Budget Tablets are Stepping Up Their Games! Samsung Galaxy A9 Plus
In the ever-evolving world of tech, tablets have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and everything in between. Samsung has been a major player in this space, offering a wide range of tablets that cater to different needs and budgets. Their Galaxy Tab A series has always been popular for its balance of affordability and functionality. With the release of the Galaxy Tab A9+, Samsung promises significant upgrades and improvements over its predecessor, the Tab A8. As someone who has experienced the frustrations of the older model, I was eager to see if the A9+ could deliver a better performance. Here’s my detailed take on Samsung’s latest budget-friendly tablet.
Price and Availability
The Galaxy Tab A9+ was announced on October 5, 2023, and released on October 17. It comes in Graphite, Silver, and Navy, with either 4GB RAM and 64GB storage or 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. Prices start at $220 for the base model and $270 for the 8GB version. It’s available from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, and Samsung.
Specifications
- SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
- Display: TFT LCD, 90Hz, 11″, 16:10, 1920 × 1200
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB
- Storage: 64GB or 128GB, expandable to 1TB via microSD
- Battery: 7,040mAh
- Charging speed: USB-C 15W wired
- Ports: USB-C, 3.5mm audio jack
- SIM support: Single (5G model only)
- Operating System: Android 14 and One UI 6
- Front Camera: 5MP
- Rear Camera: 8MP
- Wi-Fi connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Wi-Fi Direct
- Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1
- Dimensions: 257.1 × 168.7 × 6.9mm
- Weight: 480g
- Colors: Silver, Graphite, Navy
- Stylus: No
- Price: From $220
Design and Hardware
Samsung has nailed their design language, which carries over to the Tab A9+. It has a sleek aluminum build, making it both lightweight and durable. The display is vibrant and smooth with its 90Hz refresh rate, although it isn’t an AMOLED. The edges are comfortable to hold, but I do wish it had a fingerprint reader. Instead, it relies on face unlock for biometrics, which isn’t as secure.
The tablet features four speaker grills for a stereo audio experience with Dolby Atmos. The sound quality is decent, they can get pretty loud, which is great for watching videos, but they still lack some bass and can distort at high volumes. They do the job, but don’t expect to be blown away. Thankfully, there’s a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones.
Software, Performance, and Battery
Samsung’s software, One UI 6.0 based on Android 14, is customizable and user-friendly, with multitasking features that utilize the large display effectively. The Snapdragon 695 5G, combined with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, powers the tablet. While the 4GB model struggles with performance hiccups, the 8GB model should perform better.
Battery life is solid, with the 7,040mAh cell providing a couple of days of use. Charging is decent at 15W, which means you’ll need takes about two hours to fully charge. Additionally, one interesting feature is the ability to reverse charge from your tablet to your phone using a double-ended USB-C cable. The 7,040mAh battery in the tablet is substantial enough to give your mobile device a quick battery boost when you’re out and about without a power bank.
Gaming and Other Features
Gaming works surprisingly well on this tablet. I have no problems playing various games like Call of Duty, PUBG, and Minecraft. The only downside is the slow loading speed. For a better gaming experience, I recommend using a controller.
The Samsung ecosystem extends beyond just earbuds. You can tether your Samsung phone to your tablet, enabling you to text and make phone calls directly from the tablet. This is a feature I particularly appreciate, as it allows me to leave my phone charging while still being able to communicate via the tablet. The tablet struggles when you need to quickly switch between apps and functions. During these moments, you might notice significant lag and stuttering. However, when not multitasking, the performance is buttery smooth with no issues.
Conclusion
Overall, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is a significant upgrade from its predecessor, the Tab A8. The tablet has received a significant upgrade in nearly every category from its previous generation. The build materials, internal components, and software have all improved making it a solid choice for those needing a reliable, budget-friendly tablet. For now, opting for the 8GB/128GB version is the best way to ensure smooth performance and ample storage.