The ultra-premium pill battle has simply been reignited.
Samsung revealed its Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely in September and Apple has simply hit again with a brand new 2025 model of the iPad Professional . On the floor, each have rather a lot in widespread – glossy designs, massive shows and a few of the finest efficiency you’ll discover on their respective working methods.
Nevertheless, in addition they differ in some fairly basic methods, and that’s prone to have an effect on which one you select. The iPad Professional has loads going for it, together with M5 efficiency – which may effectively blow each Android pill out of the water – and a spread of high-quality, devoted iPad apps.
But when I had been deciding which one to purchase, I’d go for the Tab S11 Extremely each time. Right here’s why.
It’s sufficiently big to really substitute my laptop computer
If I’m spending £1,000/$1,000 or extra on a pill, it actually ought to have the ability to substitute my laptop computer.
That merely received’t be attainable for some energy customers, however as somebody who depends on internet looking and a small number of mobile-friendly apps to get work carried out, it’s effectively inside my attain.
Nevertheless, multitasking is a high precedence, so I can’t be coping with a small display screen. The Tab S11 Extremely emphatically solutions my issues, with an enormous 14.6-inch panel that’s larger than many laptops. Having tried it for myself, the 120Hz OLED panel is completely gorgeous in particular person.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
The brand new iPad Professional’s show has very comparable specs, plus a barely increased decision of 2752 x 2064, however it’s solely obtainable in 11- or 13-inch sizes. When utilizing apps side-by-side or rapidly switching between them, that further actual property on the Tab S11 Extremely’s display screen could make all of the distinction.
And extra proof against the weather
Construct high quality is a key power of the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely, and I’ve no motive to suspect that the brand new iPad Professional will probably be any completely different. Each units characteristic sturdy glass on the show, plus an aluminium again and body that has stood the check of time on previous generations.
Nevertheless, the Tab S11 Extremely has a key benefit relating to water and dirt resistance. Its IP68 score confirms it’ll survive submersion in as much as 1.5m of freshwater for as much as half-hour and be totally protected in opposition to small particles.
In contrast, the iPad Professional has no official score in any respect. It could effectively survive a fast rain bathe or a day on the seaside, however it’s telling that Apple makes no point out of this in its announcement of the system.
Apple
I actually don’t need to must restrict my pill to indoor use, making the Tab S11 Extremely the plain alternative.
It performs nicer with Google apps
Okay, so this one is private to me. However as somebody who’s closely invested within the Google ecosystem, the Tab S11 Extremely is a significantly better possibility.
Positive, you possibly can obtain all of the apps on an iPad, however the expertise by no means feels as intuitive or cohesive. Apple designs options that work finest with its inventory apps, and there’s little motivation for Google to make a completely optimised iPad app.
There’s additionally the problem of paid-for apps, the place a purchase order received’t be carried over from an Android cellphone. And a few apps, together with HappyCow, are free on Android however paid for on Apple units – a serious frustration.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
AI on a pill is essential to me
In relation to synthetic intelligence on cellular, Google is streets forward of Apple.
Its Gemini AI assistant is way superior to Siri, and far simpler to entry when it’s built-in instantly into the working system, fairly than as a third-party app.
I actually get pleasure from utilizing Circle to Search to make sense of what’s on my display screen, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy AI enhancing instruments are extra succesful than those who Apple presents.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
Apple Intelligence is catching up in lots of areas, however slowly. And I’m not keen to attend any longer for AI to reinforce my life.
It’s cheaper (for the mannequin I’d need)
Technically, the brand new iPad Professional is extra inexpensive than the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely. It begins at £999/$999, whereas Samsung’s slate prices not less than £1,199/$1,199 when shopping for at full value.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t inform the complete story. The iPad Professional’s beginning value is just for the 11-inch mannequin – to step as much as the 13-inch model, you’ll have to pay not less than £1,299/$1,299. In different phrases, it’s £100/$100 costlier than the Tab S11 Extremely.
Apple
And the impact is magnified when you think about the equipment…
A stylus is included within the field
To show both of those tablets into a real productiveness system would require further funding from me, as neither Samsung nor Apple features a keyboard cowl within the value. As somebody who travels repeatedly, that’s a necessity – belief me, typing out an extended doc utilizing a touchscreen keyboard doesn’t lower it.
Samsung’s Slim E-book Keyboard Cowl sometimes prices £199/$199 (though it’s at the moment included within the value) whereas Apple’s Magic Keyboard is a further £299/$299 at launch.
That’s already a giant disparity, however what actually seals it for me is that Samsung consists of its S Pen stylus within the field. As somebody who enjoys taking digital notes (it’s additionally excellent for digital artwork), this can be a actual boon.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
In contrast, Apple costs a further £79/$79 for the newest Apple Pencil. In complete, I’d find yourself spending £179/$179 extra when shopping for the brand new iPad Professional, having already paid extra for the system itself.
So, as you possibly can see, the brand new iPad Professional isn’t proper for me. But it surely nonetheless appears like a wonderful system that might go toe-to-toe with any of one of the best tablets in the marketplace.
? Pre-orders for the brand new iPad Professional are dwell now within the UK and US, forward of its launch on 22 October.
