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Apple iPad Air (5th generation) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleiPad Air (5th generation)SamsungGalaxy Tab S9 FE
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2022October 2023
Display
Screen size10.9″10.9″
Resolution2360 × 16402304 × 1440
Sharpness264 pixels per inch249 pixels per inch
PanelLCDLCD
Refresh rate–90 Hz
Brightness500 nits–
Display typeLiquid Retina; LED-backlit IPS LCD; 10.86 inches measured diagonally as a rectangleTFT LCD, WUXGA+, 16M colours, up to 90 Hz; 10.9 inches measured as a full rectangle
Pixel density264 ppi–
Display featuresP3 wide colour; True Tone; fully laminated; anti-reflective coating with 1.8% reflectivity; oleophobic coating–
Performance
ChipM1Exynos 1380
Memory8 GB6 GB – 8 GB
Storage64 GB, 256 GB128 GB, 256 GB
CPU8-core CPU with 4 performance and 4 efficiency cores; 8 GB RAMOcta-core (2.4 GHz, 2 GHz); Samsung doesn't name the chip, Exynos 1380 per GSMArena
GPU8-core GPU; Media Engine with hardware-accelerated H.264 and HEVC video decode and encode–
AI engine16-core Neural Engine–
Cameras
Rear camera12 MP8 MP
Ultra wide cameraNoneNone
Front camera12 MP12 MP
Rear cameraWide; f/1.8 five-element lens; autofocus with Focus Pixels; digital zoom up to 5x; wide colour and Live Photos; Smart HDR 3; panorama up to 63 MP; auto image stabilisation; burst; geotagging; HEIF and JPEG8 MP, autofocus, no flash
Front cameraUltra Wide; 122° field of view; f/2.4; Centre Stage; Smart HDR 3; lens correction; Retina Flash; wide colour capture; auto image stabilisation; burst12 MP ultra wide
Video recordingRear 4K at 24, 25, 30 or 60 fps; 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fps; 720p at 30 fps; slow-motion 1080p at 120 or 240 fps; extended dynamic range up to 30 fps; stabilised time-lapse; cinematic stabilisation; continuous autofocus; HEVC and H.264; front 1080p at 25, 30 or 60 fpsUp to 4K (3840 × 2160) at 30 fps
Battery and connections
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10 hoursUp to 18 hours
Battery (mAh)–8,000 mAh
Fastest charging–45 W
Battery capacity28.6 Wh–
Mobile data optionYesYes
StylusSupported, sold separatelySupported, in the box
Keyboard made for itYesYes
Battery life detailUp to 10 hours Wi-Fi browsing or video; nine hours cellular browsing8,000 mAh typical; up to 18 hours of video playback and up to 16 hours of internet use on Wi-Fi
Charging20W USB-C power adapter supplied; charging via adapter or computer45 W wired, compatible with QC2.0 and AFC; 45 W adapter sold separately
USB-CUSB-C with charging, DisplayPort and USB 3.1 Gen 2 up to 10 Gb/s; one external display up to 6K at 60 Hz; Smart ConnectorUSB Type-C, USB 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); simultaneous dual band; HT80 with MIMOWi-Fi 6 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), 2.4 and 5 GHz, HE80, MIMO, 1024-QAM
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
Mobile network5G (sub-6 GHz) and Gigabit LTE; nano-SIM and eSIM; cellular model weighs 462 g5G and LTE on the 5G model, which weighs 524 g
Stylus supportApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C), sold separatelyS Pen in the box, without Bluetooth; rated IP68; S Pen Creator Edition sold separately
KeyboardsMagic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio, sold separatelyBook Cover Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim
Design
Weight461 g523 g
Thickness6.1 mm6.5 mm
Height × width247.6 × 178.5 mm254.3 × 165.8 mm
Water and dust resistance–IP68
Operating systemiPadOSAndroid
BiometricsTouch ID in top buttonFingerprint sensor
SpeakersLandscape stereo speakersDual speakers by AKG, Dolby Atmos
MicrophonesDual microphones–
SensorsThree-axis gyro; accelerometer; barometer; ambient light; compass; iBeacon; GPS and GNSS on cellular modelAccelerometer, fingerprint sensor, gyro sensor, geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, light sensor
Materials100% recycled aluminium enclosure–
ColoursSpace Grey, Starlight, Pink, Purple, BlueMint, Silver, Grey, Lavender
Software at launchiPadOS 15Android 13
In the boxiPad Air; USB-C charge cable (1 m); 20W USB-C power adapterGalaxy Tab S9 FE, S Pen, USB Type-C cable

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