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The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is the larger-screen choice; the iPad Pro with M5 is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes and led in the cited processor and battery tests. Neither is the universal winner. Your operating system and required apps, preferred screen size, portability needs, and accessory budget are more useful decision points than any single benchmark.
At a glance: Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro M5
| What matters | Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | Apple iPad Pro with M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 14.6 inches | 11 inches or 13 inches |
| Operating system | Android; Samsung also provides DeX for a desktop-like interface | iPadOS 26, as described in Apple’s October 2025 announcement |
| Included stylus | S Pen included, according to Samsung | Apple Pencil availability and inclusion details are not established in the cited materials; check the configuration you are buying |
| Keyboard accessories | Compatible keyboard covers are sold separately | Accessory pricing and inclusion are not stated in the cited materials |
| U.S. launch-era starting price | $1,399.99, per Samsung’s 2026 U.S. announcement; not a current or universal price | Not stated in the cited materials |
| Independent test results cited here | Lower Geekbench 6 and 3DMark scores than iPad Pro M5 in Tom’s Guide’s review | Higher Geekbench 6 and 3DMark scores, and longer Wi-Fi web-browsing runtime, in the same review |
Which screen size and display suits your work?
Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and S12+ on September 30, 2026, and said the series became available in the United States on October 7 through Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, and retailers nationwide. The Ultra’s 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen has an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Samsung’s India product page lists 2960 × 1848 resolution; that is regional product-page information, not a specification drawn from the U.S. announcement. Samsung also lists peak brightness up to 1,600 nits, with a footnote specifying 1,000 nits outdoors in High Brightness Mode. Samsung’s announcement and India product page provide those details.
Apple’s October 2025 announcement describes the iPad Pro with M5 in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with Ultra Retina XDR displays and iPadOS 26. The 14.6-inch Samsung is physically larger than either iPad option, which can be useful for split-screen work, drawing, or viewing large documents—but a larger panel also makes a tablet less convenient to hold for extended periods. In Tom’s Guide’s review, the reviewer found the Samsung cumbersome for some prolonged handheld use; treat that as the reviewer’s experience, not a universal verdict.
Brightness numbers need context. In Tom’s Guide’s measurements, the Samsung reached 862 nits in SDR and 916 nits in HDR; the iPad Pro M5 measured 561 nits SDR and 965 nits HDR. These are that publication’s test results, not Samsung’s peak-brightness specification. Tom’s Guide also measured Samsung at 149.8% sRGB coverage and 105.5% DCI-P3, compared with 116% and 82.1% for the iPad. The reviewer cautioned that Samsung’s color reproduction was oversaturated relative to targets, so higher coverage figures do not automatically mean more accurate color. Tom’s Guide’s review describes its measurements.
#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.
Which operating system and apps do you need?
Choose first by the apps and workflow you need to use reliably. The Galaxy Tab runs Android and includes Samsung DeX, which provides a more desktop-like layout; the iPad Pro runs iPadOS. Neither interface should be assumed to replace a desktop operating system for every workflow. Check the exact apps, file handling, peripherals, and collaboration tools you depend on before buying—especially if you plan to leave a laptop behind.
DeX may be more useful with an external monitor. Tom’s Guide’s reviewer found that the monitor helps bring out DeX’s fuller desktop-like layout. If your plan depends on using a tablet as a laptop replacement, assess the whole setup—including the apps and external devices you need—rather than judging it by the interface alone.
How different are their performance results?
In Tom’s Guide’s listed Geekbench 6 results, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra scored 3,229 single-core and 9,763 multi-core; the iPad Pro M5 scored 4,155 and 16,517. In the publication’s 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited test, Samsung scored 6,608, or 39.7 frames per second, while the iPad scored 9,934, or 59 frames per second. These are review test results, not promises of how every app or workload will perform.
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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.
Apple’s M5 announcement reports AI performance up to 3.5 times that of the iPad Pro with M4 and up to 5.6 times that of the iPad Pro with M1 for specified workloads. Those are Apple’s own comparisons with previous Apple tablets, not head-to-head results against Samsung. Apple’s announcement provides the stated comparisons. For everyday browsing, note-taking, streaming, or drawing, a benchmark lead may matter less than whether your essential apps run well and whether the screen and controls suit you.
What do the battery results actually tell you?
Tom’s Guide measured 11 hours 31 minutes for the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and 13 hours 16 minutes for the iPad Pro M5 in its Wi-Fi web-surfing test at 150 nits. That is a same-publication, same-method comparison, and the iPad lasted longer in that test. Samsung separately advertises up to 23 hours of video playback, based on local 720p playback with specified brightness and network settings. That manufacturer test is not equivalent to web browsing or mixed everyday use, so the two figures should not be compared as though they measured the same task. Tom’s Guide’s review reports the browsing test; Samsung’s announcement describes its video-playback claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What comes in the box, and what accessories cost extra?
Samsung says the S12 Ultra includes an S Pen, but not a device charger. Its compatible Pro Keyboard, Book Cover Keyboard Slim, Book Cover, Frame Cover, and anti-reflecting screen protector are sold separately; Samsung says the Frame Cover is exclusive to the Ultra. If you want a keyboard-based setup, include the separate accessory in your budget rather than treating it as part of the tablet purchase. The cited materials do not establish iPad accessory inclusion or pricing, so confirm those details for the exact iPad configuration and market you are considering. Samsung’s product page lists the S12 Ultra’s included and compatible items.
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.
How should you compare price and support?
Samsung’s U.S. announcement gives the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra a starting price of $1,399.99. That is a U.S. launch-era figure, not a guaranteed current street price or a global price; check local availability, storage configuration, and current offers. The cited materials do not establish a comparable current iPad Pro M5 price, so they do not support a direct value verdict. Samsung says the S12 Ultra supports up to seven OS upgrades and security updates. This is Samsung’s stated support policy, not a guarantee of a particular future update schedule. Samsung’s U.S. announcement provides the price and availability information.
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Which tablet should you choose?
Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if
- You want the largest screen of these options and value its 14.6-inch display.
- You prefer Android or Samsung’s DeX workflow, and your required apps work well there.
- You want an S Pen included and are prepared to budget separately for a keyboard or other covers.
Choose the iPad Pro with M5 if
- You prefer iPadOS or need apps and workflows that are better suited to Apple’s tablet platform.
- You want a smaller 11-inch option or a 13-inch display rather than Samsung’s 14.6-inch panel.
- The cited processor benchmarks or Wi-Fi browsing test align with the performance and endurance priorities that matter to you.
Before deciding, check app compatibility, screen size in person if possible, the complete accessory setup, and the current local price for the storage configuration you need. The benchmark leader is not automatically the better tablet for your workflow.
Quick Recap
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.
