iPad 10.2 (2021) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra: A Deep Dive Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing value and simplicity, the iPad 10.2 (2021) is the clear winner. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra dominates in raw performance, display quality, and features, making it the superior choice for demanding tasks and those willing to pay a premium.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - A2603 | LTE |
| 5G bands | - | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - A2604 | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 14 | 2022, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 24 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | - |
| Dimensions | 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5 mm (9.87 x 6.85 x 0.30 in) | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 487 g (Wi-Fi) / 498 g (LTE) (1.07 lb) | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) |
| Stylus support (1st gen only) | Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1620 x 2160 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) |
| Size | 10.2 inches, 322.2 cm2 (~73.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder) | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 |
| OS | iPadOS 15, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| - | UFS | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.4, 31mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Video | 1080p@25/30fps, 720p@120fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| - | Tuned by AKG | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | Lightning, USB 2.0; magnetic connector | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | Wireless Samsung DeX | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | - | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 8557 mAh (32.4 Wh) | Li-Po 11200 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Graphite |
| Models | A2603, A2604, iPad12,1, iPad12,2 | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N |
| Price | About 430 EUR | About 1150 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1123:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.4 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 617292(v9) GeekBench: 3124 (v5.1) GFXBench: 44fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
- Significantly more affordable
- Excellent value for basic tasks
- Compact and portable
- Less powerful processor
- Lower display quality
- Slower charging
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- Large, high-quality display
- 45W fast charging
- Significantly more expensive
- Larger and less portable
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
Display Comparison
The iPad 10.2 (2021) features a standard LCD panel delivering a measured peak brightness of 513 nits and a 1123:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this pales in comparison to the likely superior panel technology (though specifics are missing) and larger size of the Tab S8 Ultra. The S8 Ultra’s expansive display is geared towards immersive content consumption and multitasking. The lack of information on the S8 Ultra’s display specs prevents a detailed contrast ratio comparison, but its larger size and likely higher resolution will provide a more expansive viewing experience. The iPad’s contrast ratio, while adequate, won’t offer the same visual pop as a modern AMOLED or high-end LCD.
Camera Comparison
Both tablets feature cameras for photo and video capture, but neither are likely to be a primary photography device. The iPad 10.2 (2021) camera specs are minimal, and the S8 Ultra’s camera details are absent. Given Samsung’s history with tablet cameras, it’s reasonable to expect a more capable setup, but without specific sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible. The focus here is on video conferencing and quick snapshots, not professional-grade photography.
Performance
The iPad 10.2 (2021) is powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, a 7nm+ processor with a hexa-core CPU (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder). This chip remains capable for everyday tasks. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), an octa-core processor with a more complex architecture (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510). The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the A13 Bionic’s 7nm+ process, translating to sustained performance under heavy loads. This means the S8 Ultra will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the iPad 10.2 (2021) are missing, but Apple typically optimizes software to maximize battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra supports 45W wired charging, reaching 100% charge in 82 minutes. This faster charging speed is a significant advantage for users who need to quickly top up their device. While the iPad likely offers decent battery life, the S8 Ultra’s faster charging capability provides greater convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) if you need a reliable, portable tablet for basic tasks like web browsing, note-taking, and media consumption, and value affordability above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra if you prioritize a large, stunning display, powerful performance for multitasking and creative work, and features like 45W fast charging, and are willing to invest in a premium tablet experience.