Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) is the cheaper of the two at $999 versus $1,099, 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 Ultra is praised for massive 14.6" super amoled screen is unmatched for media and multitasking. 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 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- →S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- →Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
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 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6" Super AMOLED screen is unmatched for media and multitasking
- S Pen included in the box with low 2.8 ms latency
- Samsung DeX provides a desktop-like experience
- Up to 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage for power users
- 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and pen input
Cons
- Extremely large and heavy at 726 g — not pocketable
- Display notch is distracting on a tablet this premium
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 runs warm under sustained loads
- Android tablet app ecosystem still trails iPadOS
- $1,099+ is laptop territory pricing
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 19 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g | 726 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 14 hours video playback |
| Capacity | — | 11200 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, Center Stage | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11.0 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 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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