Just before Apple updated the iPad Pro with a next-generation M5 chip, Samsung updated its tablet lineup and introduced the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. We thought we’d compare Apple’s latest iPad Pro to Samsung’s newest tablet to see how they stack up against each other.
While the iPad Pro measures 13 inches, the S11 Ultra is much larger at 14.6 inches. Both have OLED displays, but the larger screen makes an impact. Samsung’s display is bright, colorful and has excellent contrast, plus you don’t have to pay extra for a matte coating to reduce glare.
The iPad Pro M5 and S11 Ultra measure 5.1mm, making them incredibly thin and light. This is especially evident with the larger screen.
Apple doesn’t let you upgrade the iPad Pro’s storage on your own, but the S11 Ultra has a microSD card slot that supports up to 2TB of storage. RAM is up to 16 GB, the same as the iPad Pro.
Both tablets have a stylus accessory, but Samsung includes its S Pen in the box, while Apple sells the Apple Pencil Pro separately. This year’s S Pen has a pencil-like feel and a new tip that provides a better writing experience, but the Apple Pencil is even better.
Samsung tablets have a DeX mode that allows them to connect to a screen or TV for a desktop-like user experience. DeX transforms the user interface and optimizes it for a larger screen so you can do more on your tablet with dual screen support. You can connect a second screen to your iPad, but the experience is nothing like DeX and you’re limited to the iPad’s multitasking capabilities. Samsung’s S11 Ultra is much better at transitioning from a tablet to something more like a computer.
Samsung devices run Android, which is an immediate deal-breaker for many Apple users. Android has the benefit of deep AI integration that Apple currently can’t match, so the S11 Ultra has features like Drawing Assist, Writing Assist, Gemini Live camera support, and full Gemini support.
The iPad Pro doesn’t have water resistance, but the S11 Ultra offers IP68 protection, meaning it can withstand immersion in water. The iPad Pro gains performance thanks to the M5 chip. Samsung has a 3nm MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ chip, but the iPad is almost twice as fast in most benchmarks.
Apple’s App Store is even stronger with a better selection of apps optimized for a tablet-sized screen, and there are plenty of pro-grade apps that aren’t available on Samsung’s platform. Both Apple and Samsung make keyboard cases for their tablets, but Samsung’s S11 Ultra keyboard doesn’t have a trackpad, which is a major downgrade compared to the Magic Keyboard on the iPad Pro.
Would you buy a Samsung tablet? Let us know in the comments below.
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