Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Mini 6th Gen and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 serve different tablet needs at different price points. The iPad Mini excels with its compact 8.3-inch form factor, making it genuinely portable at just 293g, paired with Apple's A15 Bionic chip that handles everyday tasks and creative work smoothly. Its 60Hz Liquid Retina display is sharp but less vibrant than competitors. The Galaxy Tab S9 offers substantially more screen real estate at 11 inches with a superior 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display delivering richer colors and smoother scrolling. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor with 8-12GB RAM outperforms the A15 in raw power, while the 8400mAh battery provides longer endurance. Samsung includes expandable storage via microSD and faster 45W charging versus Apple's standard approach. However, the Tab S9 weighs nearly 500g and costs $300 more. For portability and Apple ecosystem integration, the iPad Mini wins; for multimedia consumption, gaming, and value-conscious buyers wanting flagship specs, Samsung delivers more compelling hardware. The choice hinges on whether you prioritize pocket-friendly portability or larger-screen performance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen if…
- →Ultra-portable at 293 g — perfect one-handed reading and note-taking
- →A15 Bionic is plenty powerful for gaming and productivity
- →Apple Pencil 2 support with magnetic attach and charging
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 if…
- →Compact 11-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED with IP68 rating
- →S Pen bundled in the box
- →Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen
Pros
- Ultra-portable at 293 g — perfect one-handed reading and note-taking
- A15 Bionic is plenty powerful for gaming and productivity
- Apple Pencil 2 support with magnetic attach and charging
- USB-C replaces Lightning for universal accessories
- Beautiful 8.3" Liquid Retina display with wide color
Cons
- Jelly scrolling effect noticeable on some units in portrait mode
- 60Hz display — no ProMotion at this price point
- Only 4 GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
- Starting at $499 is pricey for an 8.3" tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Pros
- Compact 11-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED with IP68 rating
- S Pen bundled in the box
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- MicroSD card slot for storage expansion
- Samsung DeX desktop mode support
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Keyboard accessory sold separately
- Smaller battery than Tab S9+/Ultra
- Moderate real-world battery life under heavy use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 17+) | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 498 g |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | 254.3 x 165.8 x 5.9 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web browsing on Wi-Fi | Up to 11 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | 5124 mAh (19.3 Wh) | 8400 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 8.3 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) | 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 | ||
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | — | 13 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | — | 12 MP ultrawide |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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.
Explore more in tablets, see all Apple products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9.