| Bundled with an S Pen in the box | Bundled with an S Pen in the box |
| IP68 water and dust resistance | Beautiful Dynamic AMOLED panel |
| Ultra responsive S Pen | Eligible for four OS upgrades |
| Solid performance, long battery life | Solid performance, long battery life |
| Small difference from the S8 Ultra | No 5G option |
| Size is not ideal for mobile gaming | No charger in the box |
| Super expensive | Very expensive |
Specifications
| Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2023, August 11 | 2022, April 30 |
| Dimensions | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Weight | 732 g (1.61 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| Display | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Super AMOLED |
| Size | 14.6 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels | 1848 x 2960 pixels |
| Pixels | 239 ppi density | 240 ppi density |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz, HDR10+ | 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| OS | Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 13, One UI 5.1.1 |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| CPU | 3.36 Ghz Max | 3.00 Ghz Max |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 730 |
| Main Camera | 13 MP (wide) and 8 MP (ultrawide) | 13 MP (wide) and 6 MP (ultrawide) |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie Camera | 12 MP (wide) and 12 MP (ultrawide) | 12 MP (wide) and 12 MP (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Loudspeaker | 4 speakers | 4 speakers |
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| Battery | 11200 mAh | 11200 mAh |
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired |
| Colors | Beige, Graphite | Graphite |
Key Differences
Appearance: At first glance, both might look quite similar. But the Tab S9 Ultra has a fresh new color option – a lovely beige. Plus, there’s a new camera arrangement on the back.
Water and Dust Resistance: Big news! The Tab S9 Ultra is now IP68 dust and water-resistant. So, a little rain won’t be a problem anymore. Plus, you can use the S Pen even if the screen is wet.
Material & Frame: The Tab S9 Ultra has an upgraded metal frame made from armor aluminum. Plus, there’s a new S Pen housing design.
Display: The Tab S9 Ultra has a brighter display and comes with an Adaptive refresh rate, making it more efficient.
Speakers: The Tab S9 Ultra speakers are louder and clearer.
RAM & Processor: The Tab S9 Ultra has a minimum RAM of 12GB and goes up to 16GB, whereas the Tab S8 Ultra started at 8GB. But the real game-changer is the new processor in the Tab S9 Ultra. It’s faster and more efficient.
Battery: Both tablets have the same size battery, but the Tab S9 Ultra is more efficient, giving you a longer usage time.
Taskbar: On the Tab S9 Ultra, you can now expand the taskbar to show four recent apps, instead of just two.
Pop-up Window: When you’re working on an app in a pop-up window and want to momentarily push it aside, you can easily slide it to the side of the screen and pull it back when needed.
Design
In terms of design, the Tab S8 Ultra and Tab S9 Ultra share a similar thin metal body, measuring just 5.5mm thick. The most noticeable change is in the camera arrangement on the back cover of the Tab S9 Ultra, which resembles the Galaxy Z Flip 5. The magnetic strip for the stylus on the Tab S9 Ultra is also more practical and less reflective.
The Tab S8 Ultra had a no-nonsense approach to its design with a single graphite shade, the S9 Ultra spices things up a tad with an additional beige variant. However, where the Tab S9 Ultra truly stands out is in its durability. It boasts of being the first major flagship Android tablet to carry an IP68 rating. This means it’s well-equipped to resist environmental damage such as dust and water. Beyond the revamped camera array, the design largely mirrors its predecessor.
Display
While at first glance both tablets might appear similar, a closer inspection reveals subtle differences in their displays. The S9 Ultra uses an Dynamic AMOLED panel, which slightly varies in color representation compared to the S8 Ultra. Some users might notice the S8 Ultra having a more reddish tint. However, unless one is particularly sensitive to display differences, both tablets offer vibrant and crisp visuals.
The Tab S9 Ultra retaining the size and resolution, transitions to a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. This new panel supports an adaptive refresh rate, ranging from 60Hz to 120Hz, ensuring both smoother visuals and efficient battery usage. An added bonus? Enhanced brightness, making outdoor usage a breeze!
The Tab S8 Ultra came equipped with a spectacular Super AMOLED display, carrying a resolution of 1848 x 2960 at a 120Hz refresh rate, further enriched with HDR 10+. This made for crisp visuals and fluid transitions.
Software
Samsung’s One UI interface has always been celebrated for its user-friendliness and personalization capabilities. Both the Tab S8 Ultra and S9 Ultra proudly run on Android 13 and One UI 5.1. Yet, the S9 Ultra edges forward with a newer generation of Android, hinting at prolonged software support and enhanced longevity. Although, a common complaint persists regarding the sub-optimal layout of some Android apps on larger tablet screens.
Performance
A notable enhancement in the S9 Ultra is its upgraded storage specifications. According to Samsung’s official reports, writing speeds have been boosted to be 2 times and 1.6 times faster than the S8 Ultra. Energy efficiency has also seen a commendable increase of over 45%.
Performance-wise, the Tab S8 Ultra already showcased commendable speeds with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. However, the S9 Ultra, housing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, promises even superior performance, optimized for the device. This translates to increased speed, better power efficiency, and prolonged peak performance.
If you’re into gaming, both tablets can handle most titles with ease. However, the Tab S8 Ultra can get warm during extended gaming sessions, while the Tab S9 Ultra offers slightly better thermal management. It’s worth noting that gaming on such massive screens can be immersive but may require some adjustment.
Storage Options
One of the main differences between the two models lies in their RAM and storage offerings. The S8 Ultra offers 8GB of RAM, while the S9 Ultra has expanded its options to 12GB and 16GB. When it comes to storage, the configuration is slightly different. Both offer 256GB and 512GB options paired with 12GB RAM, but only the 1TB variant of the S9 Ultra offers the whopping 16GB RAM. This reduction in choice can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage, but having a generous RAM offering is always a plus for smoother multitasking and better performance.
Camera
The S8 Ultra presented decent photography with its 13MP rear and 12MP front-facing cameras. The S9 Ultra, while largely maintaining these specs, introduces an improved 8MP rear ultrawide camera. It might not revolutionize tablet photography, but it’s a subtle.
When it comes to sharpness and clarity, especially during video calls, the S9 Ultra has a noticeable edge. Rear camera specifications have seen changes too, with the S9 Ultra offering a default 13 megapixel and 8 megapixel wide-angle setup. The added optical image stabilization (OIS) in the S9 Ultra ensures less shaky videos.
Additional Features
In terms of connectivity, the S9 Ultra has been upgraded from Bluetooth 5.2 (found in the S8 Ultra) to 5.3. A visible difference between the two models is the camera appearance. While the S8 Ultra has a matte finish, the S9 Ultra has a more glossy look. Both are available in graphite color, but the S8 Ultra appears slightly darker. The addition of the ivory color in the S9 Ultra gives users a brighter option to choose from.
Multitasking and Productivity
Samsung’s tablets are known for their multitasking capabilities. They support split-screen mode, making it easy to use multiple apps simultaneously. With DeX mode, you can emulate a desktop-like experience when paired with a keyboard case, but it still can’t fully replace a traditional laptop for all tasks.
Accessories
A common question that arises is about the compatibility of accessories like keyboard covers between the two models. Due to the different camera shapes, the covers for the S8 Ultra might not fit the S9 Ultra perfectly without some adjustments.
Battery
Both tablets pack a whopping 11,200 mAh battery. But with the S9 Ultra’s new chipset claiming 40% better efficiency, it’s evident that users can expect longer usage times, even with demanding tasks.
Pricing
The S8 Ultra is priced at around $1,039, while the S9 Ultra nudges it up to approximately $1,200. While this price point certainly isn’t light on the wallet, the S9 Ultra does justify the hike with its array of enhancements.
Conclusion!
While the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra was a remarkable tablet in its own right, the S9 Ultra has taken things up a notch. With enhanced performance, better camera specs, and additional features, the S9 Ultra offers a significant upgrade for those seeking the best in Android tablets. However, if you’re content with the performance and features of the S8 Ultra, the need to upgrade is subjective. The choice ultimately boils down to personal preferences and requirements.
For those looking for the latest tech and are willing to invest in the best that Samsung has to offer, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is the clear choice. However, if budget constraints are a concern and you are satisfied with slightly older but still powerful technology, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra remains a compelling option.
