Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: A Deep Dive
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For demanding creative professionals and users prioritizing peak performance, the iPad Pro 11 (2022) with its M2 chip is the clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ provides excellent value, offering a large display and solid performance for everyday tasks and students, making it the better choice for most users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) | 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2435, A2761 | 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, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2435 | 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 |
| 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2761, A2762 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 18 | 2023, October 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 26 | 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 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in) | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm (11.24 x 7.30 x 0.26 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 466 g (Wi-Fi), 470 g (5G) (1.03 lb) | 627 g or 628 g (1.38 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~243 ppi density) |
| Size | 11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.4 inches, 445.8 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 600 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 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 (10-core graphics) | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | iPadOS 16.1, 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 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) | 8 MP, (wide) 8 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, ProRes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | 12 MP, (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR | Yes |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (cellular model only) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), 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 | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, proximity (accessories only) |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired, QC2.0 |
| Type | Li-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh) | Li-Po 10090 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Mint, Silver, Gray, Lavender |
| Models | A2435, A2761, A2762, A2759, iPad8,9, iPad8,10, iPad14,3, iPad14,4 | SM-X610, SM-X616B |
| Price | About 1050 EUR | About 770 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.50 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022)
- Unmatched performance with the Apple M2 chip
- Superior display quality with ProMotion technology
- Optimized software ecosystem and long-term support
- Higher price point
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited port selection (USB-C)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+
- More affordable price
- Faster 45W charging with QC2.0
- Larger display for enhanced media consumption
- Noticeably lower performance compared to the M2
- Less refined software experience
- Potentially more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both tablets offer vibrant displays, key differences exist. The iPad Pro 11 (2022) likely features a mini-LED backlit display (based on Apple’s typical implementation), offering exceptional contrast and brightness, though specific nits aren’t provided. The Tab S9 FE+’s display size is larger, offering more screen real estate. Both likely utilize high refresh rate panels, but the iPad Pro’s ProMotion technology (LTPO) dynamically adjusts the refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations, potentially offering better power efficiency. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the iPad Pro, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance isn’t a primary focus for tablets, but differences exist. The iPad Pro likely features a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the M2, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. While specific sensor details are unavailable, Apple typically prioritizes image quality. The Tab S9 FE+’s camera system is likely more basic, focusing on adequate performance for video calls and casual snapshots. Any 2MP macro camera on the Tab S9 FE+ is unlikely to provide significant benefit due to its small sensor size and limited resolution.
Performance
The core differentiator lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M2, built on a 5nm process, boasts an octa-core CPU with four high-performance cores clocked at 3.49 GHz, delivering significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+'s Exynos 1380 (5nm). The Exynos 1380, while capable, utilizes older Cortex-A78 cores, resulting in a noticeable performance gap, particularly in demanding tasks like video rendering or 3D gaming. The iPad Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance, offering faster data transfer speeds. Thermal management will be crucial for the Exynos 1380; the 5nm node is efficient, but sustained workloads could lead to throttling, whereas the M2’s architecture is designed for sustained performance.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend on usage patterns. The iPad Pro’s efficiency is aided by the M2’s architecture and optimized software. The Tab S9 FE+ benefits from its larger display size, potentially requiring more power. However, Samsung’s 45W wired charging with QC2.0 support offers a significant advantage over the iPad Pro’s slower charging speeds. A full 0-100% charge on the Tab S9 FE+ is likely to be considerably faster, providing more convenience for users on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2022) if you require uncompromising performance for video editing, graphic design, or demanding mobile gaming, and are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ if you prioritize a larger screen for media consumption and note-taking, appreciate the flexibility of Android, and seek a more affordable tablet experience without sacrificing essential features.