Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Pro M4 11-inch commands a significant premium over Samsung's Galaxy Tab A9+, and the performance gap justifies much of that cost differential. Display quality represents the most dramatic difference: the M4's Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR with 120Hz ProMotion delivers stunning color accuracy and responsiveness, while the Tab A9+ relies on basic LCD with 90Hz refresh. Processing power heavily favors Apple, with the M4 chip crushing the Snapdragon 695 5G in both single and multi-threaded workloads, essential for creative professionals. Camera systems diverge considerably,12MP ultrawide front and 12MP rear on the iPad Pro versus modest 5MP/8MP sensors on Samsung. Samsung does offer microSD expansion and longer battery life (7040 mAh capacity), plus a more accessible entry price for casual users. iPadOS 17 provides superior tablet optimization compared to Android 13, though the Tab A9+ suits budget-conscious consumers needing basic media consumption. For serious productivity, creative work, or gaming, the iPad Pro's M4 is indispensable. For casual browsing and Netflix watching, the Galaxy Tab A9+ suffices admirably at one-fifth the cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch if…
- →Gorgeous Tandem OLED panel with excellent HDR performance
- →Extremely thin and portable design
- →Apple M4 delivers desktop-class performance
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if…
- →Affordable price under $220
- →Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- →Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch
Pros
- Gorgeous Tandem OLED panel with excellent HDR performance
- Extremely thin and portable design
- Apple M4 delivers desktop-class performance
- Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and new Magic Keyboard
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity
Cons
- Premium pricing for the smaller screen variant
- Accessories are sold separately and pricey
- iPadOS multitasking still feels limited compared to macOS
- No Face ID in landscape limitations remain in some apps
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Pros
- Affordable price under $220
- Smooth 90Hz 11-inch display
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
- Long Samsung software support window
Cons
- No S Pen support
- Plastic build feels basic
- Only Wi-Fi 5
- Modest Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Slow 15W charging
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g (Wi-Fi) | 480 g |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | 257.1 x 168.7 x 6.9 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | 15W fast charging |
| Capacity | — | 7040 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | 8 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | 5 MP |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | LCD |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 1920 x 1200 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 64 GB, 128 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 8 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB/2TB) | 4 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 5 |
| 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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