After releasing the Galaxy Tab S7 FE in 2021 and Galaxy S21 FE in January 2022, Samsung has but to launch one other “Fan Version” machine. Now, along with the upcoming Galaxy Tab S9 collection, we would see a Galaxy Tab S9 FE in 2023 as effectively.
We thought initially that Samsung would launch a Galaxy Tab S8 FE, primarily based on a number of leaks. However more moderen leaked information is suggesting Samsung will skip that mannequin and bounce proper to the S9 FE.Â
We can’t know for certain till Samsung reveals its mid-range slab, both throughout the upcoming Galaxy Unpacked occasion alongside the three Galaxy Tab S9 fashions or later within the 12 months.Â
No matter its title, Samsung may very well promote two Fan Version tablets: the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S9 FE+. Allegedly, their sizes will match the flagship lineup: a ten.9-inch show for the S9 FE and 12.4-inch show for the S9 FE+.Â
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ should strike the fitting steadiness between affordability and options. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE, whereas a good machine, arguably did not strike that steadiness in addition to it might have.
This is all the things we all know concerning the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+, primarily based on leaks, rumors, and previous Samsung tablets — in addition to our wishlist for what we wish from them.Â
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Launch date
A latest Galaxy Tab S9 FE leak indicated that Samsung “is predicted to launch” the Galaxy Tab S9 FE at Samsung’s Unpacked occasion on July 26, alongside the mainline Galaxy Tab S9.
Nonetheless, DSCC CEO Ross Younger, who additionally leaked information on Galaxy Tab S9 FE fashions, indicated that “S9 FE manufacturing is 2 months behind the S9 Sequence.”Â
If Samsung does reveal the Galaxy Tab S9 in late July, that will counsel an early August launch; so if the Tab S9 FE is 2 months behind that, it will put the Fan Version pill’s launch nearer to October. That makes it much less probably Samsung would reveal its funds tablets so quickly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE worth
Not one of the leaks to this point have touched upon the Galaxy Tab S9 FE or Tab S9 FE+ costs, so we will solely speculate primarily based on the price of the Galaxy Tab S7 FE: $530 for the 4GB/64GB mannequin, $600 for the 6GB/128GB mannequin, or $680 for the 8GB/256GB mannequin.
The Tab S9 FE+ might match this pricing scheme, given it (allegedly) has a 12.4-inch show as effectively. Although we will solely hope Samsung begins off with extra RAM and storage than it did with the final mannequin.
As for the ten.9-inch Tab S9 FE, it is potential it’s going to begin at a barely lower cost. The Tab S8 and S8+ have a $200 worth hole, however we’re very skeptical that the Tab S9 FE might fall as little as $330 with its rumored specs. We’ll have to attend and see as we get nearer to fall.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ design
Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka OnLeaks) just lately launched renders of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+, whereas revealing specs particulars to Wolf Of Pill and Media Peanut. The baseline Tab S9 FE is above, whereas the Plus-sized pill might be seen under.
Based on OnLeaks, the Tab S9 FE measures 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.7mm with a ten.9-inch show. For comparability, that is very shut in dimension to the Tab S8 (253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm), solely barely thicker, shorter, and narrower. It reportedly has twin stereo audio system, a single rear digicam, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE lacked a fingerprint sensor, making it much less safe for college students or employees that introduced it to highschool or the workplace. We’re thrilled that Samsung added this characteristic to the most recent technology (assuming the leak is right).
As for the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, it has a 12.4-inch show and measures 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.54 mm. Examine that to the Galaxy Tab S8+ dimensions — 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm — and as soon as once more, you see that the dimensions is a detailed match besides that it is almost a millimeter thicker.Â
OnLeaks hasn’t revealed weights for both machine, however the additional thickness might make each Fan Version tablets on the heavier aspect. Extra optimistically, it might give your arms barely extra room to grip in comparison with the ultra-thin Tab S8.
In any other case, the Tab S9+ matches its smaller sibling with twin audio system and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor however provides a second rear digicam sensor (almost certainly an ultrawide lens, although OnLeaks would not specify).Â
The leak makes no point out of an S Pen, however the renders present the magnetic strip on the again, and the Tab S7 FE shipped with one. It is a secure guess the Tab S9 FE may have an S Pen, too.Â
We will additionally assume that the Tab S9 FE will not have an IP68 water and dirt resistance ranking — one thing that constant rumors have tied to the flagship Galaxy Tab S9.
Based on Ross Younger, each tablets will ship in 4 colour choices: Grey, Gentle Inexperienced, Gentle Pink, and Silver.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE specs
OnLeaks’ Tab S9 FE leak reaffirmed a earlier report from SamMobile, which noticed two new tablets, fashions SM-X516B (6GB) and SM-X616B (8GB), on Geekbench. SamMobile famous that each fashions use an Exynos 1380 chipset, the identical one discovered within the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G — and the more moderen leak indicated that these tablets have been, in reality, the Tab S9 FE and FE Plus.
Weirdly, the 6GB mannequin scored barely increased than the 8GB mannequin for each single-core and multi-core benchmarks (991/2410 vs. 980/2344).Â
Each fashions scored considerably increased than the 654/1965 benchmarks for the Tab S7 FE, as measured by our dad or mum firm’s Future Labs staff — although the examined mannequin had solely 4GB. In comparison with final 12 months’s Galaxy Tab S8 with 8GB — 1208/3228 — they’re pretty far behind.
WolfOnTablet says that the Tab S9 FE+ may have 8GB of RAM, however it’s unclear if it’s going to have much less RAM by default, with 8GB because the improve possibility. With the Tab S7 FE, it began with 4GB of RAM, however might improve to 6GB or 8GB at a considerably increased worth.Â
Neither leak specifies what sort of show the Galaxy Tab S9 FE may have, nor its refresh fee. The Tab S7 FE had an LCD show with a good 243 ppi decision, however it solely had a 60Hz refresh fee.Â
Some mid-range Android tablets just like the Lenovo Tab P11 Professional Gen 2 have a 120Hz refresh fee, whereas the Pixel Pill remained caught at 60Hz. It is unclear the place Samsung’s mid-range Fan Version tablets will fall, however it’s not a stretch to imagine the corporate will reserve AMOLED and 120Hz upgrades for its Tab S9s to encourage individuals to improve.Â
In any other case, we do not know particular Galaxy Tab S9 FE specs like battery dimension, charging velocity, digicam decision, or storage dimension. If Samsung fashions its new tablets after the Tab S7 FE, the Tab S9 FE will sport 45W charging, 8MP/ 5MP entrance and rear sensors or higher, and storage between 64GB and 256GB with a microSD card slot as a backup. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ may have two rear sensors and a bigger battery capability to match the bigger show.
Almost certainly, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and S9 FE+ will launch with One UI 5 primarily based on Android 13, with as much as 4 OS updates and 5 years of safety assist.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE wishlist
Lots has modified within the Android pill house for the reason that Tab S7 FE launched in 2021. The Tab S9 FE will want some upgrades to make an impression and hold it related.
The alleged leaks surrounding this pill tackle a few of these considerations, however not all of them. As the one that reviewed the Tab S7 FE, right here is my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE wishlist of options that would make it one of many greatest Android tablets you possibly can afford.
A greater baseline for efficiency
I used to be despatched a Galaxy Tab S7 FE mannequin with simply 4GB of RAM, and it got here throughout clearly each time I attempted to play demanding video games or multitask apps with Samsung’s new software program tips. Issues would decelerate to a crawl, and I might often see reminiscence errors pop up on display screen.
Although the Exynos 1380 is a stable chip, this Nanoreview comparability reveals that it is truly barely slower than the Snapdragon 778G discovered within the Tab S7 FE. The leaked benchmarks aren’t dangerous, however solely as a result of they’ve a good quantity of RAM.Â
In an effort to guarantee that ‘Fan Version’ would not grow to be meaningless, Samsung wants to verify to nail the price-to-performance ratio. If Samsung expenses $530 and up with 4GB because the default once more, it is going to be a horrible search for the model. Particularly with the Tab S9 in all probability operating laps across the S9 FE in specs.
On the very least, it ought to begin with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Ideally with higher storage than the Galaxy A54 5G: its Exynos 1380 chip efficiency was hamstrung by its UFS 2.2 storage, inflicting tough loading occasions and stuttering.
A 120Hz (or 90Hz) show
2021 was the final 12 months that Samsung might fairly get away with promoting a semi-expensive pill with a 60Hz show. Since then, Lenovo has introduced 120Hz to its Android tablets and loads of mid-range and funds telephones have begun so as to add sooner refresh charges, starting from 90Hz as much as 144Hz.Â
For the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and FE+, hitting increased than 60Hz may very well be tough with the Exynos 1380 chip. Samsung says that it is designed for as much as 144Hz at FHD+ decision, however the Tab S7 FE hit 2560×1600 decision.
If Samsung has to decide on between a decision downgrade or a sooner decision, I believe it’s going to give attention to the next decision. However the Tab S9 FE arguably wants one thing to set it aside from the final technology, and at this level, I am unsure what that’s.Â
A greater entrance digicam
I will by no means perceive why so many tablets have higher rear cameras than selfie cameras. Nobody I do know makes use of tablets for frequent pictures, however loads of individuals use them for both work or private video calls.Â
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE packed a paltry 5MP selfie digicam that simply did not get the job finished on this entrance. Ideally, the Tab S9 FE would obtain the identical 12MP UW digicam because the Tab S8 collection, for each a wider view and auto-framing to maintain the person in view. If not that, even an 8MP digicam would at the very least make provide you with a grainy however seen feed to your calls.
A keyboard you possibly can truly afford
Samsung actually thinks that its attachable keyboards are luxurious gadgets. Working example, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE’s official Slim E-book Cowl Keyboard is $160 at full worth. It is according to Apple’s most cost-effective attachable keyboards — and less expensive than the $350 Tab S8 Extremely’s keyboard with trackpad — however it’s nonetheless an excessive amount of.
I preferred this keyboard in my testing for the important thing journey, devoted S Pen slot, and the convenience with which you possibly can connect and detach it from the pill. It is definitely our favourite S7 FE keyboard. Nevertheless it wasn’t excellent, because the magnetic stand portion left some wobble room while you tapped the Tab S7 FE with the S Pen.Â
Frankly, I doubt that many Tab S7 FE house owners who selected a mid-range pill to save cash would flip round and spend that a lot on a keyboard. In an excellent world, Samsung would provide a extra realistically inexpensive Bluetooth keyboard choice to go together with the Tab S9 FE.Â
An audio improve
With stereo Dolby Atmos audio system, the Galaxy Tab S7 FE is “loud sufficient in case you’re not utilizing it to blast a soundtrack at a celebration,” as I described the sound in my evaluation. It’s essential hold the quantity at the very least at half quantity to make it audible, however there’s little to no distortion at excessive volumes, “bass is satisfyingly punchy, and the vary is respectable.”
Samsung has to make compromises someplace to hit a lower cost level, so it is unsurprising that OnLeaks’ spec rumor is that we’ll be caught with twin audio system as soon as once more with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE.Â
However even the ultra-cheap Galaxy Tab A8 has quad Dolby Atmos audio system, as does the sub-$300 Lenovo Tab P11 Plus. It is not unreasonable for us to ask for an improve in a pill that’ll price as a lot as each of those low-cost Android tablets put collectively! Followers utilizing the Tab S8 Fan Version for normal streaming or cloud gaming would actually respect the enhance in quantity.
