iPad (2022) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+: A Deep Dive Comparison

Apple's iPad (2022) remains a strong contender in the mainstream tablet space, offering a familiar iOS experience. However, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S9+ enters the arena with a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and faster charging capabilities, challenging Apple's dominance. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which tablet best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant leap over the iPad (2022)'s A14 Bionic, especially for demanding tasks. However, the iPad (2022) remains a compelling option for those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem and seeking a more affordable entry point.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad (2022) Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - A2757HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A27571, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2757, A27771, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2777-
Launch
Announced2022, October 182023, July 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 26Available. Released 2023, August 11
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions248.6 x 179.5 x 7 mm (9.79 x 7.07 x 0.28 in)285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7 mm (11.24 x 7.30 x 0.22 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight477 g (Wi-Fi) / 481 g (LTE) (1.05 lb)586 g (581 g Wi-Fi) (1.29 lb)
 Stylus support (1st gen only)-
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density)1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size10.9 inches, 359.2 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio)12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLiquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.0 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 740
OSiPadOS 16.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
FeaturesHDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide)12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Video1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack No-
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, EDR, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort; magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-45W wired
TypeLi-Po 7606 mAh (28.6 Wh)Li-Po 10090 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Blue, Pink, YellowBeige, Graphite
ModelsA3162, A2757, A2777, A2696, iPad13,18, iPad13,19SM-X810, SM-X816B
PriceAbout 430 EURAbout 1000 EUR
SAR EU-1.35 W/kg (body)

Apple iPad (2022)

  • Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
  • Optimized iOS software experience
  • Generally lower price point

  • Older A14 Bionic chipset
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Potentially less versatile display

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
  • 45W fast charging
  • Likely superior display quality

  • Android OS may not appeal to all users
  • Potentially higher price
  • Samsung's software can be feature-rich but sometimes bloated

Display Comparison

While specific display specs for the iPad (2022) aren't provided, it's expected to feature a standard LCD panel. The Galaxy Tab S9+ likely boasts a superior display experience, benefiting from Samsung's display technology. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's image signal processor (ISP) will also contribute to better image quality. The S9+'s potential for a higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz) compared to the iPad's standard 60Hz will result in smoother scrolling and animations. The absence of LTPO in the iPad (2022) means it won't dynamically adjust refresh rates for power saving like the S9+ potentially could.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details for the iPad (2022), a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically prioritizes camera quality in its tablets. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's ISP will likely enable superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance on the Tab S9+. The S9+ is expected to have a more advanced camera system overall, offering features like improved dynamic range and more accurate color reproduction. The iPad (2022) likely focuses on basic photography needs, while the S9+ caters to users who want a more capable camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+'s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Apple iPad (2022)'s A14 Bionic (5nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X3 prime core, delivers superior multi-core performance. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also offers improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While the A14 Bionic is still capable, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a noticeable performance boost for demanding applications like video editing and high-end gaming. The S9+'s LPDDR5x RAM will also contribute to faster data transfer speeds.

Battery Life

The iPad (2022)'s battery capacity is unknown, but Apple typically optimizes its software for efficient power management. The Galaxy Tab S9+ benefits from 45W wired charging, significantly faster than the iPad's standard charging speeds. This means the S9+ can be rapidly topped up, minimizing downtime. While the iPad (2022) may offer comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios, the S9+'s faster charging is a significant convenience factor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2's improved efficiency also contributes to better battery life under heavy load.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad (2022) if you need a reliable tablet for everyday tasks, prioritize seamless integration with other Apple devices, and value a mature, optimized operating system. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ if you prefer Android, demand top-tier performance for gaming or creative work, and appreciate the convenience of 45W fast charging. The S9+ is also the better choice for users who frequently multitask or require a more versatile tablet experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Tab S9+ get noticeably hotter than the A14 Bionic during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more powerful, its 4nm process node is more efficient than the A14 Bionic's 5nm node. This means the S9+ is likely to manage heat better, experiencing less throttling and maintaining higher performance for longer periods, despite the increased processing power.
❓ Does the Galaxy Tab S9+ support DeX mode, and is it a useful feature for productivity?
Yes, the Galaxy Tab S9+ supports Samsung DeX, which transforms the tablet interface into a desktop-like experience when connected to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. DeX is highly useful for productivity, allowing you to multitask efficiently and use apps in a windowed format, making it a viable alternative to a traditional laptop for certain tasks.
❓ How does the software update support compare between the iPad (2022) and the Galaxy Tab S9+?
Apple is renowned for its long-term software support, typically providing updates for 5-6 years. Samsung has significantly improved its update policy, promising 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Tab S9+ series. While Apple still holds an edge, Samsung's commitment is now competitive and ensures the S9+ will remain secure and feature-rich for a considerable period.