iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab: The Ultimate Tablet Comparison 2025
After using both the iPad Air and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ for 6 months, here's my comprehensive comparison to help you choose the right tablet for your needs.
Spec Comparison
iPad Air (M2, 2024)
- • Display: 11" Liquid Retina
- • Chip: Apple M2
- • Storage: 128GB-1TB
- • Pencil: Apple Pencil (USB-C)
- • Price: $599
Galaxy Tab S9+ (2024)
- • Display: 12.4" AMOLED
- • Chip: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- • Storage: 256GB-512GB
- • Stylus: S Pen (included)
- • Price: $799
Display Quality
The Samsung wins here. The 12.4" AMOLED display on the Tab S9+ is absolutely stunning with deeper blacks, better contrast, and HDR10+ support. The iPad's Liquid Retina display is excellent but can't match OLED vibrancy for media consumption.
Performance & Apps
The iPad's M2 chip is significantly more powerful than Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. But the bigger difference is app ecosystem. iPad has professional apps like Procreate, LumaFusion, and better Adobe support. Samsung's DeX desktop mode is impressive, but Android tablet apps often feel like stretched phone apps.
Stylus Experience
Samsung includes the S Pen for free, while Apple charges $79-$129 extra for the Apple Pencil. Both styluses offer excellent palm rejection and low latency. The S Pen has some unique features like air gestures, but the Apple Pencil feels more precise for detailed artwork.
Pros & Cons
iPad Air
Pros:
- • Superior app ecosystem
- • M2 chip performance
- • Better for creative work
- • Longer software support
- • Better resale value
Cons:
- • Stylus costs extra
- • LCD vs OLED
- • Limited file management
- • No expandable storage
- • Smaller screen
Galaxy Tab S9+
Pros:
- • Includes S Pen for free
- • Stunning AMOLED display
- • DeX desktop mode
- • MicroSD card slot
- • Better multitasking
Cons:
- • Weaker app ecosystem
- • More expensive
- • Android tablet optimization
- • Shorter update cycle
- • Lower resale value
Which Should You Buy?
Choose iPad Air if you prioritize app quality, creative work, long-term value, and don't need the absolute best display.
Choose Galaxy Tab S9+ if you want the best display for media, prefer Android ecosystem, need DeX for productivity, or want a stylus included.
Final Verdict
For most people, I recommend the iPad Air. Its superior app ecosystem and longer software support make it better value long-term. But if you're deep in the Android ecosystem and prioritize display quality, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is an excellent choice—just be prepared for some app compromises.
My Rating: iPad Air 9.2/10 | Galaxy Tab S9+ 8.7/10