Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra arrives in the US on Oct. 7 at $1,399.99, putting it directly against Apple’s 13-inch iPad Pro with M5. Apple currently lists its comparable 256GB Wi-Fi model at $1,499.
Both base configurations pair 12GB of memory with 256GB of storage and squeeze premium OLED displays into 5.1mm bodies. The bigger differences are performance, screen size, battery life, expandable storage, accessories, and whether Android or iPadOS better fits your work.
- Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro with M5 at a glance
- How we compared the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro with M5
- Samsung starts cheaper and includes the S Pen
- The iPad Pro with M5 is considerably faster
- Samsung gives you a bigger screen, but Apple is lighter
- Android vs iPadOS changes the productivity decision
- Which premium tablet should you buy?
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro with M5 at a glance
| Feature | Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra | iPad Pro with M5 (13-inch) |
|---|---|---|
| US price, 256GB Wi-Fi | $1,399.99 | $1,499 |
| Base memory/storage | 12GB/256GB | 12GB/256GB |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | Apple M5 |
| Display | 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz | 13-inch tandem OLED, 10Hz-120Hz |
| Resolution | 2960 x 1848 | 2752 x 2064 |
| Thickness | 5.1mm | 5.1mm |
| Weight | 692g | 579g |
| Stylus | S Pen included | Apple Pencil Pro sold separately |
| Expandable storage | microSD up to 2TB | None |
| Geekbench 6, single/multi | 3,229 / 9,763 | 4,155 / 16,517 |
| 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited | 6,608 / 39.7 fps | 9,934 / 59 fps |
| Tested battery life | 11:31 | 13:16 |
| Water/dust resistance | IP68 | No IP rating listed |
Retail prices can change, particularly for a tablet that has been on sale for nearly a year versus one that has not yet reached US stores.
How we compared the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra vs iPad Pro with M5
We compared the two tablets on the areas most likely to affect a premium-tablet purchase:
- Price and configuration: Official US pricing available as of Oct. 3, 2026, for comparable 12GB/256GB Wi-Fi models, plus the cost and inclusion of essential accessories.
- Performance: Same-lab Geekbench 6 and 3DMark results rather than Samsung and Apple’s separate generational performance claims.
- Battery life: Results from the same continuous Wi-Fi browsing test at 150 nits.
- Display and portability: Screen technology, size, refresh rate, dimensions, and weight.
- Productivity: Stylus support, keyboards, multitasking, storage expansion, external displays, and software.
- Platform fit: Android and Galaxy integration against iPadOS and Apple’s app ecosystem.
Official specifications come from Samsung and Apple. Independent performance and battery results come from Tom’s Guide testing of both tablets using the same benchmark suites and battery-test methodology.
Samsung starts cheaper and includes the S Pen
Samsung’s US launch announcement prices the 256GB Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra at $1,399.99, with US availability beginning Oct. 7.
Apple launched the 13-inch iPad Pro with M5 at $1,299 in October 2025, but its current US store listing shows the comparable 12GB/256GB Wi-Fi configuration at $1,499.
That currently makes the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra $99.01 cheaper before accessories.
Samsung includes the S Pen in the box. Apple sells Apple Pencil Pro separately for $129, while the 13-inch Magic Keyboard costs $349. Samsung’s Pro Keyboard is also sold separately, so buyers who want laptop-style typing need to account for an additional accessory on either platform.
Storage gives Samsung another advantage. The Tab S12 Ultra supports microSD cards up to 2TB in addition to its built-in storage. Apple offers fixed internal storage tiers from 256GB to 2TB without expandable storage.
The iPad Pro with M5 is considerably faster
Independent testing gives Apple the clearest advantage in raw performance.
In Tom’s Guide’s testing, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra scored 3,229 single-core and 9,763 multi-core in Geekbench 6. The iPad Pro with M5 reached 4,155 and 16,517, respectively.
The graphics gap was also substantial. The Tab S12 Ultra scored 6,608, or 39.7 fps, in 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Unlimited, compared with 9,934 and 59 fps for the iPad Pro with M5.
That does not make the Samsung tablet slow. Its Dimensity 9500 can handle demanding Android apps, multitasking, and games, but buyers choosing primarily on CPU and GPU performance get substantially more headroom from the M5.
The same testing also favored Apple for battery life. Tom’s Guide recorded 11 hours and 31 minutes from the Tab S12 Ultra and 13 hours and 16 minutes from the iPad Pro with M5 in its continuous Wi-Fi browsing test at 150 nits.
Samsung gives you a bigger screen, but Apple is lighter
The Tab S12 Ultra’s 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display gives it considerably more canvas than the 13-inch iPad Pro.
Both support refresh rates up to 120Hz, and both manufacturers specify peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits under different conditions. Apple’s tandem OLED panel uses a 2752-by-2064 resolution, while Samsung’s AMOLED display runs at 2960 by 1848.
The trade-off is portability.
Both tablets measure just 5.1mm thick, but the Wi-Fi Tab S12 Ultra weighs 692g. Apple’s 13-inch iPad Pro weighs 579g, making the iPad noticeably easier to carry or hold for long periods.
Samsung adds IP68 water and dust resistance, while Apple does not list an equivalent IP rating for the iPad Pro.
Android vs iPadOS changes the productivity decision
Samsung’s productivity pitch starts with the included S Pen, expandable storage, Multi Window, and DeX.
Multi Window can split the Tab S12 Ultra into as many as three sections, while Samsung DeX adds a desktop-style environment for larger-screen workflows. Samsung also preloads Adobe Photoshop on the Tab S12 series and includes four months of the Photoshop mobile plan.
The iPad takes a different route. Its M5 chip has significantly more performance headroom, and iPadOS supports established tablet versions of apps including Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Photoshop, and other creative tools. The iPad Pro with M5 can also drive one external display at up to 5K and 120Hz or 6K at 60Hz.
Apple offers optional 5G and eSIM configurations of the iPad Pro. Samsung’s US launch materials list the Tab S12 Ultra with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 but do not list a US cellular configuration at launch.
Samsung commits the Tab S12 series to up to seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates. Apple does not publish a fixed number of iPadOS upgrades for the iPad Pro with M5.
Buyers who want Apple’s ecosystem but do not need M5-level performance can also consider the iPad Air with M4, which retains Pencil and keyboard support at a lower tier.
Which premium tablet should you buy?
Choose the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you want the larger display, included S Pen, expandable storage, IP68 protection, and Samsung’s Android ecosystem. Its $1,399.99 starting price also currently undercuts the comparable 13-inch iPad Pro with M5 before an Apple Pencil is added.
Choose the iPad Pro with M5 if raw performance, tested battery life, lower weight, cellular connectivity, or Apple’s creative-app ecosystem matter more. The M5 is substantially ahead of the Dimensity 9500 in the same independent CPU and graphics tests.
Neither tablet is automatically the better laptop replacement. Buyers who depend on full desktop applications may get more flexibility from laptops aimed at Android users or a Windows detachable instead.
For most buyers, the decision comes down to which advantage is harder to replace after purchase. Samsung gives you more screen, storage flexibility, an included pen, and a slightly lower current base price. Apple gives you more processing power, longer tested battery life, and a lighter tablet.
Also read: These Surface Pro alternatives compare iPad, Galaxy, Windows, and other detachable options for buyers who need a more laptop-like setup.