Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Pro M4 11-inch delivers flagship performance with its powerful M4 chip, stunning Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR display running at 120Hz ProMotion, and premium build at 444g. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers excellent value at nearly half the price, featuring a larger 12.4-inch TFT LCD screen, longer battery life (20 hours versus 10 hours), expandable storage, and cellular connectivity. Performance gap is significant: the M4 vastly outpaces the Exynos 1380 for demanding tasks, while the Samsung excels at media consumption and everyday use. Display quality heavily favors iPad Pro's OLED technology over the S9 FE+ TFT panel. For professionals requiring raw processing power and best-in-class visuals, the iPad Pro justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users prioritizing screen size, battery endurance, and expandable storage should choose the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.
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 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 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
- 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 Pro M4 11-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g (Wi-Fi) | 627 g |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | — | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2560 x 1600 |
| 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 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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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