Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (2025)

Design & Build

The iPad Pro 13-inch is the lighter, more portable option at 579g. It's genuinely impressive how Apple packed an M5 chip and OLED display into such a thin chassis. The industrial design remains elegant and premium, with clean lines and minimal bezels. You can hold this thing one-handed for extended periods without fatigue.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a different beast entirely. At 718g and 14.6 inches, this isn't a tablet you casually hold while lounging on the couch. It's nearly 140g heavier than the iPad Pro, and that weight becomes noticeable during extended use. But Samsung's build quality is solid, the Dynamic AMOLED 2X display dominates your field of vision, and the overall aesthetic feels premium despite the size.

Materials and finish quality are comparable between both devices. Each feels like a flagship product. The key difference is portability versus screen real estate. If you're traveling frequently or using the tablet handheld, the iPad Pro's lighter weight matters. If you're primarily using it at a desk with a keyboard, the Samsung's extra screen space wins.

Section winner: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 for superior portability and weight distribution.

Performance

This is where the iPad Pro pulls ahead decisively. The M5 chip delivers genuine laptop-level performance that handles Final Cut Pro, Procreate, and other professional creative apps without breaking a sweat. According to Tom's Guide, the M5 represents "the most capable tablet you can buy for creators and professionals." Benchmark scores consistently show the M5 outperforming the competition in both single-core and multi-core tasks.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ is no slouch. It handles video editing, gaming, and multitasking smoothly. Reviewers found no lag during real-world use, and the 12GB of RAM keeps apps running in the background without reloading. But when you push both tablets with demanding creative work, the M5's performance advantage becomes clear.

Here's the catch: iPadOS still limits what you can actually do with that M5 power. As our editorial review notes, "Apple is charging $1,299 for a tablet that still runs iPadOS, a mobile operating system that fundamentally can't leverage this hardware's potential." The Samsung counters with DeX mode, which provides genuine desktop functionality and better file management. For pure processing power, the iPad Pro wins. For practical workflow flexibility, the Samsung makes a stronger case.

Section winner: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 for raw performance and creative app optimization.

Display Quality

Both tablets deliver exceptional displays, but they take different approaches. The iPad Pro's 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED is genuinely stunning. Colors pop, blacks are true black, and HDR content looks spectacular. The smaller size means higher pixel density, resulting in sharper text and images. For color-critical work like photo editing, the iPad Pro's display accuracy is industry-leading.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is larger and includes a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. According to our editorial review, "The 14.6-inch screen is where the magic happens. It's big enough that you can actually split-screen two apps and use both comfortably." The extra real estate makes multitasking more practical, and the 120Hz refresh makes scrolling and navigation feel incredibly responsive.

For media consumption, the Samsung's larger screen wins. For precision work where pixel density matters, the iPad Pro has the edge. Both displays are among the best you'll find on any tablet, so this comes down to whether you prioritize size or density.

Section winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for screen size and multitasking practicality.

Stylus & Creative Tools

The Apple Pencil Pro integration on the iPad Pro is excellent. Latency is virtually imperceptible, pressure sensitivity is precise, and the overall drawing experience is industry-leading. Procreate, Affinity Designer, and other creative apps are optimized specifically for the iPad Pro and Apple Pencil combination. If you're a digital artist, this is the gold standard.

But here's the problem: the Apple Pencil Pro costs $129 extra. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra includes the S Pen in the box. That's a significant value difference, especially when the S Pen itself is genuinely capable. It offers 4,096 pressure levels, low latency, and works well with Samsung's creative apps and third-party options like Clip Studio Paint.

App selection tilts heavily toward the iPad Pro. The iOS creative app ecosystem is more mature, with better optimization and more professional-grade options. Android's tablet app situation has improved, but it still lags behind. If you're already invested in iOS creative apps, the iPad Pro is the obvious choice. If you're starting fresh and want to save $129 on the stylus, the Samsung makes financial sense.

Section winner: Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 for creative app ecosystem and stylus precision, despite the extra cost.

Battery Life

Both tablets deliver solid all-day battery life for typical use, but neither is exceptional. The iPad Pro's OLED display is power-efficient, and Apple's optimization means you'll get through a full workday of mixed use. Charging speed is adequate but not impressive compared to Android flagships.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra's larger display demands more power, but Samsung's battery capacity compensates. Reviewers found similar real-world endurance between both devices, with each lasting 8-10 hours of active use. The Samsung supports faster charging, which matters if you frequently need to top up quickly between meetings.

Neither tablet excels in battery life compared to their price points. Both will get you through a workday, but don't expect multi-day endurance. This category is essentially a tie, with slight advantages to the Samsung for faster charging.

Section winner: Tie – both deliver acceptable but not exceptional battery performance.

Value for Money

This is where things get interesting. The iPad Pro lists at $1,299 but sells for $1,199 on Amazon. Add the $129 Apple Pencil Pro, and you're at $1,328 for a complete creative setup. The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra lists at $1,199 but drops to $999 on Amazon, with the S Pen included. That's a $329 price difference for comparable functionality.

The iPad Pro justifies its premium with superior performance, a more mature app ecosystem, and better long-term software support within Apple's ecosystem. If you already own a Mac, iPhone, and other Apple devices, the integration and continuity features add real value. TechRadar's 9.5/10 rating reflects this premium positioning.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra offers better value on paper. You get a larger display, included stylus, and Samsung's seven-year software update commitment (which actually exceeds Apple's typical support window). DeX mode provides desktop functionality that iPadOS can't match. According to our editorial review, "This is a genuine work device that happens to be a tablet," and at $999, it's priced more reasonably than the iPad Pro.

But value isn't just about specs and price. It's about ecosystem lock-in, app availability, and resale value. iPads hold their value better on the secondary market, and the iOS app ecosystem remains stronger for professional creative work. If you need the absolute best performance and creative tools, the iPad Pro's premium is justified. If you want a capable productivity tablet with better value, the Samsung wins.

Section winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for included stylus and lower overall cost.

Who Should Buy What?

Get the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 if you're a creative professional who needs the best performance available, you're already invested in Apple's ecosystem, you prioritize app selection and optimization, or you want the most powerful tablet chip on the market. The M5's performance advantage is real, and if you're running demanding creative apps daily, that power justifies the premium. This is the tablet for video editors, digital artists, and professionals who need desktop-class performance in a portable form factor.

Get the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra if you want the largest display for multitasking, you need DeX desktop mode for productivity work, you prefer Android's flexibility and file management, or you want better value with the included S Pen. The extra screen real estate makes split-screen work actually practical, and at $999 with the stylus included, it's a better deal for productivity-focused users who don't need the absolute peak creative performance.

Don't buy either if you're just browsing the web and watching Netflix. Both tablets are overkill for casual use, and you'd be better served by a base iPad or mid-range Android tablet at a fraction of the price.

Final Verdict

The Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 wins this comparison, but it's closer than the ratings suggest. According to TechRadar and Tom's Guide, the iPad Pro's 9.5/10 rating versus the Samsung's 9.0/10 reflects real performance advantages. The M5 chip delivers superior processing power, the creative app ecosystem is more mature, and the overall polish of Apple's hardware and software integration remains industry-leading.

But let's be clear about what you're paying for. The iPad Pro costs $329 more than the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra when you factor in the Apple Pencil Pro. That premium buys you the fastest tablet processor available, better app optimization for creative work, and seamless integration if you're already in Apple's ecosystem. For professional creators who need that performance edge, it's worth it.

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the better value and the smarter choice for productivity-focused users who don't need absolute peak performance. The larger display, included S Pen, and DeX desktop mode make it more practical for everyday work. Samsung's seven-year update commitment and lower price point make this the tablet that makes more financial sense for most people.

The iPad Pro wins because it delivers on its promise of laptop-level performance in tablet form. It's the most capable tablet you can buy, period. Just make sure you actually need that capability before spending $1,300 on it.