iPad Pro (2024) VS Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: Pro tools for pro people

Introduction

And in the case of the iPad Pro, this next generational update will be massive. The device gets the latest 3nm Apple M3 chipset (found in the latest MacBooks), new OLED displays, an updated design including a thinner body and most likely MagSafe charging. Indeed, a whole range of new features.

Which of these tools could be the professional's weapon of choice?

Design and size

Changes on the horizon

From a design perspective, the time has finally come to see some changes to the iPad Pro lineup. The new iPad Pro will likely be thinner than before, with a redesigned rear camera island, but other design changes are also possible. The camera will be located on the long edge of the tablet, allowing for more natural video conferencing, as the camera previously lived on the shorter edge of previous iPad Pros.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, on the other hand, is a monster in comparison. At a massive 14.6 inches, the 16:10 tablet is quite slim and easy to use, but its size might pose problems for those who usually use tablets on the go: it's just a big boy ! There's a notch that houses the front camera on the front, and the bezels are quite thin and sexy.

Seen in landscape mode, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is wider but shorter, making it ideal for media consumption, like movies, TV shows, and YouTube binges. At the same time, an iPad would be thinner but taller, giving you more screen space in the vertical plane, making it more suitable for note-taking. Watching movies or TV shows will result in the infamous black bars at the top and bottom, so you might have a slightly worse media experience.

Display differences

As mentioned, we're dealing with a 12.9-inch 3:2 OLED display on the iPad Pro versus a 14.6-inch 16:10 OLED display on the iPad Pro. Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Being OLED displays essentially means you get the best possible viewing experience from each, with true blacks, exceptional brightness, and vivid colors that make images pop. Ghosting is virtually non-existent on OLED displays, so one of the iPad's age-old problems will finally be solved.

Both tablets feature high-refresh displays that can go up to 120Hz, the current flagship refresh rate standard. This is important because it allows for a super-smooth user experience with virtually no stuttering and very pleasant scrolling animations. We like it.

Performance and software

The newest M3 chip versus last year's garden-style Snapdragon chip

Make no mistake, we don't mean to malign the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 that powers the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra, but it surely won't stand a chance with the desktop-grade Apple M3 chip in the new iPad Pro, a chipset that powers the latest MacBook Air laptops. In terms of raw performance, make no mistake: it's the iPad that will largely take the upper hand. Hopefully the efficiency will also be adequate on the new iPad.

Again, the question remains: what do you do with all this power? Despite its galactic performance, the iPad is still hampered by the limitations of iPadOS and the not-so-extensive list of professional software that can run on the iPad.

In terms of software support, the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will be supported until 2027, while the iPad Pro will likely get software updates until 2029.

Camera

Tablet essentials

Both Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra and the new iPad Pro have dual cameras on the back and, unsurprisingly, both companies are following similar paths in terms of camera setup. THE Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is equipped with 8 MP ultra-wide and 13 MP wide cameras, which will suit you very well on the odd occasion that you have to take a quick photo with your tablet.

With the new iPad Pro, we're pretty sure Apple will equip the device with the same dual-camera setup as the previous tablet, and also put a LiDAR sensor on the back for spatial awareness and AR compatibility.

What is more important on tablets are the front cameras, which are used more often during video calls. THE Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra It has two cameras on the front, a wide and an ultra-wide, both with a resolution of 12 MP.

Meanwhile, the iPad's front camera will most likely enable the awesome Center Stage feature, which intelligently centers the frame on you during video calls. Right next to the front camera are the Face ID modules.

Audio and haptic quality

The same goes for the iPad Pro: just like most high-end Apple devices, this one probably won't disappoint. Previous iPads were all excellent in terms of audio quality.

Regarding haptic feedback, only the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will vibrate when you interact with the interface and applications, while Apple's iPad will almost certainly once again remain devoid of haptic feedback.

Battery life and charging

Drum Champions

The iPad Pro (2024) and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will most certainly be the devices with the biggest batteries you can find out there.

You'll find an 11,200 mAh battery if you're a bad boy and take the thing apart Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. Although this seems like a lot (and it is), we should not forget that this Android tablet is starved, so battery life is by no means a record. It performed well in our custom video streaming test, surpassing the 7-hour threshold, but mostly disappointed in the 3D gaming test.

The new iPad Pro will likely come with a battery of around 10,000 mAh, which should allow it to comfortably provide a full business day of battery life. The question is: would it beat the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra or not?

On the recharge side, you can recharge the Samsung tablet up to 45W. The iPad Pro will likely charge up to 20W (or hopefully a bit more). Don't expect to find a charger in either's box, though.

Specification Comparison

Summary

Without a doubt, the next iPad Pro and the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra are the best examples of professional tools that can be used by creative professionals on the go.

If you're already tied to an ecosystem, the choice might be obvious: the iPad for Apple fans and the Galaxy S9 Ultra for Android users.