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Summary
The Apple iPad 11th Gen and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE are excellent tablets. However, they differ from each other in a few key aspects that can either make or break your decision.
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Is Slimmer Yet Heavier
Apple’s entry-level iPadand Samsung’s mid-range tablet follow a similar design language with a few subtle yet noticeable differences.
Both tablets havesymmetrical bezelson the front (thinner on the Tab S10 FE), a cleanaluminum back panel, one rear-facing camera, and one front-facing camera (situated on the longer side).
Even though the tablets have a similar form factor, the Tab S10 FE is 5.7mm longer, while the iPad 11th Gen is 13.7 mm wider. Interestingly, Samsung’snew tablet is exceptionally thinat 6mm, while the iPad is a bit thicker at 7mm.
Despite being thicker, the iPad is lighter (0.70oz or 20g for the Wi-Fi model).
If you’re fond of vibrant colors, the iPad 11th Gen comes in four finishes: Yellow, Pink, Blue, and Silver. On the other hand, theGalaxy Tab S10 FE is availablein three minimal yet classy colors: Silver, Gray, and Blue.
The Tab S10 FE offers water resistance—anofficial IP68 dust and water resistance rating—something the iPad 11th gen lacks. However, it’s not just the baseline iPad 11th Gen; even the more expensive models like the iPad Air or theiPad Pro don’t have an IP rating.
Both tablets have afingerprint scanner(built into the power button).
Tab S10 FE Offers a Brighter, Smoother Display
The iPad 11th Gen features an 11-inchLiquid Retina (IPS LCD) screenwith a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels (264 ppi) and a peak brightness of500 nits. It also supportsTrue Tone, a feature that controls the screen’s temperature based on the ambient light.
Unlike other iPad lineups, the baseline model doesn’t get afully laminated screen. Nonetheless, it still supports theApple Pencil (USB-C)and theApple Pencil (1st generation).
It is important to mention that thestylusdoesn’t come bundled within the box; you’ll have to purchase it separately.
While Apple sticks to the usual specifications, Samsung equips the Tab S10 FE with an11-inch LCD screenthat supports a 90Hzrefresh rate, which makes scrolling and other system animations noticeably smoother.
The screen has a resolution of 2304 x 1440 pixels (249 ppi) and supports apeak brightnessof 600 nits (and an outdoor brightness of 800 nits). Even though the Tab S10 FE’s screen isn’t as sharp as the iPad’s, it is significantly brighter and smoother.
While Apple makes you spend more on a stylus, Samsung provides one in the box. The includedS Pen lets you take notes, draw illustrations, and navigate around the user interface.
Samsung’s stylus doesn’t require charging (though you can attach it magnetically to the back of the tablet).
A16 Bionic vs. Exynos 1580
Under its aluminum exterior, the iPad 11th Gen runs onApple’s A16 Bionic (4nm) chipset, a big upgrade from the A14 Bionic (5nm) chip on the outgoing model.
The chip features a five-core CPU, a four-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Paired with6GB of RAM on the iPad, the chip provides enough horsepower to run video games on medium to high settings and edit social media videos. you’re able to also choose fromup to 512GB of storage space.
OnGeekBench 6, the iPad 11th Gen scores around 2450/4352 points in the single/multi-core CPU test, which is excellent for a tablet of its price. Moreover, the chipset offers more power than regular users need and gives it enough headroom to last for years.
While the iPad 11th Gen offers tremendous raw processing power, that isn’t the case with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE. Samsung’s latest tablet runs on the Exynos 1580 (4nm), which is the same chipset that powersthe Galaxy A56 5G. It has an eight-core CPU and the Xclipse 540 GPU paired with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Yes, the Exynos 1580 is a considerable upgrade over theExynos 1380 chipset, but it isn’t a match for the A16 Bionic chip on the iPad. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE scores around 1350/3850 points in the single/multi-core CPU performance test on GeekBench 6, which is nowhere even close to the score of its competitor.
While theAndroid tabletshould be able to perform everyday tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and running multiple apps simultaneously with ease, it won’t be able torun video gamesor edit videos as well as the iPad.
iPadOS 18 vs. One UI 7
Out of the box, theiPad runs on iPadOS 18, Apple’s latest operating system that allowsbetter home screen and lock screen customizations, anew Control Center, improvements to system apps like Notes, Calculator,Photos, Messages, and a dedicated Game Mode that maximizes performance.
Despite packing in a powerful chipset and running on iPadOS 18, the iPad 11th Gen doesn’t getApple Intelligence. The device doesn’t support any GenAI features, including but not limited toWriting Tools,Image Playground, Visual Intelligence, andChatGPT-integrated Siri.
Though Apple Intelligence isn’t the device’s strong suit,long-term software support sure is. Like other models, the iPad 11th Gen should get the latest operating system and security updates for at least four to five years.
On the other side of the spectrum, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE featuresSamsung’s One UI 7.0custom user interface on top ofAndroid 15. Similar to how the iPad feels familiar to iPhone users, the Tab S10 FE should feel very familiar to Galaxy smartphone users.
Despite having a less powerful chip, the Tab S10 FE offers several AI-based features, includingCircle to Search, Solve Math, Handwriting Help, Galaxy AI Key,Object Eraser, Best Face, and Auto Trim. This is a clear selling point for the Android tablet over the iPad.
Over the last few years, Samsung has improved thesoftware support for its devicesacross the entry-level, mid-range, and flagship segments. For instance, the company has promised to provideseven years of Android and security updatesfor the flagship Tab S10 series.
However, that isn’t the case with the Galaxy Tab S10 FE (or at least Samsung hasn’t confirmed it yet). While the company didn’t announce the device’s support policy at launch, it updated theproduct pageto mention the security update period, valid until August 02, 2025.
That’s seven years from 2025, but we aren’t clear about how manyoperating system updatesthe device will receive.
Both Tablets Have Similar Cameras
The iPad 11th Gen has a 12MP (f/1.8) primary camera that supports Smart HDR 4 and4K video recording (up to 60 fps), while there’s a 12MP (f/2.4) front camera that lets you record 1080p videos (up to 60 fps).
Although the camera hardware isn’t exceptional, the iPad offers a useful feature calledCenter Stage. Using the ultrawide front camera and machine learning to adjust the frame dynamically so you are in the center.
Similar to the iPad, the Tab S10 FE features a 13MP (f/2.0) primary camera that can record 4K videos (in 30 fps) and a 12MP (f/2.4)ultrawidefront camera, which, unlike the iPad, can also record 4K videos (in 30 fps).
As mentioned earlier, the tablet features some photography-relatedAI smartslike Object Eraser, which removes unwanted objects from an image’s background, and Best Face, which lets you select the best expressions of the people in a picture.
Moreover,both tablets have a basic camera setupthat should be enough for capturing pictures of documents, notes, casual landscapes, and attending video calls.
Battery Life and Connectivity
On the iPad, you get a 28.93-watt-hour battery (7,606 mAh or more) thatlasts up to 10 hours of web surfingor watching videos for the Wi-Fi models and up to nine hours for the cellular models.
In contrast, the Tab S10 FEpacks an 8,000 mAh battery, which should provide up to 20 hours of video playback. According toPhone Arena’sbattery tests, the tablet’s average battery life is around seven hours, much higher than the iPad’s four and a half hours.
For connectivity, both tablets provide 5G (optional), Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6 on the iPad vs.Wi-Fi 6e on the Tab S10 FE), Bluetooth v5.3, and aUSB Type-C 2.0 port.
However, while reviewing the device’s spec sheets, I realized that the iPad’sUSB-C port supports an external display(4K at 60Hz), while the Tab S10 FE doesn’t.
What Accessories Do the Tablets Support?
For the iPad 11th Gen, you can purchase theSmart Folio case ($79)or theMagic Keyboard Folio ($249). Then there’s theApple Pencil (1st generation), which costs $99, and theApple Pencil (USB-C)for $79.
With the Galaxy Tab S10 FE, you can get theBook Cover Keyboard with AI Keyfor $199.99, theBook Cover Keyboard with AI Key (Slim)for $139.99, and theSmart Book Coverfor $79.99.
The baselineiPad 11th Gen (128GB, Wi-Fi)costs $349, while the one with cellular connectivity costs $499. The tablet has a charger in the box, so you’d only have tospend on the Apple Pencil.
TheGalaxy Tab S10 FE (128GB, Wi-Fi)costs $499.99 ($150 more than the iPad). If you want cellular connectivity, you’d have to spend at least $599.99 ($100 more than the 5G iPad).
Unlike the iPad, Samsung’s tablet doesn’t ship with a power brick.
iPad 11th Gen (Wi-Fi)
iPad 11th Gen (Wi-Fi + Cellular)
128GB
$349
$499
$499.99
$599.99
256GB
$449
$599
$569.99
-
512GB
$649
$799
iPad 11th Generation
The iPad 11th gen is a colorful and versatile tablet with a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, a powerful new A16 chip, and now comes with double the storage. You’ll enjoy a landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera. It supports Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard Folio, and 5G connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE
The Galaxy Tab S10 FE is built to boost productivity and provide smooth gameplay. Its upgraded performance and multitasking capabilities make switching between apps easy, and the 13MP rear camera captures clear photos. Slim and portable, it’s also durable with an IP68 rating.
For a starting price of $349, the iPad 11th Gen (Wi-Fi, 128GB) offers more value for your money. The fact that its 256GB variant costs $50 less than the Tab S10 FE’s base variant with 128GB of storage seconds the notion. The baseline iPad is also an excellent entry point for budget buyers who wish to experience an iPad but don’t want to spend a fortune on the Air or Pro models. If you already have an iPhone, the iPad is a no-brainer.
However, if a brighter, smoother screen and a bigger battery are your priorities, and you already own an Android smartphone, you may’t go wrong with the Tab S10 FE.
