Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
New kid on the block
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the newest tablet in Samsung’s portfolio. It packs Exynos 1380 SoC, a 10.9-inch screen, and Android 13 with OneUI 5.1.1.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Still an excellent option
Part of Samsung’s 2022 lineup, the Galaxy Tab S8 is still going strong with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 11-inch screen, and an 8,000mAh battery.
TheSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE(Fan Edition) is the latest entrant in the company’s mid-range tablet lineup. It targets consumers who either don’t want to or can’t shell out for its more expensive Tab S9 cousins. However, it’s worth noting that the Galaxy Tab S8 has also become cheaper after the Tab S9 launch. So, does it make sense to go for the Fan Edition or opt for last year’s high-end slate, which once graced ourbest Samsung tablet recommendations? Let’s find out.
Price, availability, and specs
Samsung has priced the Galaxy Tab S9 FE at $450 for the 6GB RAM, Wi-Fi-only variant, while the 8GB RAM, Wi-Fi-only variant sells for $520. Plus, there’s a cellular version that comes with only 6GB RAM at $550. The tablet is available via all the usual suspects, including Amazon, Best Buy, and brick-and-mortar retailers.
The Galaxy Tab S8 was launched with a starting price of $700. you may often find it on sale for as low as $600, with the base version carrying 8GB of RAM. And like the Tab S9 FE, it can be purchased from all major retailers. Unfortunately, the Tab S8 does not come in a cellular variant.
Now, before we talk in detail, let’s look at the raw specifications of the two tablets.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 FE follows in the footsteps of the larger Tab S9 lineup and has the same design, with an all-aluminum body and a new camera array shape. But while the tablet comes with an S-Pen and has magnets below the rear camera to attach it, there is no distinct groove to identify the location. So, you are left with trial and error. There is also no LED flash on the back. Otherwise, the design looks premium, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a visual difference between themore expensive Tab S9and the Tab S9 FE.
As the Samsung tablet design hasn’t changed much in the last few years, the Galaxy Tab S8 doesn’t look very different. You get the older, slightly thicker rear camera setup design with LED flash and the S-Pen slot, but the rest is the same: an all-aluminum design with antenna lines. Too bad it lacks IP68 dust and water resistance, which is present on the S9 FE.
In terms of color options, the Tab S9 FE gets Gray, Silver, Mint, and Lavender, whereas the Tab S8 is available in Pink Gold and Graphite.
Although the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S8 have almost the same display size, with FE housing a 10.9-inch panel and the S8 packing an 11-inch panel, the two tablets use different LCD technology. You get an IPS panel on the S9 FE, which results in better color accuracy and wider viewing angles, while the S8 has a regular TFT panel.
That said, the S8 display has a 120Hz refresh rate and 274PPI density, compared to the S9 FE’s 90Hz panel and 249PPI density. So, the Tab S8 has some things going in its favor.
Performance and battery life
You’ll notice the biggest difference between the two tablets in their performance. The Galaxy Tab S8 uses a flagship-grade processor (although slightly old) in the form of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. In contrast, the Tab S9 FE houses a clear mid-range chip, the Exynos 1380. This mid-range chip performs well, but not as well as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 when you’re doing processor or GPU-intensive tasks, such as gaming. The Tab S8 also benefits from 8GB RAM.
In terms of battery life, both slates have the exact same specifications: 8,000mAh battery with 45W Samsung Super Fast Charging 2.0. In addition, you’ll appreciate the support for Wi-Fi 6E in the Tab S8 if you own a Wi-Fi 6E-compatible router. On the other hand, the Tab S9 FE also offers a cellular variant, which is not available for the Tab S8.
This is one area where you will get a mostly identical experience on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the Galaxy Tab S8. While the Tab S9 FE comes out of the box withAndroid 13andOne UI 5.1.1, the Tab S8 was introduced with Android 12 but has since been upgraded to Android 13 and One UI 5.1.1. The apps and general operating system may run slightly smoother on the Tab S8 as it has a faster processor and a 120Hz display, but otherwise, you will get the same features.
Regarding software updates, both tablets are set to receive four OS updates and five years of security updates. But as the Tab S8 is already over a year old and has received one OS update, it will only Android 14, 15, and 16, whereas the Tab S9 FE will also get Android 17.
Cameras are never a highlight of any tablet, but it’s good to have decent cameras, particularly the front one. So, Samsung has included an 8MP rear shooter and a 12MP front camera on the Tab S9 FE. The front shooter has a wide-angle lens to keep multiple people in the frame or follow you around during a call.
The Galaxy Tab S8 also has a 12MP ultra-wide front shooter, but unlike the S9 FE, it houses two rear cameras – one 13MP primary shooter and a 6MP ultra-wide camera. As we noted inour Galaxy Tab S8 review, the rear cameras can take good shots in reasonable lighting conditions, and the front camera is excellent for Zoom calls and other video chats. You can expect the same from the Tab S9 FE.
Which tablet is right for you?
Depending on your use case, you’re able to easily pick between the two. For example, if you are primarily buying a slate for media consumption and don’t necessarily need it to be super fast, the new Galaxy Tab S9 FE is perfect. It’s also cheaper than the Tab S8. Moreover, you get optional cellular connectivity, IP68 dust and water resistance, a more color-accurate display, and an excellent software support period.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a great mid-range offering from Samsung that houses the latest software, a good display, and a reasonably capable processor.
If you need the performance of ahigh-end tablet, the Galaxy Tab S8 makes more sense, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. It’s snappy, has a decent display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and has good cameras. Keep in mind that you won’t get cellular connectivity, though, and it’s a bit more expensive than the Tab S9 FE.
Despite being over a year old, the Galaxy Tab S8 is an excellent high-end tablet that has been discounted to fit in the mid-range budget. It also packs a 120Hz display.
