In a market saturated with premium tablets boasting top-tier specs and hefty price tags, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ has emerged as a surprisingly popular contender. Its appeal isn't about breaking performance records, but rather about offering a compelling blend of features and functionality at an accessible price point. With many consumers seeking a reliable tablet for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light productivity, the Tab A9+ has clearly struck a chord. Let's delve into what makes this tablet so sought after.
Solid Foundation: Design and Build
Despite its budget-friendly nature, the Galaxy Tab A9+ boasts a solid and well-built physical design. Constructed with an all-aluminum finish, it delivers a touch of premium feel that belies its cost. Users have noted that it doesn't feel cheap when held. While a plastic cover may be present at the top, the overall construction is reported to be durable. The tablet is also relatively thin and, despite a reduction in weight compared to its predecessor, it maintains a reassuring heft. Physical buttons for power and volume are conveniently placed, alongside a USB Type-C port.
Visual Experience: Display and Refresh Rate
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ features an 11-inch display with a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels, providing a Full HD viewing experience. While it utilizes a TFT LCD panel rather than the AMOLED technology found in higher-end Samsung devices, the display is generally considered good enough for the price. Colours may appear a bit less vibrant compared to AMOLED screens, and viewing angles might exhibit some darkening at extreme tilts, but for most users, the screen is adequately bright and sharp for everyday use. A significant upgrade is the inclusion of a 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate contributes to a smoother and more fluid experience when scrolling through content, navigating the interface, and even playing games. This is a notable improvement over the standard 60Hz seen in many tablets in this price range.
Performance and Multitasking Capabilities
Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. This chipset provides a noticeable performance boost compared to previous budget Samsung tablets. The base model comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, while an upgraded version offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. For users who intend to download many apps or games, or multitask extensively, the 8GB RAM variant is highly recommended. The included microSD card slot allows for storage expansion up to 1TB, providing ample space for photos, videos, and other files. While capable of handling most common apps smoothly, demanding tasks like heavy video editing are not its forte. Multitasking is generally adequate for most users, with the caveat that the 4GB RAM model might require reloading apps more frequently. For light to moderate usage, including browsing, streaming, and basic productivity, the performance is generally satisfactory. Gaming is surprisingly decent, with the tablet capable of playing light to medium games well, and even some heavier titles with adjusted settings.
Powering Through: Battery Life and Charging
The Galaxy Tab A9+ is equipped with a 7,040mAh battery. Users report getting around 6 to 10 hours of screen-on time depending on usage patterns. This is generally considered average to good for a tablet of this size. However, the charging speed is reported to be rather slow. Charging from empty to full can take upwards of 2.5 to 3 hours using a 15W charger. While it supports 15W fast charging, it lacks the super-fast charging capabilities found in Samsung's flagship phones. Interestingly, the tablet can also reverse charge other devices via a USB-C cable, which could be useful in emergency situations.
Immersive Audio: Speakers and Headphone Jack
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Tab A9+ is its quad-speaker setup. These speakers are reported to be surprisingly loud for a budget tablet and provide a good experience for watching movies, TV shows, and playing games. While the sound quality might not be as crisp as that of more premium tablets, the sheer volume is a definite plus. Furthermore, the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome addition in a market where many devices are omitting this port. This allows users to connect their wired headphones without the need for adapters.
Capturing Moments: Cameras
The camera system on the Galaxy Tab A9+ is functional but not a primary focus. The 5-megapixel front-facing camera is decent for video calls and conferencing in well-lit environments. The 8-megapixel rear camera is suitable for scanning documents and taking basic pictures and videos. However, the image quality is generally considered to be significantly behind that of even budget smartphones. For serious photography or videography, users will likely rely on their phones.
Software and Special Features
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ runs on Android 13 with Samsung's One UI. This provides a familiar and user-friendly interface with access to the Google Play Store and a wide range of apps. Samsung is also known for providing consistent software updates for its devices, often for a longer duration than many competitors. A notable inclusion is Samsung DeX, which provides a PC-like desktop experience on the tablet. This mode allows users to have multiple resizable windows open simultaneously, making it easier to multitask with a keyboard and mouse. While the tablet itself doesn't have the necessary ports to connect directly to an external monitor via HDMI, DeX mode enhances its productivity potential for tasks like document editing and web browsing. The tablet also integrates well within the Samsung ecosystem, offering features like easy connection with Galaxy Buds, and the ability to tether with a Samsung phone for calls and texts. However, it's important to note that S Pen support is not included. While capacitive styluses can be used for basic note-taking and drawing, they lack the advanced features and precision of the S Pen.
Connectivity and Expansion
The Galaxy Tab A9+ supports Wi-Fi for internet connectivity. While it doesn't feature the latest Wi-Fi 6 or 6E standards, it still achieves respectable speeds for streaming and browsing. Bluetooth connectivity allows for pairing with wireless headphones, keyboards, and other accessories. As mentioned earlier, it includes a USB Type-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer, and a dedicated microSD card slot for expanding storage. Notably, unlike some other budget tablets, it retains the 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. Select models also offer cellular 5G connectivity for internet access on the go.
Accessorizing Your Experience
While Samsung hasn't yet released an official keyboard cover that utilizes the Pogo pin connectors on the bottom of the tablet, a compatible keyboard cover similar to those for higher-end Galaxy Tabs has been made available. This significantly enhances the tablet's usability for productivity tasks. Users can also opt for third-party Bluetooth keyboards and cases. As previously mentioned, S Pen support is absent, but basic capacitive styluses can be used.
Weighing the Scales: Pros and Cons
To summarize, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ offers several compelling advantages:
- Solid build quality for a budget tablet.
- Smooth 90Hz refresh rate display.
- Decent performance for everyday tasks and light gaming.
- Loud quad-speaker setup.
- Expandable storage via microSD card.
- Headphone jack.
- Samsung DeX mode for a desktop-like experience.
- Consistent software updates.
- Good value for the price.
However, it also has some drawbacks to consider:
- TFT LCD display which may not be as vibrant as AMOLED.
- Base model comes with only 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
- Slow charging speed.
- Cameras are basic.
- No integrated fingerprint sensor.
- Lack of direct external monitor output via USB-C.
- No S Pen support.
Who is the Galaxy Tab A9+ For?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a reliable and versatile tablet for everyday use without breaking the bank. It's well-suited for media consumption like watching videos and browsing the web, light productivity tasks such as email and document editing (especially with a keyboard), and casual gaming. It can also be a great option for students needing a portable device for note-taking and research or for families looking for a shared tablet for entertainment and basic tasks. Those who prioritize a smooth user experience thanks to the 90Hz display and appreciate the added productivity of Samsung DeX will find this tablet particularly appealing. However, users with demanding performance needs, a strong preference for vibrant AMOLED displays, or the desire for S Pen functionality should consider investing in a higher-tier tablet.
Final Verdict: A Strong Contender in the Budget Arena
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ successfully carves out a niche as a highly competitive budget-friendly tablet. By offering a solid build, a smooth display, decent performance, and useful features like DeX and expandable storage, it provides exceptional value for its price. While it has its limitations, as expected in this price range, the overall package delivers a satisfying user experience for a wide range of everyday tasks. For those seeking a capable and affordable Android tablet from a trusted brand, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is definitely worth considering.