The tablet market is brimming with powerful devices, but two names that always stand out are Apple and Samsung. The iPad Air 5th Generation and Galaxy Tab S9 are leading contenders in the mid-to-premium tablet category. But which one is the better buy? Let’s pit them against each other and find out!
Design and Build Quality
iPad Air 5th Generation: Apple sticks to its classic premium design, offering a sleek aluminum chassis that feels luxurious in hand. At just 6.1mm thick, it’s impressively lightweight and easy to carry around. It’s available in a range of stylish colors, including Starlight, Space Gray, and Pink.
Galaxy Tab S9: Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 counters with a solid armor aluminum body, making it durable and resistant to scratches. It’s slightly thinner at 5.9mm and even lighter than the iPad Air. Samsung takes things further by including IP68 water and dust resistance—something the iPad lacks.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9—Water resistance gives it an edge in durability.
Display
iPad Air 5th Generation: The iPad Air features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color, offering sharp, vibrant visuals. However, it’s capped at a 60Hz refresh rate, which may not feel as smooth as some competitors.
Galaxy Tab S9: Samsung hits back with an 11-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Not only does it provide deep blacks and punchy colors, but it also supports a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling and gaming.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9—The AMOLED display and 120Hz refresh rate steal the show.
Performance
iPad Air 5th Generation: Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, the iPad Air delivers top-tier performance that rivals some laptops. It handles multitasking, gaming, and creative workflows effortlessly.
Galaxy Tab S9: Samsung equips the Tab S9 with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, which is fairly powerful and efficient. While everyday user will not notice the difference, the Apple’s iPadOS is better optimized for tablet use, giving the iPad Air an edge in performance consistency.
Winner: iPad Air 5th Generation—The M1 chip is a laptop-class and it’s not in the 8 Gen 2’s class and iPadOS optimization takes the crown.
Software and Ecosystem
iPad Air 5th Generation: Running iPadOS, the iPad Air offers a seamless experience within Apple’s ecosystem. Features like Handoff, Universal Control, and iCloud make working across Apple devices a breeze. Apps like Procreate and LumaFusion shine on this platform.
Galaxy Tab S9: Powered by Android 13 and Samsung’s One UI, the Tab S9 offers flexibility, especially if you’re an Android fan. Samsung DeX allows for a desktop-like experience, which is great for productivity. However, the app ecosystem is not as tablet-optimized as Apple’s.
Winner: iPad Air 5th Generation—Apple’s ecosystem is unmatched for creative professionals and multitaskers.
Accessories
iPad Air 5th Generation: The iPad Air supports the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, which is widely regarded as the best stylus in the market. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard, and you’ve got a solid laptop alternative.
Galaxy Tab S9: Samsung’s S Pen comes included in the box—huge bonus points! It’s just as responsive as the Apple Pencil, and with the keyboard case, the Tab S9 becomes a versatile productivity device.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9—Bundling the S Pen gives Samsung the upper hand in value.
Battery Life
iPad Air 5th Generation: Apple promises up to 10 hours of battery life for web browsing and video playback, and it lives up to the claim in most cases.
Galaxy Tab S9: Samsung also delivers impressive battery performance, matching Apple’s 10 hours. However, the Tab S9 charges faster thanks to 45W fast charging, compared to the iPad Air’s 20W.
Winner: Galaxy Tab S9—Faster charging gives it the edge.
Price and Value
iPad Air 5th Generation: Starting at $599, the iPad Air offers great value for a tablet with M1 power, but adding accessories can make the price climb significantly.
Galaxy Tab S9: With a starting price of $799, it’s more expensive upfront, but Samsung offsets this by including the S Pen.
Winner: iPad Air 5th Generation—A lower starting price makes it more accessible.
Final Verdict
- Choose the iPad Air 5th Generation if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem or prioritize performance and software optimization. It’s a great choice for creatives and professionals.
- Choose the Galaxy Tab S9 if you value a better display, water resistance, and included accessories. It’s perfect for Android users who want a premium tablet.
At the end of the day, both tablets are exceptional in their own right. Your choice will depend on what you value most—be it the Apple ecosystem or Samsung’s feature-packed offering.
Which one are you rooting for? Let us know in the comments!
