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 loads in frequent – glossy designs, giant shows and a few of the greatest 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 lots going for it, together with M5 efficiency – which may properly blow each Android pill out of the water – and a variety 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 truly 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 potential for some energy customers, however as somebody who depends on internet shopping and a small choice of mobile-friendly apps to get work executed, it’s properly inside my attain.
Nevertheless, multitasking is a prime precedence, so I can’t be coping with a small display screen. The Tab S11 Extremely emphatically solutions my considerations, with an enormous 14.6-inch panel that’s greater than many laptops. Having tried it for myself, the 120Hz OLED panel is totally gorgeous in particular person.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
The brand new iPad Professional’s show has very comparable specs, plus a barely larger decision of 2752 x 2064, but it surely’s solely out there in 11- or 13-inch sizes. When utilizing apps side-by-side or rapidly switching between them, that additional actual property on the Tab S11 Extremely’s display screen could make all of the distinction.
And extra immune to the weather
Construct high quality is a key energy of the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely, and I’ve no purpose to suspect that the brand new iPad Professional will probably be any completely different. Each gadgets characteristic sturdy glass on the show, plus an aluminium again and body that has stood the take a look at of time on previous generations.
Nevertheless, the Tab S11 Extremely has a key benefit relating to water and mud 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 absolutely protected in opposition to small particles.
Against this, the iPad Professional has no official score in any respect. It might properly survive a fast rain bathe or a day on the seaside, but it surely’s telling that Apple makes no point out of this in its announcement of the machine.
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 may obtain all of the apps on an iPad, however the expertise by no means feels as intuitive or cohesive. Apple designs options that work greatest with its inventory apps, and there’s little motivation for Google to make a totally optimised iPad app.
There’s additionally the difficulty of paid-for apps, the place a purchase order received’t be carried over from an Android telephone. And a few apps, together with HappyCow, are free on Android however paid for on Apple gadgets – a serious frustration.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
AI on a pill is essential to me
In terms of synthetic intelligence on cell, 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 immediately into the working system, slightly 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 modifying 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 prepared to attend any longer for AI to boost my life.
It’s cheaper (for the mannequin I’d need)
Technically, the brand new iPad Professional is extra reasonably priced than the Galaxy Tab S11 Extremely. It begins at £999/$999, whereas Samsung’s slate prices a minimum of £1,199/$1,199 when shopping for at full worth.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t inform the complete story. The iPad Professional’s beginning worth is just for the 11-inch mannequin – to step as much as the 13-inch model, you’ll have to pay a minimum of £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 machine would require additional funding from me, as neither Samsung nor Apple features a keyboard cowl within the worth. As somebody who travels recurrently, that’s a necessity – belief me, typing out a protracted doc utilizing a touchscreen keyboard doesn’t lower it.
Samsung’s Slim E book Keyboard Cowl sometimes prices £199/$199 (though it’s presently included within the worth) whereas Apple’s Magic Keyboard is an extra £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 good for digital artwork), this can be a actual boon.
Chris Corridor / Foundry
Against this, Apple prices an extra £79/$79 for the most recent 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 machine itself.
So, as you may see, the brand new iPad Professional isn’t proper for me. However it nonetheless appears to be like like a superb machine that might go toe-to-toe with any of the very best tablets available on the market.
? Pre-orders for the brand new iPad Professional are stay now within the UK and US, forward of its launch on 22 October.