Apple iPad Mini 7 (A17 Pro) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Mini 7 delivers premium performance with its A17 Pro chip, making it ideal for demanding apps and gaming on a portable 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ prioritizes value with a significantly larger 12.4-inch screen, double the battery capacity for extended use, and expandable storage, though the Exynos 1380 processor lags noticeably behind in real-world performance. Samsung's 90Hz refresh rate and 20-hour battery life suit entertainment consumption and productivity tasks. Apple's ecosystem integration, camera quality, and processing power favor creative professionals and power users. For budget-conscious consumers wanting screen real estate and longevity, the Tab S9 FE+ excels. Those prioritizing performance, portability, and premium build quality should choose the iPad Mini 7.
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…
- →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 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
- 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 7 (A17 Pro) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 18 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 293 g (Wi-Fi) / 297 g (cellular) | 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 Wi-Fi browsing | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 5078 mAh | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 4K video | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide with Center Stage | — |
| 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 | 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 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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 7 (A17 Pro) or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.