Galaxy Tab S9 FE Preview: Release date, specs, price & more

Hotstar in UAE
Hotstar in UAE

Along with its Galaxy Tab S series of tablets, Samsung also launches a series of FE tablets that offer a more mid-range experience. They’re for people who want a powerful tablet experience for a lower price. Well, the company is going to be selling the Galaxy Tab S9 FE tablets, and here’s a preview of these devices.

In this article, we’re going to go over the expected details for these tablets. We’ll go over the price, specs, release date, etc. As we get close to the official release, more information will flood in about these devices, so the article will be updated accordingly. Be sure to check back periodically to see what new information has been added.

How many models will there be?

So far, it’s strongly believed that there will be two models. We’re sure that both of these tablets will have mostly the same specs. The difference between the two models will mainly be the size. The smaller model is expected to be 10.9 inches and the other one could be 12.4 inches. The second model is the same size as the Galaxy Tab S9+.

As for the names, the names are expected to be the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.

How will these tablets look?

So far, it looks like both models of the tablets will have a similar look to what we got with the Galaxy Tab S9 tablets (you can pre-order them here). Based on some leaked images of these tablets, it looks like they will be made from matte metal that’s relatively reflective. On the back, we see a singular camera in the upper left corner. The antenna lines could sit on the top and bottom of the body and curve with the corners.

Looking at the front, there’s not much to see. We expect there to be one front-facing camera for video calls. Other than that, we see that the bezels are pretty sizable. They give the tablets a less premium look, but they’ll make it easier to grab them.

Will these tablets have a powerful processor?

The FE devices have had a history of using the previous year’s flagship processors, but that might not be the case this time around. When these tablets hit the FCC’s desk, we found out that Samsung might use the Exynos 1380 SoC.

That seems to be the Samsung equivalent of the Snapdragon 778. That’s an upper-mid-range processor. This means that you should expect really good performance, but you should also expect the occasional stutter or dropped frame while using it.

How much RAM will these tablets have?

We’re sure that there will be different RAM configurations, but that remains to be seen. However, rumors point to them starting at 6GB of RAM. That’s not bad for a mid-range tablet.

How much storage will these tablets have?

As for the storage, we believe that these tablets will start with 128GB of storage. We’re not sure if they will go up from there. If they do, then we don’t expect them to go higher than 256GB.

Will these tablets have the same screen found with the Galaxy Tab S9?

No. The Galaxy Tab S9 uses some very eye-catching Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays. The FE versions will use your run-of-the-mill LCD displays. We’re sure that it will still be a nice-looking panel.

What software will these tablets have?

Rumors point to the Galaxy Tab S9 FE running Android 13 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 5. This could mean that they will launch within the next couple of months; sometime before the launch of Android 14 with One UI 6.

Will the Galaxy Tab S9 FE come with an S Pen included?

We don’t know 100%, but it seems possible. We, at least, know that they will be compatible with the Samsung-made stylus. In the leaked renders of the chassis, we see a magnetic strip on the back of the tablet. This is meant to hold and charge the S Pen. So, if the company doesn’t drop one in the box, you’ll be able to pick one up separately.

What battery capacities do these tablets have?

Right now, we don’t know the battery capacity for both models of the tablet. Rumor has it that the smaller model will come with an 8,400mAh battery. It makes sense that the 10.9-inch version has this capacity because the 11-inch variant of the Galaxy Tab S9 also has this capacity.

If that’s the case, then we should expect the 12.4-inch variant to have a capacity similar to the Galaxy Tab S9+’s. This tablet’s battery is 10,090mAh.

As for charging speeds, it looks like these tablets will cap out at 25W. That speed wouldn’t be too bad if the batteries were smaller. However, given how large the batteries are, charging them will take quite a while.

Will these tablets have microSD card expansion/headphone jack?

Based on the images, it doesn’t appear so. We will need to wait for further images to be sure. If these tablets do have these features, then they just don’t show up in the renders.

Will they have an IP rating?

Since the Galaxy Tab S9 series are all IP68 water and dust resistant, it’s tempting to think that Samsung trickled this technology into its FE models. At the moment, it doesn’t seem like the company did.

How much will these tablets cost?

The price of these tablets is expected to be pretty problematic. Rumor has it that the base Galaxy Tab S9 FE will start at ₹63,000 for the Indian price (about $760) for the 6GB/128GB variant. That’s a pretty bad price seeing as the base Galaxy Tab S9, which costs ₹73,000 ($880), starts with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a much more powerful processor and a better display among other benefits.

When will these tablets launch?

Right now, we’re still in the dark about the release date. Previous rumors pointed to these tablets being unveiled along with the other Galaxy Tab S9 tablets, but that didn’t happen. However, rumor points to these tablets launching sometime within the next couple of months.

2023-08-10 15:10:17