Apple iPad 9th Gen vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
The Verdict
The Apple iPad 9th Gen and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPad 9th Gen is the cheaper of the two at $329 versus $800, a difference of about $471. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad 9th Gen stands out for best budget ipad — unbeatable value at $329, while Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is praised for ip68 water and dust resistance for a tablet. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad 9th Gen if…
- →Best budget iPad — unbeatable value at $329
- →A13 Bionic still handles everyday tasks and light gaming well
- →10.2" Retina display is sharp and color-accurate for the price
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- →IP68 water and dust resistance for a tablet
- →S Pen included in the box
- →Dimensity 9400+ delivers flagship performance
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad 9th Gen
Pros
- Best budget iPad — unbeatable value at $329
- A13 Bionic still handles everyday tasks and light gaming well
- 10.2" Retina display is sharp and color-accurate for the price
- Center Stage camera keeps you centered in video calls
- Strong iPadOS app ecosystem with years of software updates
Cons
- Thick bezels and Home button design feels outdated
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Only supports 1st gen Apple Pencil (charges via Lightning)
- 3 GB RAM struggles with demanding multitasking
- Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 are behind modern standards
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
Pros
- IP68 water and dust resistance for a tablet
- S Pen included in the box
- Dimensity 9400+ delivers flagship performance
- MicroSD expansion up to 2TB
- Slim 5.5mm profile
Cons
- Starting price of $800 is steep for 11-inch tablet
- 13MP rear camera is basic for the price
- No HDMI or Thunderbolt port
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad 9th Gen | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 17+) | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 487 g (Wi-Fi) | 469 g |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web browsing on Wi-Fi | Up to 17 hours video |
| Capacity | 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) | 8400 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 10.2 inches | 11.0 inches |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2160 x 1620 | 1600 x 2560 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 2 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 3 GB | 12 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band) |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | — | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Front camera | — | 12 MP, f/2.4, ultrawide |
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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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