iPad Pro 11 (2020) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Which Tablet Reigns Supreme?

The 11-inch iPad Pro (2020) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ represent the pinnacle of tablet design and performance from their respective ecosystems. While both aim for the premium user, they diverge in approach – Apple prioritizing tightly integrated hardware and software, while Samsung offers a more open Android experience with a focus on multimedia and expansive display real estate. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which tablet best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most professional users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, the iPad Pro 11 (2020) offers a slight edge due to its optimized A12Z Bionic chip and seamless software integration. However, the Galaxy Tab S7+ provides a compelling alternative with its vibrant display, faster 45W charging, and the flexibility of Android, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and users less tied to Apple’s walled garden.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA
EDGE-No
GPRS-Class 10
SpeedHSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (6CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, March 182020, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, March 19Available. Released 2020, August 21
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame
Dimensions247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.23 in)285 x 185 x 5.7 mm (11.22 x 7.28 x 0.22 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM (cellular model only)
Weight471 g (Wi-Fi), 473 g (LTE) (1.04 lb)575 g (1.27 lb)
 Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic)Stylus support, 5.6ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating-
Resolution1668 x 2388 pixels (~265 ppi density)1752 x 2800 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~266 ppi density)
Size11.0 inches, 366.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)12.4 inches, 446.1 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest)Octa-core (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetApple A12Z BionicQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+)
GPUApple GPU (8-core graphics)Adreno 650
OSiPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Call records-20 dialed, 20 received, 20 missed calls
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
Phonebook-500 entries
 -UFS 3.0
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 11mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
FeaturesQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDRHDR, panorama
Single-1.3 MP
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesFace detection, HDR, panorama-
Single7 MP, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
 -Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
Games-Yes
Java-No
Messaging-SMS, MMS
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
 -Samsung DeX
Battery
Charging-45W wired
Stand-by-Up to 200 h
Talk time-Up to 8 h
TypeLi-Po 7538 mAh (28.65 Wh)Li-Po 10090 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Space GrayMystic Black, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Phantom Navy
ModelsA2068, A2230, A2228, A2231, iPad8,9, iPad8,10SM-T970, SM-T976B, SM-T975
PriceAbout 800 EURAbout 900 EUR
SAR-1.16 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (body)
Tests
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 566786 (v8) GeekBench: 2690 (v5.1) GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020)

  • Superior single-core performance with the A12Z Bionic.
  • Tight integration with Apple’s ecosystem and software.
  • Optimized for Apple Pencil and creative applications.

  • Slower charging speeds compared to the Tab S7+.
  • Less flexible operating system (iPadOS).

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+

  • Brighter display with a higher peak brightness (484 nits).
  • Faster 45W wired charging for quick top-ups.
  • Open Android operating system with greater customization.

  • Potentially lower single-core performance compared to the A12Z Bionic.
  • Less optimized software experience compared to iPadOS.

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 484 nits, significantly exceeding what’s typically seen on the iPad Pro 11 (2020), though Apple doesn’t officially publish peak brightness figures. This translates to better outdoor visibility for the Tab S7+. While both feature excellent color accuracy, Samsung’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a deeper black level, enhancing the viewing experience. The iPad Pro’s display technology, while not explicitly stated in the provided data, is known to utilize ProMotion (adaptive refresh rate), a feature absent in the Tab S7+, potentially offering smoother scrolling and responsiveness. The larger screen size of the Tab S7+ also caters to users who prioritize immersive viewing.

Camera Comparison

Neither tablet prioritizes camera performance, but the available data doesn’t allow for a detailed comparison. Given Apple’s history, the iPad Pro likely benefits from superior image processing algorithms. The absence of sensor size or aperture information for either device makes a definitive judgment impossible. It’s safe to assume both cameras are adequate for video conferencing and casual snapshots, but not replacements for dedicated cameras.

Performance

At the heart of the iPad Pro 11 (2020) lies the Apple A12Z Bionic, an octa-core chip with a heterogeneous architecture – 4x2.5 GHz Vortex cores for peak performance and 4x1.6 GHz Tempest cores for efficiency. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+'s Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ which features a more traditional octa-core configuration (1x3.09 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55). While clock speeds don’t tell the whole story, Apple’s chip design and tight software integration generally yield superior single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and UI interactions. The Snapdragon 865+ excels in sustained multi-core workloads, potentially benefiting tasks like video rendering. Both utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but Apple’s memory controller is known for its efficiency.

Battery Life

The provided data lacks specific battery capacities for both devices. However, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+’s 45W wired charging capability is a significant advantage over the iPad Pro’s slower charging speeds. This means the Tab S7+ can be rapidly topped up, minimizing downtime. While the iPad Pro’s power efficiency, thanks to the A12Z Bionic, might offset a potentially smaller battery capacity, the convenience of 45W charging gives the Tab S7+ a practical edge for users who frequently need to recharge on the go.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2020) if you require the absolute best performance for demanding tasks like video editing or graphic design, and if you heavily utilize Apple Pencil and iPadOS-specific apps. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ if you prioritize a larger, brighter display for media consumption, prefer the openness of the Android operating system, and value faster charging capabilities for extended use on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865+ in the Galaxy Tab S7+ experience thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 865+ is a powerful chip, it can be prone to thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. The Tab S7+'s larger chassis and cooling system mitigate this to some extent, but prolonged gaming at maximum settings may result in reduced performance over time. The A12Z Bionic in the iPad Pro is generally more efficient and less susceptible to throttling.
❓ How does the software experience differ between iPadOS and Android on these tablets?
iPadOS is a highly curated and optimized operating system designed specifically for tablets, offering a streamlined and intuitive user experience. Android on the Tab S7+ is more open and customizable, allowing for greater flexibility but potentially lacking the same level of polish. App availability and optimization can also vary between the two platforms.
❓ Is the S Pen included with the Galaxy Tab S7+ a significant advantage over the Apple Pencil (sold separately)?
The included S Pen offers excellent pressure sensitivity and low latency, making it a compelling tool for note-taking and creative tasks. The Apple Pencil, while also excellent, is an additional purchase. The S Pen’s built-in storage and charging within the tablet itself provide a convenience factor the Apple Pencil lacks.