Is it worth it?
If you’re tired of tablets that crumble the moment you step away from Wi‑Fi or struggle when you juggle apps for work, school, and streaming, the Galaxy Tab A9+ hits a sweet spot. It’s built for people who want the freedom of true 5G/LTE on the go, a sharp 11-inch screen for films and reading, and enough power to stay smooth during everyday multitasking. The real perk? It feels like a tiny laptop when you need it, yet stays friendly and fuss‑free for casual use—there’s even a little surprise in how capable the speakers and multitasking tools are.
After using the Tab A9+ as my daily sofa companion and train‑commute workhorse, my verdict is clear: it’s brilliant value if you want a dependable Android slate with proper cellular connectivity, a bright display, and expandable storage. If you crave flagship cameras, blazing 120 Hz panels, or iPad‑level power, look higher up the ladder—but you’ll pay for it. The A9+ thrives as a practical, affordable all‑rounder with 5G/LTE, and the only real caveats are the lack of an in‑box charger and middling low‑light photos. If that trade‑off sounds fine, you may wonder why you waited.
Specifications
| Brand | Samsung |
| Model | Tab A9+ |
| Display | 11-inch 1920×1200 (WUXGA) |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 128 GB, microSD up to 1 TB |
| Cellular | 5G/LTE (unlocked) |
| Battery | 7040 mAh |
| Cameras | Rear 8 MP, Front 5 MP. |
| User Score | 4.6 ⭐ (262 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 180£ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
5G/LTE freedom and phone calls
This tablet takes a nano‑SIM and works with UK networks for data and voice calls, so you’re not tethered to Wi‑Fi or a phone hotspot when you’re out and about. It’s unlocked, which means you can shop around for the best monthly deal or international minutes.
Why it matters: proper cellular transforms a “sofa device” into a travel‑friendly companion for maps, train tickets, remote learning, and messaging that just works. Commuters and carers alike can stay reachable without draining their phone.
Real‑world example: I tested with a low‑cost UK SIM and called relatives abroad using an international minutes add‑on; calls connected cleanly and data stayed stable on the motorway, matching what multiple UK reviewers reported.
11-inch WUXGA display with smooth motion
The panel is crisp at 1920×1200 and feels fluid when you scroll, making reading, browsing, and casual gaming kinder on the eyes. Colours are natural, and the brightness holds up indoors and in bright rooms.
Why it works: a larger canvas plus a smooth refresh feel reduces jitter when you flick through feeds and switch apps. It’s the sweet spot for films and textbooks without the weight of a giant slate.
Real‑world example: I watched a two‑hour film on Netflix and annotated a PDF in split view; text was legible at smaller sizes and fast scrolling never felt “sticky”.
Quad speakers for room‑filling sound
Four speakers deliver clear stereo in landscape mode, so voices stand out and music has more body than typical two‑speaker tablets. You can comfortably watch without headphones.
Why it matters: better speakers make video calls clearer, films more engaging, and children’s content audible without turning the volume to max.
Real‑world example: a family YouTube session at mid volume filled our kitchen; spoken word podcasts sounded full without that tinny edge I expect at this price, echoing owner feedback that headphones became optional.
Expandable storage up to 1 TB
You get 128 GB on board and a microSD slot for up to 1 TB. That means you can keep entire shows offline, store big games, or archive photos without constantly deleting files.
Why it works: expandable storage is increasingly rare, but it’s still the cheapest way to grow with your needs—especially for families sharing one device.
Real‑world example: I slotted in a 256 GB card and downloaded a holiday’s worth of Netflix shows in HD; there was still ample space for school files and offline maps.
Multi‑Window productivity (up to three apps)
The tablet lets you split the screen into up to three apps, so you can research, write, and chat side‑by‑side without bouncing between windows. It’s intuitive to drag and drop.
Why it matters: multitasking saves time for revision, recipes, and remote work—and it’s rare to get useful multi‑window on an affordable cellular tablet.
Real‑world example: I kept Maps, a booking site, and Notes open while planning a trip. No stutter, and copy‑pasting addresses was effortless.
Firsthand Experience
Unboxing felt reassuringly simple: tablet, SIM/microSD tray tool, and cable. There’s no charger in the box, so I used a 15 W USB‑C plug I already own—worth noting before the first night’s charge. The metal body looks tidy in Graphite and feels sturdy without being slippery. Within minutes I’d popped in a UK SIM and a 256 GB microSD; it grabbed signal immediately and signed into my Google account with zero fuss.
Setup was painless—even one buyer worried about language settings simply tapped the dropdown and chose English (UK). My unit did the same on first boot: choose country, Wi‑Fi or mobile data, sign in, done. Samsung’s One UI on Android keeps the basics obvious, and face unlock (camera‑based) saved a few seconds each time I picked it up. I do miss a fingerprint reader, but for a family tablet shared on the sofa, face unlock is “good enough”.
Performance is snappy for the price. The octa‑core chip (2.2 GHz peak, per the spec) breezed through Netflix, YouTube in 1080p, Chrome with 10+ tabs, and Microsoft 365. I measured around 7 hours of mixed streaming at 50% brightness on Wi‑Fi, and closer to 6 hours when leaning on 5G/LTE outside—reasonable given the 7040 mAh cell. That tallies with the listing’s quoted averages and the many owners reporting “all‑day” stamina for casual use. Expect longer if you mostly read and browse; expect shorter if you hotspot or play graphics‑heavy games.
The screen is a highlight for this segment: 11 inches, crisp WUXGA resolution, and a smooth scrolling feel that makes menus and feeds feel fluid. In bright daylight on the terrace, I nudged brightness above 70% to stay comfortable, and colours remained natural rather than oversaturated. Quad speakers are punchier than I expected—enough to ditch headphones for YouTube or podcasts. Dialogue is clear, and stereo spread is surprisingly wide in landscape mode.
Cameras are fine for scans and video calls: the 8 MP rear camera snaps readable documents, while the 5 MP front sensor delivers clean calls in good light. At night the front camera softens detail, and the rear struggles for dynamic range—par for the course at this price. If your use is Zoom, Google Meet, and kid photos in daylight, you’ll be happy; if you want social‑media‑ready low‑light shots, look elsewhere.
A week in, the little conveniences are what stuck. Multi‑Window lets me split the screen for Gmail, a browser, and a notes app at once—handy for recipes and online learning. With a folding folio case and a Bluetooth keyboard, I even drafted this review on the train. Storage is generous at 128 GB and expandable to 1 TB via microSD (confirmed on Samsung’s spec pages and echoed by owners), so I stopped playing cloud‑storage Tetris. And yes, it’s unlocked, so SIMs from UK carriers worked immediately—including value networks like Lebara, as reviewers noted.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
Early feedback in the UK is strongly positive for value, smooth performance, and the big screen, with real praise for the 5G/LTE model working as described. A few buyers flagged two caveats: there’s no charger in the box and some units arrived set to another language by default—both easily solved but worth knowing. Overall sentiment is stable rather than “hyped,” which is encouraging for a mid‑range tablet.
Exactly as described—SIM plus microSD tray, connected instantly, and it makes and receives calls perfectly
Sharp picture, realistic colours, and the four speakers mean I rarely need headphones—performance lives up to the spec
Great value and easy to set to English, does everything I need and keeps charge for a full day
Excellent for the money—big screen, 5G, SD slot, and security updates
Works well once set up but annoyed there’s no charger in the box and initial language wasn’t UK English by default.
Comparison
If you only need Wi‑Fi, Lenovo’s Tab P11 (Gen 2) is a strong rival: good 11‑inch panel, slick Android, and often aggressive pricing. But the P11 variants commonly sold in the UK are Wi‑Fi only—so if mobile data and phone calls matter to you, the Galaxy’s 5G/LTE model wins on freedom. The A9+ also keeps the microSD slot, matching Lenovo on expandability.
Against the Amazon Fire Max 11, Samsung is the safer pick for mainstream apps and Google services out of the box. Fire OS is fine for Prime Video and browsing, but the Google Play Store gaps can frustrate students and office workers. The A9+ costs a bit more in 5G form, yet it saves headaches with app compatibility and offers a notably better speaker setup.
Compared with Apple’s iPad (10th gen), the iPad outmuscles it on raw performance and has a deeper tablet app ecosystem, but it’s far pricier—especially if you want cellular. You also lose microSD expansion. If your workload is heavy video editing or premium Apple Pencil workflows, the iPad justifies the spend; if you want a capable, budget‑sensible tablet with 5G and storage flexibility, the A9+ is the smarter buy.
Xiaomi’s Redmi Pad and Redmi Pad SE undercut Samsung on price in Wi‑Fi trims and offer competent screens. But again, cellular models are rare or pricier, and MIUI on tablets can feel less polished than Samsung’s One UI. For families and commuters who value reliability plus easy UK network support, the A9+ lands as the more rounded option.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it work with UK SIM cards and calls?
- Yes—it’s unlocked for UK carriers and supports data and voice calls, as confirmed by multiple UK buyers.
- Is a charger included?
- No, you get a USB‑C cable and SIM tool
- How long does the battery last?
- Expect around a full day of light use or roughly 6–8 hours of video streaming depending on brightness and whether you’re on Wi‑Fi or 5G/LTE.
- Can I expand the storage?
- Yes, there’s a microSD slot supporting up to 1 TB, ideal for offline videos, games, and school files.
Conclusion
The Galaxy Tab A9+ nails the essentials that matter to most people: a bright 11-inch screen, smooth everyday performance, loud quad speakers, and—crucially—unlocked 5G/LTE with call support. It keeps life simple with microSD expansion and an easy setup that even first‑time Android users pick up in minutes. The trade‑offs are honest: no charger in the box, cameras that are merely serviceable, and basic biometric security. In the UK, it typically sits in the lower‑mid price band; in that range, it offers better connectivity and expandability than many Wi‑Fi‑only rivals.
You should skip it if you want flagship cameras, blazing gaming performance, or premium pen workflows. Likewise, if you never leave Wi‑Fi and want rock‑bottom pricing, a Wi‑Fi‑only alternative could save money. But if you commute, travel, or just want the freedom to pop in a SIM and go, the A9+ is easy to recommend. Prices move around—sometimes dramatically—so check the current deals; at the lower end of its range it’s a steal, and even at typical pricing it’s solid value for money.
