Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The Verdict
Apple's 11th-gen iPad delivers impressive value at $349, pairing the powerful A16 Bionic chip with a sharp 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 10-hour battery life. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra commands a premium price ($1,099) but justifies it with a stunning 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen at 120Hz, larger 11,200mAh battery for extended use, included S Pen, and superior multitasking through DeX. Performance-wise, both tablets excel,the A16 Bionic trades blows with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in real-world tasks. However, Samsung's screen technology, higher refresh rate, and feature-rich software ecosystem create a markedly superior multimedia and productivity experience. For budget-conscious buyers seeking everyday tablet functionality, the iPad 11 is exceptional. For professionals and content creators demanding the best display and largest workspace, Samsung's flagship dominates. The iPad offers better value; the Tab S8 Ultra offers better experience.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) if…
- →A16 Bionic chip enables Apple Intelligence AI features
- →Most affordable iPad with Apple Intelligence support
- →10-hour battery life handles a full day of classes or work
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- →S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- →Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16)
Pros
- A16 Bionic chip enables Apple Intelligence AI features
- Most affordable iPad with Apple Intelligence support
- 10-hour battery life handles a full day of classes or work
- Center Stage front camera keeps you in frame during video calls
- Apple Pencil support for note-taking and drawing
Cons
- Still limited to 60Hz — no ProMotion
- No OLED or mini-LED display option
- 128 GB base storage fills up fast with apps and media
- Apple Pencil sold separately
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
- Up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for power users
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and pen input
Cons
- Extremely large and heavy at 726 g — not pocketable
- Display notch is distracting on a tablet this premium
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs warm under sustained loads
- Android tablet app ecosystem still trails iPadOS
- $1,099+ is laptop territory pricing
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 477 g | 726 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 248.6 x 179.5 x 7.0 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 14 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 7606 mAh | 11200 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.9 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Apple iPad Air M2 11"
- Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) vs Apple iPad Air M2 11"
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in tablets, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.