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🔥 Our Take After 30 Days
Spoiler: The winner depends entirely on one question most people skip.
Both cost over $1,000, neither ships with a keyboard, and one has a NOTCH in 2026. Keep scrolling.
The Scorecard
We rated both tablets across 5 categories after daily use.
Performance: M4 vs Dimensity 9300+
Apple dropped the M4 chip into the iPad Pro — the same chip that landed in MacBooks. In our tests running DaVinci Resolve and 3D rendering, the iPad Pro didn't break a sweat. Samsung's Dimensity 9300+ handles everyday tasks without hesitation but throttles earlier in sustained workloads.
I switched from the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra to the iPad Pro M4 for video editing. What took 8 minutes on Samsung took under 3 minutes on the iPad. Sold.
— Verified Amazon purchaser, March 2026 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Display: Two Great Screens, One Embarrassing Detail
Both use OLED and both look stunning. Samsung is bigger (14.6" vs 13") with anti-reflective coating on all models — Apple's nano-texture glass is $1,799+ only. But Apple hits 1,600 nits vs Samsung's 930, and supports Dolby Vision. Samsung only does HDR10+.
The S Pen Situation
Samsung includes the S Pen in the box. Apple charges $129 extra for the Apple Pencil Pro. If you draw, take notes, or annotate, Samsung just saved you $129 on day one.
iPad Pro M4 — Pros
- M4 chip — fastest tablet chip ever
- 5.1mm — thinnest Apple product ever
- Tandem OLED with Dolby Vision
- Procreate, Final Cut, DaVinci ecosystem
- Face ID — fast, reliable, no notch
iPad Pro M4 — Cons
- Apple Pencil Pro: $129 extra
- Magic Keyboard: $299 extra
- iPadOS limits that M4 power for desktop work
- No microSD slot
- No IP68 water resistance
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra — Pros
- S Pen included — saves $100+ instantly
- DeX — full Windows-like desktop mode
- 14.6" display — best for creators and students
- 512GB + microSD expandable
- IP68 water resistance
Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra — Cons
- It has a notch. In 2026. Still.
- Chip throttles in sustained workloads
- Android app ecosystem lags behind iPad
- 718g vs iPad's 579g
Side-by-Side Specs
| Feature | iPad Pro M4 (13") | Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $1,299 | $1,199 ✓ |
| Chip | Apple M4 ✓ | Dimensity 9300+ |
| Display | 13" Tandem OLED | 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED ✓ |
| Brightness | 1,600 nits ✓ | 930 nits |
| Stylus | $129 extra | Included ✓ |
| Storage | 256GB | 512GB + microSD ✓ |
| Water resistance | None | IP68 ✓ |
| Desktop mode | Stage Manager (limited) | DeX (full) ✓ |
| Weight | 579g ✓ | 718g |
Who Should Buy What
🏆 Final Verdict
Get the iPad Pro if performance is king. Get the Tab S10 Ultra if value and versatility matter more.
For most people spending $1,000+, Samsung gives you more out of the box. That notch is less annoying than paying $129 for a pencil that should be included.