Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Mini 7 delivers superior performance with its A17 Pro chip and premium build, making it ideal for demanding apps and creative work. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE counters with a significantly larger 10.9-inch display, longer battery life (12 vs 10 hours), expandable storage, and a more affordable $449.99 price point. Display quality favors iPad Mini's Liquid Retina technology despite the Tab S9 FE's higher refresh rate. Processing power heavily leans toward Apple,the A17 Pro crushes Samsung's Exynos 1380. Camera capabilities also favor iPad Mini with superior 12MP rear specs versus 8MP. However, the Tab S9 FE's 90Hz refresh, larger screen, microSD slot, and lower cost appeal to budget-conscious users prioritizing screen real estate. Choose iPad Mini 7 for performance, creativity, and durability; select Tab S9 FE if you need maximum screen size and value with acceptable performance compromises.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) if…
- →A17 Pro chip brings iPhone 15 Pro performance to a mini tablet
- →Apple Intelligence AI features on-device
- →Compact 8.3-inch form factor is ideal for one-handed use
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if…
- →S Pen included at a budget-friendly price
- →IP68 rated for dust and water resistance
- →90Hz display is smoother than typical budget tablets
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro)
Pros
- A17 Pro chip brings iPhone 15 Pro performance to a mini tablet
- Apple Intelligence AI features on-device
- Compact 8.3-inch form factor is ideal for one-handed use
- Apple Pencil Pro support for note-taking and drawing
- Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless connectivity
Cons
- Still limited to 60Hz refresh rate
- No ProMotion or OLED display
- Apple Pencil Pro sold separately
- No headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
Pros
- S Pen included at a budget-friendly price
- IP68 rated for dust and water resistance
- 90Hz display is smoother than typical budget tablets
- Expandable storage via microSD card
- Long Samsung software support commitment
Cons
- LCD instead of AMOLED at this size
- Exynos 1380 is mid-range and shows in heavy tasks
- USB-C limited to slow 2.0 speeds
- Only 6GB of RAM on the base model
- Single rear camera
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (cellular) | 523 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing | Up to ~12 hours video |
| Capacity | 5078 mAh | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | 8 MP wide |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 8.3 inches | 10.9 inches |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD | LCD (LTPS TFT) |
| Resolution | 2266 x 1488 | 2304 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A17 Pro | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB-C (USB 3.2) | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE vs Apple iPad Air M2 11"
- Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) vs Apple iPad Air M2 11"
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 7 (A17 Pro) or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE.