Hands-on Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: A high-end tablet with water resistance 📱💧

As only the second “Ultra” tablet in the lineup, the flagship Galaxy Tab S9 shares plenty of DNA with last year’s Tab S8 Ultra 🧬. It retains the 16:10 aspect ratio, the dual-camera array on the rear, and the magnetic stylus strip. However, Samsung has addressed a quirky design flaw from the previous generation: the S-Pen now charges regardless of which direction you attach it to the holster ⚡🖊️.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra hands-on 👋

Aesthetically, Samsung has stuck to its strengths: sleek aluminum frames and razor-thin bezels 🎨. The device feels undeniably premium, though the Ultra’s sheer scale can be a bit overwhelming. Between the widescreen ratio and a width approaching 13 inches, the tablet can feel slightly unwieldy in hand if you aren’t accustomed to such massive screens 📏⚖️.

Fortunately, that massive footprint houses a gorgeous display 🖼️. Samsung has brought its Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology—the same tech found in its top-tier Galaxy S phones and Galaxy Book Ultra laptops—to the entire ninth-generation tablet lineup. The Tab S9 Ultra boasts a sprawling 14.6-inch AMOLED canvas capable of a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR 10+ support 🌈. Notably, the 12.4-inch Tab S9+ and the standard 11-inch Tab S9 now benefit from this superior AMOLED technology as well 🚀.

Unsurprisingly, the screens are stunningly vivid with deep contrast, showcasing Samsung’s display prowess 💡. In fact, the brightness is so intense I had to dim it significantly just to photograph the device 📸. The notch returns on the Ultra model to house dual 12-megapixel front cameras. On the audio front, quad AKG-tuned speakers and Dolby Atmos support ensure that movies and games sound as immersive as they look 🔊🎬.

Beyond the display, the Tab S9 series has received two major practical upgrades. First is the addition of IP68 dust and water protection across all new tablets 🛡️🌊. Samsung claims they can withstand depths of up to 1.5 meters, and for those needing extra durability, a ruggedized cover is on the way (pricing is still TBD).

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra hands-on🔍

Under the hood, the 2023 lineup is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor ⚙️. Samsung promises significant gains over the Tab S8, citing a 32 percent boost in CPU performance and a 41 percent jump in GPU power 🚄. While both the Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra support 45W fast charging, only the Ultra includes the compatible charging brick in the box—a perk reserved for the top-tier model 🔋🔌. Rear photography is handled by a dual 13- and 8-megapixel array on the larger tablets.

Memory options top out at 12GB across all three models, though the entry-level Tab S9 starts with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage 🧠. For true power users, the Tab S9 Ultra offers a massive 1TB storage configuration 💾. However, buyers should budget for accessories; while official pricing for the new keyboard dock is pending, the previous model’s premium keyboard folio with a trackpad cost $350 ⌨️💰.

To justify that hardware investment, Samsung is ensuring pro-level apps are available, highlighting the inclusion of CAD design app ArcSite and video editor LumaFusion (essentially an Android-flavored iMovie) on its premium tablet 🛠️📐.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra hands-on ✨

The S-Pen has also received the IP68 treatment alongside the tablet—a smart move, as a stylus is far more likely to take an accidental dip than a 15-inch slate 🖋️💧. Samsung also announced a “Creator Edition” S-Pen featuring a textured finish, wider tilt angle, and multiple stylus tips. I wasn’t able to test this specific accessory during the briefing, and pricing and launch details are still pending.

The standard S-Pen feels reassuringly familiar. It is more substantial than the stylus included with the S23 Ultra and Note series, featuring a flattened side for better grip, and the writing experience on the Tab S9’s screen feels fluid and responsive ✍️.

Samsung is also pushing its “Multi Control” feature to better bridge the gap between your Galaxy devices 🔗. During a brief test, I was able to interface between a Galaxy Flip 4 and the Tab S9 Ultra seamlessly after logging into the same Samsung account. Much like setting up a secondary monitor on a PC, you can arrange the device layout, move a cursor across screens, use the tablet keyboard to type on your phone, and drag-and-drop files between the two 🖱️📂.

Pricing for the flagship Tab S9 Ultra begins at $1,200, with the Tab S9+ starting at $1,000 and the standard Tab S9 at $800 💵. Pre-orders are currently open via Samsung and Amazon, with general availability scheduled for August 11th 🗓️🛒.