Hi, I’m a university student and I’ve been considering buying one of these tablets. I would use it for taking notes, drawing, reading and watching videos mostly. Student stuff basically. I’m more inclined for the FE because I think it would suit my needs, and in my country (Chile) the base S9 is 50% more expensive right now (440.000CLP for the S9 FE and 660.000 for the S9).
That got me wondering, who would buy the base S9 model? I think the FE suits most people’s needs and the few who would benefit from the better processor and screen resolution are mobile gamers and maybe people who use a tablet instead of a PC for work and productivity. Both of them would probably prefer the S9+ or the ultra for the bigger screen. Digital artists would also prefer the ultra for that same reason, or the FE+ if the budget is tight.
I feel the Ultra and S9+ are directed towards the more elite or demanding users and the FE for the rest of us, while the S9 is on an awkward middle. I think there is very few cases were the S9 is the first option and the main reason to buy it is budget.
What do you guys think? Am I missing something? Any important differences between S9 and S9 FE that I missed besides screen and processor?
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I have the s9. Love it. Had s6, s7+, and s8 ultra previously.
It’s a media consumption device, 100%. Well, that and some gaming.
I watch video and read on it 90% of the time.
S9fe didn’t exist at the time, but I’d have gotten the better screen anyway.
I have the base S9 but with 256GB/12GB configuration, I do not need a notebook replacement as I have my mobile workstation for that. I use the tablet for media consumption and time killing.
As for the dofferences, there are a lot of articles online where the tablets differ, its not just screen and processor.
Size, OLED display and Processor. FE have bad screens and processors and the S9+ is too big for many. I want something even smaller, a 8.7 inch Tab S9 Mini with OLED 120, 8 Gen 2 and the rest of the bells and whistles.
The FE would be Tab S9 base replacements if it had a better screen and processor.
Theres always a market for small powerful devices. It isnt as mainstream, but theres a fair few of us who would rather get the smallest version of the device available. Devices like the S10e, S23, iPhone13Mini, iPadMini all exist because people sometimes dont want a compromised experience just because its smaller. The S9FE isnt even in the same league as the S9 in performance and smoothness of UI.
The gap between the s9 fe and s9 is massive. 50% more is cheap to get a high resolution oled panel with far better speakers.
The exynos 1380 can barely keep up with the performance of an old tab s6, much less the Snapdragon 8G2 in the s9. Then factor in the faster storage and ram speeds. Then consider the usb 3 port with video out and faster transfer speeds. Try coping 100gb files and you will be waiting forever.
People who game would rather hold a small tablet in their hands plus the controls are closer together. And the people who use it for work can just plug it into their monitor at their desk if they want a bigger screen. Then the people who want a media consumption device can finally get oled without paying extra for the bigger tabs.
I would argue that only reason to get the FE is if you don’t care about gaming, not fussy about picture quality, don’t need a laptop replacement and just want a notepad to write and draw. In that case the s6 lite 2022 is a better buy.
Personally I would stay away from Samsung midrange tablet because they are never good.
I bought tab S6 tablet a year ago and I love it. My friend bought a newer tab A8 and it was hell to use it, the screen is very bad, it’s very heavy and very slow even though the price is almost the same with my tablet.
Most chinese tablet from Lenovo, Oneplus and Xiaomi is better if you want to buy cheap tablet. But you mentioned you like to draw so you better get Tab S7+ or S8+. They have better screen and perform better.