The yet-to-be-announced Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is expected to have three models like the preceding Tab S8 – a base model, a Plus model and an Ultra model. But recently, reports indicate the plausibility of another two, based on devices with very similar model numbers appearing on Geekbench.
The two sets of model numbers in question are SM-X516B and SMX616B. For one, there looks to be a matching pattern between these and what is believed to be the model numbers for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9 Plus and Tab S9 Ultra. Dutch site Galaxy Club previously reported that these come with the model numbers SM-X716B, SM-X816B and SM-X916B, respectively. This would indicate that, at least in terms of what we can expect from their spec sheet, these two models will likely be lower on the totem pole compared to the base model. And as a result, they should also be more affordable.
For their specs, the Geekbench listing shows both tablets sporting the Exynos 1380 chipset. The SM-X516B device is also shown to have 6GB of RAM, while the SM-X616B would instead get 8GB. Their model numbers also indicate that these are 5G models of the tablets. The other parts of the devices’ specs remain unknown for now. Ditto if there will be WiFi-only variants for these devices.
A more affordable version of the South Korean tech giant’s flagship tablet last appeared in 2021, when the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Fan Edition (FE) was released. The Galaxy Tab S6 line which came before also had a Lite model. But both were the only model with a more modest spec sheet compared to their respective base models. So it remains to be seen which way the upcoming Tab S9 line will handle two tablets more affordable than the base.
(Source: Geekbench [1], [2], GalaxyClub)
