Ideal for multimedia
The Galaxy Tab S9 is the plain alternative if you need a 11-inch pill primarily for consuming media. The 120Hz AMOLED panel is completely beautiful, and it makes streaming movies and flicks a delight. Samsung additionally rolled out a slate of {hardware} upgrades, and also you get all-day battery life constantly. But the most important challenge is not the {hardware}; Android tablets nonetheless do not measure as much as the iPad on the software program entrance, and whereas Samsung affords customized options that make the Tab S9 stand out, there’s nonetheless work to be performed on this space.
ForGorgeous 120Hz AMOLED screenOutstanding battery lifeIP68 ingress safetyWi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivityStylus included within the boxUseful multitasking featuresLong-term software program updatesAgainstCostlier than the iPad AirDoes not work with older accent ecosystemSoftware nonetheless not on par with iPad
An amazing all-rounder
The iPad Air would not have the identical caliber of {hardware} because the Tab S9; it makes use of an LCD display, there is not any ingress safety, it misses out on Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and you will not discover a MicroSD slot. That stated, the M1 silicon is a real powerhouse, and the iPad Air makes up for different shortcomings with intensive software program options that give it an amazing edge towards its Android rivals. In quick, you are principally shopping for the iPad Air for the software program, not the {hardware}.
ForStellar energy because of M1 siliconVibrant 10.9-inch screenCharges over USB-CWill get no less than 5 platform updatesExtensive app ecosystemAgainstScreen restricted to 60HzNo ingress protectionBase mannequin has simply 64GB of storage
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs. Apple iPad Air: Design and screenWhy you possibly can belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you possibly can select the very best for you. Find out extra about how we take a look at.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)There is not a lot to distinguish both pill on the subject of the design facet of issues. The Galaxy Tab S9 has an aluminum chassis and flat sides, and the one notable design attribute on the again is the indent that homes the S Pen stylus. On that be aware, the stylus itself is bundled within the bundle this time.The aluminum body and again provides the Galaxy Tab S9 the requisite rigidity, and the construct high quality is beautiful. The solely quibble I’ve on the design entrance is the selection of colours — you aren’t getting any fascinating colour variants of the Tab S9, and that is a letdown. But except for that, Samsung managed to tick all the correct bins right here: the pill has IP68 mud and water resistance, and there is a MicroSD slot ought to it is advisable enhance the storage.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Now, Apple is not recognized for introducing adjustments to its gadgets, and as such the iPad Air appears to be like an identical to its predecessor. It has the identical dimensions, the identical flat sides with an aluminum chassis, and the identical bezels on the entrance. What’s nice with this technology is that the pill is out there in fascinating colour choices, and the blue mannequin I’m utilizing appears to be like nice.Because the iPad Air has the identical dimensions as its predecessor, you should utilize equipment designed for the older pill — just like the Magic Keyboard — right here as properly. I convey up that time as a result of Samsung would not permit the identical; the Tab S9 additionally has an identical design aesthetic to its predecessor, however there are minute adjustments to the size, stopping older equipment like keyboards and circumstances from getting used with the pill. It’s a user-hostile transfer, and Samsung actually ought to have performed higher on this space.(Image credit score: Samsung)The greatest use case for a pill is multimedia, and the Galaxy Tab S9 would not put a foot fallacious right here. The pill has a big 11-inch display with minimal bezels across the sides, and it options an AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh. The excessive refresh price ensures day by day interactions are silky easy, and the AMOLED display is implausible for consuming media.TV exhibits and flicks look completely fabulous on the machine, and HDR10+ unlocks wider colour gamut in your favourite streaming platforms. If you need a pill primarily for streaming content material, that is the one to get. Samsung did job with the sound as properly, and the Tab S9 options quad audio system that do an important job. While I’d advocate utilizing wi-fi earbuds with the pill, the onboard audio is greater than sufficient for streaming content material.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)As for the iPad Air, it has a 10.9-inch LCD panel, and whereas it has nice colours out of the field, it would not fairly measure as much as what Samsung is providing. The LCD panel would not have the identical distinction ranges or viewing angles, and the display refresh is proscribed to 60Hz. That is not to say the pill is sluggish in day by day use — removed from it — nevertheless it would not have the identical immediacy that you simply get with the Tab S9.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs. Apple iPad Air: Hardware(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Both tablets have among the many finest {hardware} you will get on this section, with Samsung utilizing Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 on the Tab S9. That’s joined by a nano-SIM slot that enables for 5G connectivity, and also you get Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 as properly. There’s an in-screen module that works reliably properly, and unlocking the pill is about as easy because it will get.The iPad Air additionally has rather a lot to supply on this space, with the pill that includes the M1 silicon. You get the choice to make use of a nano-SIM or eSIM for mobile information, and the pill depends on Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. There’s a Touch ID module baked into the facility button, and it does an honest sufficient job with authentication. It’s not as simple to make use of because the in-screen sensor on the Tab S9, however it’s simply as safe.(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Given the {hardware} on supply, there’s zero lag on both pill in day by day use, they usually each deal with intensive gaming simply as properly. The iPad has a definite edge on this space because it comes with the next caliber of video games, however the Tab S9 is not quick on energy both. As for charging, each tablets characteristic USB-C ports for charging, and they are often related to all kinds of equipment, together with hubs, keyboards, and so forth.In an identical vein, there are not any issues on the subject of the battery life, with each tablets delivering over ten hours of screen-time between fees. Neither pill comes with a charger within the field, so you will want to choose up probably the greatest GaN chargers when you do not have already got one which goes as much as 45W.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs. Apple iPad Air: Software(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)The software program makes all of the distinction on this section, and the iPad Air continues to be within the lead on this space. Whether it is the sheer variety of apps obtainable on the machine or how properly they carry out, the iPad Air has all Android tablets handily beat, together with the Tab S9. While issues are altering for the higher on Android — as evidenced by the introduction of LumaFusion — the pill ecosystem simply is not as strong as what you get on the iPad.That stated, Samsung’s software program feature-set is about the very best you will discover on an Android pill at this time. While there are not any noteworthy additions with the Tab S9 collection, you get quantity of multitasking options and productiveness additions, and One UI 5.1 consists of all of the tablet-focused options launched in Android 13.Both tablets will get long-term software program updates, with Samsung guaranteeing 4 platform updates and 5 years of safety updates. The iPad Air ought to get no less than 5 iOS platform updates, giving it a slender lead over the Tab S9.Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 vs. Apple iPad Air: Which must you purchase?(Image credit score: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)Ultimately, selecting between the 2 comes right down to preferences. If you need a pill primarily for consuming media, the Tab S9 is the go-to alternative. The AMOLED panel makes all of the distinction on the planet, and it affords a lot better colour vibrancy and distinction. It is among the many finest Android tablets obtainable at this time, and the {hardware} together with long-lasting battery make it a simple suggestion. The iPad Air is a no brainer when you want a flexible pill. The software program ecosystem is unmatched, and also you get a considerably wider number of equipment, making it an important alternative for productiveness. While the iPad Air prices lower than the Tab S9, the bottom mannequin comes with a pitiful 64GB of storage, and the 256GB model retails for $749 — simply $50 lower than the beginning model of the Tab S9 with 128GB of storage.
Ideal for multimedia
If you want a pill for streaming motion pictures and TV exhibits, the Tab S9 is the plain decide. The 120Hz AMOLED panel makes it a delight to make use of, and the colourful display is backed by the newest {hardware} and excellent battery life.
An amazing all-rounder
If you need the very best software program ecosystem and a flexible pill that is well-suited for multimedia and productiveness, the iPad Air is the pill to get.