2023 is a great year to be a fan of Android tablets. We’ve already seen the excellent OnePlus Pad, as well as Google’s own Pixel Tablet, and rumours say that Samsung has some tablets in the works, too.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series has proven to be a popular option for those seeking a more premium Android experience, and until recently, Samsung didn’t have a lot of competition in the space.
Now though, things are starting to heat up in the world of tablets, and with Google making tablet-focused improvements to Android 14, it could be the perfect time for Samsung to wow us with its next generation of tablets.
The rumoured release date is right around the corner, here’s everything we’ve heard so far.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series release date
Ever since the first rumours started to appear, it has been said that the Galaxy Tab S9 series would launch in the second half of 2023. Now, it’s all but confirmed that we’ll be officially introduced to the new tablets at the Galaxy Unpacked event on July 26 2023.
By contrast, the Galaxy Tab S8 series launched in February 2022, and the S7 series launched in August of 2020 – there’s not really a set pattern to Samsung’s tablet launches, which always makes things a little more challenging to predict.
OnLeaks / Mysmartprice
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series models
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+ and Tab S9 Ultra
- Possible folding model?
Most of the leaks and rumours agree that the Tab S9 series will follow the same structure as the Tab S8 series, and the Galaxy S23 series, for that matter.
This means we’ll be seeing a three-tier setup, with the standard Tab S9 being the most affordable, the Ultra being the super-powerful flagship model and the S9+ sitting in the middle.
However, there was a rumour early on that suggested we could see a folding tablet added to the lineup, too. We’ve not heard much about this in the time since, so we’re not sure how accurate it will prove to be. If it does prove true, it would be very exciting, indeed.
OnLeaks / Mysmartprice
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series design
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+: 285.4×185.4×5.64 mm
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: 208.6×326.4×5.5 mm
- New beige colourway
When it comes to design, most of the leaks that we’ve seen revolve around the Tab S9+ and the Tab S9 Ultra, we’ve yet to see much speculation on the standard Tab S9 model. One rumour says that we’ll see a new beige colourway added this year, but it’s not exactly clear which models will have this as an option.
According to the renders, the Galaxy Tab S9+ will be almost identical to the Tab S8+, with the only major difference being the styling of dual cameras on the rear. They’re now separated as individual circular lenses to match the styling of the Galaxy S23 series.
There also appears to be a secondary sensor on the front bezel, which is suspected to be a secondary 12MP selfie camera that can be used when the tablet is held in landscape mode – though details are slim here.
OnLEaks / WolfofTablet
The Tab S9 Ultra renders tell the same story, it’s basically the same design as the previous model, but the cameras have that new separated styling. This means that, perhaps unfortunately, the camera notch is still present on the Ultra’s display.
Both models have the signature magnetic S Pen storage area on the rear, just as we saw on the S8 series. We’re expecting this theme to extend to the standard Tab S9, too.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series display
- Galaxy Tab S9: 11-inch AMOLED WQXGA 120Hz
- Galaxy Tab S9+: 12.4-inch AMOLED WQXGA+ 120Hz
- Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: 14.6-inch AMOLED WQXGA+ 120Hz
Starting with the basic Galaxy Tab S9, display supply chain analyst Ross Young claims that we’ll be seeing a move to OLED panels on the 11-inch tablet. A huge upgrade over the LCD panel of the Galaxy Tab S8. A report from SamMobile suggests it’ll be a 120Hz panel with a WQXGA+ resolution, too.
The Tab S9+ is said to feature the same display specifications as its predecessor, a 12.4-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 2800×1752 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.
The same is true for the Tab S9 Ultra, with the same resolution and size as the S8 Ultra. However, we may see a bump in colour accuracy, it’s said to cover 120 per cent of the DCI P3 colour space – which is an upgrade from 100 per cent on the S8 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 hardware and specs
- Galaxy Tab S9: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 8,400 mAh battery, up to 12GB+256GB
- Galaxy Tab S9+: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 10,090 mAh battery, up to 12GB+512GB
- Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 11,200 mAh battery, up to 16GB+1TB
Until recently, the majority of the specification rumours had focused on the Ultra model, but now, tipster Ishan Agarwal has shared what he believes to be the specs for the entire range.
All Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 models are said to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy SoC, the same slightly customised chip that powers the flagship S23 smartphones, which means that they’ll all be plenty powerful. They’ll all support the S Pen, feature quad speakers and have an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
OnLeaks / WolfofTablet
The Tab S9 will get a small bump in battery capacity, moving to 8,400 mAh up from 8,000 mAh. Meanwhile the S9+ and Ultra will share the same capacity as their predecessors. It’s rumoured that the 45W charging speeds will remain the same across the range, too.
Both the Tab S9 and S9+ will be available with up to 12GB of RAM while the flagship Ultra model will be available with 16GB. The maximum storage capacity scales throughout the range too, the S9 tops out at 256GB, the S9+ at 512GB and the Ultra will be available with up to a terabyte of internal storage.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series rumours: What’s happened so far
July 6 2023: Galaxy Tab S9 is up for pre-reservation and will launch at Galaxy Unpacked
Samsung’s next Unpacked event will be held on July 26 2023, and that’s when we’ll finally get an official reveal of the Galaxy Tab S9 series. Those who are especially keen can pre-reserve the tablet now – along with a $50 discount.
July 5 2023: Galaxy Tab S9 series specs revealed by leaker
Twitter leaker Ishan Agarwal has shared the specifications for the entire Galaxy Tab S9 lineup.
May 31 2023: Galaxy Tab S9 will be getting a new beige colourway
Leaker Roland Quandt claims that the Galaxy S9 will be available in a new beige colourway.
May 31 2023: Galaxy Tab S9 series will continue featuring 45W fast charging
SamMobile reports that the Galaxy Tab S9+ and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra have appeared in the TUV Rheinland database, and the listing reveals that both models will feature 45W charging speeds, just like their predecessors.
May 17 2023: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra renders give us our best look at the upcoming tablet so far
OnLeaks and MySmartPrice teamed up to release some high-resolution renders depicting the expected design of the Tab S9 Ultra.
April 5 2023: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra specs leak ahead of launch
This latest round of information comes from Twitter leaker @UniverseIce and suggests that the tablet will not be found lacking in terms of specs.
April 9 2023: Detailed renders show off the possible design of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
OnLeaks and WolfofTablet shared high-resolution renders showing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ in all its glory.
March 23 2023: The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9’s battery could be bigger than last year’s
Spotted by ITHome, the Galaxy Tab S9 appears to be using a battery carrying the model number EB-BX716ABY. That’s a part that has a rated battery capacity of 8,160mAh which might suggest a typical battery capacity of anything up to 8,500mAh.
March 18 2023: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tipped for special Qualcomm Snapdragon chip
The Tab S9 Ultra will use a special Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip built especially for Samsung. That chip will likely carry the same “for Galaxy” branding that the phone’s chip had, leaker @Tech_Reve believes.
March 8 2023: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 reportedly coming late 2023 with Ultra model too
Much like it did with the S8 series, it is said that the company will introduce a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (SM-X710), Galaxy Tab S9+ (SM-X810) and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (SM-X910) at the same time.
August 8 2022: Samsung may launch a foldable tablet alongside its Galaxy Tab S9 series
Rumours suggest that the brand may have an additional foldable device up its sleeve, this time in the form of a tablet.
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