iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) vs. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019): A Tale of Two Tablets
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For demanding users – creatives, professionals, or serious gamers – the iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) is the clear winner. Its A12Z Bionic chip and superior display deliver a significantly more powerful and immersive experience. However, for casual users prioritizing value, the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) offers a functional tablet experience at a much lower price point.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) | Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 66 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 18 | 2019, February 15. Released 2019, April |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, March 19 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 280.6 x 214.9 x 5.9 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.23 in) | 245.2 x 149.4 x 7.5 mm (9.65 x 5.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 641 g (Wi-Fi), 643 g (LTE) (1.41 lb) | 469 g (1.03 lb) |
| Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating | - |
| Resolution | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) | 1200 x 1920 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ) | TFT LCD |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Apple A12Z Bionic | Exynos 7904 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (8-core graphics) | Mali-G71 MP2 |
| OS | iPadOS 13.4, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.0 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 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) | - |
| Features | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR | Panorama |
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.0, AF |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Face detection, HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 7 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, EDR | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS - cellular model only |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.1, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer | Accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| - | ANT+ | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type | Li-Po 9720 mAh (36.71 Wh) | Li-Po 6150 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Silver, Space Gray | Black, Gold, Silver |
| Models | A2069, A2232, A2233, A2229, iPad8,11, iPad8,12 | SM-T515, SM-T510 |
| Price | About 1000 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.92 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.36 W/kg (body) |
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)
- Exceptional performance with the A12Z Bionic chip
- Stunning display with high brightness and contrast
- Premium build quality and design
- Significantly higher price
- Accessories (Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard) are expensive
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019)
- Very affordable price point
- Decent display for everyday use
- Lightweight and portable
- Limited performance with the Exynos 7904
- Lower build quality compared to the iPad Pro
Display Comparison
The iPad Pro boasts a significantly more advanced display. With a measured peak brightness of 625 nits, it outshines the Tab A 10.1, offering better visibility in bright environments. The 1330:1 contrast ratio on the iPad Pro delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors, enhancing the viewing experience. While the Tab A 10.1’s display is adequate for everyday use, it lacks the color accuracy and dynamic range of the iPad Pro’s panel. The iPad Pro’s larger size also contributes to a more immersive experience, particularly for media consumption and creative work.
Camera Comparison
Given the tablet form factor, camera quality isn't a primary concern for most users. However, the iPad Pro likely offers a more refined camera experience due to Apple’s image processing capabilities, though specific details are unavailable in the provided data. The Tab A 10.1’s camera specifications are not provided, suggesting a focus on basic functionality rather than photographic excellence. It's safe to assume the iPad Pro will deliver superior image quality, particularly in low-light conditions.
Performance
The performance gap between these tablets is substantial. The Apple A12Z Bionic, built on an advanced process node, features an octa-core CPU (4x2.5 GHz Vortex + 4x1.6 GHz Tempest) designed for peak performance. This contrasts sharply with the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1’s Exynos 7904 (14 nm) chipset, which utilizes a more conventional octa-core configuration (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53). The A12Z Bionic’s architecture allows for significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking, making the iPad Pro ideal for demanding applications. The Exynos 7904 is sufficient for basic tasks, but will struggle with resource-intensive games or applications.
Battery Life
Battery life is heavily dependent on usage patterns, and specific mAh ratings are not provided. However, the A12Z Bionic’s efficiency, combined with Apple’s software optimization, likely results in comparable or even better battery life on the iPad Pro despite its larger, higher-resolution display. The Exynos 7904, while efficient, is less optimized for power management than the A12Z Bionic. Charging speeds are also likely to be faster on the iPad Pro, given Apple’s support for fast charging technologies.
Buying Guide
Buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) if you require professional-grade performance for tasks like video editing, graphic design, or demanding mobile gaming, and if a stunning, high-brightness display is crucial. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019) if you primarily need a tablet for web browsing, streaming video, light productivity, and reading, and if budget is your primary concern.