The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra might have a useful feature the iPad Pro lacks

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
A Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra (Image credit: Future)

Just a couple of days on from an extensive Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus leak, we’re now hearing about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, with a specs leak that reveals many of the key details.

This comes from @UniverseIce, who has a fairly good track record, and claims that – among other things – the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has an IP68 certification. That’s the same certification as most high-end phones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 13, have, and it means the tablet would have significant water and dust resistance.

Splash out on a high-end phone and this is an expected feature, but on tablets it’s rare unless you’re looking at models that are specifically designed to be rugged. None of the slates in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series have proper water resistance, and nor do any iPads.

So if @UniverseIce is right, that could give the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra a selling point that rivals lack. It might sound like a small thing unless you’re keen to use your tablet in the bath, but water resistance can be reassuring, and can protect your very expensive purchase from accidental spills and splashes.

More power and more of the same

That’s not the only spec @UniverseIce has shared, although the other details are less exciting. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will apparently have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset, which is the same as you’ll find in the Samsung Galaxy S23 series. So this isn’t surprising, but it should give the tablet a substantial power boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-packing Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

The rest of the listed specs are largely the same as those of the Tab S8 Ultra, including a 14.6-inch 1848 x 2960 screen, an 11,200mAh battery with 45W charging, and identical dimensions of 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm. There’s also 16GB of RAM mentioned, which again is the same as the current model, though that tablet also comes in versions with less RAM. It’s not clear if the same will be true here.

The only other rumored difference, other than the chipset and IP rating, is the weight, with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra said to be marginally heavier than the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra at 737g versus 726g. That shouldn’t make much difference, but when you consider that the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) only weighs 682g, any increase in weight is undesirable, as these Ultra slates are among the heaviest tablets around.

Of course, none of this is confirmed yet, so take it all with a pinch of salt. It might be confirmed soon though, as it’s already been over a year since the Galaxy Tab S8 line landed, so there’s a high chance the Tab S9 series will launch soon. And if these specs do prove to be accurate, the Tab S9 Ultra could very well rank among the best tablets you can buy.

TOPICS

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.

Read more
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus
Leaked Galaxy Tab S10 FE specs and unofficial renders hint at how Samsung will take on the iPad again
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus on a desk showing the rear of the device from above
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE could be a powerful iPad Air rival, based on the latest specs rumors
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra on cyan background with price cut sign
Skip the Tab S10 – the excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra drops to its lowest price
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra could have even smaller bezels - and that could mean an even bigger display
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leaks hint at key upgrades for the display and storage
An image of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra from a hands-on event
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specs: all the key specs for the top S25 model
Latest in Tablets
Amazon Kindle Colorsoft in black on blue background with don't miss sign
The brand-new Kindle Colorsoft drops to its lowest-ever price in the Amazon Spring Sale
Google Pixel Tablet in hazel on green background with don't miss sign
The Google Pixel Tablet just dropped back to its lowest-ever Black Friday price
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro on a bronze table
I tested the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and it's the closest Android fans can get to an iPad Pro alternative
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus on a desk showing the rear of the device from above
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE could be a powerful iPad Air rival, based on the latest specs rumors
Hello from the XPPen Magic Note Pad
The XPPen Magic Note Pad is the drawing tablet-maker's first digital writing tablet and after just two weeks, I can't do without it
MacBook Air M4
Apple's rumored foldable iPad tipped to launch sooner than expected with an exciting software twist
Latest in News
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin Rennovations
Disney’s giving a classic Buzz Lightyear ride a tech overhaul – here's everything you need to know
Hisense U8 series TV on wall in living room
Hisense announces 2025 mini-LED TV lineup, with screen sizes up to 100 inches – and a surprising smart TV switch
Nintendo Music teaser art
Nintendo Music expands its library with songs from Kirby and the Forgotten Land and Tetris
Opera AI Tabs
Opera's new AI feature brings order to your browser tab chaos
An image of Pro-Ject's Flatten it closed and opened
Pro-Ject’s new vinyl flattener will fix any warped LPs you inadvertently buy on Record Store Day
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead