New challenger
The OnePlus Pad 2 is a strong 12.1-inch Android pill with the newest Snapdragon chip, OnePlus’ patented quick charging and powerful battery life, and a fast-refreshing show providing loads of area for multitasking. It is lacking a variety of helpful intangibles, however highly effective {hardware} at this worth level is a uncommon factor.
For
Prices lower than half as muchHigher decision and refresh rateFaster SUPERVOOC charging with brick includedNewer Snapdragon CPUOpen Canvas multitaskingFour years of software program help
In opposition to
LCD as an alternative of AMOLEDNo haptics, microSD slot, fingerprint scanner, or water resistanceOnly one boring colorStylus offered separatelyLow-res selfie digicam
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely
Flagging flagship
Whereas the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely had no main competitors when it launched final yr, its {hardware} is trying just a little outdated in comparison with the Pad 2, particularly since Samsung nonetheless fees an arm and a leg for one. That is nonetheless the pill to purchase if you’d like essentially the most display area potential for work, gaming, or streaming, nevertheless it’s extreme for most individuals.
For
Large AMOLED displayWater resistance and Gorilla Glass protectionS Pen, fingerprint sensor, and microSD slotBetter selfie cameraFour years of software program help left
In opposition to
Extraordinarily costly pill and keyboardToo heavy to carry comfortablyOlder CPU & slower chargingNo Wi-Fi 7
Why examine the OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely when the latter prices a lot extra? As a result of the Pad 2 beats Samsung’s flagship Android pill in a number of shocking methods, and you will have to determine whether or not this mid-range machine is a greater possibility.
The OnePlus Pad 2, rebranded from the OnePlus Pad Professional launched in China earlier this yr, is a step up on 2023’s OnePlus Pad, which had robust {hardware} however some software program downsides that delay our reviewer. The Pad 2 improves on its predecessor’s {hardware} in key methods, whereas bringing in instruments from its new foldable telephones for higher multitasking software program than earlier than.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely numbers among the many greatest Android tablets accessible in the present day, particularly for those who’re extra all for productiveness than portability. However our Senior Editor for Tablets has moved the OnePlus Pad 2 above the Extremely in our rankings, given how costly the Extremely is. It will be as much as you to determine whether or not it is price spending extra for perks like DeX Mode and richer AMOLED colours.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely: Design
The OnePlus Pad 2 weighs 146g or 5.2oz lower than the Extremely; it truly weighs the identical because the Galaxy Tab S9 Plus, although it is 1mm thicker. Product of matte aluminum, the Nimbus Grey Pad 2 may be very plain trying in comparison with the Halo Inexperienced, brushed-metal end of the primary Pad. Apart from the OnePlus brand, not a lot stands out at first look.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely principally stands out due to its large dimension. You want a Tab S9 or S9+ for one thing extra transportable, whereas that is primarily designed to take a seat on a desk so you possibly can faucet on the show with an S Pen or use the costly Ebook Cowl Keyboard. The again has Samsung’s trademark strains etched alongside the sting, giving it a little bit of character, however in any other case it is one other matte aluminum slab; the principle distinction is that Samsung sells it in two colours, Graphite or Beige.
Samsung gave its Tab S9 Extremely IP68 mud and water resistance, so it will probably face up to any potential spills at house or on the go. The Pad 2 would not offer you that peace of thoughts.
Each are designed with panorama mode in thoughts: the Tab S9 Extremely has a small centered notch for the twin 12MP selfie cams, whereas the Pad 2 has a small cut-out within the bezel for its 8MP cam. Each align their speaker grilles on the shorter edges so sound is not reduce off sitting on a desk or lap. And each have wealthy stereo sound, although OnePlus added two further audio system for some further oomph.
Each tablets help their proprietary styluses — the Samsung S Pen or the OnePlus Stylo 2 — every with lower than 3ms of latency for responsive drawing. OnePlus guarantees 16,000 ranges of strain sensitivity in comparison with Samsung’s 4,096, however you need to pay individually for the Stylo 2.Â
Additionally, this artist’s evaluation of the OnePlus Pad 2 describes points with detecting strain modifications and drawing diagonal strains; he known as Samsung’s S Pen extra dependable. We’re nonetheless testing the Pad 2 ourselves, however we’re inclined to belief his experience.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely: Show
Samsung’s 14.6-inch Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely provides you essentially the most display actual property of any pill. Its AMOLED panel will get “greater than vibrant sufficient” because of the boosted nits over the Galaxy Tab S8 Extremely and gives deeper blacks and richer colours than an LCD can provide. It additionally hits a easy 120Hz refresh charge and helps the S Pen for stylus controls.
The OnePlus Pad 2 solely delivers a 12.1-inch LCD show, serving to it hit a cheaper price level and making it simpler to carry for streaming. If you happen to can settle for the muted colours, the Pad 2 show has a dynamic 144Hz refresh charge that switches to slower speeds relying on the appliance to save lots of battery. Sadly, OnePlus controls which apps help the very best Hz, with most defaulting to both 120Hz or 60Hz.
It additionally has a richer decision, beating Samsung’s by 64 pixels per inch (PPI). Smaller tablets normally have greater PPIs, however even the comparably-sized Tab S9+ is 38 PPI quick. And whereas its peak brightness for out of doors use is 30 nits quick, its customary indoor brightness wins handily.
Of the 2 tablets, solely Samsung’s show has an in-display fingerprint sensor, whereas OnePlus depends on facial recognition or a normal passcode. Solely Samsung gave its Tab show a Gorilla Glass 5 protecting layer. And regardless that Samsung’s show notch is polarizing, it is solely noticeable as a result of the remainder of the bezel is so skinny, whereas the Pad 2 bezel has a extra industry-standard thickness.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely: {Hardware}
OnePlus sells two variations of its Pad 2, however solely the higher-end 12GB/256GB variant is on the market in america. That matches the default Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely possibility, and its 16GB/1TB improve seems to be out of inventory in the present day. Nonetheless, you possibly can pay $120 further to leap to 512GB of storage, and also you even have a 1TB-capable microSD card slot, whereas OnePlus cannot go greater than 256GB.
Whereas the OnePlus Pad 1 had a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 that our reviewer complained was susceptible to laggy shopping, the Pad 2 makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which has rather more highly effective benchmarks, fixing the problem. For comparability, the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely makes use of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy.
Each of those are flagship CPUs, with the Gen 3 profitable by a small margin. If you happen to’re involved about the absolute best efficiency, you possibly can test Pocket book Verify’s Gen 2 for Galaxy vs. Gen 3 benchmarks: they present a noticeable hole for 3DMark and Geekbench multi-core however comparable Geekbench single-core, which suggests you may primarily see a distinction for demanding duties like gaming.Â
OnePlus did not improve its cameras from the final model; our reviewer known as the 8MP selfie cam “satisfactory” however not particularly good, and joked that you simply “should not be taking images with this factor in any respect” as a result of the 13MP rear digicam sensor is nothing particular.
Samsung gave the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely twin 13MP and 8MP UW rear cameras, so your decision for images goes to be comparable for those who hassle with it — besides you possibly can take wider, lower-resolution images if you’d like. What’s rather more necessary is the twin 12MP selfie cams, offering high-quality decision and element for video conferencing.
As for battery life, the Tab S9 Extremely’s further capability in comparison with the Pad 2 is offset by the bigger show. In apply, these are each long-lived tablets that ought to final you about 10 hours of video streaming earlier than it is advisable to cost them.Â
The important thing distinction is that OnePlus gives a speedier 67W charging customary than Samsung’s 45W, so you possibly can refill it in about 90 minutes as an alternative of two hours. Plus, OnePlus truly consists of an 80W energy adapter within the field, whereas Samsung makes you purchase one for your self.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely: Software program
Samsung guarantees its normal 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of safety updates for the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely, whereas OnePlus guarantees three OS updates and 4 years of safety updates. Since Samsung launched the Tab S9 collection in August 2023, which means each tablets have the identical quantity of help time left.
Samsung’s pill is greatest identified for its DeX mode. You join a Bluetooth mouse or keyboard with trackpad to the Extremely, then use it as a makeshift laptop computer for Chromebook-style productiveness. Our Tablets editor loves the newest model of DeX launched with One UI 6 and feels it ought to be the default for Samsung tablets. That mentioned, you possibly can nonetheless multitask in customary Android mode, splitting apps throughout the display.
Our authentic OnePlus Pad reviewer had beef with the software program expertise, however OnePlus took its expertise with the OnePlus Open foldable to enhance multitasking on the Pad 2. It has a brand new Open Canvas software program format that allows you to float a number of apps throughout the Pad 2 area in a pure and handy means, making it interesting for energy customers.
OnePlus Pad 2 vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely: Which must you purchase?
We have heard rumors concerning the Galaxy Tab S10+ and S10 Extremely allegedly arriving this fall, and so they cannot come quickly sufficient. This Pad 2 vs. Tab S9 Extremely comparability exhibits that Samsung has misplaced a step on the competitors a bit. OnePlus has its Android rival beat for efficiency, refresh charge, decision, charging velocity, variety of audio system, and different areas whereas charging considerably much less.
Samsung does higher at sure intangibles: It bundles the S Pen, consists of robust haptics (the Pad 2 has none) and a fingerprint sensor, water resistance, and richer show colours. The Extremely remains to be a quick and visually beautiful machine, and it provides you extra display area to work or play.
However contemplating the large worth hole between the $550 OnePlus Pad 2 and $1,200 Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely, the return on funding arguably is not sufficient to justify spending that rather more, until you are really going to make use of your pill as a laptop computer alternative.
New challenger
Select the OnePlus Pad 2 for the newest and biggest in efficiency, refresh charge, charging velocity, and multitasking software program. Skip the Pad 2 for those who’d favor an AMOLED show or want extra show area for work.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely
Flagging flagship
Select the Galaxy Tab S9 Extremely for those who want a 2-in-1 pill and productiveness machine and also you’re keen to spend extra for it and the Ebook Cowl Keyboard. Skip the Tab S9 Extremely if you’d like a extra transportable streaming expertise, or anticipate the S10 Extremely for efficiency on par with the OnePlus Pad 2.