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Tablet Comparison

Apple iPad Air (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 Comparison

A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tablet.
Apple iPad Air (2020)
Apple
Apple iPad Air (2020)
8.9 / 10
Compass Score
From 49 critic reviews
Full review →
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
8.3 / 10
Compass Score
From 22 critic reviews
Full review →
Verdict

Pros & cons

iPad Air (2020)

+
Good
+ Excellent screen
+ Supports 2nd Generation Apple Pen
+ New color options
+ Fast processor
+ USB-C type port
−
Not
− Expensive with accessories added
− No FaceID
− 64GB baseline storage

Galaxy Tab S 8.4

+
Good
+ Vibrant and bright display
+ Smooth performance with no lag during basic and demanding tasks
+ Excellent battery life
−
Not
− Display colors oversaturated
− Noisy photos in low light
Spec data

How they compare

iPad Air (2020)
Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Price (MSRP)
—
Price (MSRP)
—
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A14 Bionic Hexa-core
Processor
Samsung Exynos 5 Octa core
Camera zoom
—
Camera zoom
—
Battery life
—
Battery life
—
Wired charging
—
Wired charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Wireless charging
—
Display
Color
Display
Color
Software support
—
Software support
—
Repairability
—
Repairability
—
Weight
460g (16.2 oz)
Weight
294g (10.4 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale
iPad Air (2020)
9.7" × 7"
Galaxy Tab S 8.4
8.4" × 4.9"
Thickness · to scale
iPad Air (2020)
0.2"
Galaxy Tab S 8.4
0.3"
Height
9.7" (247.6 mm)
Height
8.4" (213 mm)
Width
7" (178.5 mm)
Width
4.9" (125 mm)
Depth
0.2" (6.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7 mm)
Weight
460g (16.2 oz)
Weight
294g (10.4 oz)
Screen
10.9"
Screen
8.4"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

iPad Air (2020) vs Galaxy Tab S 8.4: FAQ

Which is better, the iPad Air (2020) or Galaxy Tab S 8.4?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPad Air (2020) earns a Compass Score of 8.9 compared to 8.3 for the Galaxy Tab S 8.4. That 0.6-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.

Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated April 2026. Suggest a correction →