Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is the cheaper of the two at $899 versus $999, a difference of about $100. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) stands out for m5 chip with 3.5x ai performance vs m4, while Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ is praised for 12.4" super amoled display with vivid colors and deep blacks. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) if…
- →M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- →Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- →Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ if…
- →12.4" Super AMOLED display with vivid colors and deep blacks
- →S Pen included for notes, drawing, and navigation
- →MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB for massive media libraries
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025)
Pros
- M5 chip with 3.5x AI performance vs M4
- Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED display
- Wi-Fi 7 via N1 chip, C1X modem for cellular
- Apple Pencil Pro support
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity
Cons
- Starting at $999 is expensive
- Still 5.1mm thin limits thermal headroom
- No headphone jack
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+
Pros
- 12.4" Super AMOLED display with vivid colors and deep blacks
- S Pen included for notes, drawing, and navigation
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB for massive media libraries
- In-display fingerprint sensor for seamless unlocking
- Samsung DeX for desktop-mode productivity
Cons
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 throttles under heavy sustained workloads
- Android tablet apps remain inconsistent compared to iPadOS
- $899 starting price competes with laptops
- No headphone jack on this model
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 19 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g | 567 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm | 285 x 185 x 5.7 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 13 hours video playback |
| Capacity | — | 10090 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, Center Stage | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11.0 inches | 12.4 inches |
| Type | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2800 x 1752 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (N1 chip) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Cellular | ||
| Stylus Support | ||
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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