iPad Air 11 (2024) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: A Performance and Value Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and long-term software support, the Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) is the clear winner, thanks to the significantly more powerful M2 chip. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE offers a compelling value proposition with its expandable storage and competitive feature set, making it ideal for budget-conscious users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 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, 48, 66, 71 - A2903 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2903, A2904 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, May 07 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, May 15 | Available. Released 2023, October 16 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) | 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.5 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 462 g (1.02 lb) | 523 g or 524 g (1.15 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) | 1440 x 2304 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~249 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 357.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.9 inches, 344.5 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.48 GHz performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Apple M2 | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (9-core graphics) | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | iPadOS 17.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS | Yes |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (cellular model only) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) | Li-Po 8000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | A2902, A2903, A2904, iPad14,8, iPad14,9 | SM-X510, SM-X516B |
| Price | About 700 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.55 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.59 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPad Air 11 (2024)
- Significantly faster M2 chip for demanding tasks
- Superior long-term software support from Apple
- Likely better display quality with higher brightness and color accuracy
- Higher price point compared to the Tab S9 FE
- No expandable storage via microSD
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- More affordable price point
- Expandable storage via microSD card
- Quick Charge 2.0 support for wider charger compatibility
- Less powerful Exynos 1380 chip
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
Display Comparison
While both tablets feature 11-inch displays, detailed display specs are missing. However, given Apple’s history, the iPad Air 11 likely boasts superior color accuracy and potentially higher peak brightness compared to the Tab S9 FE. The Tab S9 FE’s LCD panel, while good, will likely lack the contrast ratio of an iPad Air’s laminated display. Bezels are expected to be comparable, but the iPad Air’s display is likely to benefit from Apple’s advanced image processing pipeline.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are unavailable for both devices. However, given the focus of these tablets, camera performance is not a primary differentiator. It’s reasonable to assume both tablets feature capable cameras for video calls and casual snapshots. The iPad Air may benefit from Apple’s superior image signal processing, but the difference will likely be minimal for typical tablet use cases. The absence of detailed sensor information makes a definitive comparison impossible.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M2, built on a second-generation 5nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over Samsung’s 5nm Exynos 1380. The M2’s octa-core CPU, with its 4 performance cores clocked at 3.48 GHz, will significantly outperform the Exynos 1380’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores in CPU-intensive tasks. The M2’s integrated GPU is also far more capable, translating to smoother gaming and faster video rendering. The iPad Air’s use of LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, providing faster memory access compared to the Tab S9 FE’s likely LPDDR4x configuration. The Exynos 1380, while capable, is more likely to exhibit thermal throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both tablets support 45W wired charging, offering similar charging speeds. However, the actual battery capacity is unknown for both devices. The M2 chip’s efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery in the iPad Air, providing comparable real-world battery life to the Tab S9 FE. The Tab S9 FE’s inclusion of Quick Charge 2.0 offers broader compatibility with chargers, while the iPad Air relies solely on USB-PD.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Air 11 (2024) if you need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, or intensive gaming, and value Apple’s ecosystem and long-term software updates. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you prioritize affordability, expandable storage via microSD, and a versatile tablet experience for everyday tasks, media consumption, and light productivity.