Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
Shop Samsung Galaxy Tab
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023)
Starting at
£117.65£219.00 new
iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
Starting at
£316.24£669.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) and iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)?
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) starts at £117.65, £198.59 less than the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series). The Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
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- The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch.
- Screen type: TFT LCD on the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023), Liquid Retina display on the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series).
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) specs
The Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) and the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) cater to different users with distinct needs. The Galaxy Tab A9 suits everyday use with its simpler performance, smaller screen, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired audio. The iPad Air 5 is designed for users who want higher performance, a larger and sharper display, and advanced audiovisual features like 4K video recording and a 12 megapixel front camera. It supports iPadOS 18 and has double the RAM to keep apps running smoothly.
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) price
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) battery life and software updates
Durability covers software support and operating systems, important for how long your device stays up to date and secure.
Year Of Release
The Galaxy Tab A9 was released in 2023, and the iPad Air 5 in 2022.
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) performance
Performance affects how smoothly your apps run and how well the device handles multitasking or demanding tasks. Differences in processor, RAM, and storage options shape which user each tablet suits best.
Processor Power
The Galaxy Tab A9 is powered by a Mediatek Helio G99 processor suitable for everyday tasks and casual gaming. The iPad Air 5 features the Apple M1 processor, known for strong performance in creative work and multitasking. Choose the Galaxy Tab A9 for simpler use and the iPad Air 5 if you want more processing power.
Memory And Multitasking
With 4 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab A9 keeps apps running well for daily activities. The iPad Air 5 has 8 GB of RAM, which supports smoother multitasking and running more apps simultaneously without slowdown.
Storage Options
The Galaxy Tab A9 is available with 64 GB or 128 GB of storage, offering more space for apps and media if you choose the higher capacity. The iPad Air 5 comes in 64 GB and 256 GB versions, letting you select more storage for larger files or more apps.
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) screen
Screen quality influences how comfortable and enjoyable your viewing experience is, from reading to watching videos. Both the size and resolution differ notably between these tablets.
Screen Size And Resolution
The Galaxy Tab A9 has an 8.7 inch screen with a resolution of 800 by 1340 and pixel density of 180 ppp, making it a compact option for reading and casual use. The iPad Air 5 offers a larger 10.9 inch screen with a higher resolution of 2360 by 1640 and 264 ppp, delivering a sharper and more spacious display for videos and detailed work.
Screen Type
The Galaxy Tab A9 uses a TFT LCD screen while the iPad Air 5 features a Liquid Retina display. The Liquid Retina display typically offers better colour accuracy and brightness, which benefits users who want a more vivid viewing experience.
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) camera
Audiovisual features affect your experience in video calls, photography, and media playback. Both tablets have stereo speakers but differ in camera quality and video capabilities.
Camera Resolution
The Galaxy Tab A9 has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front camera, suitable for basic photos and video calls. The iPad Air 5 offers 12 megapixels on both front and rear cameras, capturing more detail and sharper images, which is useful for photography or higher-quality video calls.
Video Recording Quality
The Galaxy Tab A9 records video at 1080p 30 FPS, delivering full HD video suitable for everyday recording. The iPad Air 5 supports 4K video recording at 60 FPS, ideal for users who want higher resolution and smoother video capture.
Speakers
Both tablets have stereo speakers, providing balanced sound for watching videos or listening to music.
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) size and design
Other practical differences include connectivity, size, and weight, which can affect comfort and convenience in everyday use.
Connectivity And Ports
Both tablets have USB Type-C connectors and are unlocked for carrier use. The Galaxy Tab A9 supports Bluetooth 5.3, offering potentially improved wireless connections, while the iPad Air 5 uses Bluetooth 5.0. The Galaxy Tab A9 also includes a 3.5 mm headphone jack, letting you connect wired headphones easily, whereas the iPad Air 5 relies on USB Type-C for audio.
Size And Weight
The Galaxy Tab A9 measures 211 mm in height, 124.7 mm in width, and 8 mm in depth, weighing 333 g. The iPad Air 5 is larger at 247.6 mm height, 178.5 mm width, and 6.1 mm depth, weighing 462 g. The Galaxy Tab A9 is more compact and lighter, which suits users who want a more portable tablet.
WiFi Technology
The Galaxy Tab A9 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, while the iPad Air 5 supports Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax. Wi-Fi 6 offers faster speeds and better performance in busy networks, which benefits heavy internet users.
SIM And Carrier Compatibility
Both devices use a Nano SIM and are unlocked, so you can use them with various networks without restriction.
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Minimum system requirements windows
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Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) or iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series): which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £117.65, £198.59 less than the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series)
- you want a lighter build (333 g vs 462 g)
Buy the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who choose the Galaxy Tab A9 appreciate its size and memory options, describing it as good for gaming, study, and everyday use. Many say it looks like new and is easy to set up. Some users note excellent condition and praise Samsung as a reliable brand. A few mention region locking issues affecting app downloads, but the majority are happy with performance and value.
Users of the iPad Air 5 highlight its smooth speed, sharp Liquid Retina display, and excellent condition even in fair grade. The M1 chip is said to run apps smoothly, and the camera and WiFi perform well. Some customers recommend pairing it with the Apple Pencil for notes and drawing. A few mention battery drain or model-specific limitations like Apple Intelligence in certain regions, but most find the iPad well suited for productivity and media.
The Galaxy Tab A9 suits those who want a lighter, more compact tablet with easy headphone connectivity and enough power for daily tasks and games. The iPad Air 5 fits buyers looking for higher performance, a larger and sharper screen, and advanced audiovisual features for work or creative use.
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) FAQs
Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) vs iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) comes down to the RAM, screen size and screen type. The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB. The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) has a bigger screen: 10.9 inch vs 8.7 inch.
The Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) is cheaper refurbished, from £117.65 compared with £316.24 for the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series).
We don't have published update dates for the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023). The iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) is still supported and can run iPadOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7", 2023) comes in 64GB and 128GB, and the iPad Air 5 (2022, M1 series) in 64GB and 256GB.
