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Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you want Samsung’s 14.6-inch screen, Android and a bundled S Pen. Choose an iPad Pro M5 if you depend on iPadOS or Apple Pencil workflows—or want the choice of a lighter 11-inch model. There is no universal winner: app compatibility, portability and the cost of the accessories you need matter more than a spec-sheet verdict.
Timing matters: Samsung’s US announcement says S12 Ultra availability begins October 7, 2026, so it is not yet at its announced US on-sale date as of October 3, 2026. Check current local availability and configurations before buying.
At a glance: the differences that matter
| What you’re comparing | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.6 inches; Dynamic AMOLED 2X with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung US announcement. Source | 11 or 13 inches; Tandem OLED with adaptive 10–120Hz ProMotion. Apple specifications. 11-inch specs; 13-inch specs |
| Pen | S Pen included, according to Samsung’s US announcement. Source | Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) supported; Apple does not list a Pencil as included. 11-inch specs; 13-inch specs |
| Weight | 695g for the UK 5G, 256GB configuration; do not assume this weight applies to every regional model. Samsung UK configuration | 444g for 11-inch Wi-Fi; 579g for 13-inch Wi-Fi. 11-inch specs; 13-inch specs |
| US starting price and availability | $1,399.99 starting price; announced availability begins October 7, 2026. Samsung US announcement | A current US sale price is not stated in the cited Apple specifications. Check Apple or retailers for the exact storage and connectivity configuration. |
| Storage choices | Not stated in the cited Samsung US announcement. | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB or 2TB for both sizes. 11-inch specs; 13-inch specs |
The Samsung is the largest-screen option here, but Apple’s 13-inch model is the closer size comparison; the 11-inch iPad is a distinct portability choice. Display brightness figures from the manufacturers use different published conditions, so they do not establish which screen is brighter in a controlled head-to-head test.
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Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra for Android, Samsung features and a large canvas
The S12 Ultra makes sense if your apps and devices are already centered on Android or Samsung, you want the 14.6-inch display, or you expect to use the included S Pen for notes and drawing. Samsung describes three-section Multi Window and DeX-related productivity features, which can help arrange work across the screen. They are platform features, not proof that every laptop workflow or desktop app will work the same way.
#1 Best Overall
- NO Warranty in the USA. Tablets are only WIFI, no Calls or Data. Country selection may not be available during setup. select any country, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings. English Language is available
- Connectivity Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Bluetooth v5.3 Bluetooth Profiles A2DP,AVRCP,DI,HID,HOGP,OPP,PAN,PBP,TMAP Location Technology GPS,Glonass,Beidou,Galileo,QZSS Earjack USB Type-C MHL No Wi-Fi Direct Yes
- 14.6” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Anti-Reflective, 2960 × 1848 (WQXGA+) Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor Size (Main_Display) 369.9mm (14.6" full rectangle) / 367.2mm (14.5" rounded corners)
- Front: 12 MP UW Rear: 13 MP + 8 MP UW UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps dimmesion : 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.20 in.
Choose the iPad Pro M5 for iPadOS, Apple workflows or size flexibility
The iPad Pro is the more natural fit if your work depends on iPadOS apps, other Apple devices or Apple Pencil workflows. The two sizes let you prioritize either portability (11-inch) or more screen area (13-inch). Both models have Thunderbolt/USB 4 and support Apple Pencil Pro.
Screen size, portability and display
Samsung’s 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display offers more physical screen area than either iPad Pro. The UK 5G, 256GB S12 Ultra configuration is listed at 2960 × 1848 resolution and 695g; those details describe that regional configuration, not every S12 Ultra variant. Samsung UK specifications
Apple’s 11-inch iPad Pro has a 2420 × 1668 display at 264 pixels per inch and weighs 444g in Wi-Fi configuration. The 13-inch model is 2752 × 2064 at 264 pixels per inch and weighs 579g in Wi-Fi configuration. Both use Tandem OLED and adaptive 10–120Hz ProMotion. 11-inch specifications; 13-inch specifications
Both product lines advertise high-refresh OLED screens. Apple lists up to 1,000 nits for SDR and 1,600 nits peak for HDR content; Samsung lists up to 1,600 nits peak for the S12 series. Because those are not equivalent published test conditions, the figures should not be read as a measured screen-to-screen result. Apple 11-inch specifications; Apple 13-inch specifications; Samsung US announcement
Rank #2
- Brilliant 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display – Features ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and crisp 1848x2960 resolution. Powered by an 11,600 mAh battery. Includes S Pen and 25W Samsung Super Fast Charger.
- Premium Performance & Storage – Backed by 256GB storage, 12GB RAM, and expandable microSD slot (dedicated). Runs on the advanced Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3nm) chipset, Octa-core CPU, and Immortalis-G925 MC12 GPU with Android 16 and One UI 8.
- Advanced Camera & Connectivity – Rear: 13MP (f/2.0 wide) + 8MP (f/2.2 ultrawide); Front: Dual 12MP (wide & ultrawide). Also supports Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C 3.2, and magnetic connector for seamless accessory pairing.
- Wi-Fi Only Model – Designed for high-speed wireless use. This model does not support SIM cards or cellular network connections.
- International Version – Global model without U.S. domestic warranty. Covered under return policy for hassle-free protection.
Pen and keyboard costs
The S12 Ultra includes its S Pen, so the pen itself is part of the announced tablet package. Apple lists Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) as compatible with the M5 iPad Pro, but does not list either as included. Budget separately for the Pencil model you choose. Samsung US announcement; Apple 11-inch specs; Apple 13-inch specs
Both can be configured for keyboard use, but the available evidence does not establish comparable keyboard prices. Samsung names Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim options; Apple’s Smart Connector supports its keyboard accessory ecosystem. Before choosing a tablet as a laptop-adjacent setup, check the exact model and keyboard layout, confirm your essential apps support your workflow, and compare the total tablet-plus-keyboard cost. Samsung US announcement; Apple 11-inch specs; Apple 13-inch specs
Performance and battery: vendor claims versus a review test
Samsung says the S12 series is up to 61% faster in NPU processing, 19% faster in CPU performance and 17% improved in GPU performance compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. These are Samsung’s own generational comparisons, not independently reproduced measurements against the iPad Pro M5. Samsung Electronics, 2026
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In Tom’s Guide’s continuous Wi-Fi web-browsing test, with displays set to 150 nits, the S12 Ultra lasted 11 hours 31 minutes and the iPad Pro M5 lasted 13 hours 16 minutes. That is one publication’s test under specified conditions, not a guaranteed runtime for your apps, brightness or network use. Tom’s Guide comparison
Rank #3
- INNOVATIVE ART POWER: Turn your simple sketches into works of art instantly using Sketch to Image¹ with Galaxy AI.²
- SEARCHING MADE EASY: Quickly search for just about anything you see on your Tab — all without switching apps — using Circle to Search with Google.³
- MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT: Capture your lecture, meeting, or daily notes and let Note Assist⁴ with Galaxy AI² do the hard work of organizing and even summarizing them for you.
- NEXT-LEVEL NOTE TAKING: Get transcripts and summaries of recorded lectures and meetings, just like that.⁵
- PACKED WITH POWER: No matter what you take on or where you take your Galaxy Tab S10+, enjoy every experience with a powerful tablet processor.
In the same publication’s reported benchmarks, the M5 scored 4,155 single-core and 16,517 multi-core in Geekbench 6, versus 3,229 and 9,763 for the S12 Ultra. Its 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited results were 9,934 (59 fps) for the iPad and 6,608 (39.7 fps) for Samsung. These review measurements indicate a lead in those tests, not a promise that every app or task will show the same difference. Tom’s Guide comparison
Separately, Samsung advertises up to 23 hours of battery life for the S12 Ultra under its own stated test conditions. That manufacturer figure and Tom’s Guide’s web-browsing result are different kinds of evidence and should not be treated as directly comparable. Samsung US announcement
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price and configuration: compare like with like
Samsung’s US announcement lists a $1,399.99 starting price for the S12 Ultra and an October 7, 2026 availability start. As of October 3, that date is still in the future. Apple’s cited specification pages list the M5 models’ storage options—256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB—but do not establish a current US sale price. A fair value comparison therefore requires current prices for matching storage and connectivity, plus any Pencil or keyboard you need. Samsung US announcement; Apple 11-inch specs; Apple 13-inch specs
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Quick Recap
Recommendation by buyer
- Get the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if Android or Samsung integration is central, the 14.6-inch canvas is your priority, or you want a pen included.
- Get the 11-inch iPad Pro M5 if portability is more important than a very large display and you want iPadOS or Apple Pencil compatibility.
- Compare the 13-inch iPad Pro M5 closely if you want an Apple tablet with a large screen; it is the nearer size match, though still smaller than Samsung’s 14.6 inches.
- For drawing, study or keyboard work, start with the apps and accessories your workflow requires, then compare total configuration costs—not just tablet prices.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
