Galaxy Tab S9 Fe Plus Vs S7 Fe Is It Worth Upgrading Or Is The New One Just Hype

When Samsung released the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus, many owners of the older S7 FE were left wondering: should I upgrade? The tablet market moves fast, but not every new model brings meaningful improvements. For users who rely on their tablets for work, study, or media consumption, spending hundreds on an upgrade demands justification. This isn’t about chasing the latest trend—it’s about whether the enhancements in the S9 FE Plus translate to real-world benefits over its predecessor.

The Galaxy Tab S7 FE was a solid mid-range offering when it launched—bright AMOLED screen, capable S Pen support, long battery life, and strong audio. Three years later, the S9 FE Plus arrives with updated specs and a refreshed design. But does it deliver enough to justify the cost of switching?

Display and Design: Subtle Refinements, Not Revolution

Both tablets feature 12.4-inch displays, but the differences in panel technology and brightness are where things start to diverge. The S7 FE uses a TFT LCD with a peak brightness of around 500 nits. It’s decent indoors but struggles under direct sunlight. The S9 FE Plus upgrades to a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a peak brightness of 600 nits. That extra luminance makes a noticeable difference outdoors and improves contrast significantly.

In practical terms, watching HDR content on platforms like Netflix or YouTube feels richer on the S9 FE Plus. Blacks are deeper, colors pop more, and text appears crisper. While both devices have slim bezels and aluminum bodies, the S9 FE Plus has slightly more refined edges and improved symmetry in the speaker layout.

Tip: If you frequently use your tablet outside or in bright rooms, the S9 FE Plus’s brighter display is one of its most tangible upgrades.

Performance: Generational Leap in Processing Power

Under the hood, the jump from the S7 FE to the S9 FE Plus is substantial. The S7 FE runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G, a reliable chip for everyday tasks but beginning to show its age with heavier multitasking or newer apps. The S9 FE Plus steps up to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a flagship-grade processor used in premium smartphones and tablets.

This means faster app launches, smoother transitions between split-screen windows, and better handling of graphically intensive applications. Users editing documents while streaming video and taking handwritten notes via the S Pen will notice less lag and quicker responsiveness.

RAM also increases from 6GB (base) on the S7 FE to 8GB across all S9 FE Plus models. Storage options now start at 128GB and go up to 256GB, with expandable storage via microSD still supported.

“Processor upgrades in tablets often go unnoticed until you experience them side by side. The move from Snapdragon 7 to 8 series changes how fluidly the device handles modern productivity workflows.” — David Lin, Mobile Hardware Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Battery and Charging: Same Endurance, Faster Top-Ups

Battery capacity remains unchanged at 10,090mAh, which is excellent news for endurance fans. Both tablets easily last 12–14 hours of mixed usage, including video playback, web browsing, and note-taking.

Where the S9 FE Plus pulls ahead is charging speed. The older S7 FE supports 45W fast charging, but the S9 FE Plus bumps that up to 65W. In real-world testing, this translates to going from 0% to 70% in about 45 minutes—roughly 20 minutes faster than the S7 FE.

For users who charge during short breaks—between meetings, classes, or commutes—this added speed can be a game-changer. However, if you typically charge overnight, the benefit diminishes.

S Pen and Productivity: More Natural, More Responsive

The S Pen experience sees one of the most user-facing improvements. While both models include the stylus and support 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity, the S9 FE Plus reduces latency from 26ms (on the S7 FE) to just 2.6ms. That tenth-of-a-second difference makes writing and sketching feel nearly instantaneous.

In practice, this means fewer instances of seeing a lag between pen movement and ink appearing on screen. For students annotating PDFs or professionals drafting diagrams, this level of responsiveness enhances usability dramatically.

The S Pen itself is magnetically attached to the top edge of the S9 FE Plus, making it easier to store and charge wirelessly. On the S7 FE, attachment was weaker and lacked wireless charging, requiring occasional manual charging via USB-C.

Software and Longevity: Future-Proofing Your Investment

Samsung promises four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the S9 FE Plus. The S7 FE, launched in 2020, already received its final major OS update (Android 13). It will continue receiving security updates until 2025, but no further feature upgrades.

If you plan to keep your tablet beyond 2025, the S9 FE Plus offers significantly better software longevity. This matters for app compatibility, security, and access to new features like improved DeX mode, AI-powered tools, and enhanced multitasking.

Feature	Galaxy Tab S7 FE	Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus
Display	12.4\" TFT LCD, 500 nits	12.4\" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 600 nits
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM / Storage	6GB / 128GB (expandable)	8GB / 128GB or 256GB (expandable)
Battery & Charging	10,090mAh, 45W fast charging	10,090mAh, 65W fast charging
S Pen Latency	26ms	2.6ms
OS Updates	Up to Android 13	Up to Android 17 (expected)
Security Patches	Until 2025	Until 2028

Real-World Use Case: Is the Upgrade Noticeable?

Consider Maria, a university lecturer who uses her tablet daily for grading papers, preparing slides, and joining Zoom lectures. She’s had her S7 FE since 2021. Recently, she found that switching between apps became sluggish, especially when using OneNote alongside Chrome and Teams. Her S Pen occasionally lagged when marking up student essays.

After testing the S9 FE Plus for two weeks, she reported immediate improvements: faster boot time, near-zero S Pen delay, and smoother screen sharing during presentations. The brighter screen also helped when teaching outdoors during summer field trips.

While her S7 FE wasn’t broken, the S9 FE Plus removed friction points she’d learned to tolerate. For her, the upgrade wasn’t about novelty—it was about reclaiming efficiency.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

Ask yourself these questions before making the switch:

• Do you regularly use multiple apps at once and experience slowdowns?
• Is your current tablet more than three years old?
• Do you rely heavily on the S Pen for work or creativity?
• Are you concerned about future app compatibility and security?
• Do you use your tablet in bright environments where screen visibility matters?

If you answered “yes” to three or more, the S9 FE Plus likely offers meaningful benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my old S Pen with the S9 FE Plus?

Yes, legacy S Pens are compatible, but you won’t get the full 2.6ms latency advantage unless you use the newer bundled pen designed for lower input lag.

Is the price difference justified?

The S9 FE Plus costs about $150–$200 more than the original S7 FE did at launch. Given the leap in processor, display quality, and software support, the premium is reasonable for users planning to keep the device for 4+ years.

Does the S9 FE Plus support keyboard accessories from the S7 FE?

Yes, the Book Cover Keyboard for the S7 FE fits the S9 FE Plus due to identical dimensions. However, newer versions may offer improved key travel and trackpad integration.

Conclusion: Worth It for Power Users, Optional for Casuals

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus isn’t just hype—but it’s not a must-have for everyone either. If you’re still satisfied with your S7 FE’s performance and don’t need cutting-edge responsiveness or longer software support, holding off is perfectly rational.

However, for professionals, students, and creatives who depend on seamless multitasking, precise S Pen input, and long-term reliability, the S9 FE Plus delivers tangible upgrades. It’s a thoughtful evolution rather than a flashy revolution—one that enhances daily usability without reinventing the wheel.

🚀 Ready to decide? Evaluate your current pain points. If lag, dim screens, or outdated software frustrate you, the S9 FE Plus earns its place as a worthy successor. Share your upgrade experience below and help others make informed choices.