iPad Air M3 vs Galaxy Tab S11
For midrange tablet shoppers, the iPad Air M3 from Apple and the Galaxy Tab S11 from Samsung are two of the obvious candidates. On balance, the Galaxy Tab S11 is the stronger package: it leads in 2 out of 4 areas, most clearly in display. The launch prices sit $201 apart, with the iPad Air M3 on the more affordable side.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Price iPad Air M3 wins
- Memory & Storage5.0
- Cameras9.0
- Memory & Storage9.0
- Cameras10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
It’s a lopsided result (120 Hz for the Galaxy Tab S11, 60 Hz for the iPad Air M3) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
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The Galaxy Tab S11 has 4 GB more RAM
The spread here is large: 12 GB on the Galaxy Tab S11 versus 8 GB on the iPad Air M3. Expect to notice it. Extra memory also helps a tablet stay usable as apps grow heavier over the years.
-
The iPad Air M3 has a bigger top storage option
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPad Air M3 makes its strongest case: 1 TB against 512 GB. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
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The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
The Galaxy Tab S11 wins this narrowly, 0.22 in against 0.24 in, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. Thickness sometimes buys battery or cooling, so the iPad Air M3’s extra depth isn’t automatically a flaw.
-
The iPad Air M3 has
The iPad Air M3 lists 7.03 in for width, against 6.53 in for the Galaxy Tab S11. Neither is better; it depends on what you prefer. A wider body usually means a larger screen area for video and side-by-side apps.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M3 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- Galaxy Tab S11 9.99 in × 6.53 in × 0.22 in
Size is a trade-off, not a score: the iPad Air M3 is larger, the Galaxy Tab S11 more compact. You won’t feel a real weight difference between the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11. A thickness gap of 0.02 in separates them, with the Galaxy Tab S11 on the thin side.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.99 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.53 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.22 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Display
Galaxy Tab S11 leads
If display is high on your list, the Galaxy Tab S11 makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Galaxy Tab S11 makes its case with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy. Anyone shopping mainly on display should start with the Galaxy Tab S11.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M3: 60 Hz Galaxy Tab S11: 120 Hz If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the Galaxy Tab S11’s smoother display is a real advantage.
Performance
Too close to call
On paper, the performance comparison ends all square. This section won’t settle the choice, so weigh the other areas more heavily.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy Tab S11 leads
When it comes to memory & storage, the Galaxy Tab S11 is comfortably ahead. The Galaxy Tab S11 adds 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a tablet keep more apps and browser tabs active, which matters for split-screen multitasking. The iPad Air M3 steps ahead thanks to a bigger top storage option. In short, the Galaxy Tab S11 is the better-equipped tablet for memory & storage.
RAM
iPad Air M3: 8 GB Galaxy Tab S11: 12 GB Pro apps for photo, video and music work lean heavily on memory, so the Galaxy Tab S11 has more room to breathe.
Max storage
iPad Air M3: 1 TB Galaxy Tab S11: 512 GB The iPad Air M3 can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work.
Accessories & Productivity
There isn’t a number to compare on accessories & productivity, just names. Look at the rows below to see how the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11 differ.
Cameras
Too close to call
Call the cameras round a draw. The takeaway: cameras is not where these two differ.
Battery & Connectivity
The battery & connectivity entries below are descriptive rather than numeric. Read them side by side to see where the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11 part ways.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 11 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2360 x 1640 | 2560 x 1600 |
| Pixel density | 264 ppi | N/A (not specified) |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) Smoothest display in class |
| Peak brightness (SDR) | 500 nits | N/A (not specified) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M3 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 9 | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB Least RAM in class | 12 GB (winner) |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | S Pen (included) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M3) | Book Cover Keyboard |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 18 | Android 16 (One UI 8) |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 13 MP Sharpest rear camera |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Landscape edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.9 Wh | N/A (not specified) |
| Rated battery lifeManufacturer rating | 10 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Cellular option | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 9.75 in | 9.99 in |
| Width | 7.03 in | 6.53 in |
| Thickness | 0.24 in | 0.22 in (winner) Slimmest in class |
| Weight | 16.23 oz | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M3 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $599 (winner) | $800 Priciest in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The price gap is wide: $201 at launch, which is 34% of difference between the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11. The iPad Air M3 saves $201, but the Galaxy Tab S11 answers with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 4 GB more RAM.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of September 2025. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M3 if…
- you need a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
- you’re working to a firm budget and $201 matters
- you prefer a larger tablet and have the room for it
Choose the Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- you want smoother scrolling and pen strokes (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want more memory headroom for pro apps (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.22 in vs 0.24 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Air M3 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy Tab S11. The main exception is if you specifically want a bigger top storage option, where the iPad Air M3 has the edge.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M3 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 is actually the more compact one. It measures 9.99 × 6.53 × 0.22 in, while the iPad Air M3 comes in at 9.75 × 7.03 × 0.24 in.
Is the iPad Air M3’s display better than the Galaxy Tab S11’s?
The Galaxy Tab S11 has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz.
Is the iPad Air M3 cheaper than the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 launched at $201 more than the iPad Air M3, based on prices as of September 2025.
Which weighs less, the iPad Air M3 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The difference between the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11 is too small to notice, so call it a tie.
Executive Summary
I don’t have a favorite brand in this fight between the iPad Air M3 and the Galaxy Tab S11. I just have opinions about the numbers. In daily life, I think the first difference you’d notice is a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz, and that goes to the Galaxy Tab S11. The Galaxy Tab S11 also scores with 4 GB more RAM. I don’t want to sell the iPad Air M3 short, though: it has a bigger top storage option.
The way I see it, people who prioritize storage will be happier with the iPad Air M3, and those who prioritize display with the Galaxy Tab S11.
My pick: I think most people will be happier with the Galaxy Tab S11, unless you value a bigger top storage option above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.