Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the cheaper of the two at $450 versus $999, a difference of about $549. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) stands out for m5 chip with 3.5x ai performance vs m4, while Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is praised for s pen included at a budget-friendly price. 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 Pro 11" (M5, 2025) if…
- →M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- →Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- →Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
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
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
Pros
- M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity
Cons
- Starting at $999 is expensive
- Still 5.1mm thin limits thermal headroom
- 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 Pro 11" (M5, 2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 19 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g | 523 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to ~12 hours video |
| Capacity | — | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR | 8 MP wide |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, Center Stage | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11.0 inches | 10.9 inches |
| Type | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | LCD (LTPS TFT) |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2304 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip) | Wi-Fi 6 |
| 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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