The iPad Pro epitomizes the best tablet experience. Its formidable processor, excellent Pencil utility, and a cohesive Apple ecosystem shape that perception. However, Samsung is vying to change that with its Galaxy Tab Ultra series. The newly launched Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra makes a case against the 2024 iPad Pro with some pretty compelling specifications.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a colossal, almost-15-inch footprint. It catches up to the iPad Pro with its robust S Pen, a pretty display, a handy desktop mode, and a similarly lean profile. To find out which of these flagship tablets is better for your needs, we highly recommend going through the comparison below.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: specs
| Specs | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra | Apple iPad Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.4mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 inches) | 11-inch: 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3mm (9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches) 13-inch: 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1mm (11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches) |
| Weight | 718 grams (1.58 pounds) | 11-inch: 444 grams (1.03 pounds) 13-inch: 579 grams (1.28 pounds) |
| Screen | 14.6-inch AMOLED 2960 x 1848 pixels 120Hz dynamic refresh rate HDR10+, 930 peak nits brightness | 11-inch: 11-inch Ultra Retina Tandem OLED 2420 x 1668 pixels ProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate Dolby Vision, 1,600 peak nits brightness Anti-reflective nano-texture on higher-end 13-inch: 13-inch Ultra Retina Tandem OLED 2752 x 2064 pixels ProMotion with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate Dolby Vision, 1,600 peak nits brightness Anti-reflective nano-texture on higher-end |
| Operating system | One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 | iPadOS 18 |
| RAM and storage | 12GB & 256GB 12GB & 512GB 16GB & 1TB | 8GB & 256GB 8GB & 512GB 16GB & 1TB 16GB & 2TB |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ One 3.25GHz Cortex-X4 Prime core Three 2.85GHz Cortex-X4 high-performance cores Four 2.0GHz Cortex-A720 mid cores Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU | Apple M4 Nine or 10-core CPU based on the storage 10-core GPU |
| Camera | Rear: 13-megapixels primary, f/2.0, 1/3.4″ 8MP ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV Front: 12MP wide angle, f/2.2 12MP ultrawide, f/2.4 | Rear: 12MP primary, f/1.8 LiDAR TOF sensor Front: 12MP, f/2.4, 122° FOV |
| Video | Rear: 4K, up to 30 fps Front: 4K, up to 30 fps | Rear: 4K up to 60 fps or 1080p up to 120 fps Front: 1080p, up to 60 fps |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, tri-band Bluetooth 5.3 | Wi-Fi 6e, dual-band Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C Gen 3.2 | USB-C Gen 3.2 DisplayPort |
| Water resistance | IP68 (maximum depth of 6m up to 30 minutes) | No IP ratings |
| Battery & charging | 11,200mAh battery 45W fast charging | 11-inch: 8,160mAh 13-inch: 10,290mAh 40W wired charging |
| Colors | Moonstone Gray, Platinum Silver | Silver, Space Black |
| Price | Starts at $999 | 11-inch: Starts at $999 13-inch: Starts at $1,299 |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: design
The 2024 iPad Pro and the new Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra both have slender profiles. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may especially feel a bit daunting because of its huge footprint, but both tablets are edging into the territory of laptops (or successful laptop replacements). Despite their sizes, the iPad Pro and the Tab S10 Ultra feel premium, thanks to their finely CNC-ed recycled aluminum shells. Being exceptionally slim, both tablets are possibly fragile compared to some thicker devices, so handling them appropriately is advised.
The Tab S10 Ultra feels more assuring with its water resistance, boasting an IP68 rating that the iPad Pro lacks. The Tab S10 Ultra has a larger display compared to the iPad Pro, which can be useful for watching content or reading. The Tab S10 Ultra is also marginally thicker than the larger iPad Pro. While Samsung retains the same design as last year, the iPad Pro features a newer and sleeker design.
One minor addition to the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is a new space on the back to place the S Pen. The cavity makes it easier to hide away the S Pen when not in use and secures it when the official folio case pads the back. The Tab S10 Ultra’s IP68 rating adds a sense of assurance that the iPad Pro lacks.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: display
Both the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the iPad Pro (2024) use crisp and vivid OLED displays. Physically, the display on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is larger with a wider 16:9 aspect ratio in landscape mode. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra also has narrower bezels and a notch up top to house dual front-facing cameras.
The iPad Pro features a 4:3 aspect ratio that accommodates more content from websites and apps. The iPad Pro’s display is brighter and has richer colors, thanks to its Tandem OLED technology and Dolby Vision support. The iPad Pro also offers a peak brightness of 1,600 nits compared to 930 nits on the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. On the other hand, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers an anti-reflective coating across all storage variants.
Despite being less bright, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may have an advantage when viewed under bright external light. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers an anti-reflective coating across all storage variants, while Apple offers its “nano-texture” anti-reflective glass selectively on higher-end models. A brighter display with more accurate colors makes the iPad Pro a better choice for those seeking the best display on a tablet.
Winner: iPad Pro 2024
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: performance
Both the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the iPad Pro are powered by flagship chipsets, but one has a clear advantage over the other. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9300 Plus, while the iPad Pro is powered by the M4 silicon, which is a chipset meant for laptops.
Apple powers the iPad Pro with the M4 silicon, which is a chipset meant for laptops. The M4 chip is available with a 9-core or a 10-core CPU, based on the variant, and a 10-core GPU. This makes it suitable for demanding tasks like video editing. The M4 chip also outperforms the Dimensity 9300 Plus in terms of AI processing capabilities.
When it comes to storage, the iPad Pro has variants starting at 256GB and going up to 2TB. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers storage options only up to 1TB, but features an SD card slot for expandable storage.
If performance or gaming experience is important to you, the iPad Pro will be a better choice. The M4 chip inside should drive the iPad Pro without any hiccups for several years to come. The iPad Pro takes another win for its beefy hardware and broader storage options.
Winner: iPad Pro 2024
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: battery and charging
The iPad Pro has an edge in terms of performance, while the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra rules with a significantly larger battery. Despite the slimmer design, Apple did not actually cut the battery’s capacity from older models, and the iPad Pro is able to deliver a backup in line with the M3 MacBook Air.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers a longer battery life with its larger battery and slightly less demanding hardware. Despite its 45W support, the charging for the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra can take more than two-and-a-half hours, which can feel disappointing.
The iPad Pro ships with a charging adapter in the box, which is a welcoming move from Apple. The iPad Pro may, however, not have the same battery life as the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. If you are looking for long battery life, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra goes the extra mile.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: cameras
Cameras on tablets, especially on the rear, have limited practical utility. Both the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the iPad Pro feature rear and front cameras. The Tab S10 Ultra has two rear cameras, while the iPad Pro sports a single rear camera with a time of flight lidar sensor.
Both tablets have their front cameras placed in the center of the longer edge, making them more suitable for landscape usage. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra excels in the video recording capabilities from the front camera, while the iPad Pro offers other features like Center Stage functionality.
The cameras on both tablets have acceptable picture and video quality, along with similar framing features for video calls.
Winner: Tie
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: software and updates
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra runs Samsung’s One UI 6.1 based on Android 14, while the iPad Pro runs iPadOS 18.0.1. Both interfaces have individual advantages, especially for work-related tasks.
The Tab S10 Ultra supports DeX mode, offering a desktop-like environment with features such as easy window snapping. The iPad Pro supports Stage Manager, which positions the app in use in the center while previews of other active apps show in small tiles on the side.
The iPad Pro outperforms the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra in terms of the availability of apps, especially for creatives. Both tablets receive software support from their respective brands for several years.
Winner: Tie
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: accessories
Both the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the iPad Pro have official accessories to expand usability. The S Pen comes bundled with the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, while an Apple Pencil must be bought separately for the iPad Pro.
The Apple Pencil offers features that the S Pen lacks, including better pressure sensitivity and support for barrel roll. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra’s S Pen works as a passive stylus without charging.
For cases, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra offers the official Book Cover keyboard case, while the iPad Pro offers the Magic Keyboard case, which offers a better experience similar to a MacBook.
Winner: iPad Pro 2024
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: price and availability
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra starts at $1,200, while the iPad Pro starts at $999. Both tablets offer variants with different storage capacities and price points.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra vs. Apple iPad Pro: Which one should you buy?
Both the iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra are capable of being suitable laptop replacements. The iPad Pro is better for creatives, while the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is better for casual usage and multitasking.
If you need something for casual use, the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra may be a better fit with its larger battery and screen. If you are a creative professional, the iPad Pro offers better software support and application availability.
In general, the iPad Pro emerges as the better choice due to its performance, display, and overall experience. However, choosing between the two tablets depends on your specific requirements and preferences.
