The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →There is no universal winner: choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you want a 14.6-inch drawing surface, an S Pen included in the box, Android apps, and Samsung DeX. Choose the iPad Pro M5 if you want Apple Pencil Pro support, Apple’s tandem OLED display, or a more compact 11-inch option. For either tablet, your must-have apps and work files matter more than a specification-sheet verdict.
At a glance: Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro M5
| What matters | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 14.6 inches, according to Samsung’s US product page. | 11-inch or 13-inch models; Apple publishes separate specifications for the 11-inch and 13-inch models. |
| Pen | Samsung says the S Pen is included with the Ultra. | Supports Apple Pencil Pro; Apple’s specification page lists compatibility, not an included Pencil. |
| Productivity options | Samsung markets DeX and an optional Pro Keyboard with trackpad. | Apple lists iPadOS and Thunderbolt/USB 4; the specifications do not establish a direct equivalent to DeX’s desktop-style workflow. |
| Published weight | Samsung product material cited for some regions reports 692 g for the Wi-Fi model; confirm the exact regional SKU. | Apple lists 444 g for the 11-inch Wi-Fi model and 579 g for the 13-inch Wi-Fi model in its 2025 specifications. |
Which tablet gives you the better drawing experience?
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra: a larger canvas with the pen included
The Ultra’s 14.6-inch display gives drawings, reference images, and tool palettes more room than either iPad Pro size. Samsung says the S Pen comes in the box, which makes the tablet ready for pen input without treating a compatible stylus as a separately purchased accessory. Samsung describes it as designed for note taking and precise editing, but that is the company’s product claim, not an independent assessment of pen feel.
Samsung lists Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint among the apps available for the S12 Ultra. That list is a starting point, not proof that every feature, file workflow, or subscription arrangement matches another platform. Check the exact app version and the tools you rely on before choosing.
iPad Pro M5: choose size and Apple Pencil Pro support
The iPad Pro M5 supports Apple Pencil Pro, and comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The smaller option is substantially lighter than the cited 13-inch Wi-Fi configuration, while the 13-inch model offers a larger work area. Apple’s specifications describe the 13-inch display as tandem OLED, with P3 wide color and ProMotion adaptive refresh up to 120 Hz. Those published features do not, by themselves, prove superior color accuracy or a better drawing feel than the Samsung tablet.
#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.
Apple’s specification page confirms Pencil Pro compatibility but does not say the Pencil is included. Treat it as a separate accessory unless the specific retailer or regional bundle explicitly says otherwise.
Make the app decision before the hardware decision
Write down the drawing apps and features you need, then verify they are available on your preferred operating system and work with your files, cloud storage, and collaboration process. Samsung names Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint; this does not establish feature parity across Android and iPadOS. If one required feature or handoff workflow is missing, a larger canvas or display specification will not solve the problem.
Which is better for work and multitasking?
Samsung DeX and keyboard workflow
Samsung explicitly presents DeX as a productivity option for the S12 Ultra, and its US product page says DeX offers up to four workspaces. Samsung also identifies a Pro Keyboard with trackpad as an option. These features make the Ultra worth considering if you want a tablet-centered, desktop-style multitasking setup. The keyboard is an optional accessory path; check its exact compatibility and whether it is bundled in your market.
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.
iPad Pro connections and software fit
Apple lists Thunderbolt/USB 4 and iPadOS for the iPad Pro M5. Those specifications establish connectivity and operating system, but do not demonstrate that its workflow is identical to DeX or to a laptop. Decide based on the actual apps, file access, peripherals, and collaboration tools your work requires rather than assuming a tablet will run every desktop program you use.
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- List the applications you need for documents, communication, creative work, and file management.
- Check that each app supports the features and file formats your workflow depends on in Android or iPadOS.
- Consider which phone, computer, cloud services, and accessories you already use; the official product specifications do not establish that either ecosystem is universally better.
- Compare the complete setup, including a compatible keyboard or stylus if needed, rather than the tablet alone.
How do screen size, portability, and display features compare?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the largest option here at 14.6 inches, and Samsung reports that it is 5.1 mm thin. The iPad Pro offers a size choice: 11 inches at 444 g for the Wi-Fi model, or 13 inches at 579 g for Wi-Fi, as listed by Apple in its 2025 technical specifications. Samsung’s materials for some regions report 692 g for the Ultra Wi-Fi model. These weights come from manufacturer specifications for different products and, in Samsung’s case, a region-specific report; confirm the exact local SKU before treating them as a direct comparison.
For drawing at a desk, the Ultra’s extra screen area may be more useful than the iPad’s lighter options. For carrying a tablet frequently, the 11-inch iPad Pro is the lightest configuration among the cited models. The 13-inch iPad Pro is a middle ground in screen size, while the Ultra remains the largest.
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.
Apple publishes tandem OLED, P3 wide color, and up to 120 Hz ProMotion specifications for the 13-inch M5 iPad Pro. The available Samsung product information cited here does not provide an independently measured, directly comparable color-accuracy result. Do not read a manufacturer feature list as a controlled display comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
- Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if the 14.6-inch canvas, included S Pen, Android app selection, or DeX workflow best fits your priorities.
- Choose the 11-inch iPad Pro M5 if lower tablet weight and Apple Pencil Pro support matter more than having a large drawing surface.
- Choose the 13-inch iPad Pro M5 if you want a larger iPad canvas with Apple Pencil Pro compatibility and Apple’s published tandem OLED features.
- Pause before buying either if your choice depends on a particular app feature, accessory bundle, or desktop workflow; verify it for your market and exact model first.
What the specifications cannot settle
This is a feature comparison based on manufacturer information, not hands-on comparative testing. The sources do not establish which pen feels better, whether drawing apps have identical feature sets, which tablet sustains performance better under the same workload, or how their batteries compare in matched use. Those questions depend on actual software versions and usage, so the reliable decision points here are documented hardware features, screen sizes, accessory inclusion, and your own workflow requirements.
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