Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Mini 6th Gen delivers premium performance in a compact 8.3-inch form factor, powered by the flagship A15 Bionic chip with 4GB RAM and supporting iPadOS 17. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ counters with a larger 12.4-inch display, longer 20-hour battery life, expandable storage up to 256GB, and more RAM options (6GB/8GB) at a slightly higher price point. Picture quality favors Apple's Liquid Retina display over Samsung's basic TFT panel, while the Galaxy Tab excels in screen real estate and battery endurance. For creative professionals and those prioritizing portability and software smoothness, the iPad Mini wins. However, budget-conscious buyers wanting a larger screen, expandable storage, and exceptional battery life should choose the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. Overall, the iPad Mini edges ahead due to superior performance and display technology.
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 FE+ if…
- →Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- →S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- →IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
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 FE+
Pros
- Large 12.4-inch display is great for multitasking and media
- S Pen included in the box at no extra cost
- IP68 water and dust resistance — rare for mid-range tablets
- MicroSD card expansion up to 1 TB for extra storage
- 10090 mAh battery provides excellent endurance
Cons
- TFT LCD panel has weaker colors and contrast than AMOLED
- Exynos 1380 is a mid-range chip — struggles with heavy tasks
- 90Hz refresh rate is behind the 120Hz on Galaxy Tab S9
- No AMOLED display at this price point is disappointing
- 627 g is heavy for extended handheld use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 15 (upgradable to iPadOS 17+) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) | 627 g |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web browsing on Wi-Fi | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 5124 mAh (19.3 Wh) | 10090 mAh |
| Display | ||
| Size | 8.3 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 64 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (6-core CPU, 5-core GPU) | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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 FE+.