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Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra for the biggest workspace in this matchup, an S Pen included in the box, and Samsung’s Android multitasking approach. Choose the iPad Pro with M5 if you prefer iPadOS, want an 11-inch or 13-inch model, or depend on Apple’s app and device ecosystem. There is no verified head-to-head performance or battery test here, and the available launch information does not establish equal-configuration current pricing.
How the two premium tablets differ
| What matters | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro with M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen options | One 14.6-inch display, 2960 × 1848, 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, according to Samsung. | 11-inch or 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with tandem OLED, ProMotion and True Tone, according to Apple. |
| Included stylus | S Pen ships with the tablet. | The cited Apple announcement does not state that a stylus is included. |
| Operating system | Android 17 with One UI 9, according to Samsung. | iPadOS 26, according to Apple. |
| Keyboard | Samsung Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim are optional. | Not stated in the cited Apple announcement. |
| Price evidence | Samsung announced a US starting price of $1,399.99 on September 30, 2026; it is a launch figure, not a verified current deal. | Current pricing is not stated in the cited Apple announcement. |
The specifications come from the manufacturers’ announcements: Samsung’s September 30, 2026 Galaxy Tab S12 announcement and Apple’s October 15, 2025 iPad Pro announcement. Samsung said US availability would begin October 7, 2026. These are launch specifications and claims, not independent long-term test results.
Which one gives you more screen to work with?
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra: a single, larger canvas
At 14.6 inches, Samsung’s tablet offers the largest stated display in this comparison. Its 2960 × 1848 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel suit people who want room for notes beside a document, a broad drawing surface, or video controls alongside a preview. Samsung reports up to 1,600 nits peak brightness and 1,000 nits in high-brightness mode; those are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements.
The trade-off is that the Ultra is a large device to carry. Samsung lists a 5.1 mm thickness and a 692 g weight for the Wi-Fi configuration. Include any keyboard you plan to buy when judging the weight of a working setup.
#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.
iPad Pro with M5: a choice of two sizes
Apple offers 11-inch and 13-inch models, so you can prioritize a smaller footprint or choose a larger panel without stepping up to Samsung’s 14.6-inch screen. Apple describes both as tandem OLED Ultra Retina XDR displays with ProMotion and True Tone. Its announcement lists the 13-inch model at 5.1 mm thick and the 11-inch at 5.3 mm; it does not provide weights in the cited material.
Which operating system and apps suit your work?
Choose Samsung for Android and its multi-pane approach
Samsung says the S12 series runs Android 17 with One UI 9 and supports up to three sections in Multi Window. If you prefer Samsung’s Android environment or regularly keep several compatible apps visible, that layout may suit your workflow. Samsung also describes Galaxy AI tools and says Photoshop is preloaded. Its announcement lists limited-time benefits for Photoshop, Notability, Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Notion and Clip Studio Paint; eligibility, duration and local terms can vary, and any recurring subscription price should be checked separately.
Samsung states that the S12 series will receive up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. Treat that as Samsung’s stated support policy and check regional terms where relevant.
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- 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.
Choose Apple for iPadOS and Apple’s app ecosystem
The M5 iPad Pro runs iPadOS 26. Apple’s announcement discusses creative apps including Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Illustrator in connection with the device’s capabilities. If a particular app, accessory or file-transfer workflow is essential, confirm that it works as you need on the specific operating system before buying: the cited announcements do not establish feature parity between apps on iPadOS and Android.
What do the performance and battery claims actually show?
They do not establish which tablet is faster or lasts longer in matched use. Samsung reports that the S12 Ultra’s processor improves NPU processing by up to 61%, CPU performance by 19% and GPU power by 17% compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Apple reports up to 3.5 times the AI performance of iPad Pro with M4 and up to 5.6 times that of iPad Pro with M1. These are separate manufacturer comparisons against different previous devices, not a direct S12 Ultra-versus-M5 test.
Samsung states up to 23 hours of battery life and approximately 95 minutes to charge from 0% to 100% using a 45W adapter, under its stated conditions. Apple’s cited announcement says an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter can charge the iPad Pro to 50% in around 30 minutes. The charging claims use different endpoints and do not tell you which device lasts longer between charges.
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 also describes the M5’s GPU Neural Accelerator in each core, a 16-core Neural Engine and more than 150 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth. Apple says 256 GB and 512 GB configurations have 12 GB of unified memory. These figures describe Apple’s design and configurations; they are not comparable test results against Samsung.
How do connectivity, accessories and total cost compare?
Samsung’s cited announcement identifies the included S Pen and optional Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim. Apple’s announcement identifies Wi-Fi 7; for cellular models, it says the C1X modem supports 5G and eSIM, while its N1 chip enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6 and Thread. Apple also identifies optional nano-texture glass on configurations intended for glare-sensitive or color-managed work. Check the exact size and storage variant for availability of options before ordering.
Samsung announced IP68 water and dust resistance for the S12 Ultra. Its release also described a limited-time 30% accessory discount with purchase; availability and terms are volatile, so confirm any offer rather than treating it as part of the standard package. Apple’s announcement mentions an optional charging adapter but does not establish its current price or the price of a keyboard or stylus.
There is not enough cited pricing information to declare a value winner. Samsung’s $1,399.99 figure was its US starting price at the September 30, 2026 announcement; Apple’s cited announcement does not give current iPad M5 prices. Compare the same storage and connectivity tier, add the keyboard and other accessories you actually need, and check current final prices, trade-in terms and promotions. Verify stock and accessory compatibility as well.
Quick Recap
Which tablet should you buy?
- Pick the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you want the largest display in this matchup, want the S Pen included, or prefer Samsung’s Android and Multi Window workflow. Factor its 692 g Wi-Fi weight and the cost and weight of an optional keyboard into your decision.
- Pick the iPad Pro with M5 if you are committed to iPadOS or Apple’s app and device ecosystem, want to choose between 11 and 13 inches, or specifically need Apple’s stated M5 features. Apple’s generational performance claims are not proof that it outperforms the Samsung tablet.
- For art, notes or video editing, check the specific apps you rely on, their required features, and how your files move between devices. A list of supported or promoted apps does not show that their tools and workflows are equivalent on both operating systems.
- If price is decisive, compare current, like-for-like configurations and the complete accessory bundle. The launch information here cannot verify which costs less today.
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.
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