Apple iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Apple iPad if you want a reliable tablet for study, video and notes with Apple Pencil support. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE instead if you want an Android tablet with a free S Pen and water resistance.

By Buyrskip Editorial Team Updated 7 October 2026 1 min read

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Buy

Apple iPad (A16)

Best for Students, reading and streaming

Typically ₹32,000–₹38,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Buy

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE

Best for Notes with an included pen

Typically ₹30,000–₹38,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

Feature	Apple iPad (A16)	Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
Verdict	Buy	Buy
Typical price	₹32,000–₹38,000	₹30,000–₹38,000
Best for	Students, reading and streaming	Notes with an included pen
Key feature	Smooth performance and huge app library	S Pen included and IP68
Display	11-inch Liquid Retina	10.9-inch 90Hz
Chip	A16	—
Storage	From 128GB	—
Pen	—	S Pen included
Rating	—	IP68
Where to buy	Check Price Paid link	Check Price Paid link

Main differences

Display

Apple iPad: 11-inch Liquid Retina; Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: 10.9-inch 90Hz.

Why buy it

Apple iPad: smooth performance and huge app library; Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: S Pen included and IP68.

Made for

Apple iPad: students, reading and streaming; Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: notes with an included pen.

Usual price

Apple iPad: ₹32,000–₹38,000; Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: ₹30,000–₹38,000.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Apple iPad (A16) if you

want a reliable tablet for study, video and notes with Apple Pencil support
value fast A16 chip

Check Price Paid link

Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you

want an Android tablet with a free S Pen and water resistance
value S Pen in the box

Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every model we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best tablets.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Xiaomi · Tablets

Xiaomi Pad 7

Buy it if you want a sharp, smooth screen and strong performance for less.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Streaming and productivity on a budget
Typical price: ₹26,000–₹32,000

Pros

Sharp 144Hz display
Strong performance

Cons

Keyboard and pen sold separately

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Xiaomi · Tablets

Redmi Pad SE

Buy it if you want a cheap tablet for videos and classes.

Verdict: Buy
Best for: Budget
Typical price: ₹11,999–₹14,999

Pros

Large screen
Quad speakers

Cons

No stylus

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Frequently asked questions

Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: which should I buy?

Is the price difference worth it?

The Apple iPad usually costs ₹32,000–₹38,000 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE ₹30,000–₹38,000. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Buyrskip Editorial Team

Part of the Buyrskip research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: the full reasoning

Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE? Both are good tablets, which is exactly why the choice is hard. Here is the short version first: buy the Apple iPad if you want a reliable tablet for study, video and notes with Apple Pencil support, and buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you want an Android tablet with a free S Pen and water resistance. The rest of this page explains why, with usual prices in India.

Where they differ

The Apple iPad wins on smooth performance and huge app library. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE answers with S Pen included and IP68. Display: 11-inch Liquid Retina on the Apple iPad, 10.9-inch 90Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE.

Reasons to buy the Apple iPad

Fast A16 chip, Great apps, Long software support. What to accept: accessories cost extra, 60Hz display. Usual price: ₹32,000–₹38,000.

Reasons to buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE

S Pen in the box, IP68 rating, Good display. What to accept: average performance, slow charging. Usual price: ₹30,000–₹38,000.

Neither one?

Our list of the best tablets has every other model with its own call. Use: online classes and streaming need a good screen and speakers; note-taking needs stylus support.

Also consider the Xiaomi Pad 7 (₹26,000–₹32,000): 3.2K 144Hz display. Buy it if you want a sharp, smooth screen and strong performance for less.

Also consider the Redmi Pad SE (₹11,999–₹14,999): 11 inch 90 Hz screen at a low price. Buy it if you want a cheap tablet for videos and classes.

Also consider the Lenovo Tab M11 (₹14,000–₹18,000): big screen for little money. Buy it if you want an affordable tablet for kids, YouTube and online classes.

India-specific tip

Education discounts on iPads and some Android tablets are available to students with a valid ID; check the brand store before a sale.

Prices on Amazon.in move in a pattern. The deepest cuts land in the Great Indian Festival (around Navratri and Diwali), Prime Day in July and the Republic Day sale in January, usually with extra bank-card discounts and no-cost EMI. Judge a deal against the usual price we show, never against the MRP.

How we make the call: we read spec sheets, manuals and warranty terms, check how good the service network is in India and track the usual Amazon.in price. A product gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to buy it at that price. Brands cannot pay for a verdict.