Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
Apple's M4 iPad Pro dominates with its cutting-edge Tandem OLED display delivering superior colors and contrast, paired with the blazingly fast M4 chip that crushes the Exynos 1380 in performance and multitasking. Its 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate feels noticeably smoother than the Tab S9 FE's 90Hz panel. Battery life matches Apple's claims at 10 hours, though Samsung claims 12 hours on video playback. Camera quality favors the iPad Pro with its 12MP rear sensor versus 8MP, while both offer solid ultrawide front cameras. Storage flexibility is a major differentiator—the iPad Pro supports up to 2TB versus the Tab S9 FE's 256GB maximum, though Samsung offers microSD expansion. At $999 versus $449.99, the iPad Pro represents premium tablet engineering and iPadOS's superior app optimization, while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE serves budget-conscious users needing basic multimedia consumption and stylus note-taking. For professionals and power users, the iPad Pro's performance and display justify the premium.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g (Wi-Fi) | 523 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | Up to ~12 hours video |
| Capacity | — | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | 8 MP wide |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 10.9 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | 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 | 8 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB/2TB) | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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 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
Related Comparisons
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