It’s been tougher than ever to choose a Tab 2026. Apple’s iPad Pro continues to be the creative benchmark, but the latest Samsung Galaxy Tab Ultra is a hard-hitting competitor to this, especially on the Android side of things. To a student, editor, or professional looking for a genuine computer replacement, you are forced to decide between power and sheer versatility. Here’s a comparison of the best iPad Pro vs Galaxy Tab Ultra – where the best editing, writing, and studying options are and where you just won’t get the best end of the stick.
1. Design & Display: The Visual Showdown
Both tablets are beautiful engineering marvels with lightweight, metal construction. But the technology for the display is still a huge differentiator. The iPad Pro uses its high-end ProMotion technology (as well as in most cases the Mini-LED display, or newer tandem OLED tech) to offer exceptional quality graphics and color accuracy. That’s part of the reason that so many artists and video editing pros default to the iPad — because, like it always was, it offers you predictable, pure colors. The Galaxy Tab Ultra, usually with its enormous Super AMOLED display, has all the power in terms of size and saturation. The colors pop, and the sheer screen real estate makes for great windows splitting and multitasking. For absorbing media or total consumption, it’s an eye-catching affair.
2. Power & Performance: Chips & Software
Almost everyone seems to already know that Apple’s performance edge is legendary. The M-series chip on the iPad Pro offers the desktop speed that no other tablet can touch, often achieving performance levels much higher than laptops most of the time, benchmarking faster. If your workflow includes major 4K video renderings or gargantuan graphic design projects, then, yes, the iPad’s hardware is still king. The Galaxy Tab Ultra is no slouch, working with an ultra-optimized Snapdragon for Galaxy processor. It doesn’t beat the M-chip’s raw peak power, but the performance is greater than enough to run various apps, note-taking and study apps you might not even want to use at first. In addition, the input latency on the Apple Pencil as well as the accompanying S Pen is basically undetectable right now, rendering both devices great for digital writing.
3. The Productivity Fight: iOS vs Android (DeX)
The main choice here lies not with hardware but rather upon the operating system, including its capability to multi-task and provide replacements for desktop apps too.
- iPadOS: intuitive, powerful, better app ecosystem, especially for pro creative applications (good to be there for all ages). However, although its multitasking is better, it’s all still feeling a bit claustrophobic, which limits you in many cases only to two main apps plus one Slide Over window.
- Android/Samsung DeX: This is the tablet ace card of the Tab Ultra. DeX mode turns the tablet experience into a classic desktop routine, with free-form window resizing, taskbar and integrated support for external monitors. If you are both a student or an editor who wants something versatile and a notebook-like experience on a budget, you will find DeX far better flexibility than iPadOS. Samsung Intelligence could be even better here too—in on-the-fly cross-application integration.
The last part is battery life: both tablets are extremely endurance able, meaning they tend to last a full workday of various combinations. Neither one will leave you half-way through a lecture looking for an outlet.
4. Last Judgement: Buy the Tab or Get the other?
This decision simply depends on your major use case:
| Use Case | Recommended Tab | Why? |
| Professional Creative (Video/Art) | Apple iPad Pro | Unmatched M-series performance and the gold standard in specialized creative applications. |
| Students & Writers | Galaxy Tab Ultra | Great versatility due to DeX mode, amazing large screen for split-screen studying, and frequently a cheaper option. |
| General Consumption & Media | It’s a Tie | Both have jaw-dropping displays, but maybe the Tab Ultra’s sheer size and vibrant Super AMOLED panel will better cater to movie lovers. |
Tom’s Guide. “Samsung Galaxy Tab Ultra vs iPad Pro M-Series: Which tablet wins?” (Comparative Review, December 2025)
CNET. “Best Tablets in 2025: Top Picks from Apple, Samsung and Amazon.” (Buying Guide, November 2025)
Pro Tools Expert. “iPad Pro M5 vs. Tab S11 Ultra: M-Chip Performance Benchmarks for 4K Video.” (Performance Analysis, November 2025)
The Verge. “iPadOS 26 Multitasking vs. Samsung DeX: Which is the real desktop replacement?” (Productivity Focus, August 2025)
TechRadar. “Samsung Galaxy Tab Ultra Review: The Best Android Tablet Ever Made.” (Android Perspective, October 2025)
Title Tag: iPad Pro vs. Galaxy Tab Ultra: Best Tablet 2026 Comparison
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