Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ 12.4" Lavender 2023

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is a big, durable tablet with a great S Pen experience and all-day battery life. Performance is solid for everyday use but not for heavy gaming. At the low end of its price range it's a fantastic deal, but avoid paying anywhere near the top.

The Exynos 1380 sits at the 85th percentile in our database, which means it's a strong mid-range performer. Multitasking with a few apps open feels fine, and the 12GB of RAM helps keep things snappy. The 90Hz display makes scrolling smooth, though it's IPS rather than OLED, so blacks aren't as deep as Samsung's pricier AMOLED tabs. Battery life is a standout at the 90th percentile, with that 10090mAh cell easily pushing through a full day of notes, streaming, and light gaming. The GPU lands at the 81st percentile, so casual games run fine, but don't expect high frame rates on demanding titles.

Against the iPad Pro M5, the Tab S9 FE+ gets smoked on raw performance and display quality, but it costs a fraction of the price and includes the stylus. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus brings a bigger battery and a unique design, but Samsung's software and S Pen integration are more polished. The Xiaomi Pad 6 is a closer competitor on price, though Samsung's IP68 rating and longer update promise tip the scales. The Surface Pro 11 is a full Windows machine, so it's really a different category, but if you need desktop apps, the Tab S9 FE+ won't scratch that itch.

Here's the thing: this tablet lists anywhere from $370 to $877 across three US listings. That's a massive spread. At the low end, this is a steal for what you get. At the high end, you're flirting with iPad Pro territory and you should absolutely not pay that. The Best Buy listing is the one to watch if you want a certified refurbished unit with a warranty. For the money, the S Pen inclusion and IP68 durability give it a real edge over similarly priced slates.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is Samsung's big-screen budget tablet, and it nails the basics. You get a 12.4-inch 2560x1600 display, an S Pen in the box, and an IP68 rating that means you can use it by the pool without a panic attack. The Exynos 1380 chip and 12GB of RAM in this config keep things moving for everyday tasks, though this isn't a performance monster.

Samsung clearly aimed this at artists, students, and anyone who wants a big canvas without paying flagship prices. The S Pen experience is the real draw here, and the battery life is genuinely impressive. But the social proof is thin, and the price swings wildly depending on where you shop.

Skip this if you need serious processing power for video editing, 3D work, or high-end gaming. The Exynos 1380 is fine for everyday tasks but will choke on heavy workloads. Also skip it if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want seamless integration with your other devices, or if you need a true laptop replacement with desktop-class software.

Buy this if you want a big, durable Android tablet for notes, sketching, and media without spending flagship money. Students and artists will get the most out of the S Pen and the generous screen real estate. It's not a gaming tablet, and it's not a laptop replacement, but it's a solid daily driver for the right person.