Right out of the gate, there’s no question that the iPad Pro is better than the standard Galaxy Tab S8. It has better hardware and performance, but it’s also much more expensive. Today, we’ll be comparing the two to find out which one is right for your specific needs. Do you really need the high-end
Galaxy Tab S8 vs iPad Pro Comparison Chart
| Model | Galaxy Tab S8 | iPad Pro |
 |  | |
| Price | Check Price at Amazon | Check Price at Amazon |
| Build | 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches 1.11lbs | 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches 1.50lbs |
| Display | 11 inches TFT LCD 120Hz 1600 x 2560 pixels 274 ppi | 12.9 inches Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision 2048 x 2732 pixels 265 ppi |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Apple M1 iPadOS 14.5.1 |
| Configurations | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM microSD slot | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM, 2TB 16GB RAM |
| Camera | 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) 6 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) Selfie: 12 MP, f/2.4, 120ห (ultrawide) | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 10 MP, f/2.4, 125ห (ultrawide) Selfie: 12 MP, f/2.4, 122ห (ultrawide) |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6e Bluetooth 5.2 | WiFi 6 Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Battery | 8000mAh Li-Po 45W fast charging | 10758mAh Li-Po (unofficial) 18W fast charging |
| Included in the Box | Galaxy Tab S8 S Pen USB-C cable Ejection pin | iPad Pro USB-C cable USB-C charger |
| Colors | Graphite, Pink Gold, Silver | Silver, Space Gray |
Design
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is lighter and smaller than the iPad Pro.
As far as looks go, these tablets don’t really offer anything new, but they do have tried and tested designs. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is smaller and lighter than the iPad Pro since it only has an 11-inch screen (more on their displays later). It measures 9.99 x 6.51 x 0.25 inches and it weighs 1.11lbs. In contrast, the iPad Pro has a 12.9-inch display and its physical dimensions are 11.05 x 8.46 x 0.25 inches. It weighs 1.50lbs, so it’s not that heavier than the Galaxy Tab S8.
At the back, the Galaxy Tab S8 has a magnetic strip for charging the included S Pen, a camera bump that contains two camera lenses and a couple of branding. Similarly, the iPad Pro has a camera bump at the back and a huge Apple logo at the back. All in all, they have clean designs.
When it comes to durability, the two tablets are built to withstand regular everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is made with more scratch and bend-resistant materials than the previous gen Galaxy Tab S7. The iPad Pro has a glass front, aluminum back and aluminum front.
Both tablets come with USB-C ports for charging. However, only the iPad Pro comes with an actual charger. You’ll need to buy a separate charger for the Galaxy Tab S8. The Galaxy Tab S8 comes in pink gold, silver and graphite, while the iPad Pro is available in either silver or space gray.
Display
The iPad Pro’s screen is superior to the Tab S8’s display in every way.
The displays on these two tablets have a huge discrepancy when it comes to quality. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 sports a standard 11-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1600 x 2560 for a pixel density of 274 ppi. It has a max refresh rate of 120 Hz, but that’s all of its features. It’s pretty standard when compared to other high-end tablets.
Meanwhile, the iPad Pro sports a higher quality screen. It has a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini-LED LCD screen with a resolution of 2048 x 2732 pixels for a 265 ppi pixel density. It also has a max refresh rate of 120Hz, support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and it has a peak brightness of 1600 nits. It’s not a stretch to say that this screen blows the Tab S8’s out of the water.
Click here for our Galaxy Tab S8 vs S8+ comparison
Hardware
The iPad Pro has better hardware, but the Galaxy Tab S8 has its S Pen and DeX mode for productivity.
All Galaxy Tab S8 variants will ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, which is a step up over the Tab S7’s Snapdragon 888. This is the same chipset inside Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones. As for the iPad Pro, it’s equipped with the Apple M1 chip, which is also a considerable upgrade over the standard iPad’s A13 Bionic chip. Both of these tablets have powerhouse chipsets, but Apple still leads the industry when it comes to actual performance.
When it comes to RAM and storage configurations, the Galaxy Tab S8 has three variants—128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM and 256GB 12GB RAM. Meanwhile, the
As for software, the Galaxy Tab S8 will ship with Android 12 and Samsung’s One UI 4.1. On the other hand, the iPad Pro comes with iPadOS 14.5.1 and it is upgradeable to iPadOS 15.3. These OS and platforms certainly have their pros and cons, but one thing that is unique to Samsung is their DeX mode, which is their desktop mode for productivity. Paired with the S Pen, the Galaxy Tab S8 is a very good productivity tablet. You can get the Apple Pencil for the iPad Pro, but you’ll have to purchase it separately and there is still no Apple equivalent to Samsung’s DeX mode.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S8 tablet has a lower capacity battery than the iPad Pro but it still has a longer runtime.
Equipped with a Li-Po 8000mAh battery, the Galaxy Tab S8 can last around 13 hours during regular use. Meanwhile, the
Charging the Galaxy Tab S8 is quicker, as it supports 45W fast charging. From an empty state, it can be fully charged in around 1 hour 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the iPad Pro only supports 18W charging, so it will take a longer time to fully charge it.
Verdict
These tablets are designed for different audiences.
This is hardly a fair comparison since these tablets aren’t in direct competition with each other. The Galaxy Tab S8 is designed to compete with the iPad 10.2-inch, while the iPad Pro is a high-end tablet designed for audiences that need the best without regard for cost, and it’s direct competitor is the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. That said, if you are looking at these two specific tablets, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 offers better value for money since it offers very good performance at a lower price point. The iPad Pro, on the other hand, is reserved for those that want the best in performance and display quality—and don’t mind spending the money for it.
FAQs
It depends on your preferences and requirements. Apple iPads usually have better performance and a more streamlined OS. Android tabs, including Samsung tablets, usually offer more customization options.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is the best in the lineup in terms of hardware and performance. It’s also the most expensive.
The iPad Pro has better hardware and it has a much bigger and higher quality display.
The Galaxy Tab S8 are available for pre-order on February 2022.