Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus review: Should you buy it?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, priced at $219.99, is a well-rounded budget tablet that delivers on all fronts. Designed for entertainment, productivity, and everyday use, this device strikes an impressive balance between affordability and functionality. Whether you’re watching movies, browsing the web, or playing casual games, the large 11-inch display provides an immersive experience with vibrant colors and ample screen real estate.
Beyond its display, the Galaxy Tab A9+ features a sleek and modern design, making it look more premium than its price tag suggests. The build quality is solid, with a lightweight feel that makes it easy to carry around for extended use. Performance is another highlight, as the tablet runs smoothly without significant lag, ensuring a seamless experience when multitasking or using apps.
One of its standout features is the microSD card slot, which allows for expandable storage. This is especially useful given that the base storage may feel a bit limited for users who download a lot of apps or media. However, at this price point, the ability to increase storage capacity easily is a great advantage.
While no budget tablet is without its compromises, the Galaxy Tab A9+ excels in delivering value for money. Its combination of a large display, refined design, and smooth performance makes it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a reliable Android tablet without breaking the bank. Thanks to its overall competency and affordability, the Galaxy Tab A9+ earns our Editors’ Choice award as the best budget-friendly tablet in its category.
Above-Average Looks
Measuring 10.12 x 6.64 x 0.27 inches and weighing 1.06 pounds, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is slightly more compact and slimmer than the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus ($259.99), which comes in at 10.17 x 6.42 x 0.30 inches and 1.08 pounds. Meanwhile, Apple’s 10th-generation iPad ($449) is shorter and lighter at 9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 inches and 1.05 pounds, though its frame is both thicker and wider. Despite these differences, the Tab A9+ feels comfortable and well-balanced, whether you’re holding it in one hand or using it with both.
True to Samsung’s reputation, the Tab A9+ features quality materials that contribute to a solid and durable build. The smooth plastic back and sides feel sturdy and well-assembled, giving it the look of a more premium device. However, its noticeably thick display bezels hint at its budget-friendly nature, and like most tablets in this price range, it lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. If you need a tablet that can handle splashes or outdoor conditions, you might want to consider the Galaxy Tab S9 FE series (starting at $449.99), which comes with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
The right side of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ houses a volume rocker and power button, both of which feel sturdy and responsive, offering a satisfying amount of travel. On the bottom edge, two small notches flank the pogo pin connectors, ensuring that optional accessories align and attach securely. The microSD card tray is conveniently placed near the corner for easy access.
Audio is delivered through four speakers, positioned on the short edges of the tablet. One of these edges also accommodates a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB-C (2.0) port for charging and data transfer. Around the back, the design remains minimalistic, with only a single-lens camera module protruding slightly—about one millimeter from the surface.
A Comfortable Screen for Streaming
To keep the price affordable, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ features an LCD panel instead of OLED. The 11-inch display offers a 1,920 x 1,200 resolution and supports a 90Hz adaptive refresh rate for smoother visuals. While text clarity can be a bit lacking, especially with smaller fonts, media playback looks vibrant and fluid. The screen performs well indoors, but direct sunlight can make it appear washed out due to its limited brightness.
In comparison, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus sports an 11-inch LCD with a slightly higher 2,000 x 1,200 resolution, while Apple’s 10.9-inch iPad boasts an even sharper 2,360 x 1,640 display. However, both competitors are limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling feel less fluid than on the Tab A9+.
Another key difference lies in aspect ratios. The Tab A9+ uses a 16:10 format, which is ideal for widescreen video playback. By contrast, Lenovo opts for 5:3, and Apple sticks with a 4:3 ratio, which works better for reading and productivity but leaves black bars when watching videos. For entertainment and media consumption, Samsung’s design proves the most immersive in landscape mode.
Performance That Matches the Price
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage in the standard model I tested. Performance is smooth for everyday tasks, though heavy multitasking or demanding apps may push its limits.
Samsung offers two additional configurations, both priced at $269.99. One model adds 5G connectivity while keeping the same 4GB RAM and 64GB storage setup. The other boosts RAM to 8GB and storage to 128GB, but lacks 5G support. These options provide flexibility based on whether you prioritize connectivity or performance.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ base model comes with 64GB of internal storage, but after accounting for system files and pre-installed apps, only about 48GB remains available. While this might be enough for streaming and casual app use, it can quickly become a limitation for users who download large games, movies, or music.
For example, installing Genshin Impact along with a suite of benchmarking apps nearly exhausted the available storage. If you plan to store a significant amount of content, investing in a microSD card is a smart move—the tablet supports expansion up to 1TB, ensuring you have plenty of extra space for your needs.
Light tasks such as web browsing, social media scrolling, and media streaming perform smoothly on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. During testing, Samsung’s default launcher animations ran fluidly, though not at blazing-fast speeds. Switching between multiple open apps was responsive, with minimal lag.
Overall, the tablet delivers a performance level that matches its price point, making it a solid choice for everyday use without major slowdowns.
To gauge the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+’s performance, I ran a series of benchmark tests. On GeekBench 6, which measures raw computing power, the tablet scored 908 in the single-core test and 1,975 in the multi-core test.
For comparison, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ delivered a similar single-core score of 1,011, but its multi-core performance was significantly higher at 2,897. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel Tablet ($499), powered by Google’s Tensor G2 SoC, outperformed both devices, scoring 1,415 (single-core) and 3,658 (multi-core).
These results place the Tab A9+ in the entry-level range, making it suitable for everyday tasks but not ideal for heavy multitasking or demanding workloads.
On the PCMark Work 3.0 test, which assesses general mobile performance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ scored 10,243. The Tab S9 FE+ performed better, achieving 12,223, while the Google Pixel Tablet narrowly surpassed the A9+ with a score of 10,386.
For gaming performance, I ran the GFXBench Aztec Ruins test at a resolution of 1,920 x 1,180 pixels. The Tab A9+ achieved 12fps, which is on par with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, but the Pixel Tablet pulled ahead with 29fps, offering a smoother gaming experience.
While the Tab A9+’s benchmark results aren’t groundbreaking, they demonstrate that it can hold its own against more expensive alternatives, making it a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly tablet with decent performance.
Unremarkable Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is equipped with a 7,040mAh battery and supports 15W wired charging via USB-C, with the added ability to charge other devices. However, it’s important to note that a charger is not included in the box.
In our battery tests, which involve streaming a 1080p video at full brightness, the Tab A9+ lasted around seven hours before needing a recharge. Charging from 0% to 100% took about 2 hours and 35 minutes with a 15W charger. A quick 15-minute charge provided an 8% boost, while 30 minutes of charging brought it up to 20%.
For comparison, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus lasted 7 hours and 58 minutes, and the Tab S9 FE+ ran for 7 hours and 23 minutes, both slightly outlasting the Tab A9+. On the other hand, the Google Pixel Tablet performed worse, lasting only 5 hours and 25 minutes on the same test.
When connected to a Wi-Fi 6 access point, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ achieved download speeds of 440Mbps and upload speeds of 6.09Mbps. In comparison, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (also Wi-Fi 6 enabled) reached 382Mbps down and 4.60Mbps up, with the slower upload speeds being more a reflection of my internet service provider than the tablets themselves.
When I moved both tablets to the farthest point from the access point in my apartment, the Tab A9+ recorded 173Mbps down and 3.72Mbps up, while the Tab S9 FE+ managed 252Mbps down and 4.21Mbps up, performing a bit better in this scenario.
The tablet’s quad-speaker array gets impressively loud, hitting a peak volume of 103.8dB while playing Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”. This outperformed both the Tab S9 FE+ (95.3dB) and the Pixel Tablet (97.5dB). While the audio can easily fill a small room, the Tab A9+ still struggles with low-end frequencies, and bass-heavy tracks, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” had barely audible bass notes. For a better listening experience, consider using wired headphones or a Bluetooth headset for improved sound quality.
Simple Cameras
Photos taken with the main camera of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ tend to have slightly duller colors compared to real life, which is a bit unexpected considering Samsung’s usual tendency to oversaturate colors on its Galaxy phones. However, detail clarity remains strong, and images still retain a good level of sharpness, making them clear and usable for most purposes.
Images captured with the front-facing camera, positioned centrally on the long edge of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, display good color accuracy, but the details are somewhat softer compared to the main camera. The portrait mode generally works well, offering a pleasing effect, but it occasionally blurs finer details, such as hair strands, unintentionally.
Left to right: Selfie mode, Portrait mode
Both the front and rear cameras on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ are limited to 1080p resolution at 30fps for video recording, and neither offers image stabilization. As a result, video footage, even in good lighting, often suffers from muddy colors and noticeable grain. For the best video call experience, it’s important to keep the tablet still and ensure ample lighting. Low-light video performance is particularly poor, with significant grain affecting the image quality. On a positive note, the camera placement is ideal for video chats, as it’s centered for a more natural framing.
Powerful Android Software
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ ships with Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI 6.0, but I was able to upgrade to Android 14 during my testing. Samsung promises OS and security updates for the device until fall 2027, ensuring that the tablet will remain relevant and secure for several years. In comparison, Lenovo has stopped supporting the Tab P11 Plus with updates, while both the Apple 10th-gen iPad and Google’s Pixel Tablet are expected to receive similar long-term support as the Galaxy Tab A9+.
Android on large-screen devices can sometimes be hit or miss, as not all apps scale well. This is a common issue across all Android tablets, not just the A9+. However, Samsung’s One UI helps mitigate this, offering several productivity enhancements. For example, you get a hideable taskbar, the ability to use multiple apps at once, and the option to easily connect to other Samsung devices for seamless content sharing.
While stock Android limits you to three tiled apps and a pop-up video player, Samsung’s multitasking tweaks allow you to run three apps tiled alongside pop-up windows for apps like Google Maps and CPU-Z, as well as a pop-over video player. This makes multitasking much more efficient and flexible.
One UI also includes Samsung’s DeX mode, which provides a desktop-like experience. You can easily activate DeX from the quick settings and use it directly on the Tab A9+ screen or connect the tablet to an external display via USB-C or wirelessly. Once DeX is activated, you’ll see a taskbar at the bottom of the screen, and apps open in resizable windows. If two apps overlap, selecting one brings it into focus, unlike the standard Android interface, where the most recent app always stays on top.
DeX supports touch input through the tablet itself, but it also allows you to connect a keyboard and mouse via Bluetooth or the USB-C port, making it a more efficient setup for productivity and multitasking. This feature is a great way to turn your tablet into a more desktop-like environment, offering greater flexibility for work and entertainment.
The Affordable Android Tablet to Beat
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ offers excellent value for the price. It handles everyday productivity tasks smoothly, thanks to Samsung’s software optimizations, performs well with media streaming, and runs even more demanding games at a decent level. Plus, if you require cellular connectivity, there’s a 5G-compatible version available. While the battery life and base storage could use some improvement, these drawbacks don’t overshadow the tablet’s overall performance. For its balance of price and capabilities, the Tab A9+ earns our Editors’ Choice award for affordable Android tablets.
