Let's be real: buying a premium tablet is a serious investment. We're talking laptop money here—sometimes even more when you add accessories. So when you're deciding between the iPad Pro 13" with Apple's new M5 chip and Samsung's Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, you need to know exactly what you're getting into.
Both tablets are absolute powerhouses—the Cadillac Escalades of the tablet world, if you will. But they approach productivity and entertainment in fundamentally different ways. After extensive testing, I'm breaking down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your workflow and budget.
Design & Build Quality: Two Different Philosophies
The first thing you'll notice is how these tablets want to be used.
The iPad Pro invites vertical use. Apple's design language suggests portrait orientation for reading, note-taking, and productivity. It's lighter at 580g, making it easier on your wrists during extended use.
The Galaxy Tab screams horizontal. That wider footprint is built for landscape mode—watching movies, multitasking, and desktop-like productivity. But you'll feel the extra weight at 701g during long sessions.
Both feature premium aluminum construction with flat sides and sharp edges. They look and feel expensive, as they should.
The durability winner: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra hands down. It's the only one with an official IP68 rating—completely dust-tight and water-resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. You could theoretically watch Netflix on your way to Atlantis. The iPad Pro has no official water resistance rating, so spills and splashes are riskier.
Display Showdown: Bigger Isn't Always Better
This is where things get interesting because both screens are absolutely stunning, but serve different purposes.
iPad Pro 13":
- 13-inch OLED display with anti-reflective coating
- 4:3 aspect ratio (more square)
- 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate
- Dolby Vision support
- 1,000 nits typical brightness / ~1,700 nits peak
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra:
- 14.6-inch AMOLED panel (significantly larger)
- 16:10 aspect ratio (panoramic)
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 1,000 nits typical brightness / ~1,700 nits peak
The brightness battle: In our tests under simulated sunlight at over 100,000 lux, both tablets performed identically. Neck and neck at around 1,000 nits for typical brightness and approximately 1,700 nits for peak brightness. Both are easily viewable outdoors.
Which Screen Is Better for You?
Choose the iPad Pro if you:
- Take lots of handwritten notes or draw
- Want better HDR performance with Dolby Vision
- Prefer less glare with that anti-reflective coating
- Work primarily in portrait orientation
Choose the Galaxy Tab if you:
- Watch a ton of movies (those slim black bars are gorgeous)
- Multitask with multiple windows side-by-side
- Want the biggest possible canvas
- Love that cinematic feel
Security comparison: The iPad uses Face ID sensors mounted on the long edge, which works great in landscape. The Galaxy opts for an under-display optical fingerprint scanner—oddly not the faster ultrasonic type you'd expect at this price point.
Audio Quality: Surprisingly Different
Both tablets pack quad speakers (one in each corner), but they don't sound identical.
Our verdict: The Galaxy Tab sounds noticeably better. It blasts louder volume levels and voices come through much clearer. The iPad isn't bad by any means, but it's slightly more muffled and not as loud.
If you're watching movies without headphones or taking lots of video calls, the Galaxy's audio superiority is a real advantage.
Camera Comparison: Do Tablet Cameras Even Matter?
Nobody buys a tablet for the cameras, but you'll probably use them for video calls, document scanning, and the occasional photo. Here's what you need to know:
Rear Cameras
iPad Pro:
- 12MP main sensor
- LiDAR sensor for 3D scanning
- 4K 60fps video recording
- ProRes video option
- Warmer colors, punchy contrast
- No portrait mode (seriously?)
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra:
- 13MP main sensor
- 8MP ultrawide camera
- 4K 30fps max (main camera)
- Portrait mode included
- More natural colors, better shadow detail
- Cinematic video mode (1080p 30fps)
The practical winner: Galaxy Tab for flexibility. That second ultrawide camera is genuinely useful when you can't back up enough. The iPad's LiDAR is neat for specific use cases like 3D scanning, but most people won't use it.
Front Cameras
Both have 12MP ultrawide front cameras positioned on the long edge—perfect for landscape video calls.
Good lighting: iPad looks slightly better with more accurate colors, though the Galaxy can be aggressive with shadow lifting on faces.
Low light: Galaxy dominates with significantly more detail and less noise.
Video capabilities: Galaxy wins here too with 4K 30fps vs the iPad's 1080p 60fps limit. Both deliver clear audio with good microphone quality for video calls.
Performance: Benchmarks vs Real-World Use
This is where the spec sheets get wild and the real-world performance tells a more nuanced story.
iPad Pro M5 Chip (9-core or 10-core):
- 9-core CPU with 12GB RAM (256GB/512GB models)
- 10-core CPU with 16GB RAM (1TB/2TB models)
- Neural Engine for AI tasks
- Up to 2TB storage
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra:
- MediaTek Dimensity 9400 Plus
- 12GB RAM (standard), 16GB RAM (1TB model)
- Up to 1TB internal + microSD card expansion
- Same chip across all storage options
Benchmark Results
The iPad Pro absolutely destroys the Galaxy in benchmarks:
Geekbench 6: iPad scored almost double the Galaxy in both single-core and multi-core performance. The multi-core score is the highest we've ever recorded.
3DMark Wildlife Extreme: The iPad demolished the Galaxy. Its lowest loop score was still higher than the Galaxy's best loop score.
But here's the thing: When was the last time you ran a benchmark on your actual device?
Real-World Performance Testing
We ran 30-minute gaming sessions with cooldown periods between tests:
Grid Legends (Graphics Mode, 60fps target):
- iPad: Brief dip to 40fps, mostly stable
- Galaxy: Minimum 46fps, actually more stable
- Temperature: Similar on both
Wuthering Waves (Max Graphics, 60fps target):
- iPad: Maintained 60fps better
- Galaxy: Dropped to 50fps occasionally
- Temperature: Galaxy ran 8°C hotter
Lightroom Export (99 photos):
- iPad: Absolutely crushed it in half the time
CapCut Video Render (3-minute 4K 30fps):
- Galaxy: Roaring comeback, finished in half the time
The reality check: Both tablets have more than enough power for gaming, video editing, and intensive multitasking. The iPad dominates benchmarks, but for actual daily use, both deliver exceptional performance. The 10-core M5 iPad would perform even better than our tested 9-core unit.
Software & Multitasking: Where They Really Differ
This is arguably more important than raw performance for most users.
iPad OS 26: Finally Desktop-Like
Apple has borrowed heavily from macOS, and it shows:
- Proper windowed mode with resizable apps
- Stage Manager for advanced multitasking
- Menu bar for managing open apps (with mouse)
- Familiar taskbar with drag-and-drop
- Apple Intelligence features (Playground app, improved Siri)
- 7 years of software support (expected, though not officially stated)
What's missing: Visual intelligence for searching on-screen content. It's oddly absent.
The app advantage: This is huge. The iPad has professional applications that Android simply doesn't:
- Procreate (industry-standard digital art)
- DaVinci Resolve (professional video editing)
- Logic Pro (music production)
- Final Cut Pro
- Adobe Creative Suite (full versions)
If you're a creative professional, this library gap is everything.
One UI 8 (Android 16): Multitasking King
Samsung is "a thousand miles ahead" in multitasking capabilities:
- Use like a giant phone or full desktop experience
- True windowed mode with unlimited resizable apps
- Multiple desktops with drag-and-drop
- Stack as many apps as you want
- 7 years of official software and security updates
AI features Samsung leads with:
- Drawing Assist
- Sketch to Image
- Circle to Search
- More comprehensive AI toolset
The app problem: While apps like LumaFusion are starting to appear on Android, it's still lacking professional creative tools. If you need Procreate, Logic Pro, or full Adobe apps, you're out of luck.
For productivity work? The Galaxy actually might be better. Email, spreadsheets, web browsing, media consumption—Android handles all of this beautifully with superior multitasking.
Battery Life & Charging
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra:
- 11,600 mAh battery (massive)
- 45W fast charging
- Full charge: 1 hour 31 minutes
- Peak charging: 42W
iPad Pro 13" M5:
- 10,290 mAh battery (undisclosed by Apple)
- Unofficial charging speed
- Full charge: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Peak charging: 56W (in our tests)
Winner: Galaxy charges faster despite the larger battery. Both will easily last a full day of heavy use, but the Galaxy's slightly larger capacity gives it an edge for marathon sessions.
Accessories: The Hidden Costs
This is where your wallet really feels the pain.
Apple Pencil (Sold Separately)
- Apple Pencil USB-C: $79
- Apple Pencil Pro: $129 (pressure sensitivity, haptics, advanced features)
Samsung S Pen (Included!)
- Comes in the box—free
- Excellent stylus with low latency
- Feature-rich despite being included
This is a $129 difference if you want the best stylus experience. The Galaxy's S Pen inclusion is genuinely generous.
Keyboard Accessories
Both companies offer multiple keyboard options:
- Simple protective cases
- Keyboard folios
- Premium keyboard cases with trackpads
- Anti-glare screen protectors
- Paper-like texture screen protectors
Expect to spend anywhere from $150 to $400 on keyboard accessories depending on which tier you choose. These costs are similar between brands.
Price Breakdown: Total Cost of Ownership
iPad Pro 13" M5:
- Starts at $1,299 (256GB, 9-core M5, 12GB RAM)
- Add $79-129 for Apple Pencil
- Add $299-399 for Magic Keyboard
- Total entry-level setup: ~$1,700-1,800
Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra:
- Starts at $1,199 (256GB, 12GB RAM)
- S Pen included (save $129)
- Keyboard sold separately (~$299-350)
- Total entry-level setup: ~$1,500
The math: The Galaxy is $100 cheaper before accessories, and with the included S Pen, you're saving $200-230 total for a comparable setup.
Storage consideration: The Galaxy maxes out at 1TB internal but supports microSD expansion. The iPad goes to 2TB internal but has no expandable storage.
Which Tablet Should You Actually Buy?
After all this testing, here's my honest recommendation:
Buy the iPad Pro 13" M5 If You:
✅ Need professional creative apps (Procreate, Final Cut, Logic Pro)
✅ Are a digital artist or illustrator
✅ Do heavy video editing professionally
✅ Prefer the Apple ecosystem and own other Apple devices
✅ Want the absolute best processor performance
✅ Take lots of handwritten notes in portrait orientation
✅ Value anti-reflective coating and Dolby Vision
✅ Don't mind paying extra for the Apple Pencil
Best for: Creative professionals, artists, video editors, Apple ecosystem users
Important note: Get the 1TB or 2TB model if you need maximum performance. The base 256GB model has the less powerful 9-core M5 and 12GB RAM instead of the 10-core with 16GB RAM.
Buy the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra If You:
✅ Want the biggest possible screen for media consumption
✅ Prioritize multitasking and productivity features
✅ Watch tons of movies (that 16:10 aspect ratio is perfect)
✅ Need expandable storage via microSD
✅ Value getting the S Pen included
✅ Want IP68 water and dust resistance
✅ Use Android/Windows and want better integration
✅ Need louder, clearer speakers
✅ Prefer better value for money
Best for: Media consumers, general productivity users, Android ecosystem users, multitaskers
The Uncomfortable Truth
Here's what most reviews won't tell you: if you're not a creative professional, the iPad Pro is probably overkill.
That M5 chip is incredible, but most people will never push it. If you're watching Netflix, browsing, taking notes, and doing general productivity work, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra offers better value, better multitasking, a bigger screen, and comes ready to use with the S Pen included.
But if you need Procreate, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, or full Adobe Creative Suite, there's no Android alternative. The iPad Pro is your only choice.
My Personal Take
If I were spending my own money? It depends entirely on my use case:
For creative work: iPad Pro 13" without hesitation. The app ecosystem is non-negotiable.
For everything else: Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Better value, bigger screen, included S Pen, superior multitasking, and that IP68 rating means I won't stress about coffee spills.
The Galaxy Tab is a productivity and multimedia powerhouse ready to roll from the moment you unwrap it. The iPad Pro is a creative professional's dream machine—but you'll need to shell out extra to complete the setup.
Quick Comparison Chart
| Feature | iPad Pro 13" M5 | Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13" OLED (4:3) | 14.6" AMOLED (16:10) |
| Processor | Apple M5 | Dimensity 9400 Plus |
| RAM | 12GB/16GB | 12GB/16GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 256GB-1TB + microSD |
| Stylus | $79-129 extra | Included |
| Water Resistance | None | IP68 |
| Starting Price | $1,299 | $1,199 |
| Weight | 580g | 701g |
| Speakers | Good | Better |
| Software Updates | ~7 years | 7 years (official) |
Final Verdict
Both tablets are exceptional. You can't go wrong with either—it just depends on what you need.
The iPad Pro is the creative professional's tool. If you need those apps, nothing else comes close.
The Galaxy Tab is the smart value choice for everyone else. Better multitasking, bigger screen, included stylus, and $200+ savings.
The winner? It's you, if you choose based on your actual needs rather than specs alone.
What would you choose? Team Apple or Team Samsung? Let me know in the comments below!
Looking for something more budget-friendly? Check out our comparison of the iPad Air 13" vs Galaxy Tab S10 Plus vs OnePlus Pad 3.
