Apple iPad Air M2 13-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Air M2 13-inch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. Both launched at roughly the same price ($799 vs $800), so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad Air M2 13-inch stands out for large 13-inch display at a more affordable price than ipad pro, 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 Air M2 13-inch if…
- →Large 13-inch display at a more affordable price than iPad Pro
- →Powerful Apple M2 chip handles demanding apps with ease
- →Landscape front camera ideal for video calls
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 Air M2 13-inch
Pros
- Large 13-inch display at a more affordable price than iPad Pro
- Powerful Apple M2 chip handles demanding apps with ease
- Landscape front camera ideal for video calls
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C
- Wi-Fi 6E for fast wireless connectivity
Cons
- 60Hz display lacks ProMotion smoothness
- LCD panel is less vivid than the Pro's OLED
- Heavier than the 13-inch iPad Pro M4
- USB-C is not Thunderbolt
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 Air M2 13-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 617 g (Wi-Fi) | 469 g |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | Up to 17 hours video |
| Capacity | — | 8400 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | 12 MP, f/2.4, ultrawide |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13 inches | 11.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina LED-backlit IPS | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 | 1600 x 2560 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 2 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C (USB 3, up to 10 Gbps) | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band) |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
Related Comparisons
- Apple iPad Air M2 13-inch vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5, 2025)
- Apple iPad Air M2 13-inch vs Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
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 Air M2 13-inch or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11.