Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11
Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) (#1, best value) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 (#4): in our Display Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.7/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 9.1/10, the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) leading on Brightness and Display Quality and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 on Value.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED | 11" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2560×1600, 120Hz |
| Processor | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 128GB + microSD |
| Battery | 31.29Wh | 8,400mAh, 45W charging |
| Weight | 444g | 469g |
| Thickness | 5.3mm | 5.5mm |
| Peak Brightness | — | 1,600 nits (HDR) |
| Water Resistance | — | IP68 |
| Stylus | — | S Pen included |
| Price | Check price → | Check price → |
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 S11 made our Top 5 Display Tablets, at #1 (best value) and #4. Same Tandem OLED technology as 13" in most portable package. Thinnest tablet ever at 5.3mm with identical 1600 nit HDR brightness. The same 1,600-nit-rated Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology as the S11 Ultra in an 11" 2560×1600 panel and a 469g body; Notebookcheck measured about 1,575 nits peak. It ranks below the Ultra because Expert Reviews notes it lacks the anti-reflective coating, but it is sold by Amazon itself and is the least expensive OLED tablet in this list.
We score display tablets on Display Quality (35%), Brightness (25%), Refresh Rate (20%), Resolution (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) totals 9.7 out of 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 9.1. The widest gap is Brightness, where the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores 10 against 8.5 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11: peak nits. Display Quality also separates them: 10 for the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 9 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 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 11" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2560×1600, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11; Processor: M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11; Storage: 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 128GB + microSD on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11; Battery: 31.29Wh on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 8,400mAh, 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11; Weight: 444g on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 469g on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11; Thickness: 5.3mm on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 5.5mm on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11. They match on RAM.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. 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 S11 for 11" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2560×1600, 120Hz, with a 1,600-nit peak rating (about 1,575 nits measured by Notebookcheck) and same Dimensity 9400+ chip and 12GB RAM as the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; the most common complaint is no anti-reflective coating, unlike the S11 Ultra (per Expert Reviews).
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 S11
- 11" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2560×1600, 120Hz, with a 1,600-nit peak rating (about 1,575 nits measured by Notebookcheck)
- Same Dimensity 9400+ chip and 12GB RAM as the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
- 469g and 5.5mm, with IP68 dust and water resistance
- S Pen included, plus microSD expansion up to 2TB
- No anti-reflective coating, unlike the S11 Ultra (per Expert Reviews)
- Noticeable thermal throttling under sustained load, per nextpit and Notebookcheck
- No haptic vibration motor, and the 128GB base storage fills quickly without a microSD card
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 Brightness and Display Quality. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is the better fit for compact AMOLED tablet buyers and s Pen note-taking, and the stronger choice if Value matters more to you than the overall score. The Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) is a poor fit for large canvas needs; the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is a poor fit for use in direct glare.
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 S11 if
- Compact AMOLED tablet buyers
- S Pen note-taking
- Media streaming
Skip it if
- Use in direct glare
- Long gaming sessions
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11?
In our Display Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) scores higher overall, 9.7 to 9.1, with the biggest advantage in Brightness. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 is stronger on Value, so it is the better pick if that matters most to you.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11?
The headline spec difference is Display: 11.1" Ultra Retina XDR, 2420×1668, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 11" (M5) versus 11" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2560×1600, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11. In use, the gap that matters most is Brightness (10 vs 8.5 in our scoring): peak nits.