Looking for an honest Apple iPad Air 11" M3 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comparison in 2026? We scored both tablets on the same six-dimension framework — performance, battery, display, camera, design and value — using identical methodology, so the numbers below are directly comparable. In our overall scoring the Apple iPad Air 11" M3 comes out ahead 52/100 to 39/100 — a 13-point gap. The widest gap is in design and build, where the Apple iPad Air 11" M3 pulls noticeably ahead. On price the Apple iPad Air 11" M3 undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra by 83% ($599 vs $1,099), which materially changes the value calculus for budget-conscious buyers.
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Apple iPad Air 11" M3 edges out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in the tablets category, especially in design, scoring 52 vs 39. If you want the better overall tablets, Apple iPad Air 11" M3 is the recommended choice.
Picking Apple iPad Air 11" M3 over Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra means trading these off.
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
✓ Pros
✗ Cons
| Spec | Apple iPad Air 11" M3W | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11" | — |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | — |
| Chipset | Apple M3 | — |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB✓ |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB✓ |
| Camera | 12MP |
Buy Apple iPad Air 11" M3 if…
Buy the Apple iPad Air 11" M3 if you want the best overall value in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
Buy Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra if…
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Apple iPad Air 11" M3 edges out the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra in the tablets category, especially in design, scoring 52 vs 39. If you want the better overall tablets, Apple iPad Air 11" M3 is the recommended choice.
Yes, Apple iPad Air 11" M3 scores higher overall (77 vs 92).
Apple iPad Air 11" M3 is cheaper at $599 vs $1099 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.
Buy the Apple iPad Air 11" M3 if you want the best overall value in this comparison. It scores higher overall and is the recommended choice for most buyers.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is worth considering if you prefer its specific design, ecosystem, or brand — though it scores lower overall in our comparison.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has a larger battery (11,200mAh vs 7,606mAh for the Apple iPad Air 11" M3), which generally means longer use between charges.
Apple iPad Air 11" M3 is lighter at 460g vs 732g.
Reviewed by VersusMatrix Editorial Team
Last updated: June 1, 2026
Methodology: AI-powered analysis of technical specifications from manufacturer data. Scores are calculated by comparing products across multiple dimensions and normalized relative to the full category database. Our editorial process is independent and not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
Scores are relative within the tabletscategory. Percentages show each dimension's weight in the overall score. A difference of less than 0.5 points is considered a tie.
| — |
| Battery | 7606mAh | 11200mAh✓ |
| Weight | 460g✓ | 732g |
| Price | 599$✓ | 1099$ |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has more RAM (12GB vs 8GB), which helps with multitasking.