Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
The Verdict
Apple's 11th Gen iPad delivers exceptional value at $349, pairing the powerful A16 Bionic with a capable 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and solid 10-hour battery life. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9+ commands a premium at $1,000, justifying its price through a larger 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh rate, superior 12GB RAM, expandable storage, IP68 dust/water resistance, and faster 45W charging. Performance-wise, both handle everyday tasks effortlessly, though the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 edges the A16 in raw benchmarks. Display quality differs significantly,Samsung's AMOLED panel offers superior contrast and colors versus Apple's IPS LCD. Battery longevity favors Samsung's 10,090mAh capacity over the iPad's 7,606mAh. For budget-conscious users seeking reliable tablet performance, the iPad 11 is outstanding. Those prioritizing premium display technology, expandable storage, and enhanced durability should invest in the Tab S9+.
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+ if…
- →Vibrant 12.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display
- →S Pen included with no extra cost
- →IP68 water and dust resistance
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+
Pros
- Vibrant 12.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display
- S Pen included with no extra cost
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Book Cover Keyboard sold separately
- DeX desktop mode not as polished as a full PC
- Pricey at $999 before accessories
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad 11th Gen (A16) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 477 g | 581 g |
| Dimensions | 248.6 x 179.5 x 7.0 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 12 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | 7606 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | 13 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | 12 MP ultrawide |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.9 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2800 x 1752 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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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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