Compare tablets
| Global Score | |
| 65.4 | 66.3 |
| Basic Information | |
| Apple | Microsoft |
| iOS 13.x, 12.x, 11.x, 10.x | -- |
| 2017-03-24 | 2015-05-01 |
| 9.45 x 6.67 x 0.30 inches | 10.51 x 7.36 x 0.34 inches |
| 16.86 ounces | 21.92 ounces |
| 16 777 216 | -- |
| Aluminum | -- |
| $ 220.00 | $ 375.00 |
| Display / Screen | |
| 9.7 inches | 10.8 inches |
| 2048 x 1536 pixels | 1280 x 1920 pixels |
| IPS LCD | -- |
| 264 pixels per inch | 214 pixels per inch |
| No touch screen | No touch screen |
| 7.2 | 6.8 |
| Performance | |
| Apple A9 APL0898 chipset | Intel Atom x7 Z8700 chipset |
| Twister, 64-bit, 16 nm (Dual-Core 1850 MHz) processor | 64-bit, 14 nm (Quad-Core 1600 MHz) processor |
| 2 GB RAM | 4 GB RAM |
| PowerVR GT7600 GPU | Intel HD GPU |
| 8.64 | 8.55 |
| Storage | |
| -- | 128 GB internal memory |
| No SD card slot | No SD card slot |
| 0 | 10.1 |
| Camera | |
| 8.00 MP + 1.20 MP | 8.00 MP + 3.50 MP |
| f/2.40 aperture | -- |
| 1920 x 1080 (30 fps) (Full HD) video resolution | 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) video resolution |
| 8.25 | 6.49 |
| Networks | |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi |
| LTE (4G) | LTE (4G), HSPA and HSUPA |
| Nano SIM | Nano SIM |
| 4.8 | 5.5 |
| Battery Life | |
| 8827mAh Li - Polymer Battery | -- |
| Non-Removable Battery | Non-Removable Battery |
| 9.52 | 1.36 |
| Other Features | |
| Bluetooth 4.2 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| GPS | GPS |
| Fingerprint ID Scanner | -- |
| Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope and Light Sensor | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Light Sensor and Proximity Sensor |
Comparison review
The Microsoft Surface 3 is slightly better than iPad 9.7-inch, having a 66.3 score against 65.4. Although Microsoft Surface 3 is better than the iPad 9.7-inch, we must note that it's also older, somewhat thicker and extremely heavier. The iPad 9.7-inch has a little faster processor than Microsoft Surface 3, although it has 2 GB lesser RAM and less cores.
The iPad 9.7-inch has a bit better display than Microsoft Surface 3, because although it has a little bit smaller screen, it also counts with a bit better amount of pixels per inch of screen and a bit higher 1536 x 2048 resolution. The iPad 9.7-inch features a greater camera than Microsoft Surface 3. Both of them have the same 1920x1080 video quality, a camera with an 8 MP and the same video frame rate.
The Microsoft Surface 3 features a lot bigger storage for applications, games, photos and videos than Apple iPad 9.7-inch. IPad 9.7-inch counts with a very superior battery life than Microsoft Surface 3.
Although Microsoft Surface 3 is a better device, it is way more expensive than the Apple iPad 9.7-inch, and it doesn't have such a good quality/price relation as Apple iPad 9.7-inch. If you are trying to save a few dollars, you can get the Apple iPad 9.7-inch, letting go a couple features and specs, but you'll get the most with your money.
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