Apple iPad Pro 13 (2025) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra: A Deep Dive into Power and Endurance

Apple’s iPad Pro line has long been the benchmark for tablet performance, but Samsung is aggressively challenging that dominance with the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra. This comparison focuses on the core differences between the 2025 iPad Pro 13, powered by the Apple M5, and the Tab S10 Ultra, featuring the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, examining how these choices impact performance, battery life, and the overall user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and sustained performance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its significantly larger battery capacity (85:18h endurance vs 76:00h) and 2000 charge cycles offer peace of mind, while the Dimensity 9300+ provides competitive performance. However, the iPad Pro 13’s M5 chip still holds an edge in optimized software integration.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPad Pro 13 (2025) Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - cellular model onlyGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - cellular model onlyHSDPA 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, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - A3361 - cellular model only1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3361, A3362 - cellular model only1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model onlyHSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, October 162024, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, October 22Available. Released 2024, October 03
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front, aluminum frame, aluminum back
Dimensions281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm (11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 in)326.4 x 208.6 x 5.4 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.21 in)
SIMeSIM - cellular model onlyNano-SIM + eSIM (cellular model only)
Weight579 g (Wi-Fi), 582 g (5G) (1.28 lb)718 g (Wi-Fi), 723 g (5G) (1.58 lb)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4Mohs level 5
Resolution2064 x 2752 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density)1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~239 ppi density)
Size13.0 inches, 523.4 cm2 (~86.2% screen-to-body ratio)14.6 inches, 617.8 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeUltra Retina Tandem OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (HBM), 1600 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPU9-core (3 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) - 256/512GB models10-core (4 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores) - 1/2TB modelsOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)
ChipsetApple M5Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)
GPUApple GPU (10-core graphics)Immortalis-G720 MC12
OSiPadOS 26, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1Android 14, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual-13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
FeaturesQuad-LED dual-tone flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), dual pixel PDAF TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)-
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, ProRes (4K, 1080p)4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Dual-12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesFace detection, HDR, panoramaHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide)-
Video1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers)
Comms
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, EDR5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), DisplayPort, magnetic connectorUSB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging50% in 30 min45W wired
TypeLi-Po 10290 mAhLi-Po 11200 mAh
Misc
ColorsSilver, Space BlackMoonstone Gray, Platinum Silver
ModelsA3360, A3361, A3362SM-X920, SM-X926B, SM-X926N, SM-X920N
PriceAbout 1450 EUR$ 899.99
SAR EU-0.94 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery76:00h endurance, 1000 cycles85:18h endurance, 2000 cycles
EnergyClass GClass G
Free fallClass E (40 falls)Class E (0 falls)
RepairabilityClass CClass C

Apple iPad Pro 13 (2025)

  • Optimized software ecosystem with iPadOS.
  • Potentially superior single-core performance with the M5 chip.
  • Strong video editing capabilities with Final Cut Pro.

  • Shorter battery life (76:00h endurance).
  • Fewer charge cycles (1000).
  • Limited customization options compared to Android.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra

  • Exceptional battery life (85:18h endurance).
  • Double the charge cycles (2000) for extended battery health.
  • Greater flexibility and customization with Android.

  • Potential for software fragmentation on Android.
  • Dimensity 9300+ may exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load.
  • Apple ecosystem lock-in is absent, which may be a con for some.

Display Comparison

While display specs are absent, both tablets are expected to feature high-resolution, vibrant displays. However, the underlying technology will be key. The iPad Pro is likely to leverage Apple’s ProMotion technology (LTPO) for adaptive refresh rates, potentially offering smoother scrolling and animations. Samsung typically excels in display brightness, and the Tab S10 Ultra will likely push peak brightness higher than the iPad Pro. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both devices, but Samsung often prioritizes maximizing screen real estate.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera details, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, Apple typically focuses on computational photography and video recording quality, while Samsung often emphasizes high-resolution sensors. The iPad Pro is likely to prioritize accurate color reproduction and dynamic range in its images and videos. The Tab S10 Ultra may feature a more versatile camera system with a wider range of focal lengths. The absence of details regarding OIS and lens apertures makes a direct comparison impossible, but both tablets are expected to deliver competitive camera performance for a tablet form factor.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. Apple’s M5, available in 9-core (256/512GB) and 10-core (1/2TB) configurations, utilizes a unified memory architecture, allowing the CPU and GPU to access the same pool of memory, boosting efficiency. The Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) employs an octa-core configuration with a mix of Cortex-X4 and Cortex-A720 cores. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 9300+ should offer excellent power efficiency, potentially mitigating the performance advantage of the M5 in sustained workloads. The iPad Pro’s LPDDR5X RAM will contribute to fast data transfer speeds, but the Dimensity 9300+’s architecture is designed for parallel processing, potentially excelling in multi-threaded tasks.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra clearly wins in battery endurance with 85:18h compared to the iPad Pro 13’s 76:00h. This 9-hour difference is significant for users who rely on their tablets throughout the day. Furthermore, the Tab S10 Ultra boasts 2000 charge cycles, doubling the iPad Pro’s 1000 cycles, indicating a longer lifespan and reduced battery degradation over time. While the iPad Pro offers 30-minute 50% charging, the Tab S10 Ultra’s 45W wired charging will likely provide a faster overall charge time, despite the larger battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPad Pro 13 (2025) if you are deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize seamless software integration with other Apple devices, and require the optimized performance of Apple’s silicon for tasks like video editing within Final Cut Pro. Buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra if you value extended battery life, prefer the flexibility of Android, and need a tablet capable of handling demanding tasks for longer periods without needing a charge, or if you are a power user who values battery health over all else.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ in the Tab S10 Ultra suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9300+ is a powerful chipset, its thermal performance will depend heavily on Samsung’s cooling solution. The 4nm process node helps with efficiency, but sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. Expect some throttling, but Samsung likely implemented measures to mitigate it, such as vapor chamber cooling or optimized software profiles.
❓ How does the 1000 charge cycle limit on the iPad Pro 13 (2025) affect long-term battery health?
Reaching 1000 charge cycles doesn't mean the battery immediately stops working. However, it signifies a point where the battery's capacity will have noticeably degraded, potentially dropping below 80% of its original capacity. This means shorter runtimes and the need for more frequent charging. The Tab S10 Ultra’s 2000 cycles offer significantly more longevity.
❓ Will the Apple M5 chip in the iPad Pro 13 (2025) offer a noticeable performance improvement over the previous generation M2?
The M5 is expected to deliver incremental performance gains over the M2, primarily through architectural improvements and increased core counts (especially in the 1/2TB models). While not a revolutionary leap, users will likely experience faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking, particularly in demanding applications like video editing and 3D rendering.