Choosing a tablet in 2025 means navigating a sea of options, with Apple and Samsung leading the pack. The iPad 11th Gen and Galaxy Tab S10 FE represent two distinct philosophies in tablet design, each with compelling reasons to choose one over the other. Which deserves your hard-earned money? Let’s dive into what makes each shine—and where they fall short.
Price and value: The unexpected equalizer
At first glance, the iPad 11th Gen wins the price war at $349 (128GB), while Samsung’s Tab S10 FE starts higher at $499. However, frequent Samsung promotions often narrow this gap considerably. “The real value equation isn’t just about sticker price,” explains tech analyst Maya Rodriguez. “It’s about what features matter most to your specific use case.”
Performance showdown: Raw power versus practical needs
Apple’s A16 Bionic chip demolishes benchmarks, scoring nearly 60% higher in AnTuTu than Samsung’s Exynos 1580. Yet raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. Like comparing a sports car to an SUV, the Tab S10 FE compensates with 8GB RAM (versus iPad’s 6GB) and practical features that many users prioritize over processing power.
Display differences that your eyes will notice
Both tablets feature 10.9-inch LCD panels, but Samsung offers notable advantages:
- 90Hz refresh rate (versus iPad’s 60Hz)
- Fully laminated display reducing parallax
- Higher peak brightness (especially in the Plus model)
- Better color accuracy in standard mode
The durability factor most reviews overlook
Perhaps the Tab S10 FE’s most underrated feature is its IP68 water and dust resistance—unprecedented at this price point and something Apple hasn’t offered in any iPad model. “It’s like Samsung built a tablet that understands real life happens,” notes tech reviewer James Chen. “Coffee spills and rainy days won’t send you running for repair.”
Ecosystem versus flexibility: The eternal debate
The iPad integrates seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, offering what many users describe as “digital butter”—everything just works. Meanwhile, Samsung’s tablet runs One UI 7, providing flexibility that Apple simply doesn’t match:
- DeX desktop mode for productivity
- Included S Pen (versus Apple’s $129 Pencil)
- MicroSD expansion
- More robust multitasking
Camera capabilities for a visual generation
Both tablets offer respectable 12MP front cameras for video calls, but serious photographers should know neither compares to flagship phones like those with 200MP sensors or Samsung’s 50MP ultrawide cameras. Tablets remain optimized for document scanning and casual photography.
Battery life: Endurance versus efficiency
The Tab S10 FE packs a larger battery (8000mAh vs 7819mAh) and supports faster 45W charging compared to iPad’s 30W. However, Apple’s efficiency-focused architecture often delivers comparable real-world battery life despite the smaller capacity—like a hybrid car getting better mileage than a gas-guzzler with a bigger tank.
Who should choose each tablet?
Choose the iPad 11th Gen if you’re already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, prioritize performance, or want the most refined app experience. Select the Tab S10 FE if you value durability, included stylus, expandable storage, or desktop-like productivity.
The tablet universe continues evolving rapidly, much like the smartphone landscape. Whichever you choose, both represent the refined culmination of years of development—a far cry from when we were all discovering new ways to express ourselves through technology.