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Galaxy Tab S9 vs iPad Air 13-inch (M3)

WINNER
Galaxy Tab S9

Samsung

Galaxy Tab S9

$800

61.3Inno Score
VS
iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
57.1Inno Score
57.6Performance73.5
61.6Display35.4
46Battery44.8
81.4Portability61
75.2Features74.4
8 spec wins — Galaxy Tab S95 spec wins — iPad Air 13-inch (M3)

InnoReviews verdict

Galaxy Tab S9 wins this tablet face-off, 61.3 to 57.1, pulling ahead mainly in display (+26) and portability (+20). iPad Air 13-inch (M3) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the Galaxy Tab S9

  • Stronger display score: 62 vs 35
  • Stronger portability score: 81 vs 61
  • 125% higher charging: 45 W vs 20 W
  • 100% higher Refresh rate: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz
  • 25% higher Peak brightness: 750 nits vs 600 nits

Reasons to pick the iPad Air 13-inch (M3)

  • Stronger performance score: 74 vs 58
  • 119% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 11,600 vs 5,300
  • 54% higher Geekbench 6 (single): 3,050 vs 1,980
  • 30% higher AnTuTu 10: 1,950,000 vs 1,500,000
  • 17% higher Screen size: 12.9 ″ vs 11 ″

Display

Display comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
Screen size11 ″12.9 ″+17%
Panel typeDynamic AMOLED 2XLiquid Retina IPS LCD
Resolution2560x16002732x2048
Pixel density274 ppi+4%264 ppi
Refresh rate120 Hz+100%60 Hz
Peak brightness750 nits+25%600 nits

Performance

Performance comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for GalaxyApple M3
AnTuTu 101,500,0001,950,000+30%
Geekbench 6 (single)1,9803,050+54%
Geekbench 6 (multi)5,30011,600+119%
RAM8 GB8 GB
Storage options128GB / 256GB + microSD128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB

Battery

Battery comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
Capacity8,400 mAh9,705 mAh+16%
Charging45 W+125%20 W
Endurance11 h+10%10 h

Design

Design comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
Weight498 g+19%616 g
Thickness5.9 mm+3%6.1 mm
MaterialArmor AluminumAluminum

Camera

Camera comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
Rear camera13 MP+8%12 MP
Front camera12 MP12 MP

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth5.35.3
Cellular5G optional5G optional
USBUSB-C 3.2 Gen 1USB-C (10Gbps)

Features

Features comparison: Galaxy Tab S9 versus iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
SpecGalaxy Tab S9iPad Air 13-inch (M3)
StylusS Pen (included)Apple Pencil Pro
Keyboard supportYesYes
SpeakersQuadStereo
Operating systemAndroid 13 (One UI 5.1.1)iPadOS 18

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