Galaxy Tab S9 Vs Ipad Air Which Tablet Is Better For Note Taking And Multitasking

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 and the Apple iPad Air isn’t just about brand loyalty—it’s about matching your workflow to the right tool. For professionals, students, and creatives who rely on digital note-taking and juggle multiple apps daily, the decision hinges on more than screen size or price. It comes down to how well each device supports handwriting precision, app flexibility, split-screen efficiency, and long-term usability. Both tablets are powerful in their ecosystems, but they serve different styles of productivity.

The Galaxy Tab S9 runs on Android with Samsung’s One UI and DeX mode, offering deep customization and a desktop-like experience. The iPad Air leverages iPadOS and the Apple Pencil, emphasizing seamless integration across Apple devices and a polished app ecosystem. This comparison dives into real-world performance for note-taking and multitasking—two core functions that define modern tablet use.

Design and Build: Comfort Meets Functionality

Both tablets feature sleek, minimalist designs built for portability. The Galaxy Tab S9 measures 254 x 165 x 5.7 mm and weighs 583g (Wi-Fi model), making it slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad Air, which is 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm and 461g. While the difference may seem minor, it becomes noticeable during extended note-taking sessions, especially when holding the device in one hand while writing.

Samsung includes the S Pen in the box with the Tab S9, magnetically attaching it to the back for easy access and wireless charging. Apple sells the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil separately and requires a separate purchase for the magnetic attachment and charging via the iPad’s side rail. For users prioritizing immediate stylus readiness, the Tab S9 has a clear advantage.

Tip: Always store your stylus attached to the tablet when not in use—both devices support pass-through charging, so you’ll never run out of battery mid-session.

Note-Taking Experience: Precision, Pressure, and Software

When it comes to capturing ideas, meeting notes, or sketching concepts, the quality of the stylus and supporting software makes all the difference.

The S Pen on the Galaxy Tab S9 offers 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and near-zero latency, thanks to Samsung’s Wacom EMR technology. Paired with Samsung Notes, it delivers a natural writing feel with instant stroke rendering. You can write directly on the lock screen or quickly pop up a floating note from any app—a feature particularly useful during lectures or meetings.

The Apple Pencil (2nd generation) matches this with its own ultra-low latency and tilt detection, allowing for shading effects in drawing apps. However, its functionality shines brightest within Apple’s native apps like Notes and third-party powerhouses such as GoodNotes and Notability. These apps offer advanced organizational tools, audio-synced notes, and handwriting-to-text conversion that many educators and professionals rely on.

“Handwriting accuracy and searchability have transformed how students annotate textbooks and review lectures.” — Dr. Lisa Tran, Educational Technology Researcher

While both styluses perform exceptionally, the ecosystem around them diverges. Samsung Notes syncs across Galaxy devices and supports live translation and PDF annotation. Meanwhile, Apple’s ecosystem allows handwritten notes to be searched by keyword—even if written entirely by hand—thanks to on-device machine learning.

Multitasking Capabilities: How Well Can You Juggle Tasks?

Multitasking separates casual tablet users from power users. Whether you’re comparing research sources, referencing lecture slides while taking notes, or managing emails alongside documents, the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously is essential.

The Galaxy Tab S9 excels here with its robust multitasking framework. It supports up to three active apps at once using “Multi-Active Window,” where each app runs independently in resizable windows. Add Samsung DeX, and you get a desktop-style interface with taskbar, window snapping, and drag-and-drop file transfers—ideal for users transitioning from laptops.

In contrast, the iPad Air offers Slide Over, Split View, and Picture in Picture, but with limitations. You can run two full apps side-by-side and one floating window (Slide Over), but true three-app multitasking requires workarounds. The introduction of Stage Manager in iPadOS 16 improved window management, but it still lags behind Android’s flexibility, especially when moving files between apps or resizing windows freely.

Feature	Galaxy Tab S9	iPad Air
Max Simultaneous Apps	3 (full multi-active)	2 full + 1 floating
Resizable Windows	Yes, fully adjustable	Limited adjustment
Desktop Mode	Samsung DeX (wired/wireless)	No equivalent
Drag-and-Drop Between Apps	Yes, across windows	Partial support
File Management	Full file explorer with folder access	Restricted via Files app

If your workflow involves constant switching between reference materials, note apps, and communication tools, the Tab S9 provides greater control and fewer friction points.

Software Ecosystem and App Optimization

Hardware means little without capable software. Both platforms have matured significantly, but their strengths cater to different needs.

iPadOS benefits from years of app optimization. Note-taking apps like GoodNotes, Notability, and Microsoft OneNote are finely tuned for Apple Pencil input, offering features like shape recognition, handwriting search, and iCloud syncing. The App Store also leads in educational and creative tools tailored for pen input.

Android has closed the gap, especially with Samsung’s enhancements. Samsung Notes rivals GoodNotes in functionality, supporting handwriting conversion, voice-linked notes, and collaborative editing. Plus, Google Keep, OneNote, and Evernote all run smoothly on the Tab S9. However, some niche note-taking apps still lack the polish found on iPadOS.

For cross-platform users, Microsoft Office integration favors the Galaxy Tab S9. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint behave more like desktop versions, supporting mouse and keyboard shortcuts when used with DeX. On the iPad Air, these apps are touch-first and simplified, limiting advanced formatting during complex document editing.

Mini Case Study: A Law Student’s Workflow

Maya, a second-year law student, uses her tablet daily for annotating case briefs, taking class notes, and researching statutes. She tested both devices over a semester. With the iPad Air, she appreciated the seamless audio-note syncing in Notability and the ability to search handwritten annotations later. However, she often needed to switch between LexisNexis, PDFs, and her notes app—requiring frequent app swaps due to limited multitasking.

Switching to the Galaxy Tab S9, she used Multi-Active Window to keep her case law database open on one side, a PDF reader in the center, and Samsung Notes on the right. She could copy text, highlight passages, and draft summaries without losing context. Though she missed some iPad-exclusive study tools, the efficiency gains made her switch permanent.

Battery Life and Real-World Usability

Battery longevity impacts sustained productivity. The Galaxy Tab S9 packs an 8,900mAh battery, rated for up to 14 hours of mixed usage. The iPad Air, with its 7,600mAh cell, offers approximately 10 hours under similar conditions. In practice, heavy stylus use, multitasking, and screen brightness reduce both, but the Tab S9 consistently lasts longer during full-day academic or work sessions.

Charging speed is another differentiator. The Tab S9 supports 45W fast charging (with compatible adapter), reaching 50% in about 30 minutes. The iPad Air maxes out at 20W, taking closer to 60 minutes for the same charge level. For users on tight schedules, faster top-ups mean less downtime.

Tip: Enable dark mode and reduce screen brightness to extend battery life during long study or work sessions—especially effective on OLED screens like the Tab S9’s.

Checklist: Choosing the Right Tablet for Your Needs

• Evaluate your primary use: Is it note-taking, research, or creative work?
• Test stylus responsiveness: Try writing samples to assess latency and comfort.
• Check app availability: Confirm your preferred note-taking and productivity apps are optimized for the platform.
• Assess multitasking needs: Do you regularly use more than two apps at once?
• Consider ecosystem integration: Are you already invested in Apple or Samsung devices?
• Factor in accessory costs: Remember the Apple Pencil and keyboard are sold separately.
• Test portability: Hold both devices to gauge comfort during prolonged use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple Pencil worth the extra cost for note-taking?

Yes, if you rely heavily on apps like GoodNotes or Notability and value features like palm rejection, tilt sensitivity, and iCloud syncing. However, the included S Pen on the Tab S9 offers comparable performance at no extra cost.

Can the Galaxy Tab S9 replace a laptop for multitasking?

For many users, yes. With Samsung DeX, external monitor support, and full desktop-style window management, the Tab S9 can handle email, document editing, web research, and video calls simultaneously—especially when paired with a keyboard cover.

Which tablet has better handwriting-to-text conversion?

The iPad currently leads in accuracy and language support, thanks to Apple’s neural engine and deep OS integration. However, Samsung’s handwriting recognition in Samsung Notes and Microsoft apps has improved dramatically and works reliably in English and several major languages.

Final Verdict: Who Should Choose Which?

The Galaxy Tab S9 is the superior choice for users who prioritize multitasking, customization, and getting the most hardware value upfront. Its inclusion of the S Pen, expansive window management, and desktop-like DeX mode make it ideal for professionals, researchers, and students managing complex workflows. If you frequently work with multiple documents, need full file system access, or want a near-laptop experience, the Tab S9 delivers unmatched flexibility.

The iPad Air, meanwhile, remains the gold standard for pure note-taking elegance. Its seamless Apple Pencil integration, best-in-class note apps, and industry-leading handwriting search make it perfect for students, educators, and creatives who prioritize simplicity and polish over raw multitasking power. If your primary goal is capturing ideas quickly and organizing them efficiently—with minimal setup—the iPad Air excels.

Ultimately, the “better” tablet depends on how you define productivity. The Galaxy Tab S9 empowers you to do more at once; the iPad Air helps you focus on doing one thing exceptionally well.

💬 Have you switched between Android and iPad for note-taking? Share your experience below—your insights could help others make the right choice!