Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs iPad Pro: Which Is Better?

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs iPad Pro comparison is one of the most talked-about battles in the tablet world. Both devices offer premium features, powerful performance, and sleek designs, making it tough to choose the right one for your needs.

In this blog, we’ll break down the key differences in design, performance, and features between the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and iPad Pro. Whether you’re a creative professional, student, or casual user, this guide will help you decide which tablet is the best fit for you.

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Design And Display Comparison

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra gives you a huge 14.6-inch screen in a surprisingly slim body. The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and feels rock solid in the hand. Both have great screens, but their stylus setups are pretty different.

To help you quickly understand the key differences, here’s a clear summary comparing the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and iPad Pro side by side:

Size, Build, And Portability

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is hard to miss with its 14.6-inch display packed into a 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22-inch frame. It only weighs 1.61 pounds.

Honestly, it’s a two-handed device. The size is awesome for productivity, but you’ll notice it if you try to carry it everywhere.

The iPad Pro gives you options: 11-inch or 12.9-inch. The 12.9-inch version measures 11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches and comes in at 1.5 pounds.

Both use premium aluminum and look sharp. The iPad Pro has Touch ID on the power button, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra includes a microSD card slot for extra storage.

Once you add a keyboard, the iPad Pro can hit 3 pounds—heavier than some laptops like the MacBook Air.

Screen Quality And Resolution

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra sports a 2,960 x 1,848 Super AMOLED display at 120Hz. It hits 117.7% sRGB and 83.4% DCI-P3 in color tests.

With adaptive brightness, it reaches 592 nits—HDR content can push that up to 878 nits across part of the screen.

The iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch screen offers 2,732 x 2,048 pixels and matches the Galaxy Tab with 117.1% sRGB and 82.4% DCI-P3.

Key difference: The iPad Pro blows past the Galaxy Tab in HDR brightness, hitting 1,577 nits versus 878 nits.

Color accuracy is excellent on both, with Delta-E scores under 0.3. The Galaxy Tab’s 16:10 ratio is a bit better for watching widescreen videos.

Stylus And Touch Features

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra includes the S Pen right in the box. It snaps magnetically to the back and charges no matter which way you place it.

Samsung’s magnetic strip works face up or down, so you don’t have to think about it.

The iPad Pro requires a separate $129 Apple Pencil 2. That stylus attaches to the side for charging and storage.

Both styluses feel great for drawing and note-taking, with low latency and solid pressure sensitivity. The S Pen adds air gestures and remote camera tricks you won’t find on the Apple Pencil.

Touch response is smooth on both, thanks to those 120Hz screens. Apps and scrolling feel fast and natural.

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Performance And Software

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Android 13. The iPad Pro uses Apple’s M2 chip with iPadOS. Each has its own software vibe, and that really affects how you’ll use them day to day.

  Here’s a clear side-by-side summary of the performance, operating systems, and multitasking features of the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and iPad Pro:

Processor And Speed

The iPad Pro’s M2 chip is just faster. Geekbench 5 scores: 1,862 single-core and 8,500 multi-core for the iPad Pro; 1,560 single-core and 4,970 multi-core for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

Graphics? The iPad Pro gets 25,219 on 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited at 151 fps. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra lands at 14,722 and 88 fps.

Even video editing is quicker on the iPad Pro—23 seconds to transcode in Adobe Premiere Rush versus 41 seconds for the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra still runs demanding apps and games just fine. You’ll only see the gap in heavy-duty stuff like 3D gaming or big video projects.

Operating System And Ecosystem

iPadOS just feels more polished on a tablet than Android 13. Apple built it for big screens, so animations are smoother and apps scale better.

The iPad Pro plays nicely with other Apple gear. You can start something on your iPhone and finish it on your tablet. AirDrop makes sharing files a breeze.

Android 13 on the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is way more customizable. You can swap default apps, use widgets everywhere, and dig into the file system. Samsung’s DeX mode even gives you a desktop-like experience with a keyboard.

Apps are a mixed bag. iPad apps usually look and work better on a tablet. A lot of Android apps still feel like phone apps stretched out.

Multitasking And Productivity

Both tablets handle split-screen multitasking, but they do it differently. The iPad Pro’s Stage Manager lets you create overlapping windows and switch between app groups. You can resize and shuffle things around easily.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra sticks with classic split-screen and pop-up windows. DeX mode changes the whole interface so it feels more like Windows or macOS, complete with a taskbar and desktop file management.

The base Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ships with 12GB RAM, while entry-level iPad Pros have 8GB. That extra RAM helps if you’re juggling lots of apps.

Both work well with their keyboards and styluses for getting things done. It really depends if you vibe with iPadOS’s touch-first feel or Android’s more traditional multitasking.

Battery Life And Additional Features

The iPad Pro lasts longer, clocking over 10 hours, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra gets about 9.5. Both have good cameras and speakers, but there’s a pretty big gap in what you get for the price.

Here’s a clear side-by-side summary of battery, camera, audio, and pricing differences between the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and iPad Pro:

Battery Performance And Charging

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch lasted 10 hours and 39 minutes in web browsing tests at 150 nits. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra managed 9 hours and 27 minutes under the same conditions.

This mostly comes down to the iPad’s smaller screen and that efficient M2 chip.

Both charge fast over USB-C. The iPad Pro supports Thunderbolt 4/USB-C, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra sticks with USB-C.

The Galaxy Tab’s big OLED screen eats more power, especially if you crank up the refresh rate to 120Hz.

Camera And Audio Quality

Both tablets have solid camera setups for video calls and scanning. The iPad Pro uses a 12MP main camera and 10MP ultra-wide on the back.

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra comes with a 13MP main camera and a 6MP ultra-wide. Both offer 12MP front cameras for clear video chats.

Audio quality is top-notch on both:

• Quad speakers on each tablet
• Good bass and rich sound
• Clear for movies and music

The iPad Pro’s TrueDepth camera enables Face ID for unlocking, while the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra uses a fingerprint scanner.

Price And Value For Money

The iPad Pro starts at $1,099 for Wi-Fi and $1,299 for cellular. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra starts at $1,199, but you get more storage and RAM up front.

Samsung tosses in the S Pen for free. With the iPad Pro, you’ll spend another $129 for the Apple Pencil.

Key pricing differences:

• iPad Pro: 128GB storage, 8GB RAM base
• Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: 256GB storage, 12GB RAM base
• Keyboards cost $349 extra for both

Samsung often runs trade-in deals that can knock up to $650 off. Apple does education discounts, but not many promos otherwise.

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Conclusion: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs iPad Pro

Choosing between the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and iPad Pro depends on your priorities. If you want top performance and a brighter display, the iPad Pro is a great choice. For better value, included accessories, and expandable storage, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra stands out.

Both tablets offer powerful features for productivity, creativity, and entertainment. Consider your budget, preferred apps, and ecosystem to make the best decision.

Want to explore more Samsung tablet options? Check out our guide on What Is the Best Samsung Tablet to find the perfect fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs iPad Pro

Which is better, an iPad or a Galaxy Tab?

The choice between an iPad and a Galaxy Tab depends on your priorities. The iPad Pro typically offers faster speed and a brighter display. However, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra includes the S Pen in the box, whereas the Apple Pencil for the iPad costs extra. You should choose the iPad for top-tier performance, while the Galaxy Tab might be better for overall value and expandable storage.

What is the Samsung equivalent of the iPad Pro?

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is Samsung’s direct equivalent to the iPad Pro. It features a larger screen and is powered by the capable Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Both devices are designed to support styluses and external keyboards, making them suitable for creative and productivity tasks.

Do iPads last longer than Galaxy Tabs?

In terms of software longevity, iPads generally receive software updates for a longer period (around 6-7 years) compared to Galaxy Tabs (typically 4-5 years). The build quality of both devices is similar, offering robust construction. Battery life on both can last a full day, depending on usage.

Is Galaxy Tab or iPad better for students?

For students, the decision between a Galaxy Tab and an iPad depends on budget and specific needs. The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is often a more budget-friendly option and includes the S Pen, which is great for note-taking. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, excels with professional-grade creative apps for more demanding projects. Both devices handle general note-taking and academic tasks well.