2024’s Best 3 Samsung Tablets: Our Top Selections
Samsung's tablets are known for their sleek design, solid performance, and impressive battery life.
They also come equipped with Samsung's unique apps and features, enhancing the standard Android tablet experience—a rarity in the Android ecosystem.
Given the vast array of Samsung tablets, selecting the right one can be challenging.
We've created this comprehensive buying guide to simplify your decision, drawing from our extensive testing and reviews of Samsung's top models.
We evaluate each tablet in our lab, focusing on factors such as battery longevity, performance, and screen quality.
Additionally, we assess how these devices perform in real-world scenarios, both for work and entertainment, to identify the best options available.
Continue reading to discover our top recommendations for Samsung tablets based on thorough hands-on testing and expert reviews!
Top 3 Samsung Tablets Available Today
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is an imposing device that dwarfs the iPad Pro with its colossal 14.6-inch OLED display.
The size is so striking that the 12.9-inch iPad Pro appears comparatively compact.
Designed for those who might use their tablet as a laptop replacement, the Tab S9 Ultra excels in remote work environments.
It features dual front cameras with up to 4K resolution for clear video calls and advanced video enhancements such as noise reduction and auto-centering to keep you well-framed and audible.
The tablet's integration with other Galaxy devices enhances its utility, allowing seamless file and app sharing across your Galaxy ecosystem.
However, even as a standalone device, the Tab S9 Ultra impresses with its responsive S Pen stylus, robust performance, and high-quality speakers, providing a premium user experience.
With a price exceeding $1,000, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes with a substantial cost.
Nonetheless, it offers an exceptional combination of size, performance, and versatility, making it one of the top tablets available today.
Specifications:
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display: 14.6-inch, 2960 x 1848-pixel
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- Memory: 12GB
- Ports: 1x USB-C, microSD
- Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 may show signs of age, but it remains an excellent value, especially if you can catch it on sale.
Originally priced at $100 less than the iPad, it offers even more significant savings as iPads have become more expensive.
While it may not match the speed or power of newer models, this sleek tablet impresses with its stunning design, portability, and impressive battery life of over 13 hours.
It also features facial recognition technology for convenient unlocking.
Though our reviewer noted that it could be brighter and faster, the Galaxy Tab A7 stands out as a practical choice for those seeking a genuine Android experience.
Unlike cheaper Amazon Fire tablets, it provides access to the Google Play Store and Google apps rather than just web-based versions of Gmail and YouTube.
Specifications:
- CPU: Qualcomm SM6115
- Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel
- Storage: 32GB
- Memory: 3GB
- Ports: USB-C, microSD
- Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Galaxy Tab S9, much like its predecessors, excels as a versatile Android tablet.
While it can handle work tasks effectively, it is a fast, all-purpose device that enhances productivity and entertainment.
What sets this model apart from its predecessors is its stunning AMOLED display, a feature previously reserved for more expensive Samsung tablets.
Now standard on this entry-level model, the AMOLED screen adds a touch of premium quality, positioning the Tab S9 as a strong competitor to the iPad in terms of affordability.
However, those prioritizing speed might lag behind an older, less expensive iPad Air.
Although it may not be the largest Android tablet available (with the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra holding that title), the Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as a well-rounded option.
It offers excellent value and should remain a reliable choice for years to come if you’re seeking a high-quality Android tablet.
Specifications:
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120Hz
- Storage: 128GB
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Ports: USB-C, microSD
- Dimensions: 10.01 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Comparing Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor for many when choosing a tablet. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled the battery performance data for all the tablets featured here into a clear and straightforward chart.
We’ve also included several recent and popular tablets from other brands, such as iPads, to compare comprehensively.
As illustrated, Samsung’s tablets hold up quite well against the competition.
Battery performance evaluations
Tablet | Time (min:secs) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 | 9:06 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra | 9:27 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 | 13:13 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | 12:52 |
Lenovo Tab Extreme | 9:28 |
Apple iPad Air (2022) | 10:09 |
Apple iPad Pro (2022) | 10:37 |
Although all the tablets on this list excelled in our battery tests, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is the top choice if battery life is your primary consideration.
Choosing the Right Samsung Tablet for Your Needs
When selecting the ideal Samsung tablet, consider how you plan to use it.
If your primary goals are web browsing, video streaming, and casual gaming, any tablet on this list will serve you well. The key is to decide on the size and features that fit your budget and requirements.
For a tablet that can potentially replace your laptop, the Galaxy Tab S9 is a solid option. However, remember that its optional Book Cover keyboard might feel cramped.
For a more expansive and robust solution, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is designed as a laptop replacement and, thanks to Samsung's DeX mode, offers greater versatility than most iPads—albeit at a higher price point.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet that handles most tasks adequately, the Galaxy Tab S7 Lite is a commendable choice.
Its resolution falls short of 1080p, making video viewing less impressive, and it can be sluggish under heavy use, but it remains a practical, affordable option.
Before finalizing your purchase, check out our Samsung promo codes page for the latest discounts and deals.
How We Evaluate Samsung Tablets?
To ensure we provide accurate and comprehensive reviews, we subject every Samsung tablet to a rigorous series of performance assessments.
Our evaluation process begins with battery life testing, where we measure how long the tablet can operate on a full charge while continuously browsing the web via Wi-Fi with the screen set to a standardized brightness level.
We also conduct display tests to assess color accuracy (measured in sRGB output) and screen brightness.
Performance is gauged using benchmarks like Geekbench to determine the tablet’s speed and power.
We scrutinize the pre-installed apps and app stores for Android tablets to ensure users get a genuine Android experience.
Samsung generally provides access to the entire Google Play Store, though it also offers its app store.
We evaluate Samsung’s apps, particularly if you own other Samsung devices, and assess any parental control settings for potential weaknesses.
Additionally, we use each tablet extensively, simulating real-world usage.
This includes unboxing and setting up the device, testing it with our favorite apps, and opening multiple browser tabs to gauge its multitasking capabilities.
We also watch videos to assess the quality of color output and brightness beyond just numerical measurements.
Our detailed reviews reflect these hands-on experiences and testing results, offering a clear comparison to other tablets on the market.
Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”