Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra 14.6" Graphite 2023

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a massive 14.6-inch AMOLED tablet with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 12GB of RAM that absolutely nails media consumption and creative work. At $660 renewed, it's a steal compared to the iPad Pro M5. Just know the S Pen isn't included and the GPU ranking is weirdly low. For artists, students, and binge-watchers, this is one of the best tablets you can buy right now.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a known quantity at this point, and it's a good one. In our database, this chip lands in the 83rd percentile for CPU performance among tablets. That means it's not the absolute fastest thing on the market, but it's well above average and handles everything from split-screen multitasking to heavy gaming without breaking a sweat. The 12GB of RAM helps too, sitting at the 81st percentile. You can keep a dozen apps open and bounce between them without reloads.

The one spec that jumps out as odd is the GPU ranking. It's sitting at the 2nd percentile, which is... not great. Now, that's likely a quirk of how our database categorizes this particular chip's integrated graphics against dedicated laptop GPUs, but it's worth mentioning. In real-world use, the Adreno 740 inside the 8 Gen 2 handles games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without issue. But if you're expecting desktop-class graphics performance, this isn't that. It's a tablet, not a gaming rig.

The obvious rival is the iPad Pro M5. Apple's tablet has a faster processor and better app ecosystem for creative work, but you're paying a premium for that privilege. The Tab S9 Ultra counters with a better aspect ratio for media consumption, expandable storage, and that IP68 rating. If you're deep in the Apple ecosystem, the iPad makes sense. If you want flexibility and don't want to pay Apple tax, Samsung wins.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 are both solid budget alternatives, but they compromise on display quality and build materials. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a different beast entirely, it's a full Windows machine, which means it can run desktop apps but also comes with Windows baggage like worse battery life and a heavier OS. For pure tablet use, the Tab S9 Ultra is the more focused tool.

At $660 USD for a renewed unit, this is a lot of tablet for the money. A brand new Tab S9 Ultra would set you back well over a thousand bucks, so getting this kind of screen and performance for roughly half that is a solid deal. The 256GB of storage is generous, and the fact that it's expandable via microSD means you're not locked into Samsung's cloud pricing if you need more space.

Compared to the competition, the value proposition gets interesting. The iPad Pro M5 is going to cost you significantly more for a similar screen size, and Apple's storage upgrades are notoriously expensive. The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 are cheaper, but they don't match the display quality or the IP68 rating. For what you're getting here, $660 is a sweet spot.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is Samsung's answer to a question nobody really asked, but a lot of people secretly wanted: what if a tablet was just... huge? At 14.6 inches, this thing is closer to a laptop screen than what most folks picture when they hear 'tablet'. And that's exactly the point. It's for people who want a portable canvas, a second screen that actually feels like a screen, or a media machine that makes your phone look like a postage stamp.

Under the hood, you're getting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That's flagship phone territory, but stretched across a much bigger display. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel runs at 120Hz with a 2960x1848 resolution, which puts it at the top of our screen rankings. We're talking 97th percentile for display quality. Only a handful of devices on the market can match this kind of visual output.

It's also IP68 rated, which is rare for a tablet this size. You can literally rinse this thing off if you spill coffee on it. The S Pen support is there, though Samsung doesn't include the stylus in the box for this particular listing, so budget for that if you're planning to draw or take notes. The whole package weighs 730 grams, which sounds like a lot until you remember you're carrying around a 14.6-inch AMOLED panel.

If you're looking for a business machine or a true laptop replacement, this isn't it. The business score of 63.8/100 tells the story. Android just doesn't have the same depth of productivity software as Windows or iPadOS, and while Samsung DeX helps, it's not a substitute for a real desktop OS. You'd be better served by the Surface Pro 11 or a traditional laptop.

Also skip this if you're sensitive to weight. At 730 grams, it's not something you'll want to hold in one hand for long reading sessions. The 14.6-inch size is great for a desk or table, but it's awkward for couch use or reading in bed. If portability matters more than screen real estate, the smaller Tab S9 or an iPad Air would be a better fit.

If you're an artist or student who wants a huge canvas for drawing and note-taking, this is a fantastic pick. The screen is gorgeous, the S Pen experience is excellent once you buy the stylus, and the battery will get you through a full day of classes or sketching sessions. The 75.5/100 reading score and 73.3/100 art and design score back that up.

For business users, this is a harder sell. Our database puts business use at 63.8/100, which is the weakest area for this device. Android's productivity software still lags behind iPadOS and Windows for serious spreadsheet and document work. If you're mostly consuming content, drawing, or taking notes, buy this without hesitation. If you need a laptop replacement for office work, look at the Surface Pro 11 instead.