Tossing up between Apple and Samsung? It’s a tale as old as time. Or as old as smartphones at the very least. Many of us bent the knee to either the iOS or Android operating system for our phones, but for some reason when it comes to tablets treason isn’t off the table.
Deciding between an iPad or a Samsung tablet is tricky, it’s like comparing apples to, well, androids. There are so many variables. In this guide we take a look at the overarching differences between the two manufacturers to help you pick between iPads and Samsung tablets. Maybe it's time for a switch.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Range
Looking for a tablet gets overly confusing when there are so many different options out there. Apple has four main iPad options and Samsung has three readily available tablet types, which means you’ll need to figure out which out of these seven works the best for you. There is no one size fits all option, but there is something that will suit everyone’s needs.
Apple
There are four iPad models available: the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro. The iPad and iPad mini are relatively similar except one is (surprise) much smaller than the other. After that the iPad Air is a step up with a better camera, larger storage options, and a faster processor. Finally the iPad Pro is the piece-de-resistance in the iPad family, sporting the fastest chipset, huge storage options up to 2TB, and more cameras.
Samsung
The Tab family is relatively straight forward, the A series is budget, the Active series is for rugged use, and the S series is the higher end of the market. Similar to the manufacturer’s phone series structure, the As have less bells and whistles and the Ss are the premier flagships, and the Active is heavily drop resistant, water resistant, and you can use the screen while wearing gloves.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Cost
Cost is of course one of the largest contributing factors when it comes to decision making, a device might be amazing but if it isn’t affordable then the market cinches in real quick. Both Apple and Samsung offer a range of tablet options with varied pricing depending on aspects like model, storage options, and connectivity.
Apple
Apple’s iPads start at $499 for the 8th generation iPad and range up to $2,549 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with 2TB internal storage and 5G connectivity. The models ranked from least to most expensive are the iPad, iPad mini, iPad Air, and the iPad Pro. Each of these models have different storage options, and in some cases different sizes which affects the pricing. More storage and bigger screens make the cost higher.
Fortunately for Apple stans each of these models are available on plans from the three major telcos. iPad plans are structured similarly to mobile phone plans. The recommended retail price of the device is split up into equal monthly repayments and you’ll pay for a 4G data SIM on top of that. Because telcos generally want you to use their network if you sign up, you can only buy a 4G-enabled or 5G-enabled iPad on a plan. If you’re not a stickler you could always take a look at refurbished iPads instead.
Here are the most popular data-only SIM plans you can pair with your iPad:
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#1
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ALDI mobile
$95 Data Plan
$95
Link not supplied
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#2
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Optus
$130 Prepaid Data Only SIM (Online Only)
$130
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$74 Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband Go
$74
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Belong
400GB Data SIM Only
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
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Tangerine Telecom
Editor's Pick
100GB Mobile Broadband Data Plan
$34.90/mth
Min. cost $34.90
Link not supplied
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|
#6
|
Aussie Broadband
Large Data Only 5G SIM
$35/mth
Min. cost $35
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
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amaysim
90GB Data Plan
$60
Link not supplied
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#8
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Vodafone
Prepaid Mobile Broadband Recharge $55
$55
Link not supplied
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|
#9
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SpinTel
Mobile Broadband 50GB
$28/mth
Min. cost $28
Link not supplied
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#10
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Southern Phone
Extra Small Mobile Broadband
$15/mth
Min. cost $180
Link not supplied
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Samsung
Pricing for Samsung tablets ranges between $379 for the 32GB Galaxy Tab A7 and $1,949 for the 512GB Galaxy Tab S7+. Just like Apple the model type, and the internal storage play a factor in the tablet pricing. Even so, Samsung tablets are on the whole more affordable than the Apple counterparts.
Samsung ranges three kinds of tablets: the Galaxy Tab A series, Galaxy Tab Active, and Galaxy Tab S series in ascending order of price. While you can buy each of these outright, which is more reasonable with Samsung then it is with Apple, they are also available on plans from the big three telcos. Just like iPads, the Samsung tablet plans split the price of the tablet up into monthly repayments with an additional fee for your 4G data SIM and GB allowance. Only the cellular-enabled models are available.
Here are the most popular data-only SIM plans you can pair with your Galaxy Tab:
|
#1
|
ALDI mobile
$95 Data Plan
$95
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Optus
$130 Prepaid Data Only SIM (Online Only)
$130
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
$74 Pre-Paid Mobile Broadband Go
$74
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Belong
400GB Data SIM Only
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Tangerine Telecom
Editor's Pick
100GB Mobile Broadband Data Plan
$34.90/mth
Min. cost $34.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Aussie Broadband
Large Data Only 5G SIM
$35/mth
Min. cost $35
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
amaysim
90GB Data Plan
$60
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Vodafone
Prepaid Mobile Broadband Recharge $55
$55
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
SpinTel
Mobile Broadband 50GB
$28/mth
Min. cost $28
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Southern Phone
Extra Small Mobile Broadband
$15/mth
Min. cost $180
Link not supplied
|
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Operating System
The operating system will define how you are able to use your tablet. Android and iOS have similar features but they’re not identical. When it comes to iOS it is easy to get stuck in the one ecosystem because of how seamlessly it works across other Apple devices, but Android loyals tend to stick to their chosen operating system. Maybe it’s patriotism, maybe it’s stubbornness?
However, just because you sided with one for your phone doesn’t mean that you need to stay on that side for your tablet.
Apple
As is to be expected, Apple iPads run on iPadOS software.
Samsung
Samsung uses Android software with an overlay the manufacturer calls One UI. One UI is the launcher used to open apps and reskins the tablet's interface into the unique Samsung style.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Apps
What apps you can access can define your tablet experience, after all if you can’t get the right drawing app then what is the point of having an Apple Pencil in the first place?
Apple
Currently the Apple App Store has 1.96 million apps available to download. Not all of these are available across iPhone and iPad, but it is still a substantial pool to choose from.
Where many Android tablet apps are simply larger versions of what you’ll see on your phone, Apple encourages iPad support on its platform's apps which makes them more tailored to the device.
Samsung
While the Google Play Store has around 2.87 million apps, most of these don’t come with tablet support. Instead they’re simply stretched out versions of their mobile applications which doesn’t make for the best user experience. In order to qualify as a tablet supported app in the Play Store, developers only need to show a large screenshot - not ideal.
Google itself isn’t exactly heavily focused on tablets and as a result the majority of the company’s apps do not come with tablet support either. Gmail is the only Google app that has a specific tablet design, and well if Android’s papa doesn’t care then it’s easy for other app developers to ignore tablet support for Android.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Security
Tablets have a longer lifespan than phones do, so it can be easy to get complacent about security on an aging device. Both Apple and Samsung offer ongoing security updates, but these do stop eventually.
Apple
Each iPadOS update comes with a security update in tow. At the time of writing the latest update was iPadOS 14.4 which is supported on iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4, iPad Pro (all), fifth generation iPad and later.
Of these, the iPad Air 2 is the oldest model which was released in 2014. We can then assume that iPads will be supported for around seven years.
Earlier generations of these models no longer receive security updates, which can make your tablet more vulnerable to exploits.
Samsung
The manufacturer sends updates out monthly, quarterly, or biannually for its mobile devices, and as your Samsung tablet ages you’ll get security updates more infrequently.
At the time of writing there were no Galaxy tablets receiving monthly updates but there are a range of devices on the quarterly and biannual regime.
Quarterly updates: Galaxy Tab A 8 (2019), Galaxy Tab A 8.4 (2020), Galaxy Tab A7, Galaxy Tab Active2, Galaxy Tab Active Pro, Galaxy Tab Active3, Galaxy Tab S6, Galaxy Tab S6 5G, Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, Galaxy Tab S7, Galaxy Tab S7+, Galaxy View2
Biannual updates: Galaxy Tab A (2017), Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018), Galaxy Tab S4, Galaxy Tab E 8 Refresh, Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019), Galaxy Tab A with S pen, Galaxy Tab S5e
Of these, the Galaxy Tab A (2017) is the oldest model, meaning that Samsung tablets should continue to get support for around four years.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Performance and battery
You know what they say, live fast and die young. When it comes to tablets you want something that will live fast and die slowly.
Apple
Apple’s bespoke processors are downright snappy, and now with the latest iPad Pro using a Mac processor - well, enough said. In layman’s terms, the processing power is the roadrunner.
While Apple doesn’t release the battery capacity of its devices, the manufacturer says that you can expect 10-hour battery life on all its newest iPad models.
Samsung
When compared Samsung processors are more Wile E.Coyote. They sure do move but the roadrunner is going to get there first. Where Apple’s processors are made in house, Samsung's tablet chipsets tend to be outsourced and are generally created by Qualcomm. The actual chipset and processor used varies between devices and therefore the performance will as well.
As a rule of thumb, Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors have never been quite as fast as Apple's chips.
Battery capacity also varies between Galaxy Tablets, starting at 5,050mAh for the Active and going up to 8,000mAh on the Galaxy Tab S7. According to Samsung, 8,000mAh should equate to around 15 hours of use.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Storage
Apple
Internal storage starts at 32GB for the 8th generation iPad, and goes through to a massive 2TB on the 5th generation iPad Pro. Each model has a unique combination of storage options, so you’ll need to pick and choose which one works best for you depending on how you use your iPad.
Apple products do not support external storage via micro SD card.
Samsung
Depending on which model you choose you’ll get different storage options. The A series starts at as little as 32GB and the S series goes to 512GB. However storage on Samsung tablets is of lesser consequence since these devices still support external storage of up to 1TB. Just grab one from Amazon and your 32GB is suddenly 1032GB.
iPad vs. Samsung Galaxy Tablet: Accessories
Tablets represent a great opportunity to build on a device. Where phones are pretty much used to find memes and text people (and maybe answer a phone call if you’re feeling brave), tablets have the potential to be sketch pads and laptops. Unfortunately they don’t come equipped with everything you need to make this happen.
Apple
Accessories for iPads are not cheap. A 2nd generation Apple Pencil will set you back $199, and an iPad keyboard sans-trackpad starts at $235. Let's say you wanted the whole kit and kaboodle, iPad Pro (128GB), the Magic Keyboard with trackpad, and an Apple Pencil you’re looking at a grand total of $2,297.
Ouch.
There are of course cheaper options, you could go for a Smart Keyboard Folio rather than a Magic Keyboard and slum it at the 1st generation Apple Pencil, but it’s still quite the expense.
Note too, that not all iPad variants will support every accessory. The iPad mini for example can only use the 1st generation Apple Pencil, and doesn't support any of Apple's first-party keyboards. You'll need to find a third-party Bluetooth option.
Samsung
Samsung approaches accessories differently, every tablet that has S Pen support for example comes with one. But you will need to buy a case with magnetic storage for your S Pen on top of the price of the tablet, or just risk losing it. Keyboard covers with trackpads cost $299, which is significantly more affordable than Apple’s similar option.
For comparison, if you were to buy the Tab S7+ (128GB), which comes with an S Pen and pimp it out with a Book Cover Keyboard you’d pay $1,748 to have a similar set up to the example we used for Apple above.
Once again, not every Galaxy Tablet will support S Pen and keyboard covers.
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