Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
The Verdict
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) and Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 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 $1,200, a difference of about $201. 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 Ultra is praised for massive 14.6-inch dynamic amoled display with 120hz. 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 Ultra if…
- →Massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz
- →S Pen included in the box
- →IP68 dust and water resistance
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 Ultra
Pros
- Massive 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with 120Hz
- S Pen included in the box
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- MicroSD expansion and dual front cameras
Cons
- Very large form factor is not portable for everyone
- Premium price above $1,199
- Keyboard Book Cover sold separately
- Heavy at 732 g
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5, 2025) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 19 | Android 13 with One UI 5.1 (upgradable to Android 14) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g | 732 g |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.1 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| IP rating | — | IP68 |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 12 hours video playback, 45W wired charging |
| Capacity | — | 11200 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 + 12 MP ultrawide dual selfie |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11.0 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, HDR10+ |
| Resolution | 2420 x 1668 | 2960 x 1848 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 120Hz |
| Storage | ||
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB | 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB |
| Expandable storage | ||
| Processor | ||
| RAM | 16 GB | 12 GB / 16 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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