I’m sure many people are wondering why I’m making this comparison. On closer inspection, however, you’ll see many similarities and then you will be thinking which is better.
For the time being, I’ve been using both tablets to access social media, play games, watch movies, and browse the web. Even though I adore both, I found this comparison difficult to make.
So, let’s discuss which one is better.
Design: iPad Mini 6 vs Samsung Tab S7
The most obvious difference between these two tablets is their size.
The iPad Mini 6 is a small and light tablet, whereas the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a medium-sized tablet. As a result, the iPad Mini 6 comes out on top when it comes to portability.
The two are also strikingly similar in terms of design. Both are made of machined aluminum, both have a very solid feel to them, and both have squared-off edges, rotted corners, and small bezels all the way around.
On the iPad Mini 6’s short side and the Tab S7’s long side, we can see volume up and down controls. A USB-C port is available on both tablets for charging and syncing with external devices.
Both tablets have four speaker grills, but the iPad Mini has two speakers, while the Tab S7 has four.
As previously mentioned, you can add up to 1TB of additional storage to the Tab S7’s maximum internal storage capacity via microSD card. The iPad Mini 6 now has a maximum storage capacity of 256GB. Keeping that in mind, you may want to think about how important storage is to you.
Fingerprint sensors are built into the power buttons of both tablets. So this way you can power and unlock your tablet at the same time. The front-facing camera on the Tab S7 can now be used for facial recognition. As a result, you have the option of enabling either one or both, depending on your needs.
Display: iPad Mini 6 vs Samsung Tab S7
The iPad Mini 6 has an 8.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2266 by 1488 pixels, while the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has an 11-inch screen with a resolution of 2560 by 1600. Because of the higher resolution and larger display of the Tab S7, you can see more of a webpage or document without having to scroll, and you have more pixels to work with when two apps are open side by side.
When we look at pixel density, we’re getting 326 on the iPad Mini 6 versus 274. But the iPad Mini 6 is a 60 Hertz display versus an adaptive 120 Hertz display on the Tab S7. You may not be aware, but if you are, it makes the UI appear smoother, and it can also be beneficial for games that support higher FPS settings.
The Tab S7’s screen is more reflective than the iPad Mini 6’s, which presents an opportunity for improvement. For this reason, if you plan to use it outdoors or in a place where bright lights are present, the reflections may be more noticeable.
Because of this, the Tab S7 has a larger canvas and a larger image when it comes to drawing and note-taking, as well as when you’re watching video.
Apple Pencil vs S Pen
The S Pen on the Tab S7 is Bluetooth enabled, whereas the Apple Pencil for the iPad Mini 6 costs an additional $130. Of course, if you don’t require the services of a stylist, none of this will apply to you.
But I love the fact that Samsung includes this accessory because I believe that more people will find ways to use it and improve their experience. With the iPad Mini, most people aren’t going to shell out $130 to see if they really need it or not.
In terms of feel, the second-generation Apple Pencil offers a firmer writing experience, with a louder and more pronounced contact with the display. With the S Pen, you get a softer grip. As a result, it’s less crowded. In addition, there’s a distinct lack of contact.
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for every situation. As a result, the decision is ultimately up to you based on your own personal preferences and the specific circumstances of your situation.
The second-generation Apple Pencil is charged and stored on the side of the iPad Mini 6 when it is not in use. Magnetic strip on the back of the Tab S7 is where the S Pen is stored and charged.
And if you wanna see best accessories with the iPad Mini 6, read this article.
Camera & Speakers: iPad Mini 6 vs Samsung Tab S7
When it comes to selfies, the iPad Mini 6 has a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera, while the Galaxy Tab S7 has an 8-megapixel camera. I’ll keep this short and say that both devices are capable of making video calls, but the iPad Mini 6 wins in terms of image quality.
Additionally, the iPad Mini 6 has a feature known as “Center Stage” that uses the ultra-wide camera to track a subject as it moves across the frame and then zooms in and out to simulate a tracking shot. For video calls where you’ll be doing a lot of moving around, this is a great feature to have.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to both tablets, but if you are simply using your tablet while sitting in front of it, the Samsung Tab S7 has a better camera angle.
The Tab S7 has four speakers, while the iPad Mini 6 only has two. In addition, the audio on the Tab S7 is richer and warmer. The iPad Mini 6 does sound good, but if I compare it to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7, it’s a no-brainer.
Software & Performance: iPad Mini 6 vs Samsung Tab S7
The Tab S7 uses the Snapdragon 865+ Qualcomm chip. And it comes with 6GB of RAM if you get the 128GB of storage or 8GB of RAM if you opt for 256GB or 512GB of storage. The iPad 6 comes with the A15 Bionic, 4GB of RAM and it’s available with 64GB or 256GB of internal storage.
Geekbench 5 Results:
| Single-Core | Multi-Core | |
| iPad Mini 6 | 1594 | 4604 |
| Samsung Tab S7 | 955 | 3275 |
The Tab S7’s ability to multitask is also an asset if you’re considering it. As a result, when you’re working in split view, you’ll have more space to work with. DeX, which provides a desktop-like user interface, is another option. To use a second display, connect an external monitor and use an external keyboard and mouse setup. A laptop or desktop computer can now make use of the second screens on either tablet. Both Apple and Samsung have dubbed this feature Sidecar or Second Display.
In terms of battery life, both devices performed admirably for me. The Tab S7 is likely to win, but I was surprised by how well the iPad Mini 6 performed compared to the other current iPad models.
As a gamer, I’m leaning toward favouring the iPad Mini 6. Even after hours of playing PUBG, it’s still light and small enough to hold comfortably. My friends who prefer to play on larger tablets, such as the Samsung Tab S7, will love this tablet. When used in conjunction with an Xbox controller, both tablets are capable of running Xbox Game Pass titles.
There are a plethora of options available on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Because of this, you should have no problem finding applications for both tablets, including those for photo and video editing. Now some creative apps like Affinity Photo, Procreate, and LumaFusion are only available for the iPad. So, if you need those things, the choice is made for you.
Pricing: iPad Mini 6 vs Samsung Tab S7
I am using the prices off of the Apple and Samsung websites, but you can usually find better prices on Amazon, BestBuy, and other e-commerce websites.
The iPad Mini 6 starts at $449 for the 64GB, or $599 for 256GB. Then you can add $150 to either of them if you want the WiFi+Cellular version.
Samsung’s pricing, at least in the US, changes constantly. So currently the wifi only version of the Tab S7 starts at $649 for 128GB, $729 for 256GB and $829 for 512GB. Then the Cellular versions are an additional $200.
Which One You Should Buy?
Now, when I think about which one of these is better, it comes down to what you value most.
The iPad Mini 6 is smaller, lighter, and more powerful. It has a better camera system in terms of quality, a more refined app ecosystem with certain exclusive popular creative apps. It has much longer operating system support. And it’s amazing to game on a handheld if you want a smaller device.
The Tab S7 has a larger display with higher resolution, and two forms of biometric authentication. It comes with an S Pen, has better keyboard case options because of the larger form factor. It has better speakers, and then it’s more powerful for multitasking and as a desktop replacement because of DeX.
FAQs
Both tablets are excellent for students, but the Samsung Tab S7, with its included S Pen and larger screen, might be slightly more versatile for note-taking and multitasking.
While both tablets offer powerful performances and can handle a wide range of tasks, whether they can replace a laptop depends on your specific needs and workflow.
Both tablets are capable of delivering a solid gaming experience, but the Samsung Tab S7’s larger screen and 120Hz refresh rate provide a slight edge for immersive gaming.
