The Apple iPad Pro M4 launch left-wing tech experts annoyed. Why did Apple debut its powerful new M4 processor on a device that is a gigantic, glorified smartphone? What benefits could the M4 bring to iPadOS, a system built for simplicity, if not power? If you’re staring at the latest iPad Pro and wishing it were more Pro, I suggest checking out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 instead, because it’s probably the tablet you’d want Apple to make.
But wait, here comes Microsoft with its new one Surface Pro tablet. Is it a tablet as this runs on Windows just like my laptop and always comes with the keyboard accessory? Or is it a laptop that can be detached, such as the dish part of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), in times of trouble? Whatever it is, it’s on the other side of the Apple iPad Pro’s viewing glass.
Both tablets have new, powerful chipsets inside, based on ARM’s processing cores, rather than Intel’s x86 chips. Both have an OLED display, a new pen for writing and a price tag that starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699, or more if you want a larger display, extra storage or other optional features (like 5G networking on the iPad Pro).
Both new device families also bring questions. Why? Why make an iPadOS device so powerful, Apple? Why is Windows so complicated on a tablet, Microsoft? Why couldn’t these devices be just a little more… like… each other?!
The iPad Pro should become more professional and expandable, just like the Surface Pro. The Surface Pro should be approachable, just like iPadOS. I have good news. There is already a tablet that works well.
Samsung makes the best tablet software. Serious…
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the tablet that compromises the touch-friendly mobile interface of the iPad Pro and the multi-window professional workflow of the Surface Pro. Samsung’s OneUI software on the Galaxy Tab S9 is by far the best tablet software you can find on any tablet. Samsung is simply right.
Yeah, I can’t believe I just said that. I was critical of Samsung’s phone software. I commend Samsung’s hardware: the phones look great, they’re well built, and they often outperform the competition. Samsung’s hardware is top class. Samsung’s software needs help.
Except on the Galaxy Tab S9, from the higher segment Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra to the cheaper one Galaxy Tab S9 FE. Samsung’s OneUI software needs space to spread. It needs air to breathe. Samsung’s software can seem cluttered and confusing on a smartphone screen, even on a big honking screen like the screen Galaxy S24Ultra. It works on a large tablet screen.
Samsung’s software is filled with tabs that slide in from the side, buttons that appear when you move the pen, and windows that show notifications about apps. It’s rugged, complicated and compact on a phone, but perfect on a tablet.
Do you want to work between multiple windows? Samsung’s Tab S9 handles multi-window chores better than anything other than a Windows desktop. Simply drag windows to where you want them. Drag a window to the edge and the screen will split neatly. It all works intuitively; I never had to read instructions to organize my display the way I wanted.
The Galaxy Tab S9 goes seamlessly from laptop to tablet
Samsung also does the best job of switching between a laptop look and a touch-friendly tablet operating system. The DeX software has been doing this on phones for a long time, allowing your Galaxy S24 in a desktop computer when you connect a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. On the Galaxy Tab S9, connecting the keyboard accessory does the same thing.
You get DeX, a desktop environment with a taskbar, multiple windows, and a look that mimics a Chromebook. When you disconnect the keyboard, you go back to touchable icons. Samsung’s latest DeX is more touch-friendly, but you can still keep the look of the older Chromebook.
In fact, Samsung does a spectacular job at syncing between Galaxy devices, whether you own a Galaxy S phone, a Galaxy Book laptop, or both. When using a mouse pointer on your Galaxy Tab S9, you can drag the pointer from one screen to another, moving across the devices. It just works. I rarely say that about Samsung and Android software, but Samsung has made this cross-device move work intuitively, and it seems like a magic trick.
Features you need instead of power you don’t need
So what’s the problem with Samsung tablets: why doesn’t Samsung dominate the tablet market? It’s hard to say, but I think Samsung’s pricing can be a little confusing. The Galaxy Tab S9 is priced to compete with the iPad Airnot the basic model iPad 10.9. Surprisingly, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a really good deal when you consider the technology you get, but you might experience some sticker shock after seeing the $1,199.99 / £1,199 / AU$1,999 price tag.
To be fair, Samsung isn’t going to give you a laptop-class processor. You will get the best mobile processor on the Galaxy Tab S9 from mid-2023; on the Tab S9 FE you get a reduction. Compared to the Apple M4 or the Snapdragon X Elite processors in the latest Apple and Microsoft equipment, you can’t run the same level of professional software. You don’t get Logic Pro or Final Cut, like you’ll find on the iPad, or even a desktop version of Adobe Photoshop like you’ll find on a Surface Pro.
What you’ll find is a tablet that’s fun to use, with real productivity features that are intuitive and snappy. You’ll find a larger screen (also OLED) and battery than you get with an iPad or Surface for the same price, including an S Pen (which never needs to be charged) and tons of thoughtful features that take advantage of the design advantages these high-end tablets offer. offer.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 isn’t just an iPad clone or another generic Android tablet. It combines the best of tablet and laptop worlds, offering an intuitive experience for everyday tasks and is also suitable for professionals who need more from a tablet. Stop trying to rethink what the iPad Pro should be, the Galaxy Tab S9 is already here.