If you’re in the market for a top-tier Android tablet, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab lineup should be at the forefront of your considerations. Samsung has consistently delivered some of the best Android tablets available, offering a range of devices to suit various needs and budgets. Our team has rigorously tested and reviewed numerous Samsung tablets, and we’ve compiled a guide to help you compare the best options and pinpoint the ideal Samsung tablet for you.
Generally, for most users seeking a balance of performance and features, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 stands out as an excellent choice. This flagship tablet provides robust performance, impressive battery life, and a stunning AMOLED display, all at a price point under $1,000.
However, for those prioritizing affordability, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, despite its age, remains a compelling option. It’s a capable tablet for everyday tasks and can often be found for $200 or less, making it a fantastic value proposition.
And for users who demand the ultimate in screen size and power, Samsung offers the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. This is the go-to tablet if you envision using your Android slate as a primary laptop replacement, offering a massive display and powerful performance to match.
Continue reading to explore our detailed breakdown of the best Samsung tablets you can currently purchase. Our recommendations are based on extensive hands-on testing and in-depth reviews, ensuring you get informed and reliable advice.
Quick Comparison: Top Samsung Tablets
Here’s a quick overview to compare the best Samsung tablets, helping you decide which model best fits your needs:
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: The Best Overall Samsung Tablet
The Galaxy Tab S9 excels as the best all-around Samsung tablet due to its exceptional versatility. Equally adept at work and entertainment, its AMOLED screen delivers a truly premium visual experience. If you’re looking for a high-quality, premium Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S9 is a top contender. Read more below.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: Best Value Samsung Tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7, while an older model, still offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers. While not the fastest or most visually advanced, it handles basic tasks efficiently and is incredibly affordable. Read more below.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Best Samsung Tablet for Laptop Replacement
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is designed for users who need maximum screen real estate. This massive 14.6-inch tablet is the largest we’ve reviewed, packed with the speed, accessories, and display area to facilitate productivity on the go. Read more below.
Written by Alex Wawro, Tech Expert.
Alex Wawro is a seasoned tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering technology, gaming, and entertainment. As the head of the computing department at Tom’s Guide, he leads tablet coverage and personally reviews numerous tablets annually.
Detailed Samsung Tablet Comparisons: Find Your Perfect Match
Why Trust Tom’s Guide? Our commitment at Tom’s Guide is to provide unbiased and thorough reviews. Our writers and editors dedicate countless hours to rigorously analyze and evaluate products, services, and apps, ensuring we recommend only the best options for you. Learn more about our rigorous testing and rating methodology.
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: The Best Overall Samsung Tablet in Detail
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Review – The Ultimate All-Around Samsung Tablet
Key Specifications:
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- Display: 11-inch (2560 x 1600) Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz refresh rate
- Storage Options: 128GB, expandable via microSD
- RAM: 8GB
- Ports: USB-C, microSD card slot
- Dimensions: 10.01 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Reasons to Buy the Galaxy Tab S9:
- Stunning AMOLED Display: The AMOLED screen is vibrant, offering rich colors and deep blacks, making it ideal for content consumption and creative tasks.
- Immersive Audio: Features excellent speakers for a rich and engaging audio experience, enhancing movies, music, and games.
- Included S Pen: The bundled S Pen stylus adds significant value, perfect for note-taking, drawing, and navigating the tablet.
Reasons to Consider Alternatives:
- Performance vs. iPad Air: While powerful, it’s not as fast as the latest iPad Air in benchmark tests.
- Average Battery Life: Battery life is decent but not exceptional, lasting around 9 hours in our tests, which is middling compared to some competitors.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is designed for users who desire an Android tablet experience comparable to the iPad Air in terms of premium feel and performance. It’s versatile enough for productivity tasks, but truly shines as an entertainment and general-use device, thanks to its stunning AMOLED display.
The inclusion of an AMOLED display, previously reserved for Samsung’s higher-end tablets, in the standard Tab S9 model is a significant upgrade. It elevates the viewing experience, making this tablet feel genuinely premium and a strong competitor to iPads in its class.
While benchmark tests indicate that the Tab S9 isn’t quite as fast as the latest iPad Air, its performance remains more than sufficient for everyday use. In our battery testing, it lasted for 9 hours on a single charge, ensuring it can handle a full day of work or school for most users.
Although not the largest tablet in Samsung’s lineup (that title belongs to the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra), the Tab S9 strikes an excellent balance between portability and screen size. It’s a fantastic all-around Android tablet that competes strongly with Apple’s iPad and is built to last for years.
For a comprehensive analysis, read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 review.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7: The Best Value Samsung Tablet in Detail
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Review – Top Samsung Tablet for Budget Buyers
Key Specifications:
- Processor: Qualcomm SM6115
- Display: 10.4-inch, 2000×1200-pixel resolution
- Storage: 32GB, expandable via microSD
- RAM: 3GB
- Ports: USB-C, microSD card slot
- Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.2 x 0.3 inches
- Weight: 1.1 pounds
Reasons to Buy the Galaxy Tab A7:
- Exceptional Battery Life: Offers outstanding battery performance, lasting over 13 hours in our tests.
- Convenient Facial Recognition: Includes facial recognition for quick and secure unlocking.
- Modern USB-C Charging: Features USB-C for charging and data transfer, a modern standard for convenience.
Reasons to Consider Alternatives:
- Dimmer Display: The screen brightness is somewhat limited, which can be a drawback in brightly lit environments.
- Basic Performance: Performance is adequate for basic tasks but can feel slow for demanding applications or multitasking.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 is an older model, but it remains a highly attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. Originally designed to be more affordable than the base-model iPad, it now offers even greater savings as iPad prices have increased.
While it doesn’t match the speed or processing power of newer tablets, the Tab A7 compensates with excellent battery life – exceeding 13 hours in our tests. This makes it ideal for extended use on the go without needing frequent recharges.
Its modest performance makes it particularly suitable for less demanding users or as a tablet for children. It still provides access to features like facial authentication and the extensive Google Play Store, ensuring a full Android experience.
Although our reviewers noted that a brighter screen and faster performance would be improvements, the Galaxy Tab A7 remains a highly practical and affordable tablet. Its attractive design and portability further enhance its appeal, making it our top recommendation for anyone seeking a budget-friendly Samsung tablet.
Explore our in-depth thoughts in our Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 review.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: The Best Samsung Tablet for Laptop-Level Productivity
(Image credit: Future)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Review – The Ultimate Laptop Replacement Samsung Tablet
Key Specifications:
- Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9300+
- Camera Resolution: 12MP Front (FF + Ultrawide), 13MP Rear (AF + 8MP Ultrawide)
- Display: 14.6-inch 3K (2960 x 1848 pixels) Dynamic AMOLED
- Storage Options: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Ports: USB-C, microSD card slot
- Dimensions: 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 inches
- Weight: 1.58 pounds
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3
Reasons to Buy the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra:
- Spectacular 14.6-inch AMOLED Display: The expansive AMOLED display is breathtaking, enhancing all visual content with vibrant colors and deep blacks.
- Blazing-Fast Performance: Equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ processor, it delivers top-tier performance for demanding tasks and applications.
- Included S Pen: Comes with an S Pen, further enhancing its functionality for creative and productivity tasks right out of the box.
Reasons to Consider Alternatives:
- Awkward Tablet Size: Its large size can make handheld use cumbersome; it’s less ideal as a casual tablet.
- Price Point: Approaches the price of the iPad Pro M4 but with slightly less overall performance and ecosystem integration.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the definitive Samsung tablet for users who require the largest possible screen and laptop-like capabilities in a tablet form factor.
Continuing the legacy of its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, this model boasts a stunning 14.6-inch OLED display, a remarkably thin design, and powerful performance driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chip. If you are deeply invested in the Samsung ecosystem and need a tablet that can double as a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is exceptionally well-suited.
However, this powerhouse tablet isn’t without its drawbacks. While it can function as a laptop when paired with the optional Samsung Book Cover Keyboard (an additional $200 investment), its sheer size can be unwieldy compared to smaller tablets.
Despite these considerations, if your priority is maximizing screen size, the Tab S10 Ultra is unmatched. While it may not outperform the iPad Pro M4 in all benchmarks (see our Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs iPad Pro M4 comparison), it delivers exceptional Android tablet performance and one of the most beautiful displays in its category. Plus, the inclusion of the S Pen at no extra cost adds significant value for creators and professionals.
Read our detailed assessment in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra review.
Samsung Tablet Battery Life Comparison
Battery life is a crucial factor for many tablet buyers. To help you compare Samsung tablets in this aspect, we’ve compiled our battery test results into an easy-to-read chart.
We’ve also included battery performance data for some popular competing tablets, including iPads, to provide a broader context for how Samsung tablets stack up against the competition. As you can see, Samsung tablets generally perform very well in battery endurance.
Swipe to scroll horizontally to see full table
| Tablet Model | Battery Life (Hours:Minutes) |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 | 9:06 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | 9:22 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 | 13:13 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 | 12:52 |
| Lenovo Tab Extreme | 9:28 |
| Apple iPad Air | 10:09 |
| Apple iPad Pro | 10:37 |
While all Samsung tablets in this comparison offer solid battery life, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 clearly leads in battery endurance, making it an excellent choice if battery life is a top priority.
Choosing the Right Samsung Tablet for You
Selecting the best Samsung tablet depends largely on your intended use.
For general use like web browsing, video streaming, and gaming, any tablet in this guide will perform admirably. The key is to determine your preferred screen size, desired features, and budget.
If you’re seeking a tablet that can potentially replace your laptop, the Galaxy Tab S9 is a strong contender. However, typing on its optional Book Cover keyboard can feel somewhat cramped. For a more laptop-like experience, particularly if you require a larger screen, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is specifically engineered to serve as a laptop alternative. Samsung’s DeX mode further enhances its laptop replacement capabilities, surpassing even iPads in desktop-like functionality.
For those on a tight budget seeking a capable and affordable tablet, the Galaxy Tab A7 is an excellent choice. While its LCD screen may not be ideal for immersive video watching, and it can feel slightly sluggish under heavy multitasking, it’s a reliable and lightweight tablet that delivers great value for its price.
Before purchasing, be sure to check our Samsung promo codes page for the latest deals and discounts.
Our Samsung Tablet Testing Methodology
At Tom’s Guide, we conduct rigorous testing on every tablet we review to objectively assess its performance and compare it against competitors.
Our battery life test involves continuous web surfing over Wi-Fi at a standardized screen brightness to measure how long a tablet lasts on a full charge. We also perform comprehensive display tests to evaluate color accuracy (sRGB output) and brightness levels. Performance benchmarks, including Geekbench, are used to quantify CPU performance.
Furthermore, we evaluate the software experience, examining pre-installed apps and access to app stores to ensure a genuine Android experience. Samsung generally provides full access to the Google Play Store, alongside its own app store, and its proprietary apps are typically well-integrated, especially for users within the Samsung ecosystem. For tablets with parental control features, we test their effectiveness to identify any potential loopholes.
Beyond standardized tests, we use each tablet extensively for several days to weeks as our primary device. We assess the unboxing and setup experience, use popular apps, and push the tablets with multiple browser tabs to evaluate real-world performance under various workloads. We also watch YouTube videos and other video content to assess the display quality beyond numerical measurements. Our detailed reviews incorporate both objective testing data and subjective, hands-on experiences to provide a comprehensive understanding of each tablet’s strengths and weaknesses, enabling you to make informed purchasing decisions.
For more details on our testing procedures, please visit our How We Test page on Tom’s Guide.
