Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Which is the best gaming tablet in 2024?

The Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ comparison (Image via Apple, Samsung)
The Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ comparison (Image via Apple, Samsung)

Apple and Samsung are leading choices in the world of tablets, so a comparison of the Apple iPad Air M2 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ should be an interesting one. These tablets are extremely popular among students and graphic designers due to their exceptional multi-tasking capabilities.

However, thanks to their powerful hardware and large screen, playing video games on these devices is very fun. Choosing between the two can be a daunting task, especially because they're both leading tablets with immense capability. To help you with your decision, we have put forth a comparison to help you understand better.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.


Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Specifications

Both tablets are quite similar in terms of specifications (Image via Apple, Samsung)
Both tablets are quite similar in terms of specifications (Image via Apple, Samsung)

Let's start this Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ comparison by looking into the specifications of the two. They do share some similarities but are vastly different when it comes to performance.

Features

Apple iPad Air M2

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

Chipset

M2

Exynos 1380

Display

11”, 13”, IPS, Liquid Retina Display

12.4" IPS, LCD, 90Hz

Camera

12MP (wide)

8MP + 8MP (wide+ultrawide)

RAM

8GB

8GB, 12GB

Storage

128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

128GB, 256GB

Water Resistance

N/A

IP68 dust and water resistant

Battery

11” - 7606 mAh

13” - 9705 mAh

10090 mAh

Price

11” - $599-$1249

13” - $799-$1,449

$599.99 (8GB + 128GB)

$699.99 (12GB + 256GB)

Now, on paper, they may look similar as they have a relatively similar display, similar RAM and storage, and a somewhat similar starting price. Apart from the chip, the only main difference we see is the bigger battery and water resistance on the Galaxy Tab.

That's a big plus point right there as we don't see an IP rating for any Apple iPads. If we're speaking camera-wise, you should be well off even with a single-lens setup on the iPad.

As far as gaming capabilities go, you can choose either one based on your budget preferences as one tab features a higher RAM while the other has a significantly faster processor. Both these features equate to slightly different areas of gaming, but for the most part, I think you'd be fine with either one. But yes, the iPad Air M2 does offer a better experience and would be the better choice if you can afford it.


Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers decent gaming capabilities (Image via Samsung)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers decent gaming capabilities (Image via Samsung)

Now that you've seen the specs, you might wonder how both devices rank on benchmarks. While they're relatively similar on paper, the benchmark results suggest otherwise.

Check out the following benchmarks that I sourced from the NanoReview website.

Benchmark

Apple iPad Air M2

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

AnTuTu Benchmark 10

2162189

575224

Geekbench 6 single core

2585

1019

Geekbench 6 multi core

10090

2969

The results are wildly contrasting as the iPad Air M2 outperforms the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ by a mile. Just on AnTuTu, we see the iPad performs 3.8x better performance than the Galaxy Tab. This just shows how much better the M2 chip is as far as computation skills and gaming capabilities go.


Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Display

The Apple iPad Air M2 has a far better display (Image via Apple)
The Apple iPad Air M2 has a far better display (Image via Apple)

If you're a tech enthusiast, you can probably tell the answer from a mile away. Apple is always known to produce some of the best displays, and things aren't any different in this comparison either. The iPad Air M2's Liquid Retina Display beats the LCD screen of the latter any day. There is a catch though, as the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ has a 90Hz refresh rate compared to the 60Hz on iPad.

The choice here comes down to your needs. If you want brighter colors and a relatively smooth display, go for the iPad, but if you need a decent screen with a much faster refresh rate, go for the Galaxy Tab.


Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Value for money

Though they start at the same price, the iPad Air M2 goes up to almost $1500, which is quite hefty if we're speaking only based on gaming. Sure the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is slightly inferior, but at less than half the price, you can still expect exceptional gaming capabilities and an experience just as engaging.

To give you a better idea, the Galaxy Tab costs $599 for the 8GB+128GB variant and $699 for the 12GB+256Gb variant. It's more mid-range and just borderline affordable, but compared to the iPad, we feel it'd be the better buy.

The iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11" screen and around $799 for the 13", but it goes up to $1449, which can be quite a shocker. Go for the iPad if you can afford it as it surpasses the Galaxy Tab without doubt.


Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+: Final Verdict

Based on the comparison we've done, I feel you should go for the Apple iPad Air M2 as it beats the Galaxy Tab in almost all aspects. I agree that it is quite expensive, but you can get a decent gaming machine at around the ballpark for $799. You don't have to go for the most expensive variant as you can get a modest one for much cheaper.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is still a viable option though. For the price, it offers immense value for money and proves to be a gaming machine. You can expect upwards of 60fps on games like Warzone, Genshin Impact, and more.

The final choice comes down to your personal needs and budget limitations as both are excellent pieces of tech that have immense potential.


Check out similar articles by Sportskeeda:

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro M4: Which is the best tablet in 2024? || iPad Air vs MacBook Air: Which is best for students? || 5 best Android tablets in 2024

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Edited by Ashmita Bhatt
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