Device Size Comparison
Weight
The iPad Air 11 M2 is 248g heavier than the Galaxy S26 Ultra (115.9%).
Width
The iPad Air 11 M2 is 100.4mm wider than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Height
The iPad Air 11 M2 is 84mm taller than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Thickness
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is 1.8mm thicker than the iPad Air 11 M2.
Smaller body
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra (78.1 × 163.6 mm) vs iPad Air 11 M2 (178.5 × 247.6 mm).
Lighter weight
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra (214 g) vs iPad Air 11 M2 (462 g), 248 g lighter.
Thinner design
iPad Air 11 M2
iPad Air 11 M2 (6.1 mm) vs Galaxy S26 Ultra (7.9 mm).
Pocketability
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra has a smaller overall body size for pocket carry (78.1 × 163.6 × 7.9 mm).
Larger overall size
iPad Air 11 M2
iPad Air 11 M2 is 100.4 mm wider and 84 mm taller than Galaxy S26 Ultra (178.5 × 247.6 mm vs 78.1 × 163.6 mm).
| Dimension | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iPad Air 11 M2 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 78.1 mm | 178.5 mm | +100.4 mm |
| Height | 163.6 mm | 247.6 mm | +84 mm |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 6.1 mm | -1.8 mm |
| Weight | 214 g | 462 g | +248 g |
Pocket Carry
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better pocket fit on paper; the iPad Air 11 M2 may feel tighter when stored vertically in shallow pockets.
One-Hand Use
The Galaxy S26 Ultra's narrower face may suit one-handed scrolling, while the iPad Air 11 M2 asks for a wider grip across the display.
Daily Comfort
Listed weight and bulk move together here: the iPad Air 11 M2 is both heavier and larger, which can feel more substantial during routine handheld use.
Travel & Bag Carry
The iPad Air 11 M2 uses more organizer space in a bag or backpack; the Galaxy S26 Ultra leaves more room beside cases and chargers, and the iPad Air 11 M2 adds more listed mass to a packed carry.
Who should choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if lighter listed weight (214g vs 462g), narrower 78.1 mm width (vs 178.5 mm), shorter 163.6 mm height (vs 247.6 mm), and smaller width × height footprint (78.1 × 163.6 mm vs 178.5 × 247.6 mm) matter most to you, even though it also has thicker 7.9 mm edge (vs 6.1 mm) compared with the iPad Air 11 M2.
Who should choose the iPad Air 11 M2?
Choose the iPad Air 11 M2 if thinner 6.1 mm profile (vs 7.9 mm) matter most to you, even though it also has higher listed weight (462g vs 214g), wider 178.5 mm body (vs 78.1 mm), taller 247.6 mm frame (vs 163.6 mm), and larger overall footprint (178.5 × 247.6 mm vs 78.1 × 163.6 mm) compared with the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Overall recommendation
Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the more compact pick on listed size, and the iPad Air 11 M2 is the larger option for buyers who want more physical presence from the official dimensions alone.
More size comparisons from the same device families, brands, and recent flagship models.
Open Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPad Air 11 M2 in the comparison tool