In-depth review
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Review (2026)
In-depth review of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: 12.4 inch screen, S Pen, DeX mode, and whether it is the Android tablet to beat.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The big-screen Android tablet that includes the stylus: a 12.4 inch display, water resistance, and a pen in the box.
Our verdict
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is the Android tablet to beat at its price, because it combines a large screen, a stylus in the box, and water resistance in a package that undercuts flagships without feeling cheap. Its mid-range chip sets honest limits on heavy work, but for notes, media, and documents, it is the most complete Android tablet for the money.
What we like
- The S Pen is included, not an extra, and it slots into Samsung Notes with handwriting conversion and PDF annotation that students use daily.
- The 12.4 inch display gives split-screen multitasking room to breathe, and the IP68 rating means a spill or a rainy commute is an annoyance, not a disaster.
- Samsung's DeX mode offers a desktop-like workspace with windows and a taskbar, which makes the tablet far more useful for document work than its price suggests.
What to watch out for
- The Exynos chip is capable rather than class-leading, and heavy games and video exports take longer than on the iPad Air or flagship Galaxy Tabs.
- Android tablet apps remain fewer and less polished than iPad apps in some categories, particularly professional creative tools.
- The large size makes one-handed use impractical, and the tablet needs a case or cover for comfortable handheld reading.
Who it is for
Students, note-takers, and media lovers who want a large Android tablet with a stylus, without flagship pricing.
A screen that invites split-screen work
The 12.4 inch display changes how the tablet gets used. Reading beside notes, video beside messages, and documents beside a browser all fit without the cramped feeling of smaller tablets. The 90Hz refresh keeps scrolling smooth, and brightness is sufficient for indoor use and shaded outdoor reading, though direct sunlight still challenges it, as it does most tablets.
The S Pen, taken seriously
Samsung's stylus is not a novelty here. It writes with low latency, it converts handwriting to text reliably, and it annotates PDFs in a way students and professionals use daily rather than weekly. Because it is included, there is no purchase hesitation, and owners discover uses, quick sketches, form signatures, margin notes, that a separately sold stylus rarely gets.
DeX and the work question
DeX mode, with windows, a taskbar, and desktop-style multitasking, makes the S9 FE+ far more credible for document work than its price suggests. It is not a full Windows replacement, and some apps behave oddly in windowed mode, but for essays, spreadsheets, and email triage, it turns a media tablet into a work device with one toggle.
How it stacks up
Against the iPad A16, the S9 FE+ wins on screen size and stylus inclusion, and loses on app polish and update length. Against the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, it wins on screen size and loses on newness and brightness. Against the Galaxy Tab A9+, it wins on nearly everything except price, which is why the A9+ exists for tighter budgets.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- S Pen included makes note-taking and annotation immediate
- Large screen gives split-screen work room to breathe
- DeX mode turns the tablet into a credible document workstation
Common complaints
- Chip lags behind flagships on demanding games and exports
- Android tablet apps feel thinner than iPad apps in creative categories
- Size makes comfortable one-handed use impractical
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Display
- 12.4 inch, 90Hz
- Chip
- Samsung Exynos 1380
- Storage
- 128GB (this configuration), microSD expandable
- Stylus
- S Pen included
- Durability
- IP68 dust and water resistance
Also consider
Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
The default tablet, done right: a bright 11 inch screen, a fast A16 chip, and the iPad app library nobody else matches.
- Display: 11 inch Liquid Retina
- Chip: Apple A16
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
The newer mid-range Galaxy: a brighter 10.9 inch screen, an S Pen in the box, and Samsung's latest software.
- Display: 10.9 inch, 90Hz
- Chip: Samsung Exynos 1580
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Is the S9 FE+ good for drawing?
Yes, for sketching, note-taking, and illustration at a serious hobbyist level. Professional illustrators who need the widest brush engines and colour-accurate workflows may still prefer the iPad Air, but most drawing happens happily on the S Pen.
Can the S9 FE+ replace a laptop for students?
For many courses, yes, especially with DeX and a keyboard. Courses needing specialist desktop software still need a laptop, so check requirements, but essays, research, and presentations all work well on this tablet.
Is the tablet waterproof?
It carries an IP68 rating, which means it resists dust and immersion under defined conditions. Treat that as insurance against spills and rain, not as permission to swim with it, and dry it promptly after any soaking.