Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs iPad Pro (2022): Which Tablet Reigns Supreme?

The Apple iPad Pro was unrivaled for quite a while and has been enjoying the title of best tablet ever since its launch. But it looks like it has finally met its match now that the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is here. This newcomer is big, solidly built, and powerful, proving to be Samsung’s most impressive tablet yet. But does it actually have what it takes to completely overthrow the current champ? If you want to know which tablet is the better purchase in 2022, here’s an in-depth comparison of the two models, covering their design, display, performance, and battery life.

Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra vs iPad Pro Comparison Chart

Model	Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra	iPad Pro
Price	Check Price at Samsung	Check Price at Amazon
Display	14.6-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz	12.9-inch mini-LED, 120Hz
Adaptive Refresh Rate	No	Yes
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip	M1 chip
Ports	1x USB 3.2 Type-C port	1x USB-C charging port with Thunderbolt 4 support
Storage	128GB, 256GB, and 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB
Memory	8GB, 12GB, and 16GB	8GB and 16GB
Battery Life	Up to 14 hours (not tested yet)	10 hours 48 minutes
Dimensions	12.85 x 8.21 x 0.22 inches	11.04 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches
Weight	1.4 pounds	1.51 pounds

Design

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is bigger than the iPad Pro but manages to be lighter.

There’s nothing too exciting going in with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra or the Apple iPad Pro in terms of design. Both models look like carbon copies of their predecessors sans any major upgrades or new color variants. With the iPad Pro, you get Apple’s trademark rounded rectangle silhouette, slim bezels, and solid aluminum chassis. Flip it over and you’ll spot the rounded square camera bump that contains two lenses.

As for the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, it has the same magnetic strip on the back as the S7 series models that’s used to charge the S Pen. Next to that is the camera setup that’s made up of two lenses. The biggest upgrade that you can enjoy with the S8 Ultra is its improved durability, all thanks to its new armor aluminum casing. According to Samsung, it’s 30% and 40% less prone to scratches and bending respectively as compared to the S7 series. The S8 Ultra is massive and you can tell that it’s built like a tank but somehow, it manages to be lighter than the iPad Pro. It earns extra points for that.

When it comes to ports, the iPad Pro has one USB-C charging port with Thunderbolt 4 support while the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a USB 3.2 Type-C port. Unfortunately, neither of them has an audio jack so you’re going to have to go wireless or use USB-C headphones.

Display

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra has a bigger display but the iPad Pro has adaptive refresh rate technology.

While we can’t fully appreciate the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s  2960 x 1848 Super AMOLED display until it hits shelves, it’s safe to assume that it will be impressive based on its predecessor. The Galaxy Tab S7’s display is already top-tier, showing off vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details, so we can expect at least the same level of quality with the S8. As for size, we know for sure that the S8 Ultra’s display makes better use of real estate than the iPad Pro’s. It measures in at a whopping 14.6 inches and is framed by thin, almost non-existent bezels.

However, the iPad Pro has its own advantages over the S8 Ultra, starting off with its refresh rate. While both models have a 120Hz refresh rate, the iPad Pro has ProMotion technology which is able to gauge the best refresh rate for specific situations and conserve battery. The S8 Ultra doesn’t have this kind of adaptability so it’s safe to assume that it uses up more energy. In addition, the iPad Pro’s panel has a slightly higher resolution which should come in handy for watching 4K videos.

Performance

The iPad Pro outperforms the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra got a major upgrade in terms of its processor, boasting of the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip under its hood. According to Samsung, it’s the most powerful processor they’ve ever put in any of their tablets, beating even the famous Snapdragon 888 chip. While we can’t fully confirm this claim until it’s made available in stores, it’s safe to assume that the S8 Ultra will be faster and more efficient than its predecessor. However, it’s quite unlikely that it will be able to outperform the iPad Pro and its monster of a processor.

Running on Apple’s M1 chip, the iPad Pro is said to have the power of a MacBook, able to handle whatever kind of heavy task you throw at it. However, this kind of power might actually be a bit excessive for the iPadOS. If Samsung’s claims about the S8 Ultra’s performance are true, then it should be more than enough for most day-to-day tasks.

Battery Life

The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra probably won’t be able to outlast the iPad Pro.

Once again, we can only rely on Samsung’s claims for now and according to them, the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra’s 11,200 mAh battery can last up to 14 hours on a single charge. While this would be pretty impressive if true, we still don’t think it would be able to outlast the iPad Pro. Because one, Apple has mastered battery optimization. And two, the iPad Pro’s ProMotion feature and mini LED panel should be able to further conserve battery life. The same can’t be said for the S8 Ultra which has a battery-draining Super AMOLED panel and no adaptive refresh rate technology.

Verdict

The iPad Pro wins against the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra

Apple iPad Pro

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra should be able to put up a good fight once it’s out in stores. It has a massive screen, has a durable build, and is backed by a powerful processor. However, we think the Apple iPad Pro still reigns supreme, having won most points of comparison. The most significant advantages it has over the S8 Ultra are its M1 chip, ProMotion feature, and dependable battery life. That said, we’re going to have to wait for the S8 Ultra before we can truly crown a winner.

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