Samsung prides itself on manufacturing diverse devices for different people and professional levels. If you are looking for a budget-friendly but still powerful tablet or a premium-level tablet, these two options are worthy considerations.
If you are on a budget, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE will offer powerful specifications for a very fair price. For example, you have a large 12.4-inch screen.
For those who need a premium-level tablet, the Galaxy S9 FE is perfect despite its smaller screen size. Below is a head-to-head comparison of the two to help you understand why we preferred the Tab S9 FE.
To better compare the two tablets, we considered key specifications like design, display, performance, battery life, accessories, and price.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs. Galaxy S9 FE Comparison
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
It is designed as a budget-friendly Galaxy tablet with solid build quality and a large 12.4-inch screen. However, its weak base model specs and dated 60Hz TFT display make it poor value unless significantly discounted.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE offers a better premium tablet experience at a midrange price. It features a good but smaller display, four years of free Android updates, and an S Pen. Its weaker Exynos processor and smaller screen are a big con.
Display Quality
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE features a smaller IPS LCD screen at 1440 x 2304 pixel resolution, compared to 12.4 inches and 2560 x 1600 pixel resolution on the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. Despite being smaller, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE has a brighter view with a 600-nit brightness level compared to 432 nits on the Tab S7 FE.
It also has a higher screen refresh rate at 90 Hz compared to 60 Hz on the Galaxy Tab S7 FE. This means it will offer a better experience for faster and smoother transitions on fast-moving content like games.
A large screen like that on the Tab S7 FE is perfect for media consumption and movies, while the high brightness and refresh rates on the Tab S9 FE are ideal for outdoor usage.
Design and build quality
Both tablets feature a slim and sleek premium feel with thin bezels around the large screen area. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is both more durable and secure thanks to its physical fingerprint sensor and water-resistant build.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE lacks both waterproof features and fingerprint sensor security features. It relies on older security features that may be outdated.
The Tab S7 FE has a larger body measuring 284.8 x 185 x 6.3 mm and an overall weight of 608 grams. It has a sleek design with square edges and a full metallic body finish.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is smaller and compact with overall dimensions around 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm. It is also slightly lighter at 524 grams. The size and slight weight difference will affect portability, making the Galaxy Tab S9 FE a better pick if you prefer the more portable option.
Additionally, the Tab S9 FE is more durable with IP68 dust and water resistance enabled. These are not available on the S7 FE.
Verdict: The Tab S9 FE is the winner.
Performance
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is powered by a powerful Exynos 1380 chipset with 8 GB of RAM for multitasking. This is perfect for reliable performance and optimized battery management. You will have many size configurations from 128 GB to 512 GB options, plus an expandable space of up to 1 TB using a MicroSD card slot.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE features a high-level Snapdragon 778 chipset with only 4 GB of RAM. These specs are not perfect for premium-level performance. Storage space starts from as low as 64 GB with many configurations plus an expandable space of up to 1 TB using a microSD card slot as well.
Verdict: Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the winner.
Accessories
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE features a better camera compared to the S7 FE. The older S7 FE can only be used for casual shooting and selfie shots due to its weak 5MP front camera and 8MP rear camera.
If you engage in regular video conferencing, we recommend the Galaxy Tab S9 FE. It features a 12 MP ultra-wide front camera and an 8 MP rear camera. You can use it for basic videography and video conferencing.
For those who need a tablet for music, it is important to note that both tablets offer a clear and immersive sound quality with loudspeakers. However, the larger Galaxy Tab S7 FE is slightly louder than the dual speakers tuned by AKG on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE.
Both tablets do not have a 3.5 mm audio jack to connect your headphones using the traditional way. You can use the official Samsung USB-C to 3.5 mm audio aux adapter to connect your headphones either for gaming or streaming.
Both tablets come with a free S Pen stylus for creativity and note-taking or similar tasks. To hold the pen in place, the Tab S9 FE uses magnets around its edges, while the S7 FE has a dedicated magnetic patch to place the pen. They all also support an external keyboard for better productivity.
Software Upgradability
The older Galaxy Tab S7 FE is almost coming to the end of its support availability. This can hurt long-term usability. You need to consider this as you choose. You will have up to 4 years of software updates when you choose the Tab S9 FE.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the newest of the two versions, offering better and more modern specifications with a promise for longer usage. It is slightly pricier.
The Tab S7 FE offers a larger screen but generally weaker, outdated features. It is perfect for budget-conscious users but will limit longevity in the long run.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE vs. Galaxy S9 FE specs
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Size: 12.4 inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600 pixels
- Technology: TFT
- Color Depth: 16 million colors
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G
- RAM: 4 GB or 6 GB
- Internal Storage: 64GB or 128GB
- Expandable Storage: microSD up to 1TB
- Rear Camera: 8 MP with Auto Focus
- Front Camera: 5 MP
- Battery: Capacity: 10,090 mAh
- Size: 284.8 x 185.0 x 6.3 mm
- Weight: 608 grams
- Operating System: Android 11 Upgradable Up to Android 14 with One UI 6
- S Pen Support: Yes (included)
- Audio: Dual speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Size: 10.9 inches
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 1380
- RAM: 6GB or 8GB
- Internal Storage: 128GB or 256GB
- Expandable Storage: microSD up to 1TB
- Rear Camera: 8 MP with Auto Focus
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- Battery: Capacity: 8,000 mAh
- Size: 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm
- Weight: 523g or 524g
- Operating System: Android 13 with One UI Upgradable Up to 4 major Android upgrades
- S Pen Support:
- Water/dust-resistant
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
Pros
- Good Build Quality
- Large 12.4 inch screen
- 5G version available
Cons
- 64 GB with 4 GB RAM is low for the standard model
- Not the best value for money
Pros
- High quality display
- Affordable Price
- Free 4 year Android updates
- Free S Pen stylus
Cons
- Weak Processor
- Small screen size
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Tab S7 FE best for?
The S9 FE offers better display quality, making it a better choice for movie streaming and gaming. It offers additional features, making it a perfect value option. The S7 FE, on the other hand, offers better budget options and is perfect for creative users thanks to its larger screen size.