Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3: Samsung is the more generous one

By Aleksandar Anastasov

Published: Mar 20, 2025, 10:54 AM

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Diagonally split image with one tablet on each side.

Intro

The most prominent rivalry in the tablet market is that between Samsung and Apple, and with the mid-range Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus set to arrive soon, we can't help but wonder how it would compare to the M3 iPad Air.

Given that the new FE Plus is said to feature a 13-inch display, we will be comparing it to Apple's equivalent. This makes things interesting, as the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is said to start at $649, which would make it $100 cheaper than the 13-inch M3 iPad Air.

Samsung's offer starts to sound even more tantalizing when you factor in that it comes with a stylus without any additional payment. In contrast, you would have to purchase an Apple Pencil separately if you need one for your iPad.

So, is there any other reason to go for Apple's tablet in this case, besides the usual "ecosystem" one? Or should you save that $100 and get Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus with an S Pen?

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 differences explained:

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus *	iPad Air M3
Taller and narrower: 300.5 x 194.7 x 6 mm	280.6 x 214.9 x 6.1 mm
Expected to be closer to 700 g	616 g
Aluminum body	Aluminum body
LCD 13.1-inch screen	LCD 13-inch
Smoother 90Hz screen refresh rate	60Hz screen refresh rate
Resolution: 2880 x 1800 pixels	Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels
Only HDR10 support	HDR10 and Dolby Vision support
13 MP back camera	12 MP back camera
12 MP front camera	12 MP front camera
Slower Exynos 1580 chip (5nm)	Apple M3 flagship-grade processor (3nm)
Expected to max out at 256GB internal storage	Maxes out at 1TB internal storage
Expandable storage via microSD card	No option to expand storage
Comes with S Pen	Does not include a stylus
10,090 mAh battery	9,705 mAh battery
45W wired charging	20W wired charging

*rumored

Table of Contents:

Design and Display
Keyboard and Stylus
Performance
Software
Audio Quality
Battery and Charging
Camera
Which one should you buy?

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Design and Display

The iPad might have a better display

Tablet design has arguably become even less exciting than smartphone design over the past few years, largely because camera modules—now the primary differentiating factor for mobile devices—are typically less prominent and important on tablets.

Thanks to leaked images of Samsung's upcoming mid-range tablet, we don't expect any exciting elements to its design. The only apparent change is the singular camera at its back (last generation had two), making it look even more like Apple's M3 iPad Air.

Displays, on the other hand, are one of the main areas consumers and manufacturers pay attention to. According to leaks, the the new Tab FE Plus from Samsung will have a larger display than its predecessor, measuring at 13.1 inches. That would make it ever so slightly larger than the 13-inch display of the M3 iPad Air.

But there are some expected differences between the two. For starters, like the rest of its non-Pro devices, the display on the M3 iPad Air is only capable of a 60Hz refresh rate. The Tab S10 FE Plus, on the other hand, should come with a 90Hz refresh rate, just like its predecessor.

The iPad Air might have a sharper display, though, as it comes with a resolution of 2048 x 2732 pixels, which is more than the expected 2880 x 1800 pixels for the new Fan Edition tablet from Samsung.

Also, it might be a small detail, but it's worth pointing out that Apple's tablet supports both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision HDR formats, which means you will be able to enjoy more HDR content. The S10 FE Plus will likely support only HDR10.

Lastly, regarding brightness levels, we measured around 1,500 nits on the M3 iPad Air (at 20% APL) during our review. There's currently no information on what to expect from Samsung’s tablet, and frankly, the company hasn't performed particularly well in this area with its previous tablets. We hope the Tab S10 FE Plus signals a change and at least matches the brightness offered by the iPad Air.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Keyboard and Stylus

If you are familiar with Samsung's previous Galaxy Tab models, then you probably know that the company is a bit more generous compared to Apple when it comes to accessories.

The Tab S10 FE Plus is expected to come with an S Pen inside the box, unlike Apple's tablet, for which you have to purchase an Apple Pencil separately—an additional cost between $69 and $119, depending on which model you go for.

The iPad Air also doesn't include a keyboard in the box, but probably neither will the Tab S10 FE Plus (Samsung is not THAT generous). To enjoy the extra typing comfort from a keyboard, for Samsung's tablet you would have to get the Book Cover Keyboard ($199), and for the M3 iPad Air the Magic Keyboard ($299).

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Performance

Where Apple takes an undeniable lead

Apple's in-house "M" series chipsets were a game-changer when they first arrived, and they are still some of the best silicon that's out there. The M3 iPad Air comes, well, with the Apple M3 chip, which helped the Air outperform even the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra during our performance benchmarks!

So, one can argue that the lack of an included stylus is alleviated by the fact that you have an absolute beast of a mid-range tablet.

Many might agree that Apple is far from utilizing this massive reserve of raw power, but we expect to notice an obvious difference in performance when comparing these two tablets.

It's worth noting that the faster display refresh rate of the Galaxy Tab might make it feel snappier and quicker, though.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Software

Samsung’s upcoming mid-range tablet will run Android 15 with One UI 7, delivering extensive customization, improved multitasking capabilities, and a productivity-friendly desktop experience via Samsung DeX.

With Android 15, we expect smoother animations, better battery optimization, and enhanced integration between apps. One UI 7 should further refine Samsung’s software experience, improving multitasking features such as multi-window and floating windows, making the FE Plus an even more versatile productivity machine.

The M3 iPad Air runs iPadOS 17, which is not as good when it comes to multi-tasking. Features like Stage Manager and Split View come in handy when you want to do something more productive, but still don't make the experience that friendly to power users.

Apple's software shines brightest through its extensive library of tablet-specific apps, offering consistently high-quality user experiences across creative workflows. And, of course, the ecosystem integration with accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard remains unmatched.

Software support on the M3 iPad Air is expected to be just as good as for the rest of the Apple products, meaning around 6 years of OS updates. Samsung has significantly improved its software support, promising around four years of major Android updates and five years of security patches, but we hope the company bumps those numbers up by one with this new generation of Tab FE models.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Audio Quality

The iPad Air has only two speakers, which is also what we expect the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus. If you want the four-speaker experience, you will have to pay extra for them and get either the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus or an iPad Pro.

But even with its dual speakers, we found the M3 iPad Air to have great audio quality across its lows, mids, and highs. Samsung's Fan Edition tablets, even the Plus models, usually can't reach that same level of audio fidelity, but we have our fingers crossed that this will change with the new models.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Battery and Charging

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is rumored to have a somewhat larger 10,090 mAh battery compared to the 9,705 mAh one inside the M3 iPad Air. Which one will have the better battery life remains to be seen, but Apple tends to be a bit better with its tablets in this department.

Charging-wise, the Tab S10 FE Plus takes the cake, said to feature 45W vs the 20W on the iPad.

Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus vs iPad Air M3 Camera

Should be pretty even

Leaks show the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus with one less camera than before. The one camera at the back is said to have been upgraded to 13 MP. The iPad has a single 12 MP camera at back. Both snappers should be similarly decent for quick snapshots.

The front cameras on both tablets are 12 MP.

Which one should you buy?

If you don't think you need the extra horsepower that comes with Apple's M3 processor, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus—so far—seems like the more sensible purchase, as you simply get much more for your money.

Of course, if you already own several Apple products, than the M3 iPad Air makes more sense. But if you don't have use for the integration with other Apple products, you can enjoy your free S Pen and use the money you save on a Book Cover Keyboard.

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Aleksandar is a tech enthusiast with a broad range of interests, from smartphones to space exploration. His curiosity extends to hands-on DIY experiments with his gadgets, and he enjoys switching between different brands to experience the latest innovations. Prior to joining PhoneArena, Aleksandar worked on the Google Art Project, digitizing valuable artworks and gaining diverse perspectives on technology. When he's not immersed in tech, Aleksandar is an outdoorsman who enjoys mountain hikes, wildlife photography, and nature conservation. His interests also extend to martial arts, running, and snowboarding, reflecting his dynamic approach to life and technology.