Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Apple's 11th Gen iPad delivers superior processing power with the A16 Bionic chip, making it faster for demanding apps and multitasking compared to Samsung's Exynos 1380. Display quality favors Apple's Liquid Retina IPS LCD with better color accuracy, though Samsung offers a larger 12.4-inch screen with 90Hz refresh rate versus 60Hz. Battery endurance strongly favors Samsung, rated for 20 hours of video playback against Apple's 10 hours, plus a significantly larger 10090 mAh capacity. Samsung includes expandable storage and newer One UI 5.1, while Apple provides more refined software optimization. At $180 less, the iPad 11 offers better value for users prioritizing performance and display quality. Samsung appeals to those needing all-day battery and a bigger screen. Choose the iPad 11 for performance-driven productivity and creative work.
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 S9 FE+ if…
- →Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- →S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- →IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
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 S9 FE+
Pros
- Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
- MicroSD card expansion up to 1 TB for extra storage
- 10090 mAh battery provides excellent endurance
Cons
- TFT LCD panel has weaker colors and contrast than AMOLED
- Exynos 1380 is a mid-range chip — struggles with heavy tasks
- 90Hz refresh rate is behind the 120Hz on Galaxy Tab S9
- No AMOLED display at this price point is disappointing
- 627 g is heavy for extended handheld use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 477 g | 627 g |
| Dimensions | 248.6 x 179.5 x 7.0 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 7606 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.9 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Related Comparisons
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.
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