Samsung Tab S9 FE vs Apple iPad Air: Mid-range Tablet Showdown

Samsung provides a range of features with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE, an Android tablet that's budget-friendly and offers strong performance.

We examine both to find out how it compares to Apple's iPad Air (5th Generation) and which is better suited to your digital needs or worth buying.

Tab S9 FE vs iPad Air: Best Mid-Range Tablet

Both the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and iPad Air are mid-range tablets from different companies. When deciding between them, take into account factors like price, design, software features, and performance.

The iPad Air boasts faster performance with its M1 chip, which may be more noticeable during intensive tasks rather than daily use. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE is $150 cheaper, adding to its appeal.

When choosing a mid-range tablet, matching it with your smartphone matters. Samsung Galaxy users will find tight integration with the Tab S9 FE, and Galaxy Notebook users can use it as an external display. Similarly, the iPad Air integrates well with Apple's ecosystem and can work alongside Mac computers.

Feature	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE	Apple iPad Air (2020)
Design	Solid metal and glass body	Premium design with sleek aesthetics
Display	Vivid and responsive	High-quality Retina display
Processor	Comparatively slower	Powerful M1 SoC
RAM	Lower RAM on entry model	8GB RAM in all models
Storage	Modest storage options	64GB starting, up to 256GB (non-expandable)
S Pen	Included	Apple Pencil not included
Connectivity	5G only on entry model	Wi-Fi and Cellular options available
Battery Life	Long-lasting	Long battery life
Operating System	Android	iPadOS
Water and Dust Resistance	Yes	Not specified
Expandability	Not specified	Not expandable
App Ecosystem	Wide range of Android apps	Extensive selection of iPad apps
Price Range	Budget-friendly	Premium pricing

Pricing, Specifications, and Availability

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE was unveiled in October 2023. In March 2022, the iPad Air (5th Generation) was released. The iPad Air might struggle due to its older release date.

The Galaxy Tab S9 FE costs $449 for the base model, which includes 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There’s also an upgraded version available.

It offers 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, suitable for running demanding apps or games and storing more data. Importantly, the Tab S9 FE supports microSD cards, allowing users to add up to 1TB of extra storage after purchase.

For those needing faster internet on the go, there’s also the S9 FE 5G model. It includes 5G connectivity, making it ideal for travelers who don’t always have access to reliable Wi-Fi.

The iPad Air from Apple begins at $500 and includes only 64GB of storage, which may not be enough for users with large collections of photos, music, or videos, or those who want to play intensive video games.

For $650, you can get a version with 256GB of storage. You can also add 5G cellular connectivity to either model of the iPad Air for an extra $150.

Feature Comparison: iPad Air (2020) vs. Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Feature	Apple iPad Air (2020)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
Weight	16.32 ounces	1.15 pounds
CPU	Apple M1	Samsung Exynos 1380
Ports	USB-C	USB Type-C Version 2.0, microSD (up to 1TB)
Battery	10.5 hours	Li-ion 8,000mAh
Display type	Retina	10.9-inch, WUXGA+ (2304 x 1440), LCD
Storage	64GB	256GB, 128GB
Operating System	iPadOS	Android 13
Camera (Rear	Front)	Front: 12MP UW, Rear: 8MP, Front and rear
Size	10.9-inch display	10.01 x 6.53 x 0.26 inches
Memory	8GB	8GB, 6GB

Design

The Tab S9 FE and iPad Air have nice designs that many find agreeable. They are made of metal and glass, giving them a premium feel. However, you might want to get a tablet case to protect them.

Both tablets have connectors for keyboards: the iPad Air on the back and the Tab S9 FE on the side. They also have beautiful touchscreens and thin black borders. On the back, they have single cameras and their brand logos.

The Tab S9 FE offers lavender, silver, mint, and gray color options. For those who like colorful devices, the iPad Air comes in Starlight, pink, Space Gray, blue, and purple. Both tablets use biometric security: simply place your finger on the Power button to unlock them.

The Tab S9 FE focuses on durability with dust and water resistance, a feature not yet seen in Apple's iPads. Both brands are choosing soft and pastel colors for their latest models.

Display

Both Apple and Samsung are known for making excellent screens. The most important part of any device is usually the screen.

The Tab S9 FE features a 10.9-inch display with a resolution of 2304×1440 pixels. In comparison, the iPad Air offers a 10.9-inch screen with a higher resolution of 2360×1640 pixels.

A higher refresh rate makes moving things on the screen look smoother. This is good for gamers and people who like watching videos. The iPad Air has slightly more pixels than the Tab S9 FE, but most people won’t notice a difference.

The display is perhaps the most critical aspect of any device, the part you will be staring at most of the time. It will be no surprise to some that both Apple and Samsung produce some of the most impressive displays around, and there is no change here.

The Tab S9 FE offers a 10.9-inch display with 2304×1440 pixels, while the iPad Air offers a similar size 10.9-inch display with 2360×1640 resolution.

The Tab S9 FE offers a smoother display experience with its higher refresh rate, which is 90Hz, compared to the iPad Air's 60Hz. Gamers and multimedia fans will appreciate this feature for its enhanced motion clarity.

Both tablets support styluses, allowing you to take notes or unleash your inner artist. The Galaxy S23 FE includes the S Pen in the box, which charges magnetically on the device's back. The iPad Air supports the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, sold separately, which charges magnetically on the side of the device.

Battery and Performance

Apple surprised the tech world with its M1 chip in 2020, setting a high standard for processors. Other companies have been trying to catch up since then.

The iPad Air features the powerful M1 chip, while Samsung's Tab S9 FE comes with the Exynos 1380. According to independent tests, Apple's M1 chip outperforms the Exynos by two to three times.

However, this doesn't mean the Tab S9 FE is not worth considering. The Exynos 1380 is still a strong processor for everyday use.

The Apple M1 chip marked a significant advancement in processor technology. Even compared to other capable processors, it stands out for its speed.

I believe most users will find the Exynos 1380 in the Tab S9 FE sufficient for daily tasks like work, creative projects, and gaming.

The iPad Air boasts 8GB of RAM for smooth system performance. In contrast, the Tab S9 FE starts with 6GB of RAM and offers an 8GB option in its higher-tier model.

If you plan to engage in content creation, gaming, or multitasking with multiple apps and browsing tabs, opting for the 8GB Tab S9 FE model is advisable.

Ultimately, a tablet's power is irrelevant if its battery dies and you lack access to a charger. The iPad Air offers up to 10 hours of battery life per charge, while the Tab S9 FE delivers up to 18 hours.

For recharging, the Tab S9 FE supports Super Fast Charging, allowing for a full charge in under 90 minutes when using the optional 45W wall charger.

Software

When deciding between an Android tablet like the Galaxy Tab S9 FE and an iPadOS tablet such as the Apple iPad Air, the choice often boils down to software preference, regardless of hardware differences.

If you want your smartphone to communicate with your tablet, sharing messages, phone calls, and files quickly, choose the tablet that best matches your smartphone. Likewise, Android users tend to embrace the Android integration with the Galaxy Tab series.

If you already live within the Apple ecosystem and own an iPhone, MacBook, etc., an iPad will fit better into your existing workflow.

iPadOS offers a wide range of tablet-specific software. Android on tablets has improved significantly over the years but may still run unoptimized smartphone apps more often on devices like the Tab S9 FE than on the iPad Air.

For those seeking a desktop-like experience on a tablet, the Tab S9 FE includes Samsung DeX. This feature lets you use Android apps with a taskbar, desktop, and more in multiple windows. The iPad Air offers Stage Manager, a similar but more limited alternative.

Cameras

The Tab S9 FE and iPad Air have basic front and rear cameras. They are good for video calls, capturing moments like your pet doing something cute, and are not as advanced as high-end smartphone cameras.

Both tablets have 12MP front cameras with software that keeps you in focus during video calls, even if you move around. The rear cameras are also similar, with Apple using a 12MP sensor and Samsung using an 8MP sensor.