iPad Air (M4) vs Galaxy Tab S11
Air starts cheaper with M4 and iPadOS. Tab S11 counters with 120Hz AMOLED, IP68 and an S Pen in the box.
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Quick answer
Choose iPad Air M4 if you want the lower starting price (about $749 after Apple’s June 2026 increase, though it’s often discounted), Apple Pencil/keyboard ecosystem and up to 1TB configs. Choose Galaxy Tab S11 if you want a 120Hz AMOLED, IP68, microSD and an S Pen included — knowing launch pricing sat closer to $800 before promos.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Check Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) price (opens in a new tab)Check Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 price (opens in a new tab)
Key facts at a glance
| Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 | |
|---|---|---|
| US launch / list (128GB Wi-Fi) | From $749 (was $599 at launch) | From ~$799–$800 |
| Display | 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 60Hz | 11" Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz, bright HDR |
| Chip | Apple M4 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| RAM / storage | 12GB; 128GB–1TB | 12GB; 128GB–512GB + microSD |
| Stylus | Pencil Pro / USB-C (sold separate) | S Pen included |
Both tablets are real 2026 mid-premium 11-inch models: Apple’s iPad Air with the M4 chip and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S11 (Dimensity 9400+, Dynamic AMOLED).
Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: side-by-side
| iPad Air 11 (M4) | Galaxy Tab S11 | |
|---|---|---|
| US launch / list (128GB Wi-Fi) | From $749 (was $599 at launch) | From ~$799–$800 |
| Display | 11" Liquid Retina LCD, 60Hz | 11" Dynamic AMOLED, 120Hz, bright HDR |
| Chip | Apple M4 | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| RAM / storage | 12GB; 128GB–1TB | 12GB; 128GB–512GB + microSD |
| Stylus | Pencil Pro / USB-C (sold separate) | S Pen included |
| Durability | No IP rating published | IP68 |
| OS | iPadOS | Android 16 / One UI |
How much do they cost?
Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) plans
| Config | Launch-style price |
|---|---|
| 11" Wi-Fi | From $749 (was $599 at launch) |
| Higher storage | Steps to 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 plans
| Config | Launch-style price |
|---|---|
| 128GB Wi-Fi | From ~$799–$800 |
| Stylus | S Pen in box |
What are the pros and cons?
Apple iPad Air 11 (M4): pros
- Lower starting price
- M4 + strong iPadOS app catalog
- Up to 1TB
Apple iPad Air 11 (M4): cons
- 60Hz LCD vs AMOLED 120Hz
- Pencil costs extra
- No microSD / no IP68
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: pros
- 120Hz AMOLED
- S Pen included
- IP68 + microSD
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: cons
- Higher launch price
- Android tablet app gaps vs iPad
- Max storage lower before microSD
Which should you choose: Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) or Samsung Galaxy Tab S11?
Pay less and stay in Apple’s creative apps with the Air. Pay more for the screen, pen-in-box and rugged extras with Tab S11. Also see iPad Air vs iPad Pro and best Android tablets.
Choose Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) if…
- You want M4 for less money
- You already own Pencil/Magic Keyboard gear
- You need 1TB
Choose Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 if…
- You want 120Hz AMOLED
- You want S Pen included
- You want IP68 and microSD
Frequently asked questions
Is Galaxy Tab S11 real?
Does iPad Air M4 have 120Hz?
Which is better for drawing?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple Store: Buy iPad Air (11-inch and 13-inch prices) (apple.com)
- Wirecutter: The best tablet (iPad prices after June 2026 increase) (nytimes.com)
- PhoneArena — Tab S11 vs iPad Air M4 (phonearena.com)
- Apple iPad Air (apple.com)
- Samsung tablets (samsung.com)
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