iPad Pro M5 vs Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra vs Surface Pro 10: Which Wins?

Design & Build

The iPad Pro M5 sets the standard here. At 579g, it's the lightest of the three by a significant margin. Apple's industrial design remains elegant, with thin bezels and a premium aluminum chassis. The 13-inch form factor strikes a balance between portability and usable screen space. According to Tom's Guide, it's "laptop-level power in tablet form factor," and the thinness makes it genuinely portable.

Samsung's Tab S11 Ultra goes bigger at 14.6 inches, but that comes with consequences. At 718g, it's noticeably heavier, and reviewers consistently note it's not comfortable for extended handheld use. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display is gorgeous, but the sheer size makes this feel more like a portable monitor than a tablet. TechRadar calls it "desktop-replacement functionality," which is accurate but also reveals the tradeoff. You're getting more screen, but losing portability.

The Surface Pro 10 sits in the middle at 13 inches, but the kickstand and detachable keyboard design add bulk. It's built like a laptop because it is one, and that's both a strength and weakness. The PixelSense display is excellent, and the build quality feels premium. But without the keyboard attached, it's awkward to use as a pure tablet. CNET notes it's "powerful and flexible," but flexibility requires carrying extra accessories.

Winner: Apple iPad Pro M5. It's the most refined tablet design, balancing screen size with genuine portability.

Performance

This is where things get interesting. The iPad Pro M5's Apple silicon is genuinely impressive. According to professional reviewers, it handles Final Cut Pro, Procreate, and other demanding creative apps without breaking a sweat. The M5 chip delivers laptop-class performance, and benchmarks back this up. But here's the catch: iPadOS still limits what you can actually do with all that power. As one editorial review notes, "iPadOS still has workflow limitations" that prevent this from being a true laptop replacement.

Samsung's Dimensity 9400+ chip is capable, handling video editing and multitasking well. DeX mode provides real desktop functionality, which is a genuine advantage over iPadOS in some workflows. But the Android tablet app ecosystem remains weak. You've got the horsepower, but many professional apps either don't exist or are poorly optimized for tablets. TechRadar calls it "the Android tablet to beat," but that's grading on a curve.

The Surface Pro 10's Intel Core i7 14th Gen is the only one running full desktop software. Ars Technica gave it a 9.2/10, noting it's "powerful and flexible for professionals." This is the only device here that runs Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and other desktop apps without compromise. Battery life hits 15 hours according to PCMag, which beats most Windows laptops. If you need Windows software, this is your only option.

Winner: Apple iPad Pro M5. Raw performance is exceptional, and while iPadOS has limitations, the M5 chip provides the most power for creative workflows that actually work on tablets.

Display Quality

All three displays are excellent, but they serve different purposes. The iPad Pro's 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED is stunning. Colors pop, blacks are true black, and the brightness is exceptional. For creative work like photo editing or video color grading, this is the display to beat. Tom's Guide consistently praises the screen quality, and it's hard to argue.

Samsung's 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X is the biggest here, and that matters if you're multitasking. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything feel buttery smooth, and the sheer size means you can comfortably run two apps side by side. According to reviewers, this is the best display for media consumption and split-screen productivity. But bigger isn't always better. The size makes this unwieldy for handheld use.

The Surface Pro 10's 13-inch PixelSense display is bright and sharp, excellent for office work and creative tasks. It's not OLED, so blacks aren't as deep, but color accuracy is solid. Digital Trends notes the display is "impressive," but it doesn't have the wow factor of the OLED panels on the iPad and Samsung.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. The combination of size, OLED quality, and 120Hz refresh makes this the best display for productivity and media consumption.

Software & Ecosystem

This is where philosophical differences matter most. iPadOS on the M5 is polished and intuitive, with excellent app optimization. The App Store has the best tablet apps, period. Apple Pencil Pro integration is seamless, and if you're already in Apple's ecosystem, everything just works. But iPadOS fundamentally can't do everything a desktop OS can. File management is still clunky, and pro workflows hit walls quickly.

Android on the Tab S11 Ultra has improved, but the app ecosystem remains the biggest weakness. Samsung's DeX mode is genuinely useful, providing a desktop-like interface that works well with a keyboard and mouse. The seven-year software update commitment is industry-leading. But as one editorial review notes, "Android tablet app ecosystem is still weak." Many apps are just blown-up phone versions.

Windows 11 on the Surface Pro 10 is the most capable OS here. It runs every desktop application without compromise. If you need Photoshop, Visual Studio, or specialized business software, this is your only option. But Windows isn't optimized for touch the way iPadOS is. Tablet mode feels like an afterthought, and you'll constantly reach for the keyboard.

Winner: Apple iPad Pro M5. iPadOS has limitations, but it offers the best balance of tablet optimization and app quality.

Battery Life

The Surface Pro 10 leads here with up to 15 hours according to multiple reviewers. PCMag and Laptop Mag both confirmed all-day battery life even under heavy workloads. That's genuinely impressive for a device running an Intel i7 processor.

The iPad Pro M5 delivers solid battery life, typically lasting 10-12 hours of mixed use according to Tom's Guide. The M5 chip is efficient, and the OLED display helps when viewing darker content. Charging is fast with the right adapter.

Samsung's Tab S11 Ultra falls somewhere in the middle. The massive 14.6-inch display drains power faster, and reviewers note battery life is good but not exceptional. You'll get through a work day, but heavy users will need to charge before evening.

Winner: Microsoft Surface Pro 10. Fifteen hours of real-world battery life is hard to beat.

Value for Money

This is where things get complicated. The iPad Pro M5 costs $1,199 on Amazon (down from $1,299 MSRP). That's expensive, but you're getting the M5 chip, OLED display, and the best tablet app ecosystem. However, you'll need to spend another $300+ for the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro to unlock its full potential. One editorial review notes it's "very expensive for casual users" and "overkill unless you're creating."

The Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra is $999 on Amazon (down from $1,199 MSRP), and it includes the S Pen. That's a significant advantage. You're getting a massive display and seven years of updates. But the Android app ecosystem means you're not getting the same software value as the iPad. As one review states, "$1,199 MSRP puts it in iPad Pro pricing" without the app library to justify it.

The Surface Pro 10 has a pricing disaster. MSRP is $999, but Amazon lists it at $1,870. That's completely unjustifiable. Even at MSRP, you need to add $300+ for the keyboard and stylus. One editorial review calls it "pricing purgatory," and that's accurate. The hardware is excellent, but the total cost is absurd.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra. At $999 with the S Pen included, it offers the best value if you can live with Android's limitations.

Who Should Buy What?

Get the iPad Pro M5 if you're a creative professional who needs the best tablet for photo editing, video work, or digital art. The M5 chip and OLED display justify the price if you're actually creating content. It's also the best choice if you're already invested in Apple's ecosystem. But be honest with yourself: if you're just browsing and watching videos, this is massive overkill.

Get the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra if you want the biggest screen for media consumption and productivity, and you're comfortable with Android. The 14.6-inch display is unmatched for split-screen work, and the included S Pen makes it the best value here. It's also the right choice if you're already using Samsung phones and want seamless integration. Just don't expect iPad-level app quality.

Get the Surface Pro 10 if you absolutely need full Windows software and can find it at or near MSRP. Avoid Amazon's $1,870 pricing at all costs. This is the only true laptop replacement here, but only if you need Windows-specific applications. For everyone else, the software compromises of the iPad or Samsung are easier to live with than the Surface's tablet-mode awkwardness.

Final Verdict

The Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M5 wins this comparison. At 9.5/10 from professional reviewers, it's the most complete premium tablet you can buy. The M5 chip delivers genuine laptop-class performance, the OLED display is stunning, and the refined design makes it the most portable option here. According to TechRadar and Tom's Guide, it's "the most capable tablet you can buy for creators and professionals."

Yes, iPadOS has limitations. Yes, it's expensive. And yes, you'll need accessories to unlock its full potential. But the iPad Pro M5 does what a premium tablet should do better than anything else: it balances power, portability, and software quality in a way that actually works for creative professionals. The Samsung offers better value and a bigger screen, but the app ecosystem can't compete. The Surface runs full Windows, but it's trapped in pricing purgatory and feels more like a compromised laptop than an excellent tablet.

If you're serious about creative work on a tablet, the iPad Pro M5 justifies its premium. For everyone else, the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra at $999 offers better value. Just avoid the Surface Pro 10 until Amazon's pricing returns to reality.