Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022): The Ultimate Tablet Showdown
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) boasts the superior M2 chip for raw power and tight iOS integration. However, the Tab S8 Ultra offers a larger, more versatile display with the S Pen and Android's open ecosystem. It's a close call, but the iPad Pro edges ahead for performance, while the Tab S8 Ultra excels in versatility.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra | Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) |
| 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 | LTE | 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 | SA/NSA | 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, LTE, 5G - cellular model only | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | 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 | 2022, February 09 | 2022, October 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 30 | Available. Released 2022, October 26 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5 mm (12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 in) | 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4 mm (11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 726 g (Wi-Fi), 728 g (5G) (1.60 lb) | 682 g (Wi-Fi), 685 g (5G) (1.50 lb) |
| Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | Stylus support (Bluetooth integration; magnetic) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating |
| Resolution | 1848 x 2960 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~240 ppi density) | 2048 x 2732 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~265 ppi density) |
| Size | 14.6 inches, 612.6 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 12.9 inches, 515.3 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (4x3.49 GHz performance cores, 4 efficiency cores) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Apple M2 |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (10-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1 | iPadOS 16.1, upgradable to iPadOS 26.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM |
| UFS | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, AF 6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | 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, HDR, panorama | Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDR |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, ProRes |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | HDR | Face detection, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/2.4, 122˚ (ultrawide) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@25/30/60fps, gyro-EIS, HDR |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| Tuned by AKG | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, EDR |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO - cellular model only | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS (Wi‑Fi + Cellular model only) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector | USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), DisplayPort, magnetic connector |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, hotspot |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer |
| Wireless Samsung DeX | - | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 100% in 82 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 11200 mAh | Li-Po 10758 mAh (40.88 Wh) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Graphite | Silver, Space Gray |
| Models | SM-X900, SM-X906, SM-X906B, SM-X906U, SM-X906N | A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436, iPad14,5, iPad14,6 |
| Price | About 1150 EUR | About 1450 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.69 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
- Larger, more immersive display
- Included S Pen stylus
- Android's open ecosystem
- Faster charging (45W)
- More versatile multitasking
- Performance slightly behind iPad Pro
- Android tablet app optimization can be inconsistent
- Stylus silo could be improved
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022)
- Blazing-fast M2 chip performance
- Optimized iPadOS for tablet use
- Exceptional mini-LED display quality
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem
- Excellent camera system
- Higher price point
- Less flexible operating system
- No included stylus (sold separately)
- Slower charging (20W)
Display Comparison
Both tablets feature stunning displays. The Tab S8 Ultra has a massive 14.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPad Pro 12.9 features a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with mini-LED backlighting, delivering exceptional brightness and contrast. The Tab S8 Ultra's larger size is a significant advantage for multitasking and content consumption, while the iPad Pro's mini-LED technology provides unparalleled HDR performance.
Camera Comparison
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) generally offers better camera performance, with improved image processing and video recording capabilities. The Tab S8 Ultra's cameras are still capable, but the iPad Pro's consistently delivers higher-quality results. Both have front-facing cameras suitable for video calls.
Performance
The Apple M2 chip in the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the Tab S8 Ultra, particularly in demanding tasks like video editing and gaming. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is still a powerful chip, the M2's efficiency and raw processing power are unmatched. iPadOS is also highly optimized for tablet use, contributing to a smoother overall experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is comparable between the two devices, typically lasting a full day of moderate use. The iPad Pro's efficiency is aided by the M2 chip. The Tab S8 Ultra's larger battery capacity helps offset the power demands of its larger display.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is ideal for creatives who value a large, vibrant display, S Pen functionality, and the flexibility of Android. It's also a great choice for those who prefer a more open operating system. The Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) is perfect for users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, professionals needing maximum performance for demanding tasks, and those who appreciate iPadOS's optimized tablet experience.