Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (12.4", 2023) vs iPad Pro (2024, M4 series)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ (Fan Edition Plus), released in October 2023, and the Apple iPad Pro M4 Series, launched in May 2024, represent distinct approaches to the tablet experience. While the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers a feature-rich Android tablet with a focus on versatility and S Pen integration, the iPad Pro M4 Series pushes the boundaries of performance and display technology within the iPadOS ecosystem. These devices cater to different user needs, with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ providing a capable option for everyday productivity and creative tasks, and the iPad Pro M4 Series targeting professionals and users demanding top-tier power and visual fidelity.

The longevity of a tablet is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. These two tablets offer different expectations in these areas.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+, released in October 2023, is expected to receive four major Android OS updates, extending its software support until Android 17, along with five years of security patches until 2028. The iPad Pro M4 Series, launched in May 2024, typically receives 5-7 years of iPadOS updates, suggesting a longer period of official software support.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ features a metal chassis and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, offering protection against environmental elements. The iPad Pro M4 Series, while featuring a durable aluminum build, is notably thinner, with the 13-inch model measuring just 5.1mm. Both devices are built to withstand daily use, but the IP68 rating on the Samsung tablet provides an extra layer of reassurance against water and dust ingress.
• Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, the iPad Pro M4 has seen improvements in battery replacement access compared to previous generations, though screen removal remains a delicate process due to its ultra-thin design. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ appears to have more straightforward screen and battery replacement procedures.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently demanding tasks are handled.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is powered by an octa-core processor, which handles everyday tasks like web browsing, video streaming, and light gaming smoothly. However, some users have noted occasional stutters when running multiple demanding applications simultaneously or engaging in heavy multitasking. The iPad Pro M4 Series features a powerful chip designed for exceptional performance and efficiency. It delivers significant speed improvements for complex workflows, professional creative applications, and advanced gaming, making it well-suited for users who require substantial processing power.
• Storage and Memory: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers configurations with up to 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of a microSD card slot for expandable storage up to 1TB. The iPad Pro M4 Series offers configurations with 8GB or 16GB of RAM, alongside storage options up to 2TB, providing ample space for large projects and applications.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ features a large 10,090mAh battery, providing extended usage for typical tasks, with some reports indicating around 7 to 18 hours depending on the activity. The iPad Pro M4 Series is rated for approximately 10 hours of general use, with heavy tasks like video editing or gaming potentially reducing this, while video streaming can extend it significantly.

The visual experience on a tablet is largely defined by its display technology, resolution, and brightness.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ features a 12.4-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, offering clear visuals for general use and media consumption. The iPad Pro M4 Series introduces a new Ultra Retina XDR display, utilizing tandem OLED technology across its 11-inch and 13-inch models. This advanced display provides exceptional precision, color accuracy, and deep blacks, enhancing the visual experience for professional creative work and HDR content.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ has a 90Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother scrolling and animations compared to a standard 60Hz display. Its brightness is suitable for indoor use, though it may struggle in intense direct sunlight. The iPad Pro M4 Series features a ProMotion display with an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for fluid motion. It offers up to 1000 nits of full-screen brightness for SDR content and a peak brightness of 1600 nits for HDR content, making it highly visible in various lighting conditions.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: Both tablets offer large screen sizes, with the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ at 12.4 inches and the iPad Pro M4 Series available in 11-inch and 13-inch options. The aspect ratio of the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is often preferred for media consumption, while the iPad Pro's aspect ratio can be more conducive to productivity tasks and web browsing in portrait mode.

Tablet cameras are increasingly important for video calls, document scanning, and casual photography, while audio quality enhances media consumption and communication.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ includes an 8-megapixel primary rear camera and an 8-megapixel ultrawide rear camera. For the front, it features a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, which is well-suited for video calls. The iPad Pro M4 Series features a 12-megapixel wide camera on the rear, accompanied by a LiDAR Scanner for enhanced depth sensing. Its front-facing camera is a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, positioned on the landscape edge for improved video conferencing.
• Photography and Video Performance: The rear cameras on the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ are generally considered adequate for well-lit conditions but may lack detail and vibrancy in challenging lighting. Both tablets support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second with their rear cameras. The iPad Pro M4's camera offers improved low-light performance and detail compared to previous models.
• Audio Experience: The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ provides dual speakers for media consumption. The iPad Pro M4 Series delivers a robust audio experience, though some users have noted that the speakers could be improved.