Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE vs. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022): A Generational Leap?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the vast majority of users, the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is the clear winner. The Apple M2 chip delivers exponentially greater performance and efficiency than the Snapdragon 800, translating to a smoother, faster, and more future-proof experience. However, the Note Pro 12.2’s legacy S Pen integration and lower price point may appeal to budget-conscious users with specific needs.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) |
| 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, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2764, A2437 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A2764 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2437, A2766 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2014, January. Released 2014, March | 2022, October 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, October 26 |
| 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) | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Micro-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 753 g (1.66 lb) | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb) |
| - | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super clear LCD | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 | Octa-core (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 (28 nm) | Apple M2 |
| GPU | Adreno 330 | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 4.4 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.0.2 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UI | iPadOS 16.1, 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 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 10 MP, f/2.4, 125˚ (ultrawide) TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth) |
| Features | LED flash | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, ProRes |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.3, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 3.0 (MHL TV-out), OTG | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), 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 | Face ID, 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 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, White | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | SM-P905 | A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436, iPad14,5, iPad14,6 |
| Price | About 670 EUR | About 1450 EUR |
| SAR | 1.57 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.76 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE
- Integrated S Pen for note-taking and drawing.
- Lower price point (available on the used market).
- Expandable storage via microSD card.
- Outdated processor and software.
- Inferior display technology.
- Limited app support and security updates.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)
- Exceptional performance with the Apple M2 chip.
- Stunning Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion.
- Long-term software support and security updates.
- Higher price point.
- Requires separate purchase of Apple Pencil (2nd generation).
- Limited file management compared to Android.
Display Comparison
The Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 features a 12.2-inch LCD, while the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) boasts a Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting. While specific nit brightness figures for the Note Pro are unavailable, it’s significantly lower than the iPad Pro’s sustained 1000 nits and 1600 nits peak brightness. The iPad Pro’s ProMotion technology (adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz) provides a noticeably smoother experience compared to the Note Pro’s standard 60Hz panel. The iPad Pro’s mini-LED technology also delivers superior contrast and black levels. The Note Pro’s display, while adequate for its time, is demonstrably inferior in every measurable metric.
Camera Comparison
Comparing the cameras is less critical given the tablets’ primary function. The Note Pro 12.2’s camera specifications are not readily available, but it’s reasonable to assume it features a sensor significantly smaller than the iPad Pro’s 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide cameras. The iPad Pro benefits from Apple’s image signal processor (ISP) and Smart HDR 4, delivering superior image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While neither tablet excels as a primary camera, the iPad Pro offers a more capable and reliable imaging experience.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Note Pro 12.2’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 800, built on a 28nm process, is a capable chip for its era, featuring a quad-core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU. However, it’s dwarfed by the Apple M2 in the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022). The M2’s octa-core architecture (4 performance cores at 3.49 GHz and 4 efficiency cores) and advanced 5nm fabrication process deliver multiple times the processing power and graphics performance. The iPad Pro’s LPDDR5X RAM further enhances performance, while the Note Pro likely utilizes LPDDR3. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to handle demanding tasks like video editing and 3D rendering with ease on the iPad Pro.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 has a 9500 mAh battery, while the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) has a 40.88 Wh (approximately 10,758 mAh) battery. Despite the Note Pro’s larger capacity, the iPad Pro’s significantly more efficient Apple M2 chip and optimized software result in longer real-world battery life. The iPad Pro also supports 20W fast charging, allowing for a quicker recharge compared to the Note Pro’s charging capabilities, which were slower by 2014 standards. The M2’s efficiency offsets the Note Pro’s raw capacity advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 LTE if you need a large-screen Android tablet primarily for legacy app compatibility, value the integrated S Pen for basic note-taking, and are operating on a very limited budget. Buy the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) if you prioritize raw performance, a modern software ecosystem, a superior display, and long-term software support, and are willing to invest in a premium tablet experience.