Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) vs Apple iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB)
Side by side comparison between Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs Apple iPad Air 2 devices, differences, pros, cons and full specifications. What's the better?
,
6.2"
AMOLED
AMOLED
1440x2960
12.2
MP
MP
8mp
4GB
RAM
RAM
Octa-core
3500
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
vs
9.7"
IPS
IPS
1536x2048
8
MP
MP
1.2mp
2GB
RAM
RAM
Triple-core
7340
mAh
mAh
(Non removable)
What's the better device? Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A)
The phonemore's choice is much more technical than personal. Therefore, you shouldn't only consider this. Our goal is to help you, but what's important to us may not be important to you. You decide which one is the best! Comment!
30 Advantages 
3 Advantages | 23 Common items in both devices |
| 64GB (51GB available) / 64GB (54GB available) |
| Aluminum frame, glass front/back / Aluminum body, glass front |
| 60Hz |
| 16 million |
| Only digital zoom |
| PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera / Autofocus |
| HDR photo/video on both cameras / HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front camera |
| +16 specs and more in the table below |
Check the comparison table below for more items that are not evaluated in comparison score above.
Highlight differences Clear highlight📱 Model features | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Model | Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) |
| Other model names | AT&T Galaxy S8+ G955A (Snapdragon), Samsung Dream 2 | iPad Air 2 A1567 Cellular (4G LTE), iPad 6 |
| Country or region available |  USA |  (Global, International) |
| Brand | Samsung | Apple |
| Release date | 4/21/2017, Announced: 3/29/2017 | 10/24/2014, Announced: 10/16/2014 |
| Depth | 8.1 millimeters (0.32 inches) | 6.1 millimeters (0.24 inches) |
| Size (width x height) | 73.4 x 160 millimeters (2.89 x 6.3 in) | 169.5 x 240 millimeters (6.67 x 9.45 in) |
| Weight | 173 grams (6.06 ounces) | 444 grams (15.54 ounces) |
| Build, materials | Aluminum frame, glass front/back | Aluminum body, glass front |
| Protection against water and others | IP68 certified: water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30min and dust-resistant | Not supported |
📲 Display | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Display type | Super AMOLED | TFT LED-Backlit IPS LCD |
| Screen size | 6.2" inches | 9.7" inches |
| Screen-to-body ratio | ~83.1% (screen-to-body ratio) | ~71.6% (screen-to-body ratio) |
| Display resolution | 1440x2960 pixels (18.5:9) | 1536x2048 pixels (4:3) |
| Touchscreen | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points | Capacitive Multitouch 10-points |
| Pixel density (dot pitch) | 531 PPI | 264 PPI |
| Colors | 16 million | 16 million |
| Scratch-resistant glass | Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Display features | HDR10 | Not supported |
🤖 Operating System | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| System version | Android 7.0 Nougat | iOS 8.0 |
| Firmware update | Android 9.0 Pie | iPadOS 13 |
| User Interface | feature not registered | feature not registered |
⚙️ Processor | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Chipset | 64bit: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (MSM8998) (10nm) | 64bit: Apple A8X (20nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core, 2 processors: 4x 2.35GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) 4x 1.9GHz Kryo 280 (Quad-core) | Triple-core, 1 processor: 3x 1.5GHz Typhoon (Triple-core) |
| GPU graphical controller | Qualcomm Adreno 540 (670-710MHz) | PowerVR GX6450 Rogue (8-core) |
| Performance (benchmark) | feature not registered | Basemark X: 29753 |
💽 Memory and storage | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| RAM memory | 4GB LPDDR4 | 2GB LPDDR3 |
| Internal storage | 64GB (51GB available) UFS 2.0 | 64GB (54GB available) |
| External storage | Until 1TB microSD, microSDXC (dedicated slot) | Not supported |
📶 Mobile networks | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Dual-SIM | Not supported | Not supported |
| SIM card | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) | 1 slot (Single-SIM) nano-SIM (4FF) |
| Maximum Download / Upload | 1024/150 Mbps | 100/50 Mbps |
| Network technology | 2G, 3G, 4G | 2G, 3G, 4G |
| Frequency, bands | Expand band details Collapse details | |
| GSM MHz band | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 | Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 2G network | GSM 850/900/1800/1900 | CDMA 800/1900, GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |
| Primary 3G network | TD-SCDMA 1900/2000 UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO UMTS 850/900/1700/1900/2100 |
| Primary 4G network | LTE Cat16 (1,2,3,4,5,7,8,12,18,19,20,28,29,30) TD-LTE (38,39,40,41) | LTE Cat4 (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29) TD-LTE (Bands 38, 39, 40, 41) |
| Primary 5G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Primary data network | GPRS, EDGE, TD-SCDMA, UMTS, TD-HSDPA, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE, LTE-A | GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev 0, CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev A, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+, TD-LTE, LTE |
| Secondary 2G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 3G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary 4G network | Not supported | Not supported |
| Secondary data network | Not supported | Not supported |
📷 Camera | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Back camera (main camera) | 12.2 megapixels | 8 megapixels |
| Main camera resolution | 4032x3024 pixels | 3264x2448 pixels |
| Video recording (primary) | 4K UHD (3840x2160) 30 fps | Full HD (1920x1080) 30 fps |
| Flash | LED flash | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/2.4 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 26mm lens | 31mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/2.55" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.4µm pixel | 1.12µm pixel |
| Autofocus | PDAF on back camera and autofocus front camera | Autofocus |
| Touch focus | Supported | Supported |
| Image stabilization | OIS: Optical stabilization | EIS: Digital stabilization |
| Zoom | Only digital zoom | Only digital zoom |
| Face/smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection | Face detection, Smile detection |
| BSI sensor | Supported | Supported |
| HDR | HDR photo/video on both cameras | HDR photo/video and HDR photo on front camera |
| Camera extras | feature not registered | feature not registered |
📸 Front camera | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Front camera (secondary) | 8 megapixels | 1.2 megapixels |
| Front camera resolution | 3264x2448 pixels | 1280x960 pixels |
| Video recording (secondary) | 2K UHD (2560x1440) | HD (1280x720) |
| Front flash | Not supported | Not supported |
| Focal aperture | f/1.7 (aperture) | f/2.2 (aperture) |
| Focal length | 25mm lens | 31mm lens |
| Sensor size | 1/3.6" inches | feature not registered |
| Pixel size | 1.22µm pixel | feature not registered |
🔉 Sound and multimedia | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Loudspeaker | Supported | Supported |
| Active noise cancellation | 2 microphones or more | 2 microphones or more |
| Radio | FM | Not supported |
| TV | Not supported | Not supported |
| Video formats | MP4, H.265, H.264, H.263, DivX, XviD | MP4, H.264, MOV |
| Audio formats | MP3, WAV, eAAC+, FLAC | MP3, WAV, eAAC+ |
🔌 Connectivity | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| USB | USB 3.1 Type-C, USB OTG On-The-Go | MicroUSB 2.0 |
| Audio output | 3.5mm jack | 3.5mm jack |
| TV output | USB Type-C (reversible) | Proprietary TV-out |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 + A2DP/LE | 4.0 + A2DP |
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) + MIMO WiFi Direct, hotspot | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac [wifi5] (2.4GHz, 5GHz) |
| DLNA | Supported | Supported |
| GPS | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou | A-GPS, GeoTagging, GLONASS |
| NFC | Supported | Not supported |
| Infrared port | Not supported | Not supported |
🧭 Sensors | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Sensors | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor ANT+ Barometer Compass Face unlock Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted) Gyroscope Hall effect Heart rate Iris scanner Proximity sensor SpO2 | Accelerometer Ambient light sensor Barometer Compass Fingerprint sensor (front-mounted) Gyroscope |
| Vibrating alert | Supported | Not supported |
🔋 Battery | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Battery type | Li-Ion: lithium-ion (Non removable) | LiPo: li-ion polymer (Non removable) |
| Battery capacity | 3500 mAh | 7340 mAh |
| Charger, watts | 15W (9V/1.67A) Wired fast charging Quick Charge 2 | Wired charging |
| Inductive / wireless charging | Qi wireless charging (Qi/PMA) | Not supported |
| Talk time autonomy | 34 hours (1.4 days) | 10 hours |
| Standby | 343 hours (14.3 days) | feature not registered |
➕ Other features | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| Call control | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands | Voice dialing, Voice recorder, Voice commands |
| Messaging | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail | SMS (T9), MMS, E-mail, Push mail |
| Hands-free calling | Supported | Supported |
| Video calling | Supported | Supported |
| Ringtones | Polyphonic and customized | Polyphonic and customized |
| Web browser | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 | HTML, XHTML, HTML5 |
| Antenna | Internal antenna | Internal antenna |
| Qwerty physical keyboard | Not supported | Not supported |
| Miscellaneous | • Colors: Black, Silver, Blue, Gold, Orchid Gray • Samsung DeX (desktop experience) • Curved edge screen • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 back panel • Samsung Gear VR compatible • Samsung Pay • 32bit/192kHz audio | • Colors: Space Gray, Silver, Gold • Retina display • Oleophobic coating • AirDrop file sharing • iCloud service • iCloud Keychain • FaceTime HD |
☢️ Radiation rate | ||
| Galaxy S8 Plus (SM-G955A) | iPad Air 2 (4G 64GB) | |
| SAR 1.6W/kg (USA, Mexico, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |
| SAR 2W/kg (Europe, UK, etc.) | feature not registered | feature not registered |