Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: How does it compare to the Apple iPad 11?
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Apple iPad 11 are top-tier tablets with unique strengths. The Tab S9 FE excels in affordability, durability, and multimedia features, while the iPad 11 stands out for its powerful performance, seamless ecosystem integration, and creative capabilities.
In the realm of tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Apple iPad 11 stand out as two compelling options in bother Android and iOS, for users seeking performance, versatility, and value. While both devices fall just under ₹35,000 INR, they cater to different user preferences, they share a commitment to delivering affordable tablet technology. This article explores their features, strengths, and weaknesses across various aspects, helping you decide which tablet suits your needs.
1. Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE boasts a sleek design with an IP68-rated waterproof body, making it durable and suitable for outdoor use. Its lightweight build and modern aesthetics appeal to users who prioritise portability and style. The tablet is available in multiple colours, adding a touch of personalisation.
The Apple iPad 11, on the other hand, features Apple's signature aluminium unibody design, exuding elegance and durability. While it lacks waterproofing, its build quality is impeccable, ensuring longevity. The iPad 11 is slightly lighter than the Tab S9 FE, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
2. Display
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is equipped with a 10.9-inch TFT LCD display, offering a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals. It supports HDR10, enhancing colour accuracy and brightness, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, ensuring durability.
The iPad 11 features an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1640 x 2360 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. While its refresh rate is limited to 60Hz while its still priced at a premium, the display excels in colour reproduction and brightness, making it suitable for creative tasks like photo editing and digital art.
3. Performance
Under the hood, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is powered by the Exynos 1380 processor, paired with up to 6GB of RAM. It handles everyday tasks and light gaming efficiently but may struggle with demanding applications. The tablet supports expandable storage via a microSD card, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries.
The iPad 11 is equipped with the Apple A16 Bionic chip, offering superior performance compared to the Tab S9 FE. With up to 4GB of RAM, the iPad excels in multitasking, gaming, and resource-intensive applications. However, it lacks expandable storage, relying solely on internal memory options.
4. Camera
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera, suitable for casual photography and video calls. While the camera quality is decent, it falls short in comparison to flagship devices.
The iPad 11 boasts a 12MP rear camera with advanced features like Smart HDR and 4K video recording. Its front-facing camera is also 12MP, making it ideal for high-quality video calls and selfies. The iPad's camera system is more versatile as it has centre staging camera on the longer side (other iPad models have it on the shorter side), catering to users who video conferences.
5. Battery Life
The Tab S9 FE houses an 8000mAh battery, offering impressive endurance for a day long worth's usage. It supports 45W fast charging, ensuring quick top-ups when needed.
The iPad 11 is equipped with a slightly smaller 7819mAh battery but compensates with efficient power management. It supports 30W fast charging, providing decent charging speeds. Both tablets deliver reliable battery life about 10 hours of screen on time, but the Tab S9 FE edges out in terms of capacity.
6. Operating System
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE runs on Android 13, offering a customizable and user-friendly interface. Samsung's One UI enhances the experience with features like multitasking and S Pen support, making it a versatile choice for productivity.
The iPad 11 operates on iPadOS 18, delivering a polished and intuitive experience. Apple's ecosystem integration allows seamless connectivity with other Apple devices, making it ideal for users already invested in the brand.
7. Accessories
The Tab S9 FE includes the S Pen in the box (take that Apple!), it offers precise input, pressure sensitivity, and does not require charging. It’s ideal for note-taking and drawing, with seamless integration into Samsung's One UI. It even sticks magnetically to the tablet.
The Apple Pencil (USB-C) pairs seamlessly with the iPad 11, offering pixel-perfect precision, low latency, and tilt sensitivity for tasks like note-taking, sketching, and marking up documents. It charges via USB-C and magnetically attaches to the iPad for storage, enhancing convenience and functionality. It is sold separately as an accessory for ₹7,900 INR.
Coming to accessorising, both Tab s9 FE and iPad 11 can be input with a Logitech K480 wireless Keyboard. This works with multiple devices with just a flick of a dial. Since original accessories are expensive, Logitech seems to be a better budget option.
8. Price
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is priced at approximately ₹34,999 INR, making it an affordable option for users seeking a feature-rich tablet without breaking the bank.
The iPad 11 starts at ₹34,900 INR, reflecting its affordable pricing compared to its previous generation that was launched at ₹44,900 INR. While it offers superior performance and ecosystem integration, the lower price will grab many budget-conscious buyers such as students.
9. Target Audience
The Tab S9 FE is ideal for students, casual users, and those who prioritise affordability and durability. Its simple UI and expandable storage make it a practical choice for college students and media consumers alike.
The iPad that usually caters more to professionals, creatives, and users invested in Apple's ecosystem. The base iPad 11 seems to be a deal for those who don't need much power out of an iPad. It is still an iPad, it is powerful and the ecosystem support makes it suitable for productivity as it seamlessly connects with other Apple devices.
Conclusion
Here’s a concise table summarising the key differences between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Apple iPad 11:
| Category | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE | Apple iPad 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Build | Aluminium build with IP68 waterproof | Premium aluminium build with no waterproofing. |
| Display | 10.9-inch TFT LCD, 90Hz refresh rate, HDR10 support. | 11-inch IPS LCD, 60Hz refresh rate, vibrant visuals. |
| Processor | Exynos 1380; suitable for daily tasks and light gaming. | A16 Bionic; excels in multitasking and heavy tasks. |
| RAM & Storage | Up to 6GB RAM; storage expandable via microSD card. | Up to 4GB RAM; no expandable storage. |
| Camera | 8MP rear, 5MP front; basic quality for casual use. | 12MP rear and front; supports Smart HDR and 4K video. |
| Battery | 8000mAh, 45W fast charging. | 7819mAh, 30W fast charging. |
| Operating System | Android 13 with One UI | iPadOS 18 |
| Accessories | Includes S Pen; supports third-party accessories. | Supports Apple Pencil (2nd gen) & Magic Keyboard; sold separately. |
| Price | Starts at ₹34,999 | Starts at ₹34,900 (₹32,900 with discount) |
| Target Audience | Students, casual users | Students, casual users, Apple fanboys |
Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE and Apple iPad 11 are excellent tablets, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The Tab S9 FE shines in affordability, durability, and multimedia capabilities, while the iPad 11 excels in performance, ecosystem integration, and its creative tools.
Ultimately, the choice between these tablets depends on individual preferences and priorities. Whether you value customisation and affordability or premium performance and ecosystem integration, both devices offer compelling options in the ever-evolving world of tablets.
