Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023)
Shop Samsung Galaxy Tab
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020)
Starting at
£95.57£200.00 new
Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023)
Starting at
£607.44£1,501.24 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023)?
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) starts at £95.57, £511.87 less than the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023). The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 9810 on the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020), Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023).
- The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) has a bigger battery: 11200 mAh vs 5050 mAh.
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) specs
The Galaxy Tab Active3 and Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra differ greatly in size, performance, and features, each suiting different needs. The Galaxy Tab Active3 has an 8.0 inch screen with a PLS LCD display, 4 GB RAM, and a 5050 mAh battery, making it suitable for users wanting a compact tablet for everyday tasks. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers a much larger 14.6 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen, 12 GB RAM, and a 11200 mAh battery, fitting users who want a spacious, high-performance device for demanding apps, media, and multitasking. The Active3 supports up to Android 12, while the S9 Ultra runs Android 13. Choose the Active3 for portability and simpler use, or the S9 Ultra for advanced performance and immersive viewing.
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) price
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) battery life and software updates
These two tablets differ in battery capacity and software support, influencing how long they last and the features they can run.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy Tab Active3 has a 5050 mAh battery, which suits lighter daily use and portability. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a larger 11200 mAh battery, ideal for longer sessions away from charging, especially when running demanding apps or media on its bigger screen.
Battery
Maximum operating system supported
Year of release
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) performance
Performance depends on processor speed, memory, and storage options. These influence how smoothly apps run and how much multitasking you can comfortably do.
Processor and Speed
The Galaxy Tab Active3 uses a Samsung Exynos 9810 processor with speeds of 2.7 GHz and 1.7 GHz, which handles everyday tasks well. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor at 3.36 GHz, providing higher speed and power for demanding apps and multitasking.
Memory and Storage
The Galaxy Tab Active3 comes with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, suitable for basic use and moderate app storage. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra offers 12 GB RAM and storage options ranging from 256 GB to 1 TB, supporting intensive multitasking and extensive media or app libraries.
Chipset
Processor
Processor brand
Processor core
Processor speed ghz
RAM
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) screen
Screen quality shapes your viewing experience. Differences in size, resolution, pixel density, and display type affect clarity, detail, and how much space you have for work or media.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy Tab Active3 has an 8.0 inch screen with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels, making it compact and easy to carry. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra features a much larger 14.6 inch screen with a 1848 x 2960 resolution, providing a spacious workspace or media display.
Display Type and Pixel Density
The Galaxy Tab Active3 uses a PLS LCD screen with 290 pixels per inch, which offers sharp images on a smaller display. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with 240 pixels per inch, delivering vibrant colours and deep contrast suited to large-scale viewing.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling smoother, beneficial for gaming or high frame rate video. The Galaxy Tab Active3 does not have this feature.
Brightness
Display glass
Pixel density
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and speakers, affecting video calls, photos, and sound quality. Both tablets offer stereo speakers and front and main cameras but differ in resolution and speaker setup.
Camera Resolution
The Galaxy Tab Active3 has a 5 megapixel front camera and a 13 megapixel main camera, suitable for casual video calls and photos. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a higher resolution 12 megapixel front camera and a 13 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls.
Speakers
The Galaxy Tab Active3 features stereo speakers, providing balanced sound for everyday media. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has four stereo speakers, enhancing audio richness and volume for immersive listening.
Front camera
Front camera definition
Main camera
Rear camera definition
Speakers
Video recording
Webcam
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) size and design
Other differences include physical size, thickness, connectivity, and carrier compatibility, which affect portability, device handling, and network use.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy Tab Active3 measures 213.8 mm in height, 126.8 mm in width, and 9.9 mm in depth, weighing 426 g. This compact size suits users wanting a portable device. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is larger at 326.4 mm height, 208.6 mm width, and thinner at 5.5 mm depth, with a lightweight feel at 129 g, offering a spacious screen.
Carrier and Connectivity
The Galaxy Tab Active3 does not have a SIM port, so it works without cellular connectivity. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is unlocked, allowing use with various carriers and SIM cards, providing more flexibility for mobile network use.
Connector Type
Both the Galaxy Tab Active3 and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra use USB Type-C connectors, supporting modern charging and data transfer standards.
120hz
Bluetooth version
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Double sim
Face
Generation number
Headphones connectivity
Height
Megapixels
Sim format
Touch
Weight
Width
Wifi technology
With stylus pencil
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) or Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023): which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £95.57, £511.87 less than the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023)
Buy the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (11200 mAh vs 5050 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (14.6 inch vs 8.0 inch)
What our customers say
Customers of the Galaxy Tab Active3 mention a solid build and suitability for industrial or everyday use. Some note the tablet is heavier compared to other 8 inch tablets, and screen condition can vary, with occasional mentions of dead pixels or scratches. Many find the device good for videos, browsing, and reading PDFs, with several describing their units as looking like new or in excellent condition. The 13 megapixel main camera and general performance meet expectations for basic use.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra receives consistent praise for its condition and performance, with customers describing it as looking brand new and running smoothly. The large, vibrant screen and long-lasting battery are frequently highlighted, along with the higher resolution front camera. The device's speed and storage options support demanding tasks, and the four speakers contribute to a rich media experience. Users appreciate the overall quality and design, often noting the tablet feels like new.
The Galaxy Tab Active3 suits those needing a compact, straightforward tablet for everyday tasks and portability. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra fits users looking for a high-performance device with a large, high-quality screen and enhanced multimedia features.
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) FAQs
Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) vs Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 9810 on the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020), Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023). The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) is cheaper refurbished, from £95.57 compared with £607.44 for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023).
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) has a bigger battery: 11200 mAh vs 5050 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 13 megapixels.
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (11200 mAh vs 5050 mAh) and a bigger screen (14.6 inch vs 8.0 inch). Refurbished, it costs £511.87 more (from £607.44 vs £95.57).
Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab Active3 (8.0", 2020) comes in 64GB, and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra (14.6", 2023) in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
