Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Apple iPad (A16)

Updated Nov 2026 · Scored by the Let’s Compare Data Engine · How we score

For most buyers the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the better pick — it scores 76/100 to the Apple iPad (A16)'s 49, leading on Display and Performance. Choose the Apple iPad (A16) instead if you want to spend less.

Verdict

Our overall take, at a glance

Key takeaways

  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 leads Apple iPad (A16) overall by 27 points (76 vs 49 out of 100).
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 stands out on Refresh Rate: 120 Hz (100% more), Peak Brightness: 1,600 nits (220% more), Antutu score: 2,876,267 (103% more).
  • Best value: Apple iPad (A16) (from $349) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 leads overall
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
76
Apple iPad (A16)
49
Why it stands out
  • Refresh Rate: 120 Hz (100% more)
  • Peak Brightness: 1,600 nits (220% more)
  • Antutu score: 2,876,267 (103% more)

Watch-outs

Compromises to know before you buy

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

No notable compromises found.

Apple iPad (A16)

  • 60 Hz display — less smooth than 120 Hz tablets.

In-depth analysisAI

AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Nov 2026.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is a flagship Android tablet built for high-end productivity and multimedia use. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ processor and features an exceptionally thin 5.5 mm design. The tablet comes equipped with 12 GB of RAM, a dedicated microSDXC slot, and an 8,400 mAh battery with 45W charging support.

Best for Users who require expandable physical storage for offline files and mediaBest for Highly mobile productivity requiring a lightweight, thin form factor
Pros
  • High-performance MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ octa-core processor
  • Dedicated microSDXC card slot allows for easy storage expansion
  • Extremely thin and lightweight chassis at just 5.5 mm thick and 469 grams
  • Substantial 12 GB of system memory standard on the base model
Cons
  • The 45W charging speed can take a while to recharge the large capacity battery
  • Base internal storage of 128 GB is relatively small for a flagship device

Apple iPad (A16)

The 11th-generation Apple iPad is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic processor built on TSMC's N4P process. It features a 6-core CPU with two high-performance and four energy-efficient cores, paired with 6 GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Positioned as Apple's core entry-level tablet, it delivers capable computational and graphics performance for everyday applications, digital media, and light creative tasks.

Best for Everyday app usage, web browsing, and high-definition video streamingBest for Light digital illustration and casual video editing
Pros
  • Equipped with 6 GB of fast LPDDR5 memory for high bandwidth during multitasking
  • Includes a 16-core Neural Engine capable of up to 17 trillion operations per second
  • Hardware support for encoding and decoding HEVC, H.264, and ProRes video codecs
Cons
  • Uses a binned variant of the A16 chip with one GPU core disabled, leaving it with 4 graphics cores instead of 5

Value for Money

Which is the better deal for the price

Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S11

Apple iPad (A16)

Performance

Higher benchmark score = faster

Samsung Galaxy Tab S112,876,267
Apple iPad (A16)1,414,489

Benchmark score — a measured indicator of raw performance, not a guarantee of real-world speed.

Physical Comparison

Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D

469 g477 g
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11Apple iPad (A16)

Apple iPad (A16) is 8 g (2%) heavier than Samsung Galaxy Tab S11.

Review Videos

Hand-picked expert reviews for each product

Detailed Specifications

The full spec sheet, side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 vs Apple iPad (A16) comparison

Based on our overall comparison score, Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 rates higher at 81/100 versus 59/100 for Apple iPad (A16) — a 22-point lead. Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the stronger overall pick, though the right choice still depends on which specs matter most to you; the full spec table above breaks down every difference.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 and Apple iPad (A16) are compared side by side above across every spec in the tablets category — including performance, features and design — each scored 0–100 so you can see exactly where one leads the other. Our overall scores are 81/100 for Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 and 59/100 for Apple iPad (A16).
At launch, Apple iPad (A16) was the more affordable option ($349) versus Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 ($799). Weigh that against the overall scores (81/100 vs 59/100) and the value-for-money meter above to judge whether the higher-rated model justifies its price for your needs. Current retail prices vary — check the retailer.
If you want the higher-rated tablets option overall, Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (81/100) edges out Apple iPad (A16) (59/100). But if Apple iPad (A16) is cheaper or stronger on the specific specs you care about, it can still be the better buy — use the spec table and strengths profile above to decide.

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