Samsung tablet prices range from about $150 to $1,500 depending on the model, screen size, and storage capacity
Samsung makes tablets in three main lines: the Galaxy Tab A (budget), Galaxy Tab S (mid-range to premium), and Galaxy Tab S Ultra (high-end). The cheapest models start around $150 for a basic Tab A with 32GB storage and a 7-inch screen. The most expensive options—Tab S Ultra models with 512GB storage and a 14.6-inch screen—cost around $1,500. Most people spend between $250 and $700 for a tablet that handles everyday tasks like reading, streaming, and web browsing.
Price changes based on four main factors: which line you choose, the screen size, how much storage you pick, and whether you want Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi plus cellular. A larger screen always costs more. Adding cellular connectivity adds $100 to $150. Doubling your storage (from 128GB to 256GB, for example) typically adds $50 to $100.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung's Galaxy Tab A line starts around $150 for Wi-Fi models with smaller screens and basic storage.
- Galaxy Tab S models (the middle tier) range from $350 to $900 depending on screen size and storage.
- Galaxy Tab S Ultra tablets, Samsung's premium line, cost $1,100 to $1,500 with the largest screens and most storage.
- Adding cellular connectivity to any model costs an extra $100 to $150 on top of the Wi-Fi price.
- Storage upgrades (128GB to 256GB or higher) typically add $50 to $100 to the base price.
Galaxy Tab A: Budget tablets under $300
The Galaxy Tab A is Samsung's entry-level line, designed for people who want a working tablet without spending much. These models start at roughly $150 for the smallest Wi-Fi version. A 10-inch Tab A with 64GB storage runs around $200 to $250. If you want 128GB of storage on the same model, add another $50.
Tab A tablets are good for reading, watching videos, light web browsing, and email. They use older processors than the Tab S line, so they are slower at demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. The screens are decent but not as bright or colorful as pricier models. Most Tab A models come in Wi-Fi only; cellular versions are less common and cost extra when available.
Galaxy Tab S: Mid-range tablets from $350 to $900
The Galaxy Tab S line sits in the middle and offers much better screens, faster processors, and longer battery life than the Tab A. Prices start around $350 for an 11-inch Tab S6 Lite with Wi-Fi and 64GB storage. The newer Tab S9 FE (11-inch) costs about $350 to $400. The Tab S9 (11-inch) with better specs runs $450 to $550.
Larger Tab S models cost more. An 11-inch Tab S9+ starts around $800, and a 12.4-inch Tab S9+ reaches $900 or higher with maximum storage. These tablets handle everyday work—spreadsheets, document editing, photo work—without lag. The screens are AMOLED or high-refresh LCD, making them sharp and smooth. Most Tab S models offer both Wi-Fi and cellular options.
Galaxy Tab S Ultra: Premium tablets from $1,100 to $1,500
The Galaxy Tab S Ultra is Samsung's flagship tablet line, built for people who use tablets as a laptop replacement or for professional creative work. The 14.6-inch Tab S9 Ultra with 128GB Wi-Fi storage costs around $1,100. Adding 256GB storage brings it to roughly $1,200. The maximum configuration—512GB with Wi-Fi—reaches about $1,500.
Tab S Ultra tablets have the fastest processors, the largest and brightest screens, and the longest battery life in Samsung's lineup. The 14.6-inch screen is genuinely large—closer to a laptop than a typical tablet. These are the only Samsung tablets with built-in stylus support (the S Pen comes included). They are built for video editing, digital art, programming, and heavy multitasking. Cellular versions cost $100 to $150 more than Wi-Fi models.
How storage size affects the price
Every Samsung tablet line offers multiple storage options, and each step up costs money. A typical pricing pattern looks like this: 64GB is the base, 128GB adds $50, 256GB adds another $50 to $100, and 512GB (on Tab S Ultra only) adds another $300 or more. Storage does not affect performance—a 256GB model runs just as fast as a 64GB model of the same tablet. The difference is how many apps, photos, and videos you can store before running out of space.
If you mostly stream content and store files in the cloud, 64GB or 128GB is usually enough. If you read movies, keep large photo libraries, or install many apps, jump to 256GB. The 512GB option on the Tab S Ultra is mainly for people doing professional video or photo work who need to store large project files locally.
Wi-Fi versus cellular: The $100 to $150 difference
Every Samsung tablet comes in a Wi-Fi-only version. Most also come in a Wi-Fi + cellular version that lets you use mobile data without a phone nearby. The cellular version costs $100 to $150 more than the Wi-Fi version of the same model. You do not have to sign a contract—you pay for cellular data month to month through your carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or others), just like you would for a phone.
Choose Wi-Fi only if you mostly use your tablet at home, at work, or in places with free Wi-Fi. Choose Wi-Fi + cellular if you travel often, work outside the home, or want internet access anywhere. Cellular is especially useful on larger tablets like the Tab S Ultra, where you might want to use it as a laptop replacement on the go.
Where prices vary and what affects them
Samsung tablet prices are set by Samsung, but retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart sometimes run sales or discounts. Prices can drop $50 to $200 during holiday sales, back-to-school promotions, or when a new model launches and older stock needs to clear. Prices also vary slightly by retailer and by region.
Older models cost less than new ones. When Samsung releases a new Tab S9, the previous Tab S8 drops in price. If you are not attached to having the newest model, waiting a few months after a new release can save you money. Refurbished or open-box tablets from retailers also cost less than new ones, though they come with shorter warranties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest Samsung tablet right now?
The Galaxy Tab A 7-inch with Wi-Fi and 32GB storage is the cheapest, starting around $150. The 10-inch Tab A with 64GB costs about $200 to $250. These are basic tablets good for reading and video streaming but slower at demanding tasks.
Do I need to pay monthly for a Samsung tablet?
No. You pay once for the tablet itself. If you choose a Wi-Fi + cellular model, you then pay a carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) for monthly data, just like a phone plan. Wi-Fi-only tablets have no monthly cost after purchase.
Is the Tab S Ultra worth $1,500?
It depends on how you use it. If you do professional creative work, video editing, or use your tablet as a laptop replacement, the large screen, fast processor, and included stylus justify the cost. If you mainly watch videos and browse the web, a $350 Tab S is enough.
Can I use a Samsung tablet with my phone plan?
If you buy a Wi-Fi + cellular model, yes. You add it to your carrier account as a separate device with its own data plan. Most carriers let you share data between your phone and tablet or buy a separate plan for the tablet.
Do prices drop for older Samsung tablet models?
Yes. When Samsung releases a new generation (like the Tab S10), the previous generation (Tab S9) drops in price by $100 to $300. Refurbished models also cost less than new ones, though with shorter warranties.