Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The Verdict
Apple's M4 iPad Pro commands a $300 premium with its exceptional Tandem OLED display (2420x1668, 120Hz ProMotion) and blazingly fast M4 chip, delivering superior performance for professional workflows and creative apps. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 counters with a sharper LCD panel (2560x1600), included S Pen, expandable storage up to 1TB via microSD, and significantly longer battery life (15 hours vs 10 hours). Both offer 120Hz displays and Wi-Fi 6E, but differ fundamentally in approach: Apple prioritizes processing power and display quality for content creation, while Samsung emphasizes practical features and longevity. For professional creatives needing raw performance and gaming enthusiasts wanting premium visuals, the iPad Pro M4 justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users or those needing expandable storage should choose the Galaxy Tab S8, which remains an excellent all-rounder despite older processor architecture.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch if…
- →Gorgeous Tandem OLED panel with excellent HDR performance
- →Extremely thin and portable design
- →Apple M4 delivers desktop-class performance
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 if…
- →S Pen included with 120Hz display makes note-taking excellent
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power as the pricier S8+ and Ultra
- →Compact 11" size balances portability and screen real estate
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch
Pros
- Gorgeous Tandem OLED panel with excellent HDR performance
- Extremely thin and portable design
- Apple M4 delivers desktop-class performance
- Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and new Magic Keyboard
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 connectivity
Cons
- Premium pricing for the smaller screen variant
- Accessories are sold separately and pricey
- iPadOS multitasking still feels limited compared to macOS
- No Face ID in landscape limitations remain in some apps
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Pros
- S Pen included with 120Hz display makes note-taking excellent
- Same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 power as the pricier S8+ and Ultra
- Compact 11" size balances portability and screen real estate
- MicroSD expansion up to 1 TB
- Samsung DeX and multi-window for productivity
Cons
- LCD panel — lacks the AMOLED vibrancy of the S8+ and Ultra
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can run warm during gaming
- $699 is steep for an LCD tablet
- Only 8 GB RAM on all configurations
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro M4 11-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 444 g (Wi-Fi) | 503 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 249.7 x 177.5 x 5.3 mm | 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | Up to 15 hours video playback |
| Capacity | — | 8000 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | LTPS TFT LCD |
| 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 | 8 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB/2TB) | 8 GB |
| Chipset | Apple M4 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Octa-core, Adreno 730) |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | 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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