Skip to content

Tablet comparison

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G

Compare screen, performance, battery and accessories.

Compared products
01Selected
Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

  • About 13 inch screen.
  • Apple M3 processor.
  • 8 GB RAM in this version.
  • 9,705 mAh battery capacity.
  • 36.59 Wh of stored energy.
KSh 82,000Out of Stock
02
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G

  • 498 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 11 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS.
KSh 87,000In Stock
Add to cart

Add to comparison

2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 PlusKSh 100,000
iPad Air 13 M2 (2024)KSh 111,000
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusKSh 66,000
Apple iPad Air 13-inch M4 2026KSh 113,000
Xiaomi Pad 8 ProKSh 87,000
Alexa Tablet 12 Pro (2026)KSh 75,900
Lenovo Idea Tab Plus 5GKSh 59,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

Choose the Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3 if you want a bigger 9,705 mAh battery, a larger 13-inch screen and 4K recording at up to 60 fps. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G if you want an OLED display and a lighter build (498 g).

Display

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
About 13 inch screen
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
About 11 inch screen

Performance

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Apple M3 processor
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) processor

Capacity

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
9,705 mAh battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
8,400 mAh battery capacity

Memory

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
8 GB RAM
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Up to 12 GB RAM

Storage

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3
Up to 1 TB storage
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Up to 256 GB storage

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3

  • Bigger battery: 9,705 mAh (vs 8,400 mAh).
  • Larger 13-inch screen (vs 11-inch).
  • Higher frame rates for 4K recording: up to 60 fps (vs 30 fps).
  • Newer model: released in 2025 (vs 2023).
  • Video output to a monitor over USB-C (DisplayPort).

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G

  • OLED display (vs LCD).
  • Lighter: 498 g (vs 616 g).
  • 120 Hz display.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Display13-inch LCD display, 264 ppi11-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 274 ppi
PerformanceApple M3 processorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor
Memory8 GB RAMUp to 12 GB RAM
StorageUp to 1 TB storageUp to 256 GB storage
Battery life9,705 mAh battery8,400 mAh battery
Weight616 g498 g

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
BrandAppleSamsung
ModelApple iPad Air 13 (2025)Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
Announced2025, March 042023, July 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 12Available. Released 2023, August 11
ModelsA3269, A3271, A3268, ipad15,5, ipad15,6SM-X710, SM-X716B
SAR1.09 W/kg (body)—
SAR EU1.48 W/kg (body)0.66 W/kg (body)
ConnectivityMobile network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G (cellular version only; Wi-Fi version has no cellular connectivity); Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot; Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE; USB: USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connectorMobile network: GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G; Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct; Bluetooth: 5.3, A2DP, LE; USB: USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
CamerasRear: 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF; Front: 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)Rear: 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF; Front: 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Dimensions280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.24 in)254.3 x 165.8 x 5.9 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.23 in)
Weight616 g (Wi-Fi) / 617 g (5G) (1.36 lb)498 g (1.10 lb)
Build materialsGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
Additional body featuresStylus support—

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Display13.0 inches, 519.3 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio); Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 600 nits (typ)11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio); Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Screen resolution2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~264 ppi density)1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density)
Display protectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coatingCorning Gorilla Glass
Display features600 nits (typ)120Hz, HDR10+

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
ProcessorApple M3Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPUOcta-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores)Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPUApple GPU (9-core graphics)Adreno 740

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
RAM8GB8GB, 12GB
Storage128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB128GB, 256GB
Expandable storageNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Storage technology—UFS

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Rear camera12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF
Front camera12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Rear camera featuresHDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Rear camera video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Front camera featuresHDRHDR
Front camera video1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
BatteryLi-Po 9705 mAh (36.59 Wh)Li-Po 8400 mAh
Charging—45W wired

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Operating systemiPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 27Android 13, up to 4 major OS updates, One UI 6

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
NetworkGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G (cellular version only; Wi-Fi version has no cellular connectivity)GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIMeSIM (cellular model only)Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 (cellular version only)GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 (cellular version only)HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3269 (cellular version only)1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
Additional network details1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3271 (cellular version only)—
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3269, A3271 (cellular version only)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
NFCNoNo
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
PositioningGPS, GLONASS (5G model only)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
Water resistance—IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
SensorsFingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
ColorsSpace Gray, Starlight, Purple, BlueBeige, Graphite
Additional features—Wireless Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
Stylus support—2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationApple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 5G
EnergyClass G—
Battery72:00h endurance, 1000 cycles—
Free fallClass E—
RepairabilityClass C—

Similarities

  • Both support Wi-Fi 6E.
  • Both use Bluetooth 5.3.
  • Both support 5G networks.
  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both have stereo speakers.
  • Both support eSIM.

In summary

Choose Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3 for iPadOS, a larger battery and a larger screen; Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 combines Android and a smaller OLED screen.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusFor Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusView product ↗Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 PlusFor Apple iPad Air 13-inch 2025 M3Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 PlusView product ↗

Menu
Need Help? +254 112891117
Back to Top

My Cart