iPad Air M4 13-inch vs Galaxy Tab S11
The iPad Air M4 13-inch and the Galaxy Tab S11 are two different answers to the same midrange tablet brief, each with its own set of priorities. Across 4 compared areas, the Galaxy Tab S11 takes 1. The widest gap shows up under display.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage iPad Air M4 13-inch wins
- Cameras Tie
- Price iPad Air M4 13-inch 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
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The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the Galaxy Tab S11 makes its strongest case: 120 Hz against 60 Hz. Once you’ve seen a high-refresh tablet, standard-rate scrolling can feel a little choppy.
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The iPad Air M4 13-inch has a 2-inch larger screen
The Galaxy Tab S11 lists less (11 in) and the iPad Air M4 13-inch more (13 in). It’s a preference, not a verdict. A bigger screen gives you more room for split-screen apps, documents and movies, while a smaller one is easier to hold and carry.
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The iPad Air M4 13-inch has a bigger top storage option
The iPad Air M4 13-inch clearly leads on max storage, and 1 TB versus 512 GB is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The iPad Air M4 13-inch can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work.
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The iPad Air M4 13-inch has
We don’t score this one. The iPad Air M4 13-inch lists 8.46 in and the Galaxy Tab S11 6.53 in, and the better choice depends on your needs. Width affects how comfortably you can hold the tablet in landscape and whether it fits a small bag.
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The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
Slight advantage to the Galaxy Tab S11: 0.22 in compared with 0.24 in. A slimmer tablet is easier to slip into a bag and feels more elegant in the hand.
Design & Size
- iPad Air M4 13-inch 11.05 in × 8.46 in × 0.24 in
- Galaxy Tab S11 9.99 in × 6.53 in × 0.22 in
A larger body can leave more room inside, while a smaller one is easier to live with in tight spaces. Here, the iPad Air M4 13-inch is the larger tablet. The iPad Air M4 13-inch measures 0.02 in more in depth than the Galaxy Tab S11.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 9.99 in |
| Width | 8.46 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
No contest in display: the Galaxy Tab S11 is the stronger of the two. The Galaxy Tab S11 delivers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. A higher refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and can make pen input feel more immediate. Net result: the Galaxy Tab S11 leads this part of the comparison.
Refresh rate
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 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.
Screen size
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 13 in Galaxy Tab S11: 11 in Larger tablets shine on a desk or a couch; smaller ones are better for reading in bed or using on the move.
Performance
Too close to call
The performance specs are close enough that neither gets the point. On performance alone, you can’t go far wrong with either.
Memory & Storage
iPad Air M4 13-inch leads
If you’re keeping score, the memory & storage point goes narrowly to the iPad Air M4 13-inch. The iPad Air M4 13-inch gives you a bigger top storage option. A bigger top storage option matters for people who keep large video projects or media libraries on the device. If this section decides it for you, choose the iPad Air M4 13-inch.
Max storage
iPad Air M4 13-inch: 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
In the accessories & productivity section, the key entries are names rather than numbers, so compare what the iPad Air M4 13-inch and the Galaxy Tab S11 list in the table below.
Cameras
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on cameras; the numbers are close throughout. Either tablet will serve you equally well on cameras.
Battery & Connectivity
We don’t score this area directly, because the battery & connectivity specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 13 in | 11 in |
| Panel type | Liquid Retina (LCD) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2732 x 2048 | 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) | 600 nits Brightest screen in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Fully laminated display | Yes | N/A (not specified) |
Performance
| Spec | iPad Air M4 13-inch | 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 13-inch | 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 13-inch | 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 13-inch | 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 13-inch | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 36.6 Wh Biggest battery in class | 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 13-inch | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 11.05 in | 9.99 in |
| Width | 8.46 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 13-inch | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $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
A price gap of $1 at launch won’t make or break this decision. Step up by $1 to the Galaxy Tab S11 and you gain a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and a 0.02 in slimmer body.
Based on US launch pricing as of March 2026. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air M4 13-inch if…
- you need a high-capacity version (1 TB vs 512 GB maximum)
- you’d rather keep $1 in your pocket
- you prefer a larger tablet and have the room for it
Choose the Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- you play games or draw and like fluid motion (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 13-inch or the Galaxy Tab S11?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy Tab S11. The main exception is if you need a bigger top storage option, which only the iPad Air M4 13-inch offers.
Is the iPad Air M4 13-inch bigger than 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 M4 13-inch comes in at 11.05 × 8.46 × 0.24 in.
Which has the better screen, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz.
Which costs less, the iPad Air M4 13-inch or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 launched at $1 more than the iPad Air M4 13-inch, based on prices as of March 2026.
Executive Summary
The iPad Air M4 13-inch and the Galaxy Tab S11 come from rival camps, Apple and Samsung, but they’re chasing the same person: you. Here’s what matters most to me: the Galaxy Tab S11 offers a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. And the Galaxy Tab S11 doesn’t stop there; it also offers a 0.02 in slimmer body. Don’t write off the iPad Air M4 13-inch entirely: it has a bigger top storage option.
Put simply, the iPad Air M4 13-inch suits people who care about memory & storage, while the Galaxy Tab S11 suits people who put display first.
My pick: the Galaxy Tab S11. The iPad Air M4 13-inch only comes out ahead if you value a bigger top storage option above everything else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.