Device Size Comparison
Weight
The iPad Air 13 M3 is 402g heavier than the Galaxy S26 Ultra (187.9%).
Width
The iPad Air 13 M3 is 136.8mm wider than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Height
The iPad Air 13 M3 is 117mm taller than the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Thickness
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is 1.8mm thicker than the iPad Air 13 M3.
Smaller body
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra (78.1 × 163.6 mm) vs iPad Air 13 M3 (214.9 × 280.6 mm).
Lighter weight
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra (214 g) vs iPad Air 13 M3 (616 g), 402 g lighter.
Thinner design
iPad Air 13 M3
iPad Air 13 M3 (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 13 M3
iPad Air 13 M3 is 136.8 mm wider and 117 mm taller than Galaxy S26 Ultra (214.9 × 280.6 mm vs 78.1 × 163.6 mm).
| Dimension | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iPad Air 13 M3 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 78.1 mm | 214.9 mm | +136.8 mm |
| Height | 163.6 mm | 280.6 mm | +117 mm |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 6.1 mm | -1.8 mm |
| Weight | 214 g | 616 g | +402 g |
Pocket Carry
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better pocket fit on paper; the iPad Air 13 M3 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 13 M3 asks for a wider grip across the display.
Daily Comfort
Listed weight and bulk move together here: the iPad Air 13 M3 is both heavier and larger, which can feel more substantial during routine handheld use.
Travel & Bag Carry
The iPad Air 13 M3 uses more organizer space in a bag or backpack; the Galaxy S26 Ultra leaves more room beside cases and chargers, and the iPad Air 13 M3 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 616g), narrower 78.1 mm width (vs 214.9 mm), shorter 163.6 mm height (vs 280.6 mm), and smaller width × height footprint (78.1 × 163.6 mm vs 214.9 × 280.6 mm) matter most to you, even though it also has thicker 7.9 mm edge (vs 6.1 mm) compared with the iPad Air 13 M3.
Who should choose the iPad Air 13 M3?
Choose the iPad Air 13 M3 if thinner 6.1 mm profile (vs 7.9 mm) matter most to you, even though it also has higher listed weight (616g vs 214g), wider 214.9 mm body (vs 78.1 mm), taller 280.6 mm frame (vs 163.6 mm), and larger overall footprint (214.9 × 280.6 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 13 M3 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 13 M3 in the comparison tool