Apple iPad Air M3 13-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Air M3 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. Apple iPad Air M3 13-inch stands out for large 13-inch canvas ideal for creative and productivity workflows, 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 M3 13-inch if…
- →Large 13-inch canvas ideal for creative and productivity workflows
- →M3 chip handles demanding tasks with ease
- →Remarkably thin and light for a 13-inch tablet
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 M3 13-inch
Pros
- Large 13-inch canvas ideal for creative and productivity workflows
- M3 chip handles demanding tasks with ease
- Remarkably thin and light for a 13-inch tablet
- Apple Intelligence and Stage Manager multitasking
- Landscape front camera for natural video calls
Cons
- Expensive once keyboard and Pencil are added
- No ProMotion high-refresh display
- 60Hz can look less fluid than competing OLED or 120Hz panels
- No headphone jack
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 M3 13-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 617 g (Wi-Fi) / 626 g (cellular) | 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 Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 17 hours video |
| Capacity | 10307 mAh | 8400 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | 13 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | 12 MP, f/2.4, ultrawide |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13 inches | 11.0 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | 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 M3 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C (USB 3.2) | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E (tri-band) |
| 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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