Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is the cheaper of the two at $800 versus $999, a difference of about $199. 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 S9 is praised for compact 11-inch 120hz dynamic amoled with ip68 rating. 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 S9 if…
- →Compact 11-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED with IP68 rating
- →S Pen bundled in the box
- →Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
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 S9
Pros
- Compact 11-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED with IP68 rating
- S Pen bundled in the box
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- MicroSD card slot for storage expansion
- Samsung DeX desktop mode support
Cons
- No headphone jack
- Keyboard accessory sold separately
- Smaller battery than Tab S9+/Ultra
- Moderate real-world battery life under heavy use
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 19 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g | 498 g |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm | 254.3 x 165.8 x 5.9 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 11 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | — | 8400 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, LiDAR | 13 MP main + 8 MP ultrawide |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, Center Stage | 12 MP ultrawide |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11.0 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2560 x 1600 |
| 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 / 12 GB LPDDR5X |
| Chipset | Apple M5 (10-core CPU) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 3.2 Gen 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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