Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) (#2, best overall) vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra (#3, best premium): in our Display Tablets scoring the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) totals 9.6/10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra 9.2/10, the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) leading on Brightness and Display Quality.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED | 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz |
| Processor | M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) | MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ |
| RAM | 12GB (16GB with 1TB+) | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB-2TB | 256GB + 256GB microSD card (bundled) |
| Battery | 38.99Wh, 10-11 hours | 11,600mAh, 45W charging |
| Weight | 579g | 692g |
| Thickness | 5.1mm | 5.1mm |
| 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 13" (M5) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra made our Top 5 Display Tablets, at #2 (best overall) and #3 (best premium). Tandem OLED reaches 1600 nits of peak brightness, the brightest tablet display available. Contrast and HDR are best-in-class, and it holds up outdoors better than any competitor here. Direct successor to the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra and the largest display in this list: a 14.6" 2960×1848 Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with an anti-reflective coating, now rated for 1,600 nits peak, which GSMArena measured. It sits below the two iPad Pros, whose Tandem OLED panels score higher on display quality, and Amazon US sells it only through third-party sellers (this listing bundles a 256GB microSD card).
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 13" (M5) totals 9.6 out of 10 and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra 9.2. The widest gap is Brightness, where the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores 10 against 9 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra: peak nits. Display Quality also separates them: 10 for the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 9.5 for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Display: 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; Processor: M5 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU) on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus MediaTek Dimensity 9400+ on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; RAM: 12GB (16GB with 1TB+) on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 12GB on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; Storage: 256GB-2TB on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 256GB + 256GB microSD card (bundled) on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; Battery: 38.99Wh, 10-11 hours on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 11,600mAh, 45W charging on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra; Weight: 579g on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 692g on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. They match on Thickness.
Check current pricing at the merchant links below. Owners praise the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) for 1600 nits peak brightness and tandem OLED technology; the most common complaint is $1,299+ entry price. Owners praise the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra for 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz, the largest display in this list and anti-reflective coating plus a 1,600-nit peak rating, measured at about 1,600 nits in GSMArena's lab; the most common complaint is amazon itself does not sell it in the US; this is a third-party listing bundled with a microSD card.
Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5)
- 1600 nits peak brightness
- Tandem OLED technology
- M5 chip fastest
- ProMotion 120Hz
- $1,299+ entry price
- Slight warm color cast
- Overkill for basic use
Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra
- 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz, the largest display in this list
- Anti-reflective coating plus a 1,600-nit peak rating, measured at about 1,600 nits in GSMArena's lab
- Dimensity 9400+ kept 78% of peak CPU and 71% of peak GPU performance in GSMArena's stress tests
- S Pen included, IP68 dust and water resistance, 5.1mm thin
- Amazon itself does not sell it in the US; this is a third-party listing bundled with a microSD card
- 692g and a 14.6" footprint make it awkward to hold one-handed
- A full charge took 95 minutes at 45W in GSMArena's test
Which should you buy?
The Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) is the better fit for professional creatives and 4K video editing; it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Brightness and Display Quality. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is the better fit for large screen needs and digital artists. The Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) is a poor fit for budget buyers; the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is a poor fit for portability priority.
Choose the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) if
- Professional creatives
- 4K video editing
- Display enthusiasts
Skip it if
- Budget buyers
- Basic tablet needs
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra if
- Large screen needs
- Digital artists
- DeX productivity
Skip it if
- Portability priority
- Single-hand use
Common questions
Is the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) better than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra?
In our Display Tablets ranking the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) scores higher overall, 9.6 to 9.2, with the biggest advantage in Brightness. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra does not out-score it on any criterion we weigh.
What is the main difference between the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra?
The headline spec difference is Display: 13" Ultra Retina XDR, 2752×2064, 120Hz OLED on the Apple iPad Pro 13" (M5) versus 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2960×1848, 120Hz on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. In use, the gap that matters most is Brightness (10 vs 9 in our scoring): peak nits.