Overview: Two Premium Titans Face Off
In the world of large premium tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra and the iPad Pro M5 sit at the top of the class. Both devices push boundaries with expansive displays, powerful processors, and a suite of accessories that fuel creativity and productivity. If you’re weighing a purchase, this comparison highlights key differences in display, performance, pen input, software, camera, battery life, and price to help you decide which slate better fits your needs.
Display and Design
The viewing experience often dictates how you’ll use a large tablet. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra delivers an ultra-large screen with vivid colors, high brightness, and Samsung’s signature edge-to-edge design. Its display excels in multimedia, gaming, and note-taking, especially when paired with the S Pen. The iPad Pro M5 also offers a superb panel—blending color accuracy, ProMotion adaptive refresh rates, and superb brightness for bright rooms and outdoor use.
Design-wise, both tablets feel premium and sturdy, with crisp finishes and glass-backed bodies. Some users prefer the iPad’s holistically polished feel and the Tab’s slightly larger footprint for on-screen real estate. If you frequently annotate documents or sketch, you’ll appreciate the responsiveness of both styluses and the natural handwriting experience they offer on their respective screens.
Performance and Software
Performance is a cornerstone of any premium tablet. The iPad Pro M5 benefits from Apple’s tightly integrated hardware-software stack, delivering smooth multitasking, fast app launches, and top-tier AR capabilities. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra counters with its own flagship silicon and Samsung’s optimization, which shines in Android multitasking, file management, and Samsung’s ecosystems like DeX for a desktop-like experience.
When it comes to software, you’re choosing between iPadOS and Android. iPadOS emphasizes seamless app interoperability, a curated ecosystem of pro creative apps, and exceptional device support. Android on the Tab S11 Ultra provides more customization, broader file system access, and flexible app choices. Your decision may hinge on which ecosystem aligns with your workflow, whether that’s iPadOS for creative professionals or Android for power users who value customization and interoperability.
Pen Input and Productivity
Note-taking and drawing are two of the Tab S11 Ultra’s strongest suits, especially with the S Pen included or readily available. The S Pen’s latency and precision make it a natural extension for creative work and on-the-go drafting. The iPad Pro M5 supports the Apple Pencil with equally impressive latency and precision, backed by robust note-taking apps and powerful drawing tools on iPadOS. If you rely heavily on a stylus for drafting, sketching, or annotation, both devices offer premium experiences—your choice may come down to which ecosystem you already use and which latency you prefer.
Camera, Battery, and Connectivity
Camera capabilities on tablets are often secondary to their display and processing power, but they matter for video calls and on-the-go shooting. Both devices offer strong cameras for tablets, with the iPad Pro often leading in computational photography in some scenarios. Battery life is competitive in real-world usage, with both tablets designed to last a full workday under typical workloads. Connectivity options include 5G on suitable models, robust Wi-Fi performance, and compatibility with their respective ecosystem accessories.
Price and Value
Pricing for premium tablets can vary by configuration, including storage, RAM, and cellular options. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra tends to be competitively priced within Samsung’s ecosystem, sometimes underscoring value with bundled S Pen and DeX capabilities. The iPad Pro M5 carries a premium, reinforced by the Apple Pencil, Pro accessories, and the strength of iPadOS for professional-grade apps. Your budget and how you plan to use the device—creative work, productivity, or media consumption—will influence which offers the best bang for your buck.
Which Should You Buy?
If you prioritize an expansive screen, flexible Android customization, and strong DeX productivity, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is an excellent choice. If you value the iPad’s mature app ecosystem, seamless hardware-software integration, and top-tier stylus support, the iPad Pro M5 remains hard to beat for creators and professionals who rely on pro apps and consistent updates.
Final Verdict
Both premium tablets deliver flagship experiences. Your best pick rests on ecosystem preference, preferred software experience, and how you plan to use the device daily. Either way, you’re getting a large, capable slate that can handle creative work, productivity, and rich media like few other tablets on the market.
