Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review: The Best Student Tablet for Multitasking?

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review: The Best Student Tablet for Multitasking?

By The Tech Guru

Let’s be honest: most budget Android tablets are just big phones. They run the same stretched-out apps, they lag when you try to do two things at once, and the software feels like an afterthought.

But the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is trying to be something different. It’s trying to be a mini-laptop for under ₹20,000.

With features like Samsung DeX (a desktop-like interface) and advanced split-screen multitasking, this tablet promises to be the ultimate productivity tool for students who need to get serious work done without carrying a heavy laptop everywhere. But does the humble Snapdragon 695 processor have enough power to handle all that? Or does it choke under pressure?

I put the Galaxy Tab A9+ through a week of intense student life—assignments, Zoom calls, and Netflix marathons—to find out.

Display & Speakers (Great for Netflix?)

The first thing you'll notice is the 11-inch WUXGA (1920x1200) LCD display.

• The Good: It’s sharp, bright enough for indoor use, and features a 90Hz refresh rate. This makes scrolling through long PDFs or lecture notes feel much smoother than on older 60Hz tablets.

• The "Okay": It’s an LCD panel, not AMOLED. You won't get those pitch-black deep contrasts like on your phone, but for the price, the colors are accurate and vibrant.

The Audio: This is a highlight. The Tab A9+ comes with Quad Speakers with Dolby Atmos. They are loud, clear, and have a decent amount of depth. You can easily watch a movie in your hostel room without needing headphones.

Performance & Multitasking (The DeX Advantage)

This is the reason you buy this tablet. While other tablets in this price range struggle to run two apps, the Tab A9+ is built for it.

• Samsung DeX: This feature transforms the tablet interface into a Windows-like desktop environment. You get a taskbar at the bottom, windowed apps, and a mouse cursor support. Pair this with a cheap Bluetooth keyboard and mouse, and you have a legitimate mini-laptop for typing assignments.

• Split-Screen: Even without DeX, Samsung’s One UI is the king of multitasking. You can run three apps simultaneously. I tested this by having a YouTube lecture open on the top half, my notes app on the bottom left, and a Chrome tab on the bottom right. It worked seamlessly.

The Snapdragon 695 processor isn't a gaming beast (don't expect to play Genshin Impact on high settings), but for productivity tasks, switching between apps, and keeping multiple tabs open, it holds its own.

Software Experience (One UI vs. Others)

Hardware is only half the story. The real reason Samsung tablets last longer than their competitors is the software.

The Tab A9+ runs on One UI, which is widely considered the most polished, stable, and feature-rich Android skin for tablets.

• No Bloatware: Unlike some competitors (looking at you, Realme and Xiaomi), the software feels cleaner and more professional.

• Ecosystem: If you have a Samsung phone or Galaxy Buds, the integration is magical. You can copy text on your phone and paste it on your tablet, or auto-switch your earbuds between devices.

• Updates: Samsung is the best in the business for long-term updates, meaning this tablet won't feel obsolete in two years.

Battery Life (The Weakest Link?)

The tablet packs a 7040mAh battery.

• Endurance: In my testing, it easily lasted a full day of mixed use (about 7-8 hours of screen-on time with video and browsing).

• Charging: This is the only major downside. It supports only 15W charging. In a world of 67W and 120W chargers, 15W feels ancient. It takes nearly 3 hours to charge from 0% to 100%. You definitely need to remember to charge this overnight.

Pros & Cons List

• Pros:

  • Samsung DeX is a game-changer for student productivity.

  • 90Hz Display is smooth and responsive for reading.

  • Quad Speakers are loud and great for entertainment.

  • Excellent Multitasking (run 3 apps at once).

  • Premium Build Quality feels sturdy and reliable.

• Cons:

  • Painfully Slow Charging (15W).

  • No S-Pen stylus support (you have to use a capacitive universal stylus).

  • Not meant for heavy gaming.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy It?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is not the fastest tablet in this segment (Realme Pad 2 is faster). It doesn't have the best display (OnePlus Pad Go wins there).

But it is the smartest tablet.

You SHOULD BUY the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if:

• You need a productivity machine for typing assignments, researching, and attending online classes.

• You value software stability and multitasking features like DeX.

• You want a reliable device that will last you through your entire degree.

You should probably AVOID this if:

• You are a heavy gamer (look at the Realme Pad 2).

• You are impatient with charging speeds.

For the serious student who wants to get work done, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is the undisputed productivity champion of the budget world.

Not sure if this is right for you? Compare it against its biggest rival in our [Samsung A9+ vs Realme Pad 2 Showdown].

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