The best Samsung tablets for 2025, fully tested by an expert. Is one of these the iPad-slayer?

Telegraph

28-02-2025

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When people think of the best tablets, there's a good chance Apple's iPad will immediately spring to mind. However, there are a number of excellent Android tablets available as well, with the iPad's biggest competition coming in the form of Samsung's Galaxy Tabs.
Samsung's tablet range is extensive with multiple models spanning a range of sizes, power capabilities and budgets. Like Apple's iPad, all Samsung tablets have premium aluminium builds, capable hardware and easy-to-use software – making them perfect for multitasking. However, there are differences between the models and their features.
With that in mind, I have rounded up the best Samsung tablets, taking into account what each model offers and how much they cost, to help you figure out which of these Android slabs might be the right one for you. You can read my full reviews below, followed by a selection of answers to frequently asked questions. However, if you're in a rush, here's a quick look at my top five Galaxy Tab recommendations.
Which are the best Samsung tablets? At a glance
What's the difference between the Galaxy Tab S10, S9 and A9?
The Galaxy Tab S10 series is the latest of Samsung's premium tablet offering, succeeding the Galaxy Tab S9. The Galaxy Tab A9, meanwhile, sits slightly below this in the mid-range section of the tablet market.
All three ranges offer AI features, but the Galaxy Tab S10 and Galaxy Tab S9 have higher resolution AMOLED displays over the Tab A9's LCD screen, along with more RAM, higher storage capacities, more powerful processors and bigger batteries.
They also have a dual camera setup compared to the Tab A9's single rear sensor and while all three ranges support the Samsung S Pen, the Tab S10 and Tab S9 both offer more functionality.
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How I tested the best Samsung tablets
I've been reviewing consumer technology for over 12 years, covering everything from the best smartphones to the best smartwatches. I've also written my fair share of Samsung tablet reviews over those years. I was at the launch of the Galaxy Tab S2 back in 2015 and I've seen every Galaxy Tab launch since. I therefore know what the differences are between each model, including what you get at the premium end of the Galaxy Tab offering compared to the mid-range.
For this best Samsung tablets guide, I tested all the Samsung tablets for several weeks at a time, some for several months. I watched movies on the move, played games, wrote notes, browsed the web and worked on them (from emails to image editing). I also tested the cameras on each tablet – though I would always advise against using a tablet for photography where possible. If you want the best images, consider using a smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra instead.
Best Samsung tablets
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus
From £999, Amazon
Best overall, 10/10
We like: stunning display, plenty of power and premium build quality
We don't like: expensive and some AI features don't add anything
CPU: Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, Android with One UI
Screen: 12.4-inch, OLED, 120Hz, 2,800 x 1,752 resolution
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, plus microSD expansion
Camera: 13MP + 8MP rear, 12MP + 12MP front
Battery: 10,090mAh
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus sits just below the Tab S10 Ultra in Samsung's latest tablet offering, but for many, it will be the better choice. It's more manageable in terms of size, while still delivering a stunning AMOLED display with rich and vibrant colours, plenty of contrast and a large enough screen to make gaming, working or watching a pleasurable experience, without being over the top.
The slim and lightweight aluminium chassis feels premium, which is something you'd more than expect at this price range and I love that Samsung offers waterproofing in this model along with the rest of its higher-end tablets. As you'll learn reading through this guide, the S Pen is included with many of Samsung's tablets and while the charging position is a little awkward, attaching magnetically at the back, it's a brilliant stylus that makes note-taking, drawing or scrolling feel great.
Performance is excellent from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, too. It was more than capable of running any app I threw at it during testing, and running them well, while Samsung's handling of using multiple apps simultaneously is second to none. There's more fluidity than you get with iPadOS for example, while Samsung's DeX can help quickly transform your tablet into a desktop-like experience.
If you're planning on using the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus for work as well as play, consider buying the accompanying keyboard, which you might find in a bundle deal. As a standalone tablet, however, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is superb. It offers a great design, stunning display, slick performance, and a user-friendly experience with a couple of AI features mixed in for some added fun and the occasional helping hand. It's not cheap, but this tablet is worth it in terms of what it delivers.
CPU: Exynos 1380, Android with One UI
Screen: 10.9in, LCD, 90Hz, 2,304 x 1,440 resolution
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, plus microSD expansion
Camera: 8MP rear, 12MP front
Battery: 8,000mAh
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, or 'Fan Edition', is a solid all-rounder when it comes to Samsung's tablet offering. It isn't the speediest in terms of performance and it doesn't have the brightest or sharpest display but there's still plenty going for it and its reasonable price compared to the rest of the portfolio makes it a great value option.
There's a premium metal build that's also IP68 water and dust-resistant, which is something you won't find on rival devices including the best iPads. A fingerprint sensor is built into the power button for convenience and the Tab S9 FE also comes with an S Pen stylus in the box, making this mid-range tablet an ideal solution for note-taking.
Its decent battery size will easily see you through a day and then some, while Samsung's One UI software provides a fluid experience that's great for multi-tasking. If you want to use this tablet for gaming, or you're looking for the best media experience, Samsung offers better options. However, if you want a good value tablet with a colourful screen, decent sound and a solid build, then the Samsung Galaxy S9 FE is a worthy option to consider.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
From £1,999, Amazon
Best for an upgrade, 9/10
We like: huge screen and great performance
We don't like: perhaps a little big for some and it's pricey
The Samsung Galaxy S10 Ultra sits at the top of the company's tablet portfolio and it's a beauty. The huge 14.6-inch display might be overkill for some, but if you're looking for a tablet with a big screen, there really is nothing on the market quite like this one. The anti-reflective coating isn't as impressive as the iPad Pro (M4)'s nano-texture glass option, but it's still beneficial when using this tablet outside. The AMOLED panel is wonderfully bright, vibrant and rich in contrast, making everything look glorious, from watching movies and gaming to spreadsheet wrangling.
There's a very slim aluminium body, which like other options in Samsung's tablet range is waterproof, and an S Pen stylus is also included, offering a wonderful experience whether you're taking notes or dabbling in some drawing. An under-display fingerprint sensor allows for simple unlocking and authentication, though there is facial recognition, too, while the overall performance here is slick and smooth.
There's no getting away from how expensive this tablet is, nor how large its display is, but if you're looking for a tablet that offers a superb experience overall with great performance, a stunning display and a great software experience, the Tab S10 Ultra is hard to beat.
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9
From £143.31, Amazon
Best budget, 8/10
We like: compact design and affordable price
We don't like: cameras aren't great and it charges slowly
CPU: Mediatek Helio G99, Android with One UI
Screen: 8.7in, LCD, 60Hz, 1,340 x 800 resolution
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, plus microSD expansion
Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front
Battery: 5,100mAh
For its price, the Samsung Galaxy A9 is impressive. There's a much better build quality here than you would expect, standing up against the likes of the Apple iPad mini, and it's small and compact, resulting in a device that's easy to use one-handed or perfect for the little humans at home. It also has a 3.5mm headphone jack allowing it to be used easily with wired headphones.
The performance isn't as swift as some of the other options within Samsung's tablet lineup in that there is some lag when launching heavier-duty tasks, but for casual browsing or watching content, the Galaxy Tab A9 is more than capable. The screen is bright, the software is familiar to any regular Samsung user and easy to navigate for newcomers, and the battery holds its own despite being only slightly bigger than some of the best smartphones out there.
The cameras are far from the best Samsung has to offer and charging is slow, but if you're looking for a budget Android tablet that offers a lot more than what its starting price would suggest, then the Galaxy Tab A9 is a great option.
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695, Android with One UI
Screen: 11in, LCD, 90Hz, 1,920 x 1,200 resolution
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, plus microSD expansion
Camera: 8MP rear, 2MP front
Battery: 7,040mAh
You would be forgiven for thinking the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus was just a bigger version of the Galaxy Tab A9 I mentioned above, but that 'plus' stands for more than just size. Yes, there is a larger 11-inch display, which is better for watching content, playing games and browsing, but the display also has a 90Hz refresh rate, resulting in smoother scrolling and a generally more impressive viewing experience.
There's better performance, too, with multi-tasking feeling a little more fluid than the smaller model. Heavier-duty tasks, like switching between apps, are managed more efficiently, too. However, it doesn't excel in the battery life department, with many Android tablets outperforming it. There's slow charging like the Tab A9 and the cameras aren't brilliant, either.
For what the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus lacks in battery life and camera capabilities, it makes up for it with a premium design that punches above its weight, a decent display, good sound and solid performance for a very reasonable price.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra 5G
£1,349, Samsung
Best for entertainment, 9/10
We like: huge display and 5G connectivity
We don't like: very high price
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus, Android with One UI
Screen: 14.6in, OLED, 120Hz, 2,960 x 1,848 resolution
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, plus microSD expansion
Camera: 13MP + 8MP rear, 12MP + 12MP front
Battery: 11,200mAh
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra 5G offers all the same attributes as the Wi-Fi model I mentioned a little further up this recommended list but adds the advantage of keeping you connected when you're on the go, even if you're out of Wi-Fi range.
The 5G connectivity won't help if you're on a plane, of course, but if you enjoy working on the move, catching up on your favourite TV series on your commute home, or find your home Wi-Fi a little flakey, upgrading to the cellular model of the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra will serve you well.
The same considerations apply in that the 14.6-inch display, while absolutely stunning, is exceptionally large, and the 5G model is even more expensive than the Wi-Fi version – considerably so. But, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra 5G delivers superb performance, a number of neat AI tricks that can aid productivity, a great software experience and a slim and waterproof design that can handle rain or shine. It's everything the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is, but better connected for entertainment and working on the move.
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus
£999.99, Amazon
Best for students, 8/10
We like: premium design, superb screen and great speakers
We don't like: still expensive
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus may have been succeeded by the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, which I consider to be the best buy of Samsung's tablet portfolio overall, but that's not to say the Tab S9 Plus doesn't still have something to offer. It remains very expensive – you can get the Tab S10 Ultra for the same price at the time of writing – but this is still one of the best Android tablets around, and it can handle itself against some of the best student laptops, too, with great multitasking options and all the performance to handle that.
Elsewhere, it has a premium build that is both devilishly slim and waterproof and it comes with an S Pen in the box – something I am all in favour of when you're spending this kind of money. The 12.4-inch display is superb, with a dazzling AMOLED panel that offers excellent contrast, good colour accuracy and great brightness.
Some professional apps run better on Apple's iPad Pro than the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, but file management is better on Samsung and general performance, whether gaming, working or browsing, is top-notch. As a productivity tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus is excellent, it's just a shame it hasn't come down in price.
FAQs
What is the best Samsung tablet for students?
The best Samsung tablet for students is the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus if you can find it at a decent price, offering plenty of power and a big display for multitasking, while being very similar in design to the latest Tab S10 Plus. If its price is too high, consider the Tab S9 Plus FE, or the Tab A9 Plus for a budget alternative.
What is the best budget Samsung tablet?
The best budget Samsung tablet is the Galaxy Tab A9. It costs just over £100 and offers a compact size, similar to the likes of Apple's iPad mini, but at much less of a cost. If you want a slightly larger tablet but still at an affordable price, the Galaxy Tab A9 Plus is also worth considering.
Can Samsung tablets replace a laptop?
Yes, to some extent a Samsung tablet can replace a laptop. Some of the higher-end models have more than enough power, superb displays and accessories like the S Pen and keyboards which allow them to be great productivity devices, as well as entertainment tablets. Samsung's tablets also have Samsung DeX, which allows them to be connected to an external display and used like a desktop computer.
Which Samsung tablet is best for gaming and media streaming?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is the best Samsung tablet for gaming and media. You could also consider the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, but the Tab S10 Plus is easier to manage as it isn't as large and it still offers a fantastic display and excellent performance.