Samsung S9FE + Tablet Review
- fotaquest
- Aug 7, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 4
Samsung S9 FE+ Tablet Review
By Lars Guo
Published: August 7, 2024
Opening Message: Hi folks! Today’s blog is all about the Samsung S9 FE+ tablet, which I purchased on July 6th. I’ll be covering my first impressions, pros and cons, why I chose this tablet over an iPad, who it’s best suited for, recommended accessories, and tips on how to get it at a discount. Disclaimer: I am not a tablet expert—this review is based purely on my experience at the time of writing.
What Is It? This tablet features a 12.4-inch screen and comes with an S Pen, a stylus shaped like a pencil. It has three cameras—two on the back and one in the front for video calls. It’s designed for media consumption, light work, gaming, drawing, and note-taking.
Background: I’ve owned a few tablets before. My previous one had a smaller screen, which wasn’t ideal for drawing. I’m not a tech expert, so I mainly focus on basic features rather than maximizing every function.
Why Did I Get It? I wanted a bigger screen for drawing and watching media, a good deal on pricing, and a better experience for Zoom meetings. Despite its size, it remains portable.
What Do I Use It For? I use this tablet for watching shows, writing blogs, attending Zoom meetings, and drawing. The large screen is perfect for media consumption and typing in Google Docs.
Why Not an iPad? I’ve used iPads before, but my experience wasn’t great. After my old tablet broke, it never functioned the same again. I also wanted a stylus included, whereas the Apple Pencil costs an extra $100. Additionally, Apple screens tend to crack more easily than other brands, and when the backlight breaks, it’s practically unusable.
First Impressions: The large screen is impressive, though the tablet feels slightly heavy. It connects well to Bluetooth devices, and the sound and video quality are excellent. Initially, the touch and pen responsiveness felt slightly off, but once set up, it worked smoothly. Setting up WiFi and accounts was straightforward. The drawing experience is great once everything is adjusted, and the included case was easy to assemble. The S Pen could be improved, but given that I purchased an open-box tablet, the packaging and condition were solid.
Pros: The large screen, included S Pen, great graphics, and solid build make this tablet perfect for media consumption, drawing, and note-taking. It’s lightweight for its size and portable enough. Certain games run well, and Samsung Dex allows it to function like a laptop. Battery life has been great—I only charge it once or twice a week, depending on use. The extra screen space enhances the drawing experience, and the graphics are vibrant. It feels sturdy and not fragile, though I do use a case.
Cons: Setting it up was slightly tricky, and touch responsiveness can lag at times. It may be too large for those seeking a highly portable tablet. Its weight is expected due to the bigger battery and screen, but if you prefer something smaller, this may not be the right choice.
Who Is It For? This tablet is ideal for students taking notes or drawing, professionals who need a larger screen for presentations, teens and adults who enjoy media consumption, artists looking for a digital drawing tool, authors, and anyone wanting an entertainment device. Personally, I’ve always seen tablets as fun devices rather than productivity tools due to distractions like game apps.
Would I Recommend It? Absolutely! Even with a rough start, it does what I need it to do. Watching media is a great experience, and the open-box deal saved me around $100, which was well worth it. The included stylus is a huge bonus, and I haven’t had any issues with it. For a mid-range tablet, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. If you need a long-lasting tablet for light productivity, media consumption, and drawing, this is a great choice. It even functions as a TV replacement for me. The battery life is impressive—I charge it about once or twice a week. Looking back, I wish I had waited for Prime Day or taken advantage of a tablet trade-in, but I have no regrets since I use it almost daily and love it.
How to Get a Good Deal: If you can’t get it for free, here are some ways to save. Look for open-box deals labeled as “excellent condition.” Wait for a newer model to be released, as older models tend to drop in price. Use gift cards if available, though this depends on others giving them to you. A one-year wait can also lead to price reductions—I bought my Samsung S6 Lite for $350, and within a year, its price dropped to around $200. Major sales events like Black Friday, Back-to-School season, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and Christmas are also great times to buy.
Recommended Accessories: A keyboard is useful if you want to turn the tablet into a laptop replacement for work or studies. If not, you can skip it. A screen protector helps keep the display clean and prevents scratches and cracks. A sturdy case is essential to protect the tablet from damage. If you need both a keyboard and a case, consider a keyboard case, but read reviews carefully. Finding a separate case for this tablet was difficult. If using it as a laptop, a Bluetooth mouse is necessary since the tablet lacks standard ports. A tablet sleeve with pockets is great for storing accessories when traveling. The Samsung 45W charging block is highly recommended, as it’s not included in the box. If turning it into a desktop setup, a Bluetooth mouse is crucial. A mouse case and keyboard sleeve protect accessories during transit, especially for travelers. Keeping everything safe prevents frequent replacements, saving money in the long run.
Closing Message: I hope this review helps you decide whether this tablet is right for you. Keep in mind that tablet-specific styluses generally offer better quality and compatibility than generic ones. Tablets serve a niche purpose but can be incredibly useful depending on your needs. I hope you can get it at a good price. Looking forward to your thoughts, and stay tuned for the next review!
#iPadAlternative #TabletVsLaptop #TechDeals #BudgetTech #PrimeDayDeals #BlackFridayDeals #CyberMondaySavings
Comments