Apple iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi / Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (11-inch, Wi-Fi)

Apple iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑Fi: iPad Air (5th generation, 2022), Wi‑Fi model; 64 GB or 256 GB. The Wi‑Fi + Cellular version (such as A2589) adds 5G and nano-SIM/eSIM and is 1 g heavier. The 4th generation (A14) and the M2 6th generation are separate models.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (11-inch, Wi-Fi): Galaxy Tab S8 11-inch; Wi-Fi and 5G versions, 8/12 GB RAM + 128/256 GB storage (options vary by market). The Galaxy Tab S8+ (12.4-inch) and Tab S8 Ultra (14.6-inch) are separate models with different display types and batteries.

SpecificationApple iPad Air (5th generation) Wi‑FiSamsung Galaxy Tab S8 (11-inch, Wi-Fi)
Release year20222022
Display10.9-inch Liquid Retina, LED-backlit IPS; 2360 × 1640 pixels, 264 ppi; P3 wide colour, True Tone; 500 nits

Full lamination and the anti-reflective coating (1.8% reflectivity) remove the gap between glass and panel and reduce reflections. The spec page does not list a refresh rate and there is no ProMotion. Because of the rounded corners, the screen measures 10.86 inches as a rectangle.

Apple		11-inch 2560 × 1600 (WQXGA), 276 ppi LTPS TFT; up to 120Hz

LTPS TFT is an LCD panel type; unlike the AMOLED displays on the Tab S8+ and Ultra it uses a backlight. The adaptive refresh rate drops when content is still and can be locked to 60 Hz in settings. Rounded corners and the camera hole make the visible area slightly smaller than 11 inches.

Samsung
ChipApple M1: 8-core CPU (4 performance + 4 efficiency), 8-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine; 8 GB RAM

The same chip was used in 2020–2021 Macs; the tablet runs iPadOS and cannot install macOS apps. The media engine accelerates H.264 and HEVC decode/encode in hardware.

Apple		—
Storage64 GB or 256 GB

There is no 128 GB option and no memory card slot.

Apple		—
Rear camera and video12 MP Wide, ƒ/1.8, autofocus with Focus Pixels; 4K video at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p slo-mo at 120/240 fps

There is no flash; Smart HDR 3 and extended dynamic range video up to 30 fps are supported.

Apple		—
Front camera12 MP Ultra Wide, 122° field of view, ƒ/2.4; Centre Stage

Centre Stage automatically pans and zooms the frame as people move during video calls.

Apple		—
USB-C and external displayUSB-C: charging, DisplayPort, USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gb/s); one external display up to 6K at 60 Hz

Thunderbolt is not supported; transfers from external drives and card readers are limited to 10 Gb/s.

Apple		—
AccessoriesApple Pencil (2nd generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C); Smart Connector (Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio)

The 2nd-generation Pencil attaches magnetically to the side edge and charges there.

Apple		—
AuthenticationTouch ID in the top button

There is no Face ID.

Apple		—
WirelessWi‑Fi 6 (802.11ax), simultaneous dual band, HT80 with MIMO; Bluetooth 5.0 Apple—
AudioStereo speakers; dual microphones

There is no headphone jack.

Apple		—
Battery28.6 Wh built-in lithium-polymer; up to 10 hours of web or video on Wi‑Fi

A 20 W USB-C adapter and a 1 metre USB-C cable are in the box.

Apple		—
SensorsTouch ID, three-axis gyro, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor Apple—
Size and weight247.6 × 178.5 × 6.1 mm; 461 g Apple165.3 × 253.8 × 6.3 mm; 503 g (Wi-Fi), 507 g (5G) Samsung
Processor—4 nm 64-bit octa-core processor

Samsung’s spec table does not name the chip; Tom’s Guide lists it as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in its test unit.

Samsung
Memory and storage—8/12 GB + 128/256 GB; microSD up to 1 TB

Memory and storage options vary by market, model and colour; the microSD card is sold separately.

Samsung
Battery and charging—8,000 mAh (typical); Super Fast Charging 2.0 (up to 45W)

Chargers are sold separately; the box includes the S Pen and a USB-C cable. 45W speed needs a compatible adapter.

Samsung
Operating system—Android 12.0 at launch Samsung
S Pen and accessories—S Pen (BLE, in box); compatible with Book Cover Keyboard and Keyboard Slim

The S Pen charges wirelessly when attached to the magnetic strip on the back. Keyboard covers attach to the contact pins on the edge and are sold separately.

Samsung
Cameras—Rear: 13MP AF + 6MP Ultra-Wide + Flash; front: 12MP (Ultra-Wide); 4K @ 30fps recording

The front camera sits on the long edge, suited to landscape video calls.

Samsung
Sound—Quad Stereo Speakers with Sound by AKG, Dolby Atmos; 3 microphones

There is no 3.5 mm headphone jack; wired headphones need USB-C or a USB-C to 3.5 mm adapter.

Samsung
Connectivity—Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.2; USB Type-C (USB 3.2); 5G/LTE on cellular model only

Wi-Fi 6E’s 6 GHz band needs a compatible router and depends on regional availability. Tom’s Guide confirms DisplayPort video output over USB-C.

Samsung
Security—Fingerprint with Side Key; Samsung Knox including Knox Vault Samsung
Colours—Graphite, Silver, Pink Gold

Colour availability varies by market and carrier.

Samsung