Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you want the largest screen here, an S Pen included, and Samsung’s Android multitasking setup. Choose the iPad Pro with M5 if you rely on iPadOS, want a choice of 11- or 13-inch display, or prefer Apple’s app and device ecosystem. There is no verified head-to-head test or equal-configuration price comparison to establish a universal winner.
What separates these tablets most?
The clearest difference is the format: Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra is a single 14.6-inch tablet, while Apple’s iPad Pro with M5 comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. The Tab S12 Ultra pairs that larger work area with an included S Pen and Samsung’s Multi Window interface. The iPad Pro pairs its size options with iPadOS 26 and Apple’s M5 chip.
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These are premium tablets built around different operating systems and workflows. Specifications and manufacturer performance claims do not show which will feel faster or last longer in your own use. The Samsung announcement was published September 30, 2026, and states U.S. availability begins October 7; the Apple announcement used here was published October 15, 2025. The information below reflects those announcements, not long-term independent testing.
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| Feature | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro with M5 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizes | 14.6 inches | 11 inches or 13 inches |
| Display technology and features | Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 120Hz | Ultra Retina XDR with tandem OLED, ProMotion and True Tone |
| Resolution or brightness figures | 2960 × 1848; Samsung reports up to 1,600 nits peak brightness and 1,000 nits in high-brightness mode | Not stated in the cited Apple announcement |
| Thickness | 5.1 mm | 13-inch: 5.1 mm; 11-inch: 5.3 mm |
| Weight | 692 g for the Wi-Fi configuration | Not stated in the cited Apple announcement |
Samsung’s brightness figures are manufacturer specifications, not independent measurements. The 14.6-inch screen gives the Tab S12 Ultra more physical workspace than either iPad size, which can help when viewing documents, drawing, or arranging multiple windows. The trade-off is its 692 g Wi-Fi weight before adding a keyboard. The iPad’s two sizes let you choose a smaller device or a larger display, though the cited announcement does not provide comparable weight figures.
#1 Best Overall
- NO Warranty in the USA. Tablets are only WIFI, no Calls or Data. Country selection may not be available during setup. select any country, as Country will updated later after Connecting to WIFI in Settings. English Language is available
- Connectivity Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be 2.4GHz+5GHz+6GHz, EHT320, MIMO, 4096-QAM USB USB 3.2 Gen 1 Bluetooth v5.3 Bluetooth Profiles A2DP,AVRCP,DI,HID,HOGP,OPP,PAN,PBP,TMAP Location Technology GPS,Glonass,Beidou,Galileo,QZSS Earjack USB Type-C MHL No Wi-Fi Direct Yes
- 14.6” Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz Anti-Reflective, 2960 × 1848 (WQXGA+) Accelerometer, Fingerprint Sensor, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor Size (Main_Display) 369.9mm (14.6" full rectangle) / 367.2mm (14.5" rounded corners)
- Front: 12 MP UW Rear: 13 MP + 8 MP UW UHD 4K (3840 x 2160)@30fps dimmesion : 12.85 x 8.21 x 0.20 in.
Which operating system and multitasking setup fits your work?
Samsung: Android 17 and One UI 9
Samsung says the Tab S12 series runs Android 17 with One UI 9 and supports up to three sections in Multi Window. That makes its software setup a natural fit if you already use Samsung or Android devices and want several panes visible on the tablet. Samsung also lists Galaxy AI tools and says Photoshop is preloaded. It names limited-time benefits for Photoshop, Notability, Goodnotes, LumaFusion, Notion and Clip Studio Paint; availability and terms can vary, and trials or discounts may expire.
Apple: iPadOS 26 and M5
The iPad Pro runs iPadOS 26. Apple highlights apps including Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Illustrator in its M5 performance discussion. If your work depends on a particular app, check that app’s features and file-handling requirements on the operating system you plan to use; the announcements do not establish parity between app versions on the two platforms.
Samsung states a policy of up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the Tab S12 series. Treat that as Samsung’s stated support commitment, and check applicable regional terms.
Rank #2
- Brilliant 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display – Features ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and crisp 1848x2960 resolution. Powered by an 11,600 mAh battery. Includes S Pen and 25W Samsung Super Fast Charger.
- Premium Performance & Storage – Backed by 256GB storage, 12GB RAM, and expandable microSD slot (dedicated). Runs on the advanced Mediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3nm) chipset, Octa-core CPU, and Immortalis-G925 MC12 GPU with Android 16 and One UI 8.
- Advanced Camera & Connectivity – Rear: 13MP (f/2.0 wide) + 8MP (f/2.2 ultrawide); Front: Dual 12MP (wide & ultrawide). Also supports Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C 3.2, and magnetic connector for seamless accessory pairing.
- Wi-Fi Only Model – Designed for high-speed wireless use. This model does not support SIM cards or cellular network connections.
- International Version – Global model without U.S. domestic warranty. Covered under return policy for hassle-free protection.
What do the performance and battery claims actually establish?
Apple says the M5’s GPU has a Neural Accelerator in each core and that the chip includes a 16-core Neural Engine. Apple reports up to 3.5 times the AI performance of iPad Pro with M4 and up to 5.6 times that of iPad Pro with M1. It also cites over 150 GB/s of unified memory bandwidth and 12 GB of unified memory in 256 GB and 512 GB configurations. These are Apple’s claims against the named earlier iPad models, not results against Samsung’s tablet.
Samsung says the Tab S12 Ultra’s 3nm processor improves NPU processing by up to 61%, CPU performance by 19%, and GPU power by 17% versus the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. Those are Samsung’s generational comparisons, not a direct test against the M5. The figures from the two companies use different baselines and cannot be combined into a meaningful head-to-head ranking.
For battery life, Samsung states up to 23 hours for the Tab S12 Ultra under its test conditions and approximately 95 minutes to charge from 0% to 100% with a 45W adapter. Apple’s cited announcement does not give a directly comparable battery-life figure. Apple says an optional high-wattage USB-C adapter can charge the iPad Pro to 50% in around 30 minutes. Different claims and test conditions do not establish which tablet lasts longer in matched use.
Rank #3
- INNOVATIVE ART POWER: Turn your simple sketches into works of art instantly using Sketch to Image¹ with Galaxy AI.²
- SEARCHING MADE EASY: Quickly search for just about anything you see on your Tab — all without switching apps — using Circle to Search with Google.³
- MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT: Capture your lecture, meeting, or daily notes and let Note Assist⁴ with Galaxy AI² do the hard work of organizing and even summarizing them for you.
- NEXT-LEVEL NOTE TAKING: Get transcripts and summaries of recorded lectures and meetings, just like that.⁵
- PACKED WITH POWER: No matter what you take on or where you take your Galaxy Tab S10+, enjoy every experience with a powerful tablet processor.
What comes in the box, and what may cost extra?
The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra ships with an S Pen. Samsung identifies its Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim as optional accessories, so include any keyboard you need when considering the total cost. The company also announced a limited-time 30% accessory discount with purchase; check whether it is currently available and whether the specific accessory fits the tablet.
Recommended Free Tools
Apple’s announcement describes the iPad Pro’s optional nano-texture glass on configurations intended for glare-sensitive or color-managed work. Check which size and storage configurations offer it. The cited announcement does not establish current iPad M5 pricing, and Samsung’s U.S. starting price of $1,399.99 is a launch figure from September 30, 2026—not a verified current deal. Compare the exact storage and connectivity tiers, accessories, promotions and final checkout prices before deciding on value.
Quick Recap
Which tablet should you buy?
- Pick the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if your priority is the largest screen in this comparison, an S Pen included in the box, Samsung or Android workflows, or Samsung’s described multi-pane interface. Account for its Wi-Fi model’s 692 g weight and the cost of any separately purchased keyboard.
- Pick the iPad Pro with M5 if you are committed to iPadOS and Apple’s app or device ecosystem, want to choose between 11 and 13 inches, or specifically value Apple’s stated M5 features. Apple’s performance multipliers compare the M5 with earlier iPads, not the Tab S12 Ultra.
- Decide by app and workflow if you plan to draw, take notes, edit video or manage project files. Confirm that the apps you actually use support the tools and file workflow you need on your preferred operating system.
- Decide by total price only after comparing equivalent storage and connectivity configurations, keyboard costs and current offers. The available announcements do not provide a current, equal-configuration price comparison.
Sources
- Samsung Electronics America: “Samsung Introduces Galaxy Tab S12 Series: The Ultimate Productivity Powerhouse Built for Growth” (September 30, 2026)
- Apple Newsroom: “Apple introduces the powerful new iPad Pro with the M5 chip” (October 15, 2025)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
