Samsung's FE (Fan Edition) line aims to deliver a premium experience at a more accessible price. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE and S9 FE+ represent the latest iterations, but cater to slightly different needs. The S10 FE prioritizes longevity with its impressive battery cycle rating, while the S9 FE+ focuses on a more modern chipset and potentially improved performance. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right tablet for your workflow.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term battery health and a slightly more affordable price, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is the better choice. Its 96:32h endurance and 2000 charge cycles offer peace of mind. However, users demanding more processing power for demanding tasks will find the S9 FE+ a more compelling option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 02 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 03 | Available. Released 2023, October 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.24 in) | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm (11.24 x 7.30 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 497 g or 500 g (1.10 lb) | 627 g or 628 g (1.38 lb) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1440 x 2304 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 1580 (4 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Xclipse 540 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 15, One UI 7 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 8 MP, (wide)
8 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Features | Best Face | - |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, (ultrawide) | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, QC2.0 | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 8000 mAh | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver, Gray, Blue | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | SM-X520, SM-X526, SM-X526B | SM-X610, SM-X616B |
| Price | $ 359.99 | About 770 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.92 W/kg (body) | 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 96:32h endurance, 2000 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class F | - |
| Free fall | Class E (0 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class C | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
- Exceptional battery longevity with 2000 charge cycles
- Excellent battery endurance (96:32h)
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Older Exynos 1580 chipset
- Less powerful CPU for demanding tasks
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- More modern and efficient Exynos 1380 chipset
- Faster CPU performance with Cortex-A78 cores
- Improved multitasking and gaming capabilities
- Likely shorter battery lifespan compared to S10 FE
- Potentially higher price
Display Comparison
While both tablets likely feature LCD panels (data not provided), the core difference lies beneath the surface. The S10 FE’s display is likely tuned for color accuracy, catering to content creators, while the S9 FE+ may prioritize refresh rate for smoother scrolling and gaming. The absence of LTPO technology in either model suggests a standard refresh rate, impacting power consumption. Bezels are expected to be similar, given the FE positioning, but real-world testing would be needed to confirm.
Camera Comparison
Given the FE positioning, camera performance isn't a primary focus. Both tablets likely feature similar camera setups, with the S9 FE+ potentially benefiting from improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities within the Exynos 1380. Any differences in image quality will likely be subtle. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The Exynos 1380 in the S9 FE+ (5nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Exynos 1580 (4nm) in the S10 FE. The S9 FE+ utilizes Cortex-A78 cores, known for their performance efficiency, compared to the Cortex-A720 cores in the S10 FE. While the S10 FE has more cores (Octa-core vs Octa-core), the A78 cores in the S9 FE+ are more powerful individually. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the S9 FE+. The 5nm process node further enhances efficiency, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE boasts a remarkable 96:32h endurance rating and a 2000-cycle battery lifespan, a standout feature. While the S9 FE+’s battery capacity is not specified, the more efficient Exynos 1380 (5nm) could partially offset the S10 FE’s advantage. Both tablets support 45W wired charging with QC2.0, suggesting similar 0-100% charging times. However, the S10 FE’s longevity is a major selling point for users who prioritize long-term usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE if you need a reliable tablet for everyday tasks, note-taking, and media consumption, and value long-term battery health above all else. Its 2000 charge cycle rating is a significant advantage for users who plan to keep their tablet for years. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ if you prioritize performance for gaming, multitasking, or creative applications, and are willing to trade some battery longevity for a more modern chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1380 in the S9 FE+ overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1380 is a capable chipset, sustained gaming can generate heat. The 5nm process node helps mitigate throttling, but performance may decrease slightly after extended play. The tablet's thermal design will play a crucial role in managing heat dissipation.
❓ Is the 2000 charge cycle rating of the S10 FE a realistic expectation for battery lifespan?
Samsung's 2000 charge cycle rating is a significant indicator of long-term battery health. However, actual lifespan will depend on usage patterns and charging habits. Maintaining optimal charging practices (avoiding extreme temperatures and overcharging) will maximize battery longevity.
❓ Will the S9 FE+ handle demanding applications like video editing or 3D rendering efficiently?
The S9 FE+’s Exynos 1380 and Cortex-A78 cores provide a noticeable performance boost over the S10 FE, making it better suited for demanding applications. However, it's not a replacement for a dedicated workstation; expect some limitations with complex projects.
