Microsoft Surface vs Samsung Galaxy Tab:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Samsung Galaxy Tab had more branded searches than Microsoft Surface among tablet brands in the United States. Samsung Galaxy Tab had about 168,000 branded searches, while Microsoft Surface had 121,000. Samsung Galaxy Tab made up 8.9% of all tablet brand searches we track, and Microsoft Surface accounted for 6.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about tablet brands, Samsung Galaxy Tab appeared in all five answers and Microsoft Surface in two. Samsung Galaxy Tab was mentioned before Microsoft Surface in four out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Samsung Galaxy Tab, about 39% more searches than Microsoft Surface
Who does AI mention more?
Samsung Galaxy Tab, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Samsung Galaxy Tab, named ahead of Microsoft Surface in 4 of 5 answers
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Top tablet brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Samsung Galaxy Tab appeared in all five answers. Microsoft Surface was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Samsung Galaxy Tab was listed before Microsoft Surface in four out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apple iPad3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Microsoft Surface2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lenovo Tab2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
OnePlus2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Amazon Fire Tablet1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Google Pixel0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
TCL0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about tablet brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which tablet should I buy?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best tablet brands?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What is the best Android tablet?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“tablet”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best tablet”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 26, 2026.
Is Microsoft Surface or Samsung Galaxy Tab more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Microsoft Surface and Samsung Galaxy Tab by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight tablet brands we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Samsung Galaxy Tab, Microsoft Surface. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apple iPad | Samsung Galaxy Tab | Microsoft Surface | Amazon Fire Tablet | Lenovo Tab | Google Pixel | TCL | OnePlus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 73.9% | 10.2% | 10% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 1.6% | 0.27% | 0.22% |
| Nov 2025 | 84.2% | 6.6% | 5.6% | 1.5% | 1% | 0.83% | 0.17% | 0.14% |
| Dec 2025 | 84.8% | 6.6% | 4.6% | 1.9% | 1% | 0.84% | 0.17% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 78.5% | 8.8% | 7.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.95% | 0.28% | 0.19% |
| Feb 2026 | 78.8% | 8.9% | 7.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 0.35% | 0.19% |
| Mar 2026 | 77.2% | 9.1% | 8.5% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 0.94% | 0.28% | 0.18% |
| Apr 2026 | 78.9% | 8.9% | 7.8% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.78% | 0.28% | 0.19% |
| May 2026 | 74.9% | 10.3% | 9.1% | 2.5% | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.33% | 0.22% |
| Jun 2026 | 76.8% | 9% | 8.5% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.34% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 77.7% | 9.1% | 7.7% | 2.1% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.34% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 77.9% | 8.7% | 8.5% | 1.7% | 1.7% | 0.94% | 0.28% | 0.15% |
| Sep 2026 | 79.9% | 8.9% | 6.4% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 0.79% | 0.29% | 0.15% |
How has the Microsoft Surface and Samsung Galaxy Tab comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Samsung Galaxy Tab was ahead of Microsoft Surface in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Microsoft Surface’s share of searches among tablet brands in the United States moved from 10% to 6.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 121K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Samsung Galaxy Tab’s share of searches among tablet brands in the United States moved from 10.2% to 8.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 168K.
How did search popularity change for United States tablet brands in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, Microsoft Surface lost share of searches among tablet brands in the United States, from 8.5% to 6.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Microsoft Surface’s and Samsung Galaxy Tab’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Microsoft Surface
2 branded search terms
- microsoft surface
- surface pro
Samsung Galaxy Tab
2 branded search terms
- samsung galaxy tab
- samsung tablet
Other head-to-heads among tablet brands
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