If you're shopping for a tablet, you have some choices to make -- but odds are you're in between Samsung tablets versus iPads, in particular the iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) versus the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. Both of these companies have very good tablets that can cover a variety of budgets, but these two devices are the hero tablet at the top of the lineup. Given the proper accessories, you can use these for gaming, content consumption and even working on the go.
These tablets are the crème de la crème of its entire line. They are extremely powerful and very lightweight, and they can easily serve as laptop replacements in a pinch, making them great road-warrior machines. They are the absolute tops of their respective classes, but if you're still choosing between them, you should consider a few different features before you decide. Here's how to choose between the Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch versus the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra.
Both the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch are at the top of the tablet pyramid, and that starts with the displays. The most notable difference between these two tablets is in the aspect ratio. The iPad Pro 13-Inch has a 4:3 aspect ratio which is much closer to a square than the Tab S10 Ultra's 16:10 aspect ratio. The latter, in landscape orientation, is much closer to what you'll see on a lot of laptops, while the 4:3 iPad is designed to be held either in landscape or portrait orientation.
In terms of resolution, both displays are comparable with the Tab S10 Ultra clocking in at 1,848 x 2,960 pixels for a 239ppi density. The iPad has a 2,064 x 2,752 resolution for a pixel density of 264ppi. Both screens are OLED and capable of 120Hz refresh rate. Both screens get equally bright at around 1,000 nits -- the Tab S10 Ultra stops just short of that at 930 nits.
In reality, what this means is that both tablets sport gorgeous displays that get very bright. Both touch screens are quite responsive with high refresh rates, meaning both tablets can handle a fair amount of gaming along with productivity tasks.
The iPad Pro 13-Inch is a full .3 pounds lighter than the Tab S10 Ultra. That sounds like a lot until you have to tote it around a trade show floor (like I did for a week) or to your local coffee shop. However, the S10 Ultra is a bit more compact and is easier to transport, being almost two inches longer than its Apple competition. If you want something portable and more usable on the go, the iPad Pro is your winner.
Both of these tablets can be good for productivity, but there's a clear winner in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and that's largely due to Samsung's DeX interface. DeX basically transforms Android into a desktop-like experience. Apps open in windows that can float around each other and resize, and snap to the side and the top -- much like when working with Windows. Additionally, the aforementioned aspect ratio gives you a more desktop-like experience as well.
Meanwhile, on the iPad, Apple has taken some strides toward a multi-tasking interface, placing two apps side-by-side, and it works pretty well. But the versatility of DeX really ups the ante when it comes to productivity. Of course, both tablets have the same weakness when it comes to productivity -- the keyboard.
Specifically, neither tablet ships with a keyboard by default, which is almost tragic considering how much both companies like to tout how their tablets can replace your laptops. The Apple Magic Keyboard you can buy for the iPad gets an edge over the Tab S10 Ultra though. The rigid hinge and magnetic attachment of the iPad make that tablet easier to use on the go. The Samsung Book Cover Keyboard Case for the Tab S10 Ultra feels like it needs a table to open fully so it's stable. The Magic Keyboard can reside on your lap more easily. Both cases are similarly priced at $349.
One leg up that the Tab S10 gets is in the inclusion of the S Pen, a rechargeable pen that snaps onto the back of the tablet. The iPad Pro can use the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen), but that is also sold separately for another $129.
Both tablets have extensive app catalogs that cover a wide range of uses from writing to presentations. Where one tablet stands out over the other is in the creative space. Put simply, the iPad Pro boasts an impressive array of artistic apps like Procreate, the Adobe suite of software and PDF markup apps like PDF Expert and iAnnotate.
Similar apps are, frankly, hard to find on Android. There are some creative tools available, like Samsung Notes, which allows you to upload PDFs for markup and signature. It also allows you to tap into Galaxy AI with Sketch To Image and Circle To Search, but the Apple App Store has a more comprehensive set of creative apps.
Plus, the processing power of the M4 chip inside the iPad Pro far outclasses the MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset in the Samsung tablet. Both tablets are capable of powerful applications, but it's really no contest when it comes to raw power. Geekbench scores this processor at 2,101/7,013 single and multi-core scores. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro (11-inch) which uses the same M4 processor as the iPad Pro 13-Inch, scores much more hearty 3,661/13,243 single and multi-core scores. When it comes to raw power, which is particularly useful in creative endeavors, the iPad outclasses the Samsung tablet, and it's not even close.
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra has a larger battery (which doesn't necessarily translate to longer battery life, based on my testing) and a few other extras like the ability to expand storage up to 1.5TB with an SD card, which you cannot do with the iPad Pro. It should also be mentioned that while the Tab S10 Ultra's storage configurations can go up to 1.5TB, the iPad Pro can be set up for 2 TB of storage. That may make the difference to you if you're working with large files.
Users who have the same phone brand as their tablets will also see some compatibility between the devices. Notably, the iPad supports AirDrop, which remains one of the easiest ways to transfer files between devices, from your iPhone to your MacBook. Android has Quick Share which is good, but isn't nearly as seamless as AirDrop.
Meanwhile, Samsung supports Samsung Flow, a software feature that allows you to sync notifications between Samsung devices and even use the Samsung phone as a second screen. If you have a Samsung Ultra phone like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, that S Pen will work between the two devices which is a nice bonus.
Overall, it should come as no surprise that the very best tablets from Apple and Samsung are both great experiences, but they're both different in areas where they excel. If you are an iPhone or Samsung Phone user, you should probably stay inside your ecosystem, because you'll find the best compatibility between the devices.
If you're a creative, you'll probably want to go with the iPad. The available apps and the power inside the tablet make it a killer tool for content creation including art, drawing, video editing and really in-depth photo editing. Meanwhile, the aspect ratio and Samsung DeX make the Tab S10 Ultra great for more everyday tasks like writing, browsing the web, and multitasking -- tasks you might use more in an office setting. While there's no bad choice here, there are certain areas where one will be superior to the other.
I'm a Chicago-based freelance reviewer and have been writing about consumer electronics for over a decade with a particular focus on mobile phones and cellular technology including the birth of 5G. I've also tested most smartphones on the market over the last several years, including the Google Pixel 8 Pro. I also have compared top devices, from the Oneplus 12 versus the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the iPhone 14 versus iPhone 15. And, of course, I've tested each phone's software, comparing Android versus iPhone to help you make informed buying decisions.
When I'm not testing the latest and greatest flagship phones, I'm hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast/YouTube channel with my co-host Clifton M. Thomas and editing technology news articles for SlashGear. In addition to Forbes and SlashGear, I have bylines at Android Central, Reviewed.com, Android Authority, Lifewire and more.