- November 5, 2026
FLAGSHIP TABLETS
A lighter 13-inch Apple flagship against Samsung’s enormous 14.6-inch display.
Updated October 26, 2026 · Manufacturer specifications · Not a hands-on review
The M5 iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra both offer high-end OLED experiences, but they target different ecosystems and screen-size preferences. Apple packs tandem OLED, Thunderbolt / USB 4 and the M5 into a 579g Wi-Fi tablet. Samsung uses a much larger 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X display with S Pen included, DeX and expandable storage.
Best for: Creators needing iPadOS, Thunderbolt accessories, a lighter tablet and Apple Pencil Pro support.
✓ 13-inch tandem OLED ProMotion 10–120Hz
✓ 579g Wi-Fi model; portable flagship
✓ M5 and Thunderbolt / USB 4
• Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard extra
• No microSD; smaller canvas
Best for: Digital artists, large-screen multitaskers and Android users seeking a 14.6-inch canvas.
✓ 14.6-inch AMOLED 120Hz screen
✓ S Pen in box and microSD up to 2TB
✓ Wi-Fi 7, DeX and IP68
• 692g Wi-Fi model is heavier
• 14.6-inch footprint is less hand-held friendly
Source: manufacturer-published details. Storage, regional bundles and pricing can vary; launch MSRP is historical, not a live quote.
| Specification | Apple iPad Pro (13-inch M5) | Samsung Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 13-inch tandem OLED 2752×2064 | 14.6-inch AMOLED 2X 2960×1848 |
| Refresh | 10–120Hz ProMotion | Up to 120Hz |
| Chip | Apple M5 | Dimensity 9500 |
| RAM | 12GB (256/512GB), 16GB (1/2TB) | 12GB or 16GB by configuration |
| Storage | 256GB to 2TB, no microSD | 256GB to 1TB, microSD up to 2TB |
| Weight, Wi-Fi | 579g | 692g |
| Stylus | Pencil Pro supported, sold separately | S Pen included |
| Connection | Thunderbolt / USB 4 | USB-C |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Platform | iPadOS | Android 17 / One UI 9 |
| U.S. launch price from | $1,299 (2025) | $1,399.99 (2026) |
Art and sketching: Samsung gives more physical room and an in-box stylus; Apple has Pencil Pro support and popular professional iPad apps.
Travel and handheld use: Apple’s 13-inch Wi-Fi model weighs 113g less. Samsung’s oversized screen is better suited to a desk or supported case.
External storage and editing: Thunderbolt/USB 4 is a reason to examine the iPad Pro; app support, file workflows and storage speed require real-world verification.
Choose iPad Pro M5 if portability, Thunderbolt and required iPadOS creative apps matter most. Choose Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra if you value the largest screen, DeX, included pen and microSD. Both deserve an app-by-app workflow check rather than a blanket performance ranking.
Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra: 14.6 inches versus 13 inches.
Samsung includes S Pen. Apple sells compatible Pencil separately.
No. Any dollar figures here are original U.S. launch starting prices; current offers may differ.
Editorial method: desk research using official manufacturer specifications, reviewed October 26, 2026. We have not personally tested these tablets, measured benchmarks, or checked live stock levels.
Apple M5 iPad Pro specifications
Apple M5 iPad Pro launch and price
Samsung S12 series specifications
Affiliate disclosure: Links to manufacturer specifications on this page are informational. If future retailer affiliate links are added, any commission relationship should be disclosed clearly at the point of recommendation. Browse all 2026 tablet comparisons.