Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The Verdict
Apple's M4 iPad Pro commands a significant premium with its stunning 13-inch Tandem OLED display delivering superior color accuracy and contrast versus Samsung's 11-inch LCD panel. Performance-wise, the M4 chip crushes the older Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, offering substantially faster processing for professional workflows. However, Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 remains remarkably competitive at half the price, featuring included S Pen support, expandable storage up to 1TB, and impressive 15-hour battery life. iPadOS remains more polished for creative professionals, while Android 12 (upgradable to One UI 6+) provides flexibility and customization. For creative professionals and those needing maximum performance, the iPad Pro M4 justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users seeking a capable tablet with stylus support and expandable storage should strongly consider the Galaxy Tab S8.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch if…
- →Stunning Tandem OLED display with deep blacks and 1600 nits HDR peak
- →Incredibly thin and light for a 13-inch tablet at just 5.1mm
- →Blazing-fast Apple M4 chip rivals many laptops
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 13-inch
Pros
- Stunning Tandem OLED display with deep blacks and 1600 nits HDR peak
- Incredibly thin and light for a 13-inch tablet at just 5.1mm
- Blazing-fast Apple M4 chip rivals many laptops
- Thunderbolt / USB 4 supports external displays and fast accessories
- Supports the new Apple Pencil Pro with haptics and squeeze gestures
Cons
- Very expensive, especially with Magic Keyboard and Pencil Pro
- iPadOS still limits true desktop-class workflows
- No headphone jack
- Storage is not user-expandable
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 13-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 579 g (Wi-Fi) | 503 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 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 | 13 inches | 11 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | LTPS TFT LCD |
| Resolution | 2752 x 2064 | 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 | ||
Related Comparisons
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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