Samsung launches new tablets with a must-have upgrade Apple's iPad can't beat

26 July 2023 , 11:00

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (Image: SAMSUNG)

Samsung’s latest Galaxy Unpacked event has just taken place at its HQ in Korea and along with revealing new foldable smartphones and an upgraded smartwatch, the tech giant has also unleashed some new and very premium tablets.

The Galaxy Tab S9 range - which includes a standard model along with bigger S9+ and S9 Ultra devices - get all of the usual impressive upgrades including pin-sharp AMOLED 120Hz screens and more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processors.

Perhaps the best new addition is that Samsung has finally made these gadgets IP68 water resistant - that’s something not even Apple’s iPad can beat.

The bonus of that IP68 rating means the tablets should survive a dip in the bath or being used by the pool on your summer holiday.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (SAMSUNG)

Other features include Samsung’s S Pen - it ships in the box and is also now water resistant - some impressive AKG speakers which are louder and new apps such as GoodNote, LumaFusion and Clip Studio Paint which are aimed at boosting productivity and simple photo and video editing on the move.

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There are also decent cameras on the rear case, long battery life and speedy charging - although none of the tablets include a power brick in the box.

The trio of tablets are available in both standard or Wi-Fi options and 5G versions which can access the web on the move without the need to be tethered to a smartphone.

Here are the full specs for each tablet

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
SCREEN: 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 8,400mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 8GB + 128GB
WEIGHT: 498g
PRICE: From £799

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
SCREEN: 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 10,090mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 12GB + 256GB
WEIGHT: 581g
PRICE: From £999

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
SCREEN: 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 120Hz
BATTERY: 11,200mAh
RAM/STORAGE: 12GB + 128GB
WEIGHT: 732g
PRICE: From £1,199

These devices clearly aren’t cheap but Samsung is offering a pre-order deal which includes a keyboard case, worth £199, for free.

Speaking about the launch, James Kitto, VP Head of MX Division, Samsung UK and Ireland: “With the Galaxy Tab S9 Series, we're giving our customers a powerful tablet the likes of which they will have never experienced before. Whether they are gaming, working from anywhere, or creating and editing content, we've taken the power and performance of our S Series smartphones, and applied it to a beautifully designed tablet that will give users the freedom to explore their creativity wherever they are."

Dave Snelling