Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Tab S9 FE Plus preliminary comparison: Bigger and faster

Intro
Now that we have official specs, we can confirm that the S10 FE Plus brings several meaningful upgrades: a larger display, a higher-resolution rear camera, and a more powerful chip under the hood. It’s also the first in the FE line to come with Samsung’s AI features built-in, including Circle to Search, Object Eraser, and more.
The new model does come with a price bump — starting at $649 — up from the S9 FE Plus’s $599 launch price. That raises the question: are the upgrades worth it?
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus differences explained:
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus | Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus |
---|---|
300.6 x 194.7 x 6.0 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
668 g | 628 g |
13.1-inch screen | 12.4-inch screen |
90Hz screen refresh rate | 90Hz screen refresh rate |
Single 13 MP camera 12 MP selfie |
8 MP main 8 MP ultra-wide 12 MP selfie |
Much faster Exynos 1580 chip | Exynos 1380 |
Comes with S Pen | Comes with S Pen |
10,090 mAh battery | 10,090 mAh battery |
45W wired charging | 45W wired charging |
$649.99 | $599.99 |
7 years of software updates | 4 years of software updates |
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Design and Display
Being better at being “Plus”
Samsung has expanded the canvas with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus — literally. The new model is taller and wider than its predecessor, while actually shaving off a bit of thickness.
Brightness has been boosted too, with the S10 FE Plus capable of reaching 800 nits in High Brightness Mode, and Vision Booster tech kicks in to improve outdoor visibility. It’s still an LCD panel, but now better equipped for everyday use in a variety of environments.
The new model retains IP68 certification, just like its predecessor, meaning it’s protected against dust and water — useful if you tend to use your tablet on the go or near the elements.
Color-wise, the Tab S10 FE Plus comes in Gray, Silver, and Blue, with a slightly more refined design thanks to slimmer bezels.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Keyboard and Stylus
The S Pen is still included in the box, but it doesn’t support Bluetooth (BLE) functionality, meaning features like remote control or Air Actions aren’t available — just like before.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Performance
Massive performance gains
If you experienced occasional slowdowns on the S9 FE Plus, the S10 FE Plus looks like it’ll handle heavier workloads and productivity apps more easily.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Software
According to Samsung’s announcements, the stable One UI 7 update will start rolling out on April 7, 2025. Samsung confirmed that Galaxy Tab users won’t have to wait long: in the “following weeks” after the initial release, One UI 7 will expand to the Galaxy Tab S10 series (Samsung’s 2024 tablets) as well as the previous Galaxy Tab S9 series.
- Circle to Search with Google
- Solve Math and Handwriting Help in Samsung Notes
- Object Eraser and Best Face in the Gallery
- Auto Trim for creating video highlight reels
- Built-in support for apps like LumaFusion, Goodnotes, and Clip Studio Paint
Just like it has done with other of its Galaxy devices, Samsung has also increased the software support for the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus (and the S10 FE) to 7 years, which makes it much more future proof than its predecessor.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Audio Quality
Both tablets offer dual stereo speakers, and Samsung hasn’t highlighted any upgrades to this area on the S10 FE Plus. Speaker placement is top and bottom, just as before. The S9 FE Plus had decent audio quality, so the case should be similar for the Tab S10 FE Plus,
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Battery and Charging
With the efficiency improvements from the Exynos 1580 chip and Android 15, we may see better battery life in real-world use, but that remains to be seen.
Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus Camera
Less is more?
The front-facing 12 MP ultra-wide camera is unchanged, and that’s not a bad thing. It should still be well-suited for video calls, virtual meetings, or online classes.
However, if you already own the Tab S9 FE Plus and are satisfied with its performance, the upgrade isn’t a must-have. But for new buyers or anyone looking for a more capable productivity tablet in Samsung’s ecosystem, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus makes a strong case.