Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) (#2, best premium) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite (#5): in our Portability Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.3/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 7.8/10. At $999 versus $349, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite costs $650 less.
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. Prices and availability shown are accurate as of Jan 29, 2026 and are subject to change; the merchant's price at purchase applies.
Side by side
| Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $999 | $349 |
| Display | 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED | 10.9" LCD, 2304×1440, 90Hz |
| Processor | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | Exynos 1380 |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 128GB/256GB + microSD |
| Battery | 31.29Wh | 8000mAh |
| Weight | 444g | 465g |
| Thickness | 5.3mm | — |
How they differ in real use
Built from our best display tablets scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite made our Top 5 Portability Tablets, at #2 (best premium) and #5. Thinnest tablet ever at 5.3mm weighing just 444g with full M5 power and Tandem OLED. More portable than many e-readers despite flagship capabilities. Portable with premium features at 10.9" and 465g. S Pen included for travel productivity. One-hand portable with solid performance.
We score portability tablets on Weight (35%), Thinness (25%), Footprint (20%), Performance (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.3 out of 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 7.8. The widest gap is Thinness, where the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores 10 against 7 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite — thickness. Weight also separates them: 9 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite claws back ground on Value.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display — 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 10.9" LCD, 2304×1440, 90Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite; Processor — M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus Exynos 1380 on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite; RAM — 12GB on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8GB on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite; Storage — 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 128GB/256GB + microSD on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite; Battery — 31.29Wh on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8000mAh on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite; Weight — 444g on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 465g on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite.
Pricing as of August 12, 2026: $999 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and $349 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite, a $650 difference in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite's favor. Owners praise the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) for thinnest ever 5.3mm and 444g lightest flagship; the most common complaint is $999 entry price. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite for s Pen included and 90Hz display; the most common complaint is LCD not AMOLED.
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5)
- Thinnest ever 5.3mm
- 444g lightest flagship
- 1600 nits Tandem OLED
- M5 chip
- $999 entry price
- Smaller canvas limits productivity
- Same price as M4 gen
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite
- S Pen included
- 90Hz display
- 465g one-hand portable
- Solid performance
- LCD not AMOLED
- Exynos trails Snapdragon
- Basic cameras
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) is the better fit for portable power users and compact premium needs — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Thinness and Weight. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is the better fit for travel productivity and s Pen note-taking, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. If the $650 saving matters more than Thinness, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is the better value. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) is a poor fit for large canvas needs; the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is a poor fit for AMOLED display needs.
Choose the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) if
- Portable power users
- Compact premium needs
- Travel creatives
Skip it if
- Large canvas needs
- Budget buyers
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite if
- Travel productivity
- S Pen note-taking
- Portable Android needs
Skip it if
- AMOLED display needs
- Heavy gaming
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite?
In our Portability Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores higher overall, 9.3 to 7.8, with the biggest advantage in Thinness. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
How much more does the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) cost than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite?
$650 more as of August 12, 2026: $999 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) against $349 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Thinness — 10 versus 7 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite?
The headline spec difference is Display: 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 10.9" LCD, 2304×1440, 90Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite. In use, the gap that matters most is Thinness (10 vs 7 in our scoring): thickness.