iPad Air M4 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
For midrange tablet shoppers, the iPad Air M4 from Apple and the Galaxy Tab S11 from Samsung are two of the obvious candidates. The iPad Air M4 is up against it here: the Galaxy Tab S11 wins 1 of the 4 areas on our scorecard, with display as its standout. Budget is a real factor too: at launch, the iPad Air M4 undercut the Galaxy Tab S11 by $201.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPad Air M4 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Price iPad Air M4 wins
- Memory & Storage10.0
- 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
-
The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
On refresh rate, the Galaxy Tab S11 posts 120 Hz against 60 Hz for the iPad Air M4, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. If you draw, take handwritten notes or play games, the Galaxy Tab S11’s smoother display is a real advantage.
-
The iPad Air M4 has a bigger top storage option
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 1 TB for the iPad Air M4 versus 512 GB for the Galaxy Tab S11. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device.
-
The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
It’s a fine margin, and it favors the Galaxy Tab S11 (0.22 in versus 0.24 in). Once you add a keyboard case, small thickness differences matter less, but the Galaxy Tab S11 still stays trimmer.
-
The iPad Air M4 has
More isn’t automatically better here: the iPad Air M4’s 7.03 in and the Galaxy Tab S11’s 6.53 in simply suit different preferences. A wider body usually means a larger screen area for video and side-by-side apps.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M4 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- Galaxy Tab S11 9.99 in × 6.53 in × 0.22 in
Size-wise, the iPad Air M4 takes up more space, and the Galaxy Tab S11 is easier to fit where room is tight. The iPad Air M4 is the chunkier of the pair by 0.02 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | 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 | N/A (not specified) | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Display
Galaxy Tab S11 leads
The Galaxy Tab S11 wins the display section decisively. The Galaxy Tab S11 brings a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy. For anyone who cares most about display, the Galaxy Tab S11 is the safer choice.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M4: 60 Hz Galaxy Tab S11: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate.
Performance
Too close to call
Swap one for the other and you’d lose nothing on performance. For performance, pick whichever you prefer for other reasons.
Memory & Storage
iPad Air M4 leads
This area is close, with the iPad Air M4 just ahead of the Galaxy Tab S11. In its favor, the iPad Air M4 has a bigger top storage option. The iPad Air M4 can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPad Air M4.
Max storage
iPad Air M4: 1 TB Galaxy Tab S11: 512 GB Most buyers won’t need the maximum, so this is a niche advantage rather than an everyday one.
Accessories & Productivity
Names, not numbers: the accessories & productivity rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Cameras
Too close to call
The cameras section is even. Any gaps here are within the range you’d never notice. Don’t let cameras decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Battery & Connectivity
The iPad Air M4 and the Galaxy Tab S11 differ on battery & connectivity in ways that are described rather than measured. The table has the details.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | 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 M4 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M4 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 9 | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 1 TB (winner) | 512 GB |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | S Pen (included) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air | Book Cover Keyboard |
| OS at launch | N/A (not specified) | Android 16 (One UI 8) |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | 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 M4 | 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 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | 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 | N/A (not specified) | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air M4 | 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
This is not a small price difference: $201, or 34%, separates the two launch prices. What does the Galaxy Tab S11’s extra $201 actually get you? Mainly a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and a 0.02 in slimmer body.
These are US launch prices, recorded March 2026; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M4 if…
- you need a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
- you want more value for your money ($201 less at launch)
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a tablet
Choose the Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- you want smoother scrolling and pen strokes (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.22 in vs 0.24 in)
- you like a tablet that takes up less room
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the iPad Air M4 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 has its strengths, but the iPad Air M4 saves $201, which makes it the value pick.
Which is larger, the iPad Air M4 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
Going by the official dimensions, the iPad Air M4 is the bigger of the two at 9.75 × 7.03 × 0.24 in. The Galaxy Tab S11 measures 9.99 × 6.53 × 0.22 in.
Is the iPad Air M4’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 M4 cheaper than the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 launched at $201 more than the iPad Air M4, based on prices as of March 2026.
Executive Summary
Two companies, two answers to the same question. That’s how I see the iPad Air M4 from Apple and the Galaxy Tab S11 from Samsung. The iPad Air M4 has a bigger top storage option, and for most people that’s not a small thing. Fairness check: the Galaxy Tab S11 does come with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz.
The iPad Air M4 is for you if memory & storage tops your list; the Galaxy Tab S11 is for you if display does.
My pick: the iPad Air M4 for most people, because the Galaxy Tab S11’s premium of $201 is hard to justify.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.