Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE vs. Apple iPad Air 11 (2025): A Deep Dive into Productivity and Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user in 2025, the Apple iPad Air 11 is the clear winner. While the Note Pro 12.2 offered a large screen and S Pen support in its time, the M3 chip’s superior performance, combined with the iPad’s exceptional battery life and software ecosystem, provides a significantly more refined and capable experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE | Apple iPad Air 11 (2025) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 | 1, 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 - A3267 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3267, A3270 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G - cellular model only |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2025, March 04 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, March 12 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 295.6 x 204 x 8 mm (11.64 x 8.03 x 0.31 in) | 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1 mm (9.75 x 7.03 x 0.24 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | eSIM (cellular model only) |
| Weight | 753 g (1.66 lb) | 460 g (1.01 lb) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating, Mohs level 4 |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) | 1640 x 2360 pixels (~264 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 357.6 cm2 (~80.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | Liquid Retina IPS LCD, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Apple M3 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Apple GPU (9-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | iPadOS 18.3.2, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 12 MP, f/2.0, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS (5G model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 3.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (top-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Music play | Up to 188 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h 30 min (multimedia) (2G) / Up to 51 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 9500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 7606 mAh (28.93 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue |
| Models | SM-P905 | A3267, A3270, A3266 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 700 EUR |
| SAR | 1.57 W/kg (body) | 1.10 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (body) | 1.41 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class G |
| Free fall | - | Class E (0 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class C |
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE
- Very large 12.2-inch display for immersive content consumption.
- S Pen support for note-taking and creative tasks.
- Expandable storage via microSD card (likely).
- Outdated Snapdragon 800 chipset with limited performance.
- Older Android version with potential software compatibility issues.
- Shorter battery life compared to modern tablets.
Apple iPad Air 11 (2025)
- Powerful Apple M3 chip for exceptional performance.
- Long battery life (62 hours endurance) and 1000-cycle lifespan.
- Access to Apple’s robust app ecosystem and software support.
- Smaller 11-inch display compared to the Note Pro 12.2.
- Potentially higher price point.
- No expandable storage.
Display Comparison
The Note Pro 12.2’s 12.2-inch display, while large, lacks the modern refinements of the iPad Air 11’s 11-inch panel. While specific resolution and panel type data for the iPad Air 11 are missing, we can assume it benefits from Apple’s advancements in color accuracy and brightness. The Note Pro’s age means it likely lacks features like variable refresh rate (LTPO) found in modern iPads, resulting in less smooth scrolling. Bezels on the Note Pro are also significantly larger, impacting the overall immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
Given the age of the Note Pro 12.2, its camera system is unlikely to compete with even a basic modern tablet camera. Details are scarce, but it likely features a lower-resolution sensor and lacks the advanced image processing capabilities of the iPad Air 11. Apple typically prioritizes image quality in its iPads, and the M3’s image signal processor (ISP) would provide superior noise reduction and dynamic range. We can assume the iPad Air 11 will offer a more capable and versatile camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Note Pro 12.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28nm) is a capable chip for its time, featuring a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. However, it’s dwarfed by the Apple M3 in the iPad Air 11. The M3’s octa-core design, with performance and efficiency cores, delivers significantly higher multi-core performance and improved power efficiency. The M3’s architecture allows for faster processing of complex tasks like video editing and 3D rendering, tasks that would strain the Snapdragon 800. Furthermore, the iPad Air 11 likely utilizes faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The iPad Air 11 boasts a remarkable 62-hour endurance rating and a 1000-cycle battery lifespan, indicating a significant advantage in longevity and usability. While the Note Pro 12.2’s battery capacity is unknown, its older chipset and larger screen size likely result in significantly shorter battery life. The M3’s efficiency further contributes to the iPad Air 11’s extended runtime, allowing for all-day use without frequent charging. The 1000 cycle lifespan also suggests the iPad Air 11 will maintain a higher capacity over its lifetime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE if you absolutely require a very large screen (12.2 inches) and are comfortable with an older Android version, potentially relying on sideloading for modern apps. It’s a viable option for dedicated, unchanging workflows. Buy the Apple iPad Air 11 (2025) if you prioritize performance, long-term software support, a vibrant app ecosystem, and all-day battery life. It’s the superior choice for users who demand a versatile and future-proof tablet experience.