Which Galaxy tablet is equivalent to the iPad Pro?

When we talk about tablets that can function as pseudo-laptops, the iPad Pro immediately comes to mind. With its powerful M5 chip, tandem OLED display and huge library of apps, the iPad Pro has long been the benchmark for tablets. It is versatile and can be used both casually and professionally. Apple also offers the Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil or Apple Pencil Pro, which make the iPad even more ingenious in terms of productivity.

On the Android side, Samsung’s Tab series of devices takes on Apple and offers the best one-on-one comparison. Its Samsung Tab S11 Ultra is the closest thing to the iPad Pro, offering similar features at a lower price. However, Samsung is going even further, with a larger 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, an S Pen at no extra cost, and more integrated AI. Although both tablets have almost the same features, here’s how the two compare.

While the largest size available on the iPad Pro is 13-inch, Samsung offers a larger 14.6-inch model. That might not sound like much, but in head-to-head comparisons, the Samsung Tab S11 Ultra makes the iPad Pro seem much smaller. Both displays feature a 120Hz panel and are comparable, achieving 1,000 nits full-screen and 1,600 nits peak with HDR. However, the Samsung Tab has anti-glare coating at no extra cost, while Apple offers its nano-textured glass for $100.

Performance, on the other hand, favors Apple. The M5 chip in iPad Pro delivers extreme raw processing power. Geekbench 6 scores for the iPad Pro are almost double those of the Tab S11 Ultra, making the iPad the clear winner. Even though the Samsung Tab has less processing power, it is much better at multitasking with different apps thanks to its larger screen and user interface. For most use cases, both devices will do the job equally well, but Apple has the juice in case you need it.

Samsung, however, offers more bang for your buck. The Tab S11 Ultra starts at $1,299 for the 256GB variant and includes an S Pen at no extra cost. The Tab S11 Ultra’s storage is also expandable up to 2TB and has a dedicated SD card slot. Although the iPad Pro has a maximum 2TB variant, Apple does not offer the expandable storage option and markets the Apple Pencil as an add-on. Additionally, the 13-inch iPad Pro has a starting price of $1,499 for the 256GB configuration, making it the more expensive choice.

In terms of daily use, the Samsung Tab S11 Ultra and Apple iPad Pro offer the same functionality. They can be used for video editing, watching content, and can be turned into a pseudo-laptop, but Samsung tends to give you a little more flexibility. Featuring DeX, the Tab S11 Ultra offers a true desktop-style user interface, allowing it to operate like a real PC. Even though Apple has gotten better at integrating multitasking with iPadOS updates, Samsung still maintains an advantage in this use case.

Apple, on the other hand, shines in apps. With the tablet landscape being much more Apple-oriented, the App Store contains a plethora of apps that complement the iPad Pro. From Final Cut to Logic to Procreate, iPad Pro is the ideal tool for creators. Even though Samsung can’t compete closely in terms of apps, it wins when it comes to intelligence. Channeling the raw power of Gemini, Galaxy AI is much more nuanced than Apple Intelligence and can be a better assistant than Siri.

On paper, Samsung also offers a few extra benefits, like a bigger battery, IP68 water resistance, and 45W fast charging. Overall, though, the iPad Pro is a more refined product with an ecosystem aimed at creators. While the Samsung Tab offers versatility at no extra cost, the iPad thrives on its library of apps, premium accessories, and overall user experience.