Samsung offers a smoother display, expandable storage and an S Pen in the box, but Apple’s 13-inch iPad Air M4 costs less once both tablets are equipped for work.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12+ and Apple’s 13-inch iPad Air M4 are aimed at the same broad buyer, but they approach the problem of mobile productivity in different ways. The Samsung tablet, which went on sale in the United States on 7 October 2026, starts at $1,199.99 and includes an S Pen, while Apple’s tablet begins at $1,049. On paper, Samsung is positioning its device as the more fully equipped package; Apple is leaning on a lower entry price and its own software and chip advantages.
For readers trying to use a tablet as a work machine rather than simply a media device, the practical differences matter more than the headline specifications. Samsung’s Tab S12+ uses a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor and 12GB of RAM, alongside Android 17 and One UI 9. Its selling points are desktop-style multitasking, flexible split-screen layouts, external display support and microSD expansion of up to 2TB. Apple’s iPad Air M4, by contrast, pairs a 13-inch Liquid Retina LCD with the M4 chip and 12GB of unified memory, while iPadOS 26 adds resizable windows, tiling, Stage Manager and external display support.
The display and accessory equation also cuts in different directions. Samsung offers a 120Hz panel, which should feel smoother for scrolling and pen input, but Apple gives buyers a slightly larger screen. Samsung includes the stylus in the box, and its Pro Keyboard costs $349.99, taking the tablet-and-keyboard total to $1,549.98. Apple’s Magic Keyboard is priced at $319 and the Pencil Pro at $129, bringing the combined cost of the iPad Air package to $1,497. That leaves Apple’s setup $52.98 cheaper, despite the need to buy both accessories separately.
The broader conclusion is less about raw speed than about workflow and software fit. Samsung’s package is more generous out of the box, especially for users who want a pen, expandable storage and a desktop-like interface. Apple’s offering is cheaper once the main accessories are added, and its software ecosystem may suit buyers who already rely on iPad-compatible business apps. For organisations, the final choice is likely to turn on application compatibility, device management and whether the priority is maximum flexibility or lower total cost.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
