Tech & Gadgets · Head-to-head
Apple iPad (A16) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Budget Tablets: Four Compared, One to Skip comparison.
The iPad (A16) wins on the things that age well, app quality and years of updates, even though it costs the most and charges extra for accessories. If you prefer Android or want louder sound and expandable storage for less, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is the value pick.
Apple iPad (A16)
Buy itThe priciest pick here, and still the safest for most people thanks to its apps and long update life.
- A16 chip has real headroom for multitasking and light gaming
- Long iPadOS support and a deep library of properly tablet-built apps
- Non-laminated screen has a visible air gap and looks slightly recessed
- Pencil and keyboard are sold separately, raising the true cost
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Buy itThe Android value pick: big sound and expandable storage for noticeably less money.
- Quad Dolby Atmos speakers paired with an 11-inch 90Hz screen
- microSD expansion and a headphone jack that the iPad omits
- Snapdragon 695 is fine for media but slows under demanding games
- Plastic body and slow 15W charging
Side by side
The 6 criteria below are the ones our full comparison judged every product on, narrowed to these two.
| Apple iPad (A16) Our pick | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | People who want the longest useful lifespan and the best app selection. | Android users who want louder sound and expandable storage on a modest budget. |
| Price tier | $$$ · premium | $$ · mid-range |
| Screen | 11-inch, sharp but non-laminated, 60Hz | 11-inch LCD, 90Hz |
| Performance | A16, most headroom here | Snapdragon 695, steady for media |
| Speakers | Stereo, clean | Quad, Dolby Atmos |
| Battery & charging | All-day, USB-C | ~7,040mAh, 15W |
| Expandable storage | No microSD | microSD |
| Software support | Longest; huge tablet app library | Several years of One UI |
Which one is right for you?
Pick the Apple iPad (A16) if
people who want the longest useful lifespan and the best app selection.
Know before buying: non-laminated screen has a visible air gap and looks slightly recessed.
Pick the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ if
android users who want louder sound and expandable storage on a modest budget.
Know before buying: snapdragon 695 is fine for media but slows under demanding games.
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Apple iPad (A16) - The priciest pick here, and still the safest for most people thanks to its apps and long update life. Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ instead if android users who want louder sound and expandable storage on a modest budget.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Budget Tablets: Four Compared, One to Skip.