Tablet Comparison · 2025
Apple iPad Air M2 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Definitive head-to-head: specs, display, value, and which tablet you should actually buy.
Apple
Apple iPad Air M2
vs
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Choose Apple iPad Air M2
Best for Apple ecosystem users, students who want the cleanest tablet OS, and Apple Pencil Pro users.
Choose Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Best for Android users who want S Pen included, DeX desktop mode, and Galaxy AI features.
Spec Sheet
Side by Side
| Specification | Apple iPad Air M2 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+ |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M2 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Display | 11/13" Liquid Retina IPS/ProMotion | 12.4" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 120HzWINS |
| Pen Included | No (Apple Pencil Pro sold separately) | Yes — S Pen in boxWINS |
| Battery | 10 hours | All-day (10,090 mAh)WINS |
| Fast Charge | 20W (no brick included) | 45WWINS |
| Galaxy AI / Apple Intelligence | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI 2.0 |
| Weight | 462 g (11")WINS | 581 g |
| Desktop Mode | Stage Manager | DeX Mode |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Updates | 6+ years | 7 yearsWINS |
Verdict
The Verdict
Both are mid-range premium tablets priced similarly. iPad Air M2 wins on chip performance (M2 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 — surprisingly close in GPU) and OS polish. Tab S10+ wins on S Pen in-box value, Galaxy AI, and 7-year Android updates. The choice is fundamentally about ecosystem.
Choose Apple iPad Air M2
Pros and cons
- M2 chip — strong GPU for creative apps
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- iPadOS Stage Manager multitasking
- Lighter at 462g
- Wi-Fi 6E + MagSafe-like keyboard support
- Apple Pencil Pro sold separately
- Magic Keyboard sold separately (expensive)
- IPS LCD on 11" model (no OLED/AMOLED)
Choose Samsung Galaxy Tab S10+
Pros and cons
- S Pen included in box
- Galaxy AI 2.0 (Circle to Search, Note Assist)
- DeX desktop mode
- 7-year update guarantee
- Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
- Galaxy AI still maturing
- More expensive when S Pen value counted
- One UI has more bloatware than iPadOS