iPad Air 13 (2025) vs. Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Apple's Efficiency and Samsung's Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term reliability and a streamlined experience, the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) is the better choice. Its 1000-cycle battery and optimized M3 chip offer a predictable and consistent performance profile. However, power users demanding maximum battery endurance and faster charging will find the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra more appealing.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra |
| 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 - A3269 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 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 - A3269, A3271 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 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 | 2025, March 04 | 2024, September 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, March 12 | Available. Released 2024, October 03 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.4 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 in) |
| SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 616 g (Wi-Fi) / 617 g (5G) (1.36 lb) | 718 g (Wi-Fi), 723 g (5G) (1.58 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4 | Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~239 ppi density) |
| Size | 13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 617.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) | Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (9-core graphics) | Immortalis-G720 MC12 |
| OS | iPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF | - |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, 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/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh) | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue | Moonstone Gray, Platinum Silver |
| Models | A3269, A3271, A3268 | SM-X920, SM-X926B, SM-X926N, SM-X920N |
| Price | About 950 EUR | $ 899.99 |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 1.48 W/kg (body) | 0.94 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 72:00h endurance, 1000 cycles | 85:18h endurance, 2000 cycles |
| Energy | Class G | Class G |
| Free fall | Class E (0 falls) | Class E (0 falls) |
| Repairability | Class C | Class C |
Apple iPad Air 13 (2025)
- Optimized M3 chip for smooth performance
- Strong ecosystem integration with Apple devices
- Potentially longer software support
- Shorter battery endurance compared to Tab S10 Ultra
- Lower battery cycle count
- Likely slower charging speeds
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
- Exceptional battery life (85:18h endurance)
- High battery cycle count (2000 cycles)
- 45W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Android ecosystem fragmentation
- Potential for software update delays
- Dimensity 9300+ may throttle under sustained load
Display Comparison
While display specs are missing, the iPad Air traditionally focuses on color accuracy and ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate). The Tab S10 Ultra, given Samsung's history, will likely feature a vibrant AMOLED panel with potentially higher peak brightness. The Tab S10 Ultra’s larger form factor suggests a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of LTPO information for the iPad Air 13 (2025) means it may not dynamically adjust refresh rates as efficiently as Samsung’s panels, potentially impacting battery life during static content viewing.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent, but given the tablet form factor, neither device is likely to be a photography powerhouse. Expect competent main sensors for document scanning and video calls. Samsung typically emphasizes camera features even on tablets, so the Tab S10 Ultra might offer slightly more advanced image processing. The lack of information prevents a detailed comparison of sensor sizes or optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M3, an octa-core CPU, is known for its efficiency and optimized software integration. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra leverages the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+, a 4nm octa-core processor with a heterogeneous core configuration (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720). This configuration suggests a focus on peak performance, potentially exceeding the M3 in raw processing power, especially in multi-threaded tasks. However, the M3’s unified memory architecture and tight software control often translate to smoother real-world performance, particularly in creative applications. The Dimensity 9300+'s 4nm process node should offer good thermal efficiency, but sustained workloads may reveal differences in throttling behavior.
Battery Life
Battery life is a significant differentiator. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra boasts an impressive 85:18h endurance, coupled with 2000 charge cycles, indicating a focus on longevity. The iPad Air 13 (2025) offers a respectable 72:00h endurance and 1000 cycles. The Tab S10 Ultra’s 45W wired charging is a substantial advantage, allowing for significantly faster replenishment compared to the iPad Air’s likely slower charging speed. The higher cycle count on the Samsung suggests it’s designed to maintain capacity over a longer period of use.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Air 13 (2025) if you need a tablet deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, value long-term software support, and prioritize a balance between performance and portability. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra if you prefer Android's open ecosystem, require the longest possible battery life between charges, and benefit from 45W fast charging for quick top-ups.