Apple iPad 11" (A16) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Apple iPad 11" (A16) (#1, best overall) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ (#2, best value): in our Budget Tablets scoring the Apple iPad 11" (A16) totals 9.3/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 8.7/10. At $349 versus $220, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ costs $129 less.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Jan 29, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Apple iPad 11" (A16) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349 | $220 |
| Display | 10.9" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640 | 11" LCD, 1920×1200, 90Hz |
| Processor | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 695 5G |
| Storage | 64GB/256GB | 64GB/128GB + microSD |
| Battery | ~10 hours | 7040mAh, 12-14 hours |
| Weight | 477g | 480g |
How they differ in real use
Built from our budget tablets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Apple iPad 11" (A16) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ made our Top 5 Budget Tablets, at #1 (best overall) and #2 (best value). Universal acclaim as best sub-$350 tablet. A16 Bionic crushes Android competition with 6-7 years of updates—unmatched software longevity. Complete iPadOS ecosystem at frequently discounted $299. Best Android budget experience with 90Hz refresh, microSD expansion to 1TB, and Samsung DeX desktop mode. 12-14 hours real-world battery at just $220-250.
We score budget tablets on Value (35%), Performance (25%), Display (20%), Battery Life (10%) and Ecosystem (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad 11" (A16) totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 8.7. The widest gap is Performance, where the Apple iPad 11" (A16) scores 9 against 7 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ — processing power. Ecosystem also separates them: 10 for the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 8 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ claws back ground on Battery Life.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 10.9" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640 on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 11" LCD, 1920×1200, 90Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+; Processor — A16 Bionic on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus Snapdragon 695 5G on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+; Storage — 64GB/256GB on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 64GB/128GB + microSD on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+; Battery — ~10 hours on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 7040mAh, 12-14 hours on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+; Weight — 477g on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 480g on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+.
Pricing as of January 29, 2026: $349 for the Apple iPad 11" (A16) and $220 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, a $129 difference in the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+'s favor. Owners praise the Apple iPad 11" (A16) for complete iOS ecosystem and 6-7 years of updates; the most common complaint is no Apple Pencil Pro support. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ for 90Hz display and microSD expansion to 1TB; the most common complaint is weaker Snapdragon 695 processor.
Apple iPad 11" (A16)
- Complete iOS ecosystem
- 6-7 years of updates
- A16 Bionic performance
- 10-hour battery life
- No Apple Pencil Pro support
- Non-laminated display
- No Stage Manager
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
- 90Hz display
- microSD expansion to 1TB
- DeX desktop mode
- 12-14 hours battery
- Weaker Snapdragon 695 processor
- Thick bezels
- Basic cameras
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad 11" (A16) is the better fit for iOS ecosystem users and long-term value — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Performance and Ecosystem. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the better fit for android budget buyers and deX productivity, and the stronger choice if Battery Life matters more to you than the overall score. If the $129 saving matters more than Performance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is the better value. The Apple iPad 11" (A16) is a poor fit for apple Pencil Pro users; the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a poor fit for heavy gaming.
Choose the Apple iPad 11" (A16) if
- iOS ecosystem users
- Long-term value
- Students
Skip it if
- Apple Pencil Pro users
- ProMotion needs
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if
- Android budget buyers
- DeX productivity
- Media streaming
Skip it if
- Heavy gaming
- Premium display seekers
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad 11" (A16) better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+?
In our Budget Tablets ranking the Apple iPad 11" (A16) scores higher overall, 9.3 to 8.7, with the biggest advantage in Performance. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is stronger on Battery Life, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Apple iPad 11" (A16) cost than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+?
$129 more as of January 29, 2026: $349 for the Apple iPad 11" (A16) against $220 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Performance — 9 versus 7 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad 11" (A16) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+?
The headline spec difference is Display: 10.9" Liquid Retina LCD, 2360×1640 on the Apple iPad 11" (A16) versus 11" LCD, 1920×1200, 90Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+. In use, the gap that matters most is Performance (9 vs 7 in our scoring): processing power.