Apple iPad Pro M4 13-inch vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The Verdict
Apple's iPad Pro M4 13-inch delivers superior performance with the M4 chip and stunning Tandem OLED display technology, offering crisp 2752x2064 resolution and exceptional color accuracy ideal for creative professionals. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra counters with a larger 14.6-inch Super AMOLED screen, longer 14-hour battery life, included S Pen, and $200 lower price point,making it better value for general users. Performance-wise, the M4 significantly outpaces the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, handling demanding apps and multitasking effortlessly. However, the Tab S8 Ultra's extra screen real estate and extended battery endurance appeal to media consumption and productivity tasks. iPadOS remains more optimized for tablet workflows, while One UI 6 provides extensive customization. For creative professionals and demanding users prioritizing cutting-edge performance, the iPad Pro M4 justifies its premium. For budget-conscious buyers seeking larger displays and all-day battery, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra offers exceptional value.
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 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
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 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 M4 13-inch | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iPadOS 17 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1, upgradable to One UI 6+) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 579 g (Wi-Fi) | 726 g (Wi-Fi) |
| Dimensions | 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | Up to 10 hours web on Wi-Fi | Up to 14 hours video playback |
| Capacity | — | 11200 mAh |
| Cameras | ||
| Rear | 12 MP wide | — |
| Front camera | 12 MP ultrawide (landscape) | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 13 inches | 14.6 inches |
| Type | Tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2752 x 2064 | 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 | 8 GB (256GB/512GB) / 16 GB (1TB/2TB) | 8 GB / 12 GB / 16 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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