Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
The Verdict
Microsoft's Surface Pro 11 targets premium productivity users with Windows 11, the powerful Snapdragon X Plus chipset, and a stunning 2880x1920 120Hz OLED-capable display. Its 16GB RAM, USB 4 connectivity, and Wi-Fi 7 support enable demanding multitasking and file transfers. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers exceptional value at half the price, delivering a larger 12.4-inch screen, lighter form factor at 627g, and impressive 20-hour battery life. However, the Exynos 1380 with 6-8GB RAM handles basic tasks adequately but struggles with intensive apps. Surface Pro 11's superior processing power, display quality, and stylus precision suit professionals and creators. Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ excels for media consumption, reading, and light productivity. Choose Surface Pro 11 if you need a capable Windows laptop alternative; select Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ if budget matters and you prioritize media consumption and battery endurance.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) if…
- →Copilot+ PC NPU with on-device AI features
- →Excellent battery life from Snapdragon X Plus
- →Sharp 13-inch 120Hz PixelSense display
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
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet)
Pros
- Copilot+ PC NPU with on-device AI features
- Excellent battery life from Snapdragon X Plus
- Sharp 13-inch 120Hz PixelSense display
- Two USB 4 ports for fast external connectivity
- Removable SSD and Wi-Fi 7 support
Cons
- Type Cover keyboard and Slim Pen sold separately
- Some x86 Windows apps still need emulation on ARM
- Heavier than most Android/iPad tablets
- Premium pricing once accessories are added
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 | Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Windows 11 Home (Copilot+ PC) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 895 g | 627 g |
| Dimensions | 287 x 209 x 9.3 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 14 hours local video playback | Up to 20 hours video playback |
| Capacity | 53 Wh | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 10 MP 4K | — |
| Front camera | Quad HD ultrawide with Windows Hello | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | PixelSense Flow LCD (OLED optional) | TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2880 x 1920 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | 2x USB-C / USB 4 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
Related Comparisons
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
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 Microsoft products or all Samsung products. View full details for the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (Tablet) or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+.