At the top of the tablet market, it's these two. The iPad Pro M4 13" is the most powerful tablet ever made, with an M4 chip that outpaces most laptops. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra is the best Android tablet available — a massive 14.6" Super AMOLED display, included S Pen, and Samsung DeX for desktop-mode multitasking. Neither is cheap. Both are exceptional.
Apple iPad Pro M4 13"
For most creative professionals and iPad loyalists, the iPad Pro M4 13" is the better choice — the software ecosystem, Pencil Pro accuracy, and OLED display quality are class-leading. The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra wins if you want Android flexibility, Samsung DeX, and a larger display with an included stylus.
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Apple iPad Pro M4 13" | Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple M4 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Display Size | 13" | 14.6" |
| Display Type | Tandem OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Peak Brightness | 1600 nits | 930 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz ProMotion | 120 Hz adaptive |
| Stylus Included | No (Pencil Pro extra) | Yes (S Pen) |
| RAM | 16 GB | 12 GB |
| Starting Price | ~$1299 | ~$1099 |
Display Quality
The iPad Pro M4 uses Apple's tandem OLED display — two OLED panels stacked to achieve 1000 nits sustained brightness and 1600 nits peak. RTINGS rated it as one of the best tablet displays measured, with perfect black levels and excellent uniformity.
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra's 14.6" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is also excellent — 2960×1848 resolution, 120 Hz adaptive refresh, and 930 nits typical brightness. It's larger than the iPad Pro and slightly brighter in ambient conditions, but doesn't match the iPad's peak brightness in HDR.
Performance
The M4 chip in the iPad Pro posts CPU scores in Geekbench that match MacBook Air performance. It handles 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, complex Procreate canvases, and 3D rendering without flinching. AnandTech's review called it 'a chip looking for workloads that can challenge it.'
The Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is fast — among the quickest Android chips available — but it trails the M4 meaningfully in CPU benchmarks. For gaming, video streaming, and productivity, it's more than sufficient. For heavy creative workloads, the gap is real.
Stylus and Drawing
Apple Pencil Pro added hover detection, squeeze gestures, and barrel roll rotation detection — features that matter for precision drawing and design apps. It's a hardware and software package, and Procreate's Pencil Pro support is excellent.
Samsung's S Pen is included in the box — that's $130 in Apple's pocket right there. It has tilt sensitivity and 4096 levels of pressure. It's excellent. But the software ecosystem for pen-based creativity on Android doesn't match what's available on iPadOS.
Ecosystem and Flexibility
iPadOS has matured significantly, but it still has limitations — no default browser engine choice, restricted file system access, and app availability is occasionally still weaker in professional niches. Stage Manager multitasking is good but not quite a desktop replacement.
Samsung DeX turns the Tab S10 Ultra into a full desktop environment when connected to a monitor. For Android power users, it's genuinely useful. Android's file system access and sideloading flexibility are real advantages.
Apple iPad Pro M4 13" Strengths
- M4 chip — fastest tablet processor available
- Tandem OLED with 1600-nit peak brightness
- Apple Pencil Pro with barrel roll and hover
- Best-in-class creative app ecosystem (Procreate, Final Cut)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Strengths
- S Pen included in the box
- Samsung DeX desktop mode
- Larger 14.6" display
- Android flexibility and sideloading
Apple iPad Pro M4 13" Weaknesses
- Apple Pencil Pro sold separately (~$130)
- Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro sold separately (~$350)
- iPadOS still has desktop-replacement limitations
Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra Weaknesses
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 trails M4 significantly in CPU benchmarks
- Android creative app ecosystem less mature
- Heavy and wide — less comfortable for one-handed portrait use
Best For
- a: Creative professionals, digital artists, video editors, and iOS/macOS ecosystem users
- b: Android power users, DeX fans, those who want a larger display and included stylus
FAQ
Can the iPad Pro M4 replace a laptop?
For many workflows, yes — especially with a Magic Keyboard. But iPadOS restrictions in some pro apps and the limited file system access mean some users will still want a Mac alongside it.
Is the S Pen the same as an Apple Pencil Pro?
They're comparable in basic drawing performance. The Apple Pencil Pro's barrel roll and hover detection are unique. Samsung's S Pen's advantage is being included for free.
Which is better for video streaming?
Both are excellent. The iPad Pro's display brightness is better for HDR content; the Tab S10 Ultra's larger screen is better for movie watching. Personal preference will decide.