Samsung Tab S9 Fe Plus Vs S10 Plus Is The New Model Worth The Upgrade Or Is The S10 Still King

When Samsung releases a new tablet in its FE (Fan Edition) lineup, it’s natural to ask: does it justify stepping up from a well-regarded predecessor like the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus? The Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus enters the market as a budget-conscious alternative to the flagship S9+, while the S10 Plus remains a favorite among power users. But with overlapping features and price points, choosing between them isn’t straightforward. This deep dive compares design, performance, display, battery life, software, and real-world usability to help you decide whether the S9 FE Plus is truly worth the upgrade—or if the S10 Plus still wears the crown.

Design and Build Quality

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus set a high bar for premium Android tablets with its sleek aluminum unibody, slim bezels, and refined symmetry. Released in 2023, it exudes luxury and portability, weighing just 582g and measuring 5.6mm thin. In contrast, the S9 FE Plus—despite being newer—adopts a more utilitarian approach. It uses a polycarbonate back instead of metal, making it slightly heavier at 597g and thicker at 6.8mm. While both devices are comfortable for long reading or media sessions, the S10 Plus feels more premium in hand.

One notable difference is durability. The S10 Plus carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing it to survive accidental spills or even brief submersion. The S9 FE Plus, however, lacks any official IP rating, which could be a dealbreaker for users who value ruggedness.

Tip: If you frequently use your tablet near water or outdoors, prioritize models with IP ratings—even if they cost slightly more.

Display and Visual Experience

The screen is where these two tablets diverge most dramatically. The S10 Plus boasts a 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a resolution of 2800 x 1752 pixels and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. Colors pop, blacks are true, and HDR content shines—ideal for creatives, binge-watchers, and digital artists using the S Pen.

The S9 FE Plus, on the other hand, features a 12.4-inch LCD panel with a lower resolution of 2560 x 1600 and a capped 60Hz refresh rate. While perfectly serviceable for web browsing and video calls, the lack of high refresh rate makes scrolling feel less fluid, and the LCD technology results in less vibrant colors and dimmer contrast compared to AMOLED.

“High refresh rates and AMOLED panels aren't just luxuries—they significantly reduce eye strain during prolonged use,” says Rajiv Mehta, Display Analyst at TechVision Insights. “For professionals and students, that difference compounds over time.”

Performance and Hardware Comparison

Under the hood, the S10 Plus runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, one of the most powerful mobile chipsets available in 2023. Paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, it handles multitasking, 4K video editing, and demanding apps with ease. Whether you're running multiple DeX windows or rendering animations in Adobe Fresco, the S10 Plus rarely stutters.

The S9 FE Plus, released in late 2023, uses the Exynos 1380—a mid-tier processor that performs adequately for everyday tasks but struggles under sustained loads. With only up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it's better suited for light productivity, streaming, and note-taking. Gamers or those using intensive creative apps will notice frame drops and longer load times.

Both tablets support the S Pen, and the stylus experience is excellent on each. However, the S10 Plus offers lower latency (2.8ms vs 3.3ms), which matters for precise drawing or handwriting recognition.

Key Specifications at a Glance

Feature	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus	Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus
Release Year	2023	2023
Display	12.4\" LCD, 2560x1600, 60Hz	12.4\" AMOLED, 2800x1752, 120Hz
Processor	Exynos 1380	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM Options	6GB / 8GB	12GB / 16GB
Storage	128GB / 256GB (expandable)	256GB / 512GB / 1TB (expandable)
Battery	10,090 mAh	10,090 mAh
Fast Charging	45W	45W
IP Rating	None	IP68
OS (Launch)	Android 13, One UI 5.1	Android 13, One UI 5.1
S Pen Latency	3.3ms	2.8ms

Battery Life and Charging

Both tablets pack identical 10,090 mAh batteries and support 45W fast charging, which can refill around 60% in 30 minutes. In real-world usage, the S10 Plus lasts slightly longer due to its more efficient chipset and adaptive refresh rate. Users report up to 14 hours of mixed use (web, video, notes), while the S9 FE Plus averages closer to 11–12 hours, especially when brightness is high.

Charging speed is identical, but the S10 Plus includes advanced power management features in DeX mode and better background app optimization. For travelers or remote workers relying on all-day battery, this edge adds up.

Software, Updates, and Ecosystem

Samsung promises seven years of OS and security updates for both devices—a rare commitment in the Android world. This means both tablets will receive upgrades through 2030, ensuring longevity and security. However, the S10 Plus benefits from being part of the flagship line, often receiving minor feature rollouts and beta access before FE models.

One area where the S10 Plus pulls ahead is multitasking. With enhanced DeX capabilities, resizable windows, and superior split-screen stability, it functions more like a laptop replacement. The S9 FE Plus supports DeX, but with fewer customization options and occasional lag when managing three or more apps.

Tip: Enable \"Adaptive Touch\" on the S10 Plus to reduce motion blur during fast scrolling—it enhances the 120Hz advantage significantly.

Mini Case Study: Student Use Case

Maya, a university medical student, used her Tab S10 Plus daily for annotating PDFs, watching lectures, and organizing study schedules. She upgraded from an older S7 and found the 120Hz display and low-latency S Pen essential for taking quick, legible notes during fast-paced classes. When she lent her tablet to a friend using an S9 FE Plus, she noticed how much slower the stylus response felt and how tiring it was to read dense text on the non-AMOLED screen over long periods. Though the FE model was cheaper, Maya concluded that for academic use, the S10 Plus justified its higher price through comfort and efficiency.

Is the S9 FE Plus Worth the Upgrade?

If you’re coming from a tablet older than the S7 series, the S9 FE Plus offers a meaningful leap in size, battery, and S Pen integration. It’s also $200–$300 cheaper than the S10 Plus, making it attractive for budget-focused buyers. However, if you already own an S8 or S9 series device—or are currently using the S10 Plus—the upgrade brings minimal gains.

The S9 FE Plus doesn’t introduce new features; it reuses last year’s design and hardware in a more affordable package. Meanwhile, the S10 Plus delivers tangible improvements: faster performance, superior display, better build quality, and IP68 protection. For professionals, creatives, or heavy multitaskers, the S10 Plus remains the king.

Checklist: Should You Upgrade?

• ✅ Are you on a tight budget? → S9 FE Plus may suffice.
• ✅ Do you need water resistance? → Choose S10 Plus.
• ✅ Will you use the tablet for art or design? → Go for S10 Plus’s AMOLED and lower latency.
• ✅ Is 120Hz smoothness important? → S10 Plus wins clearly.
• ✅ Do you rely on DeX for productivity? → S10 Plus offers a more desktop-like experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S9 FE Plus run the same apps as the S10 Plus?

Yes, both tablets support the full Google Play Store and Samsung’s ecosystem apps. However, performance-heavy applications like Lightroom, Procreate, or Blender may run slower or with reduced settings on the S9 FE Plus due to its weaker processor.

Does the S Pen come included with both models?

Yes, both the S9 FE Plus and S10 Plus include the S Pen in the box, magnetically attached to the back of the device. No additional purchase is needed.

Is the price difference justified?

It depends on your needs. The $250–$300 savings with the S9 FE Plus is significant, but you sacrifice display quality, processing power, and durability. For casual users, it’s a fair trade-off. For power users, the S10 Plus offers better long-term value despite the higher upfront cost.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus isn’t just better—it’s built for users who treat their tablet as a primary work device. Its combination of top-tier hardware, durable design, and future-proof software support makes it the current king of Samsung’s tablet lineup.

The S9 FE Plus, while newer, is not a generational leap. It’s best suited for those entering the premium tablet space for the first time or needing a reliable secondary device without breaking the bank. It’s a capable machine, but it doesn’t dethrone the S10 Plus.

In short: if you want the best, stick with the S10 Plus. If you want value with solid core features, the S9 FE Plus is a reasonable alternative—but don’t expect a revolution.

🚀 Ready to make your move? Assess your daily usage, prioritize must-have features, and choose the tablet that aligns with your lifestyle—not just the release date. Share your thoughts below: are you team S9 FE Plus or S10 Plus?