Google Pixel Tablet vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Which Should You Choose?

Samsung’s long-running Galaxy Tab series continues to deliver some of the best Android tablets on the market. But Google’s re-entry to the market means a formidable new competitor to Samsung’s Galaxy tablets exists. The Galaxy Tab S9 and Google Pixel tablet are solid options for the best Android tablet but with slight differences.

In this Galaxy Tab S9 vs. Pixel Tablet head-to-head comparison, we compare the two to determine if the Pixel Tablet is solid enough to warrant getting it over the Galaxy Tab S9 or vice versa.

1. Dimensions and Design

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• Google Pixel Tablet: 10.2 x 6.7 x 0.3 inches; 17.39 oz
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: 10.01 x 6.53 x 0.23 inches; 17.57oz

There’s not a lot of difference between the S9 and the Pixel Tablet dimension-wise. The S9 is compact with a smaller profile in all dimensions and more portable despite its larger display. But despite the relatively larger footprint, the Pixel Tablet sports a minimalist, eye-catching design with subtle colors.

Both have curved edges, with a single camera lens on the front tucked in the top center of the bezel and another on the rear. Below the Google logo on the Pixel Tablet’s rear is a special connector for mounting to the tablet’s companion speaker charging dock. Similarly, the S9 has a unique magnetic connector on the back designed for charging the S Pen.

The power button and USB-C port live on the sides of both. The S9 ships in Beige and Graphite, while the Pixel Tablet is available in Porcelain, Hazel, and Rose.

2. Camera

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• Google Pixel Tablet: 8MP f/2.0 wide primary lens, 1080p video at 30fps; Front: 8MP wide f/2.0 selfie camera, 1080p video at 30fps
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: 13MP f/2.0 wide primary lens, 4K at 30fps; Front: 12MP f/2.4 ultrawide selfie camera, 4K at 30fps

The Pixel Tablet uses an identical 8MP wide lens on the front and back. The camera lens isn’t exciting but can get the job done, like the selfie camera you’ll find on the Pixel 6 and 6A. It can shoot up to 1080p video, which may sound underwhelming to some, but it is a solid lens for video calls.

Besides, Google’s stellar image processing engine ensures pictures taken are just as crisp and with great detail. And like Google’s Pixel series phones, the tablet has exclusive Pixel camera features you won’t find anywhere else. In our Samsung vs. Google comparison, the latter’s exclusive camera features make it stand out.

Samsung’s Tab S9, on the other hand, has a 13MP wide lens on the back, identical to the one in the rest of the Galaxy Tab S9 series. The 12MP ultrawide lens is perfect for group video calls and selfies, unlike the Pixel Tablet’s 8MP wide selfie lens. Additionally, the S9 can shoot 4K videos.

3. Display

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• Google Pixel Tablet: IPS, 10.95 inches, 79.7% screen-to-body ratio, 2560 x 1600 resolution, 276 ppi, 60Hz
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: OLED, 11 inches, 83.2% screen-to-body ratio, 2560 x 1600 resolution, 274 ppi, 120Hz

Across the two, there’s plenty of screen real estate—the Pixel Tablet’s display measures 10.95 inches, just 0.05 inches shy of the S9’s panel. Aside from the size, the S9’s display is also better in other aspects.

First, it uses OLED display technology, which offers deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, higher contrast ratios, and is more power-efficient. Second, the display has a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth experience when browsing and playing games.

The S9 can dial down that high refresh rate down to 60Hz, if needed, to give you an extra boost in screen time. The S9 also has a higher screen-to-body ratio, and there’s Corning Gorilla Glass atop the display for protection.

On similarities, the two have identical resolutions, and you can use a stylus input on both, so you won’t have to get one of the best drawing tablets for that.

4. Processor

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• Google Pixel Tablet: 8-core 5nm Google Tensor G2; Mali-G710 MP7 GPU
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: 8-core 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy; Adreno 740 GPU

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the best you can get in an Android device in 2023. But Samsung went a mile further, partnering with Qualcomm to release the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, which has higher clock speeds than the standard version.

Google’s Tensor G2 is also an 8-core chip but falls short in raw performance. And with its 4nm fabrication process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy provides better power efficiency.

But since modern high-end chips are powerful enough for pretty much everything you may need, the Tensor G2 is a solid chip. You probably won’t notice the slight difference in performance in real life.

5. RAM & Storage

• Google Pixel Tablet: 8GB RAM; 128GB/256GB; no expansion slot
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: 8GB/12GB RAM; 128GB/256GB; expandable via dedicated microSD slot (up to 1TB)

Both devices ship with either 128 or 256GB of internal storage. However, Samsung’s S9 allows you to expand the storage via a dedicated microSD slot (up to 1TB), so you can always add more depending on the amount of storage you need. If you decide to go this route, pick the fastest microSD card for better performance.

This gives the S9 a leg up over the Pixel Tablet, especially in 2023, where most devices no longer allow storage expansion. It’s even better, considering a tablet is not something you upgrade often.

The Pixel Tablet is available in 8/128GB or 8/25GB, while the S9 ships in 8/128GB or 12/256GB configuration.

6. Battery and Charging

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• Google Pixel Tablet: 7020mAh; 15W wired charging
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: 8400 mAh; 45W wired charging

The S9 is better than the Pixel regarding the battery capacity and charging speeds. A 7020mAh battery powers the Pixel Tablet, and you can only charge it at a maximum of 15W. 15W is alright, but for a large battery, it will take a while before juicing it from zero to 100%.

The S9 has a bigger 8400mAh battery and supports up to 45W fast charging via USB-C. Battery life will be better on the S9 not just because of its bigger battery capacity, but also thanks to its more power-efficient processor.

The S9 ships with an S Pen and USB Type-C cable, but there’s no charging adapter. In contrast, the Pixel Tablet includes a Charging Speaker Dock (a handy dock that can act as an external speaker for the tablet and doubles as a charger) with its power adapter and cable.

Samsung vs. Google: Pick the Right Tablet for Your Needs

The S9 and Pixel Tablet have slight differences, but it’s clear Samsung’s device has the better specs. But, with its higher price tag that starts at $799 (vs. $499 for the Pixel Tablet), it should.

The Pixel Tablet is excellent in terms of value for money. If you’re on a budget, the Pixel Tablet is a solid pick, but if you need better power and performance and are ready to splurge a little more, go for the Galaxy Tab S9.