Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs Tab S9 Ultra: Was the Upgrade Worth It?

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra was launched on October 8, 2024, just over a year after the Tab S9 Ultra was released in August 2023. Some users tend to rush to replace the S9 Ultra with the newer Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.

However, I do not recommend this. I highly advise reading this unbiased guide before considering this rather expensive change so that you can make an informed decision. In this post we will compare

• Specs Comparison
• Build and Design
• Display type and specs
• Power and Performance
• OS and Software
• Camera and accessories
• Battery Life and Charging
• Audio Quality
• Price Comparison
• S9 Ultra vs S10 Ultra: Similarities and differences
• Verdict: Which one should you buy?

Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Tab S9 Ultra Specifications

The Tab S10 Ultra offers better specifications and power compared to the Tab S9 Ultra. Below is a comparison.

Build and Design

Both tablets look almost exactly the same on first view. They both have a sleek aluminium body with slim bezels all round the screen that covers the front area.

Accessories like the front and rear cameras are positioned exactly the same. Other accessories, like the S9 Ultra’s cases and keyboard covers, fit the S10 Ultra perfectly.

The main difference in the body is the material used to make the back: aluminium material. The Tab S10 Ultra is made of Armour Aluminium, which is more sturdy and tougher than regular aluminium on the S9 Ultra. This makes the S10 Ultra 10% tougher and more durable.

Display

The S10 Ultra features a large 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X display with a 2960 × 1848 resolution. This resolution ensures high-quality, vibrant visuals displayed in sharp colours. It has been upgraded to have an anti-reflective coating, which significantly reduces glare. This is not available in both the S8 Ultra and the S9 Ultra.

The S9 Ultra has a similar screen at 14.6 inches in size with a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display at 2960x1848 pixels resolution like the S10 Ultra. Lower brightness levels at 600 nits and the lack of the anti-reflective coating ensure the new version is slightly better.

Both feature a 120 Hz refresh rate that is ideal for gaming and streaming videos. This refresh rate is similar to the iPad Pro.

Performance

The Tab S10 Ultra has had a huge performance upgrade compared to its predecessor. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+, instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the S9 Ultra. This makes it faster with up to 28% better multi-core performance and almost 25% better graphics performance.

If you are editing or gaming on the tablet, you will notice less overheating on the S10 Ultra than the S9. This is because the S23 Ultra features a larger vapour chamber that allows sustained peak performance during gaming, multitasking, and creative workloads without overheating.

Software & AI Features

Both run on the upgradable Android 14 OS, upgradable to 2031. It allows access to Google Play and Android apps. One UI 6.1.1 offers a smooth, polished experience with excellent S Pen integration.

The S10 Ultra adds a dedicated AI button on the keyboard not available on the S9 Ultra. This provides quick access to Google Gemini and customisable AI tools, enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency.

Speakers, S Pen and Storage

Both tablets feature quad speakers with Dolby Atmos for immersive sound, but the Tab S10 Ultra enhances the experience with audio controls like dialogue boost and loudness normalisation for clearer, more balanced audio.

Both include the S Pen for note-taking, drawing, and creative work, while the S9 Ultra also offers expanded storage options—up to 1TB internal and 1.5TB via microSD—and long-term software and security updates until October 2031, making it a more future-proof and versatile choice.

Unboxing Experience

Just like other Samsung tablets, you will have the Free Samsung S Pen available. This is a big advantage over Apple iPads that do not come with any free accessories. You have the choice of getting a cover and keyboard on purchase, but it does not come for free.

It features a durable aluminum body that is both dustproof and waterproof. The body is sleek and slim at only 5.4 mm thick and with an overall 718 g weight. This weight is perfect for portability, but the large size discourages portability.

The package includes a Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tablet itself, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and an eject tool for the microSD and SIM card slots on the 5G version. 

To save files, you have up to 1 TB of internal storage. This is large enough whether you are saving large video files or using the tablet for photography.

Additionally, you will have an external microSD slot that allows for expansion up to 1.5 TB. Most Android tablets, even Ultra versions, only allow up to 1 TB of expandability.

Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Differences

Specs	S10 Ultra	S9 Ultra
Processor	Made of sturdy aluminium with a water and dust-proof layer of durability	A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that is not as good as the S10 Ultra
Build Quality	Comes with an anti-reflective coating to reduce glare and enhance display for bright conditions.	Regular aluminium construction with no additional toughness or waterproof features
Display Coating	Lacks AI functionalities.	No anti-reflective coating so it is more prone to glare and reflections
Battery Life	Longer battery life at 16 hours	Shorter battery life at 10 hours
Audio Quality	Additional audio customization options like Boost Dialogue and Loudness Normalisation.	Good audio performance, but lacks the same level of customization
Storage	Many options from 256 GB to 1 TB, expandable to 1.5 TB via microSD	Many options from 512 GB to 1 TB, expandable to 1 TB via microSD
Ai Features	Features new Ai functionalities.	Lacks Ai functionalities.
	Check Price	Check Price

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the more advanced tablet, with a superior display, stronger performance, smarter AI features, enhanced audio, and longer software support.

It’s ideal for those upgrading from older models or seeking a future-proof device, while the Tab S9 Ultra remains a capable option for existing owners who don’t need the latest upgrades. Overall, the S10 Ultra is the better choice for first-time buyers and power users.

The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a powerful upgrade to the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. It is ideal for users who want to take advantage of the new AI market on their tablet while still maintaining powerful performance and premium features.

Its powerful specifications make it perfect for entertainment, gaming, and creative work. Some standout features include a vibrant 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a powerful Dimensity 9300 Plus chipset, and 16-hour battery life.

Most features have not changed compared to the previous generations of Galaxy Ultra tablets. New enhancements include a new more powerful processor, larger storage options, a protective screen layer, and new AI features.

1. Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: Winner
2. Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Runner up
3. Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra: New Version
4. Galaxy Tab S11: Best for 2026

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