iPad Air 5 vs Galaxy Tab S11
For midrange tablet shoppers, the iPad Air 5 from Apple and the Galaxy Tab S11 from Samsung are two of the obvious candidates. The iPad Air 5 is up against it here: the Galaxy Tab S11 wins 2 of the 4 areas on our scorecard, with display as its standout. One more thing to weigh: a launch price difference of $201, with the iPad Air 5 as the lower-priced option.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Galaxy Tab S11 wins
- Cameras Tie
- Price iPad Air 5 wins
- Memory & Storage3.3
- Cameras9.0
- Memory & Storage8.1
- 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
When it comes to refresh rate, the Galaxy Tab S11 wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 60 Hz. 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 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB
It’s a lopsided result (128 GB for the Galaxy Tab S11, 64 GB for the iPad Air 5) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. If you mostly stream and use cloud storage, the base tier matters less; if you work offline, it matters a lot.
-
The Galaxy Tab S11 has a bigger top storage option
The spread here is large: 512 GB on the Galaxy Tab S11 versus 256 GB on the iPad Air 5. Expect to notice it. The Galaxy Tab S11 can be configured with more room, which suits heavy creative work.
-
The Galaxy Tab S11 has a 0.02 in slimmer body
This one is close enough that other factors could outweigh it, but on paper the Galaxy Tab S11 leads with 0.22 in to 0.24 in. Thickness sometimes buys battery or cooling, so the iPad Air 5’s extra depth isn’t automatically a flaw.
-
The iPad Air 5 has
The iPad Air 5 is larger on width, at 7.03 in compared with 6.53 in. Width affects how comfortably you can hold the tablet in landscape and whether it fits a small bag.
Design & Size
- iPad Air 5 9.75 in × 7.03 in × 0.24 in
- Galaxy Tab S11 9.99 in × 6.53 in × 0.22 in
Going by the official dimensions, the iPad Air 5 is the larger of the two. Neither the iPad Air 5 nor the Galaxy Tab S11 has a weight advantage worth mentioning. A thickness gap of 0.02 in separates them, with the Galaxy Tab S11 on the thin side.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | 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 | 16.26 oz | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Display
Galaxy Tab S11 leads
Look at the display table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Galaxy Tab S11. The Galaxy Tab S11 comes 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. If display is your priority, the Galaxy Tab S11 is the tablet to pick.
Refresh rate
iPad Air 5: 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
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t performance. In short, performance is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy Tab S11 leads
The Galaxy Tab S11 dominates the memory & storage section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Here the Galaxy Tab S11 offers 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB. Base storage decides how many movies, games and projects you can keep on the tablet without paying for an upgrade. The memory & storage verdict goes to the Galaxy Tab S11.
Base storage
iPad Air 5: 64 GB Galaxy Tab S11: 128 GB Downloaded shows and large creative files fill space fast, so the Galaxy Tab S11’s bigger starting capacity is a practical win.
Max storage
iPad Air 5: 256 GB 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
The accessories & productivity comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the iPad Air 5’s and the Galaxy Tab S11’s entries.
Cameras
Too close to call
Both the iPad Air 5 and the Galaxy Tab S11 cover cameras equally well on paper. Either tablet will serve you equally well on cameras.
Battery & Connectivity
This section is descriptive. The iPad Air 5 and the Galaxy Tab S11 list different components for battery & connectivity, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 10.9 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 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | M1 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| GPU cores | 8 | N/A (not specified) |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 12 GB |
| Base storage | 64 GB | 128 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 256 GB | 512 GB (winner) |
Accessories & Productivity
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Stylus support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | S Pen (included) |
| Keyboard accessory | Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio | Book Cover Keyboard |
| OS at launch | iPadOS 15 | Android 16 (One UI 8) |
Cameras
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Rear camera | 12 MP | 13 MP Sharpest rear camera |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Front camera position | Portrait edge | Landscape edge |
Battery & Connectivity
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | Galaxy Tab S11 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 28.6 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 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | 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 | 16.26 oz | 16.54 oz Heaviest in class |
Price
| Spec | iPad Air 5 | 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
Compare the launch prices and they sit 34% apart, or $201 in real money. The iPad Air 5 saves $201, but the Galaxy Tab S11 answers with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked September 2025. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPad Air 5 if…
- you don’t need the extras that cost $201 more
- you find that bigger suits the way you use a tablet
- you already know your way around Apple’s products
Choose the Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- you play games or draw and like fluid motion (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you keep movies, games or large projects on the device (128 GB vs 64 GB base storage)
- you need a high-capacity version (512 GB vs 256 GB maximum)
- you want the slimmer tablet (0.22 in vs 0.24 in)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPad Air 5 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy Tab S11. The main exception is if you want to keep that $201 difference in your pocket.
Is the iPad Air 5 bigger than the Galaxy Tab S11?
Size goes the other way: the iPad Air 5 is larger (9.75 × 7.03 × 0.24 in), and the Galaxy Tab S11 is the smaller option (9.99 × 6.53 × 0.22 in).
Is the iPad Air 5’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 5 cheaper than the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 launched at $201 more than the iPad Air 5, based on prices as of September 2025.
Which weighs less, the iPad Air 5 or the Galaxy Tab S11?
The difference between the iPad Air 5 and the Galaxy Tab S11 is too small to notice, so call it a tie.
Does the iPad Air 5 have more storage than the Galaxy Tab S11?
The Galaxy Tab S11 offers more, with 128 GB against 64 GB.
Executive Summary
Let me cut through the brand noise around the iPad Air 5 and the Galaxy Tab S11. The Galaxy Tab S11 wins me over with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the Galaxy Tab S11 has 128 GB of base storage instead of 64 GB.
If price is your thing, the iPad Air 5 fits. If display matters more, the Galaxy Tab S11 makes more sense.
My pick: if it were my money, the Galaxy Tab S11, unless you’d rather keep $201 for something else.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.