Samsung is the pride and joy of the Android world. After all, the company has been making stunning flagship devices to take on Apple’s smartphone offerings for decades now. But when Apple released the first-ever iPad in 2010, everyone dismissed it as a trend, and time showed that it was not, in fact, a trend — everyone turned to Samsung once again to give a fitting reply.
It’s 2022. While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is the most popular Samsung tablet out there, the newest iPad Pro is one of Apple’s hottest-selling tablets. And if we had to compare Galaxy Tab S7 vs iPad Pro, which of these two tablets is better? We were also curious, so we decided to compare these two tablets. We picked the 11-inch models since they seemed the most alike.
Note that Samsung does have a newer tablet out (the Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra), but since people still really like the Tab S7, we decided to compare it against the 2022 iPad Pro. The 2021 model has been discontinued, which is alright because the new model is an almost exact copy of the 2021 version.
Galaxy Tab S7 vs iPad Pro
We plan to go in-depth with our comparison of these devices, but here’s a quick overview of both tablets, including their pros and cons.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7
With a stunning aluminum body, plenty of glass, and impressive hardware, the Galaxy Tab S7 is a worthy opponent to the iPad Pro. Launched in 2020, the device also offers LTE and 5G models and supports a bunch of accessories that make it a great work device, an alternative for your office laptop.
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Stunning screen
- Impressive battery life
- High-end stereo speakers
- Supports 45W charging
- DeX mode is useful
Cons:
- Computing power cannot match the iPad Pro’s M1
- Not as smooth as iPadOS
Apple iPad Pro 2022
While the iPad Pro 2021 was a beast of a tablet, Apple has outdone itself yet again with the M2 chipset inside the iPad Pro 2022.
Pros:
- Lighter and better looking than the Tab S7
- Beautiful display
- Superior cameras
Cons:
- Fast charging only goes up to 30W
- More expensive than the Galaxy Tab S7
- Does not feature a microSD card slot
| Model | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 11-inch | iPad Pro 2022 11-inch |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Display Type | IPS LCD 120Hz | Liquid Retina IPS LCD 120 Hz |
| Resolution | 1600 x 2560 pixels | 1668 x 2388 pixels |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G+ | Apple M2 |
| Memory and storage | 6GB RAM 128GB, 8GB RAM 256GB, 8GB RAM 512GB | 8GB RAM 128GB, 8GB RAM 256GB, 8GB RAM 512GB, 16GB RAM 1TB, 16GB RAM 2TB |
| Battery Capacity | 8000 mAh | 7538mAh |
| Rear Camera | 13 MP, f/2.0 + 5MP ultrawide | 12 MP, f/1.8 + 10MP Ultrawide + 3D ToF LiDAR Scanner |
| Front Camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 12 MP, f/2.4 Ultrawide |
| Audio | Quad Stereo speakers | Quad Stereo speakers |
| Authentication | Fingerprint sensor | Face ID |
| Price (Base Model) | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Features Face to Face
Let’s now take a closer look at each aspect of these tablets.
Design
We’re not going to lie — there are clear design similarities between the Samsung Tab S7 and the iPad Pro, and considering the iPad Pro came first, it’s pretty clear who copied who. To the layman, the Tab S7 tablets (available in black, silver, navy, and bronze color options) would look no different than the 2020 iPad Pro models. What sets them apart (slightly) is the groove on the back of the Tab S7 — a spot to place the S-Pen stylus.
This is not necessarily a bad thing — after all, Apple has not bothered with changing the iPad Pro’s appearance in the last few years because it’s simply that good.
That said, we have to give this round to the iPad Pro for coming up with this beautiful tablet design!
Display
Samsung is renowned for its stunning displays on both smartphones and tablets, and luckily that is the case with the Galaxy Tab S7 as well. We would have loved to see a Super AMOLED panel (like on the Galaxy Tab S7+), but the IPS LCD panel on this tablet is quite impressive too.
The Tab S7 features a 1600 x 2560 screen with an aspect ratio of 16:10, unlike the iPad Pro, which has a 4:3 aspect ratio. The resolution on the iPad Pro is close enough, too, offering 1668 x 2388 pixels. Both displays have a refresh rate of 120Hz, so you’re looking at fluid visuals whenever you use either of these tablets.
We had to make this round a tie because we loved both displays equally.
Audio
Apple set the standard for excellent audio on tablets, and we’re happy to see Samsung pull off a great job as well. Both the iPad Pro and the Galaxy Tab S7 feature quad speakers that offer you a stereo listening experience.
Both tablets deliver the goods in terms of audio levels, and you can enjoy a movie or your favorite show without struggling to hear dialogue at any point. The Tab S7’s speakers have been tuned by AKG and offer Dolby Atmos, which definitely could attract attention from audiophiles.
A win for both tablets, making this round a tie as well.
Hardware
Ah, finally, the differences begin to appear. While Samsung has definitely done a great job of putting together a flagship tablet, the issue is that it’s up against Apple. When it comes to chipset capability, the M2 chip blows the Tab S7’s Snapdragon 865 processor out of the water. The M2 is part of Apple’s Mac lineup as well, which should give you an idea of just how impressive this chip is.
We wish Apple included a fingerprint sensor like the Tab S7 does, but that’s a minor complaint, as the iPad Pro supports FaceID.
As for ports, the iPad Pro features a Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port, whereas the Galaxy Tab S7 has a Type-C 3.2 port. Both tablets skipped out on adding a 3.5mm headphone port, which is a bit disappointing.
We give this round to the iPad Pro!
Memory
The iPad Pro’s base model starts off with an 8GB RAM 128GB model, with the top variant pairing 16 gigs of RAM with 2TB of storage space. In comparison, the Tab S7 starts with a 6GB 128GB model and peaks with an 8GB RAM 512GB model.
Note that you do get a microSD card slot on the Galaxy Tab S7, something that Apple does not support. You can add up to 1TB using this slot on the Tab S7.
There’s nothing to really compare here, as storage space boils down to the preference of buyers. This round is a draw.
Software & User Interface
We could debate endlessly if we got into the Android vs. iPadOS argument, so we are going to skip that and only look at the unique features each of these devices offers instead.
We love the DeX mode on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7. It allows you to connect the tablet to a monitor, pair it with a mouse-keyboard combo, and use your device as a desktop computer. We also like how Samsung is working on its ecosystem and letting its smartphones talk to its tablets.
But Apple is the king when it comes to ecosystems. Not only can you quickly pair the iPad Pro to work as a second monitor with your Mac, but file transfers between iPhones and iPads are also seamless. When you own iOS devices, switching between them feels effortless, be it video calling, messaging, sharing content, or even browsing.
There’s a reason creative professionals love Apple products, especially the iPad Pro — it’s mainly about the user experience. And that’s why the iPad Pro wins this round!
Performance
We’re going to begin this section by saying that there is no chipset out there that can beat Apple’s M2 processor, except Apple’s own upcoming M2 Pro and Ultra chipsets. And with that kind of processing prowess, you can expect to breeze through any task you throw at the iPad Pro — from gaming to video editing to multitasking, you won’t notice a lag or glitch even once.
Honestly, the Snapdragon 865+ 5G chipset is a beast in its own right; it’s just that the performance pales in comparison to what Apple has packed into the iPad Pro. In numerous benchmarks, the M2 crushes its competition; in fact, the processors of competitors can barely even match the generation-old M1 chipset.
Camera
There’s definitely an uptick in people using tablets to shoot pictures, as it’s commonly seen in public places and touristy areas. Apple and Samsung clearly noticed; both these tablets carry some pretty great hardware as far as photography is concerned.
On the rear of the Tab S7, you get a 13 MP f/2.0 snapper that is capable of shooting some crisp, lively images. We can’t say the same about the secondary 5MP ultrawide camera, which is quite low-caliber, in our opinion. The only way you can get good pictures from that camera is in ideal lighting conditions.
The iPad Pro’s rear camera setup, however, is so good that you could literally shoot a whole movie on it. You get a 12 MP f/1.8 primary camera and a secondary 10MP ultrawide snapper that is quite competent even with lesser pixels. Additionally, you get a ToF (time-of-flight) 3D LiDAR scanner, which is just tech-speak for depth-sensing optic hardware. Yup, just Apple investing in its AR (augmented reality) ambitions.
If you’re big on video recording, the iPad Pro is definitely the better choice, as it also allows you to record 1080p slow-motion videos at 240 frames per second (fps), something the Tab S7 cannot do. The iPad Pro also shoots 4K video at 60 fps, whereas the Samsung can only manage 4K footage at 30 fps.
It’s a similar story for the front cameras in this Galaxy Tab S7 vs iPad Pro comparison — you get a 12 MP f/2.4 front camera on the iPad Pro and an 8 MP f/2.0 selfie camera on the Galaxy Tab S7. We appreciate Apple’s thoughtfulness in making the front camera of the iPad Pro an ultrawide one.
Yup, the iPad Pro definitely wins this round!
Accessories / Peripherals
Accessories are critical for tablets — they can make or break an experience. Thankfully, both brands understand this well.
When it comes to keyboards, Apple offers iPad Pro users options like the Smart Keyboard Folio and Magic Keyboard, depending on your requirements and budget. Samsung, too, has the Book Cover Lite and Book Cover Keyboards available for the Tab S7, but we found Apple’s accessories to be better designed. Both brands sell different cases for these tablets, too — check our guide on buying iPad Pro cases.
Both tablets support Bluetooth mice. If you prefer using a stylus, the Tab S7 supports the S-Pen, and the iPad Pro supports both Apple Pencil 1 and Apple Pencil 2. What we do appreciate here is that the S-Pen comes free with the Galaxy Tab S7, whereas you have to shell out $99 for Apple Pencil 1 and $129 for Apple Pencil 2.
Note that you can simply skip these expensive accessories and choose a third-party vendor like Logitech. The company makes keyboards for both iPad Pro and the Galaxy Tab S7.
When it comes to accessories, we found both of these tablets to be equally good.
Battery
Battery life maketh or breaketh the tablet. But we’re happy to report that both these tablets stand shoulder to shoulder when it comes to battery life. However, we must give a shoutout to Apple for offering a lot more processing power with minimal power consumption.
Samsung does, however, impress us with its 45W fast charging capabilities. It saves a lot of time, especially when you consider the size of the batteries inside these tablets — the Tab S7 features an 8000 mAh cell, whereas the iPad Pro is powered by a 7538 mAh battery.
This round is a tie.
Galaxy Tab S7 vs iPad Pro: Quality and Reliability
When it comes to warranty, both Samsung and Apple offer a standard one-year warranty from the date of purchase of the tablet. The customer service from both companies is excellent, but we’ve definitely heard more stories of Apple Support going above and beyond.
Similarly, you can get additional coverage for 2 years from both companies — Apple Care+ and Samsung Care+ cover accidental damage and are similar in both pricing as well as terms and conditions.
Standout features
What we liked most about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is that it’s a bit cheaper, plus you get a free stylus and a charging brick. It’s pretty great for the average user, and as long as you don’t plan to use it to launch rockets, you should be good to go.
With the Apple iPad Pro, you get monstrous processing power and excellent cameras but no charger or stylus, even though it’s kind of expensive.
Price
Prices vary wildly depending on Amazon sales, and we recommend that you wait until the holiday season to buy either of these tablets. Here are two Amazon links we dug up for you guys. You can expect to pay between $550-$650 for the Galaxy Tab S7, whereas the iPad Pro 2022 can go anywhere between $999-$1199 depending on discounts and sales.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 11-inch (128 GB): Check Price on Amazon
Apple iPad Pro 2022 11-ich (256 GB): Check Price on Amazon
Apple iPad Pro 2022 11-ich (512 GB): Check Price on Amazon
Conclusion
We hope our Galaxy Tab S7 vs iPad Pro comparison helped you pick a winner today. Both of these devices are excellent in their own way, and we are confident that you will be happy regardless of what you pick. If you have additional questions regarding either of these tablets, feel free to ask us in the comments below!
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